2013 ANNUAL REPORTLeading Businesses. Leading Communities.™

J O I N I N O U R E F F O RT S T O L E A D L O N G V I E W.

“No community will ever be much better than its business community causes it to be.” – former President Ronald Reagan

Strengthen the local economy by researching and providing available resources to grow our local businesses.

Promote the community by marketing Longview as a destination for new businesses, tourists, active older adults, and potential employees.

Provide networking opportunities by organizing and hosting a myriad of seminars, events, and programs for our Chamber members.

Represent the interests of business with government by building relationships with governmental agencies and effectively voicing the needs of area businesses.

Build community-wide leadership by encouraging and developing a shared vision for the future of Longview and collectively influencing stakeholders to make it happen.

What doeS the ChamBeR do?

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Our VisiOn To be recognized as an effective

resource, providing relevant,

innovative, and impactful

programming that ensures a

healthy business climate and

an enhanced quality of life for

Longview and Gregg County.

Our MissiOn To engage in and promote projects

with a positive economic impact

on the Longview Trade Area.

Our COre Values andGuidinG PrinCiPlesstrengthen the Local Economy

Promote the Community

Provide Networking Opportunities

represent the Interests of Business

with Government

Build Community Leadership and

Development Programs

Our Brand PrOMise Longview offers an authentic

East Texas experience for visitors,

residents, and business. The people

are friendly, possess a can-do attitude,

and are hard working. Our healthy

economic environment attracts

businesses: job opportunities,

strong/affordable workforce, retail,

dining and manufacturing.

Dear Chamber Members:

2013 was another year packed with many challenges and opportunities for the Longview Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber and its professional and volunteer leadership has tried to keep in mind that we exist and thrive as an organization only because of our many members and supporters. You are our business and we take that fact very seriously. We are about helping with the business of business because that is what you expect and need from us.

I would like to share with you just a few accomplishments of your Chamber during the past year:

•TheLongviewChamberofCommerceactivelysupportedtheCityofLongview’s successful I-20 Task Force that was chaired by our Chamber Immediate Past Chairman, Dr. Dale Lunsford.

•CompletedourthirdannualTotalResourceCampaignandundertheleadershipof Jeremy DuMond exceeded not only our campaign goals for 2013, but also the levels we reached in 2012.

•Ledour2ndannualInterCityVisittoFortCollins,Colorado.

•RolledouttheLongviewBusinessPoliticalActionCommittee(LBPAC).

•ContinuedoureffortstosupporttheexpandeduseofCNG(CompressedNatural Gas)inourareabysecuringaCNGfuelingstationforourmembersandarea businesseswithtransportationfleets.

•CompletedanewStrategicPlanfortheChamberthatwillguideoureffortsfor the coming year.

•Continuedourongoingefforttosupportandprovidedover300onlinecourses through Chamber University.

•Openedasatelliteentrepreneurialcenterequippedwithwirelessinternet,smart board, and laptop capabilities.

•LaunchedtheYoungEntrepreneursAcademy(YEA!).

These are only a few of the key initiatives undertaken by your Chamber in support of our community and our members. At the Longview Chamber, we understand that the quality of a community rests upon the existence of a healthy economy. We also understand that while we may lead some initiatives, often our greatest value is behind the scenes, supporting our many community and area partners such as the City of Longview, Gregg County, LEDCO and many others. Our goal is not to take credit for the successes of our area, but to celebrate those successes and further support their sustainment.

We are blessed to live in a city and region that does not take its successes for granted and understands that they are only sustained and enhanced by teamwork and a lot of hard work. It has been an honor and a pleasure for me to play a very small role in the efforts of the Chamber in 2013. I have been fortunate to work with an outstanding BoardandStaffandlookforwardtowhatwecanalldotogetherin2014andwellbeyond.

Brad Tidwell

2013ANNUAL REPORT

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WE’VE BEEN BUSY! •Representedover1,100businesses•Workedalongsideroughly48,000employees•Organizednearly137business,professionaland advocacyevents

January President Kelly Hall hosted monthly President’s Coffees

to inform and educate chamber members of the changes in the healthcare

act. The Chamber BUZZ e-newsletter received a new look which focuses

on more news while continuing to maintain the purpose of announcing

upcoming Chamber events.

February The Longview Chamber of Commerce’s virtual town

hall, LongviewTexasListens.com, was launched. The convention sales team

partnered with the North East Texas Tourism Council at the 2013 Home &

Garden Show in Katy, Texas and Fort Worth, Texas. The East Texas Coalition

participated in its bi-annual trip to Austin with approximately

50 participating with 125 collectively participating.

March The Chamber hosted its fourth annual Salute to

Healthcare to recognize outstanding professionals in Longview’s health

care industry. A resolution passed to encourage the expansion of Medicaid

in the State of Texas and was supported by several healthcare facilities:

Good Shepherd Medical Center, Longview Regional Medical Center, Wellness

Pointe, Community Healthcare, and Oceans Behavioral Hospital.

April The Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau selected its

first Hospitality Employee of the Year with nominations coming from the

Longview community. The CVB hosted a luncheon for members of the

Longview Hospitality and Tourism Association. Downtown LIVE! was

held each Friday.

May The Longview Chamber of Commerce launched the Longview

E-Learning Center, a part of the Chamber University network. The Longview

E-Learning Center provides courses in current and vital subjects. The

Chamber’s annual Small Business Awards luncheon was celebrated with

over 425 business and community leaders. The 2012-2013 Leadership

Longview class graduated and received recognition and awards. Business

EXPO 2013 was held following the luncheon and provided local businesses

an opportunity to meet other businesses and promote services and products

with over 80 exhibitors and 500 attendees. Chamber and Main Street

staff attended the 2013 National Main Street Conference in New Orleans.

AlleyFest 2013 took place with changes being made and more than 75

vendors and a new layout for the annual festival. The Chamber staff, with

the retail commercial team, participated in the ICSC RECon in Las Vegas.

RECon is the global convention for the shopping center industry and

provides the opportunity to network and make deals with retail real estate

professionals from around the world.

June The Longview Chamber of Commerce was awarded the

opportunity to begin a new initiative – Young Entrepreneurs Academy

(YEA!). The Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted Hospitality

training. Longview Main Street awarded a façade grant to Longview World

of Wonders.

July The Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau conducted an

Economic Impact Analysis for the Great Texas Balloon Race event.

August The 2013 Total Resource Campaign kicked off and

set a campaign goal of $400,000 and exceeded that goal by $40,000.

A business advocacy luncheon was hosted by the Advocacy Task Force with

keynote speaker Congressman Louie Gohmert providing a federal update.

September The Longview Chamber of Commerce hosted

the annual State of the City luncheon with over 250 in attendance. The

President’s Coffee monthly program targeted small businesses to learn

more about AEP/SWEPCO’s grant to upgrade lighting fixtures to be more

energy efficient. The Advocacy Committee hosted a retailers roundtable with

guest speaker Luke LeGate to discuss the Marketing Fairness Act. Chamber

staff, along with the retail development team, attended the 2013 Retail

Live! event in Austin. The 2013 PAR Busters golf tournament was held with

over 43 teams participating.

October The Advocacy Task Force hosted a advocacy meeting

featuring Steve Minick with the Texas Association of Business. The CVB

team attended the 2013 Texas State Travel Summit. The conference is

the only statewide event in Texas for the entire Texas travel and tourism

industry to network with other industry leaders. Staff, with the convention

sales team, traveled to South Dakota for the Small Market Meetings

conference. They showcased Longview as a destination community for

small meetings and conferences.

November Longview Main Street hosted the first Color Up

5K run in November with over 1800 runners. Proceeds from the race

benefited Longview Main Street. Business Briefs was launched as a new

on-line feature produced by Longview Chamber of Commerce exclusively

for Chamber members in the weekly e-newsletter, The Chamber BUZZ. The

2013 Fall Leadership Institute was held and featured Houston attorney

Elizabeth Campbell with the law firm Andrews Kurth.

December The Chamber’s second annual Emerging

Leaders Awards luncheon was hosted at Pinecrest Country Club. Three

professionals under 40 years of age were recognized for their outstanding

accomplishments and strong leadership skills.

Embracing ExcellenceMAJOR HIGHLIGHTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 2013

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MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR MEMBERSImproved CommunICatIons and aCCess to InformatIon

Website & Social Media

• 69,546uniquevisitorstoLongviewChamberwebsite -94,904visitstothesiteweremade -71.93%werenewvisitors -301,780pageswereviewedonLongviewChamber.com -3.18averagenumberofpagesvisited•TheLongviewChambermanagedmorethan 10FacebookPagesduring2013.Thepagestogether makeacommunityof18,892fanswhichismadeupof manythat“Like”severalofourpages.Totaluniquefans arenotdistinguishable.•TheChamberLinkedInGrouphasincreasedmembership in2013from583to731participatinginthegroup.•LongviewTexasListens.comhasposted23topicsor questionsfordiscussion.Participationhasreached160 with141active.Theparticipantshavemade1642visits offering101ideasand109comments.•TheChambercontinuesitseffortstoengagemembers andthecommunitythroughtheirwebsites,social mediaplatforms,electronicnewsletters,andemail communication.Thesesocialmediaoutletsallow theChambertoremainonthecuttingedgeofdigital communications.• SocialmediasitesLongviewVotes.com, LongviewTexasListens.comandChamberUniversityare additionalexamplesofusingelectronicchannelstoreach outtoourmembersandthecommunity.TheChamber continuesitscommitmenttotheprintedwordtokeep itsmembershipinformed,educatedandintheforefront ofimportantissuesandeventsthataffecttheirbusiness worldondailybasis.

Business Education

• 60peoplehaveregisteredwiththeLongviewe-Learning Center’sChamberUniversity.PoweredbyGlobal Classroom,ChamberUniversityofferstopleveltraining andprofessionaldevelopmentclasseson-linethatcanbe accessedatastudent’sconvenienceandontheirschedule.

Electronic Communication

• 52issuesofTheChamberBUZZdeliveredaselectronic newsletterstoChambermembers.•Threeadditionale-newslettersarepublishedquarterly bytheChamber:TheCVBLongView,MainStreetNews, andTheLeader.

Influence and Access at a New High: Your Voice for Business

•KellyHallwaselectedtotheAmericanChamber ofCommerceExecutivesBoardofDirectors.Shealso representsLongviewbyservingontheU.S.Chamber’s Committeeof100,Transportation/Infrastructure

CommitteeaswellastheTexasAssociationofBusiness BoardandtheTexasChamberofCommerceExecutives Board.•ChamberBoardmemberTimVaughnservesonthe TexasAssociationofBusiness.•ChamberBoardJeremyDuMondservesontheTexas AssociationofManufacturingboardofdirectors.•ChamberBoardmemberTimVaughnservesontheTexas RegionalMobilityAuthority.•ChambermemberRichardManleyservesontheU.S. Chamber’sSmallBusinessCommittee.• ImmediatePastChairmanoftheBoardDr.Dale LunsfordservesontheboardoftheIndependent Colleges&UniversitiesofTexas,EastTexasCommunities FoundationandisatrusteeontheBoardofTrusteesfor LeTourneauUniversity.•ChamberBoardMemberKeithHoneyservesonthe TexasStateTechnicalCollegeBoardofRegentsandthe NortheastTexasRegionalMobilityAuthorityBoard.

TheLongviewChamberofCommerceprovidestheavenuetoaccesslocal,stateandnationalleadershipthroughitsannualStateoftheCityaddress,ElectedOfficialsReception,Candidate’sForum,GreggCountyDaysinAustin,andtheWashingtonD.C.FlyIn.

Business Education Boosts Bottom Line

• 18trainings• 308participants(CS,GB,Women’sLeadership/Tech)• 8Member2Memberorientationsessions.• 5CustomerService• 4BusinessDevelopmentPrograms• 5TechnologySeriesWorkshops• 4Women’sLeadershipCouncilPrograms

Since2005,theBusinessEducationSerieshasprovidedmorethan1,200businesspeoplewithvaluableinsight,educationandtoolsofthetradetohelptheirbusinessincreaseproductivityandprofits.In2013someofthemostpopularseminarswereintheareasofcustomerserviceandsocialmedia.

TheBusinessEducationSeriesexpandedin2013withtheadditionoftechnologywebinarsaswellaswomen’sleadershipseries.TheLongviewConventionandVisitorsBureauHospitalityTrainingexpandedfromtwotothreehands-ontourshighlightinggreatplacestovisitintheLongviewarea.TheChamberiscommittedtoprovidingChambermemberswithup-to-dateandcuttingedgeinformationthatwillhelpthemboosttheirbottomlines.

Business Advocacy

• LongviewBusinessPoliticalActionCommitteewasformed.• Participatedin2013InterCityvisittoFortCollins,Colorado.•LongviewVotes.comisononlineadvocacytoolthat providesmemberstheopportunitytoviewlegislation theChamberistrackingontheirbehalfandsenddirect messagestotheirelectedrepresentativestoinfluence policyandlegislation.

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•ChamberstaffandChambervolunteersattendedthe U.S.ChamberRegionalGovernmentalConferences.• TheChamberhosteditsannualElectedOfficialsReception.•TheEastTexasCoalition(Longview,Kilgore,Gladewater andTyler)continuestoserveasacollectivevoicein Austinwithover100localleadersrepresentingLongview.•TheannualWashington,D.C.FlyInservesasacollective voiceinWashingtonwithover50leadersrepresenting Longview.•TheChamber’sPresidentservesontheU.S.Chamber’s Committeeof100asarepresentativeofourareaand stateprovidingalocalvoiceinnationalpolicysetting.

Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)

In2013theLongviewChamberofCommercelaunchedtheYoungEntrepreneursAcademy,orYEA!,aninnovativeprogramthatguidesstudentsthroughtheprocessofstartingtheirownrealbusiness.Thisyear-longclasstransformsstudentsintoreal,confidententrepreneurs.TheLongviewChamberofCommerce’sinauguralyearwithYEA!isofftoanexcitingstart.TheYEA!programisformiddleschoolandhighschoolstudentsattendingLongviewISD,PineTreeISD,SpringHillISD,LongviewhomeschooledstudentsandstudentsattendingLongviewprivateschools.ThisyearninestudentsbegantheirjourneytobecomingCEOoftheirownbusiness.

YEA!’smissionistodevelopanddeliverexciting,experience-basedentrepreneurshipprogramstoyoungpeopletoenablethemtotransformtheirideasintorealenterprisesthatcreateeconomicandsocialvalueforabetterworld,developcharacterfortomorrow’sleaders,andenableeducationalinstitutionstoprovidesuccessfulentrepreneurshipandsocialinnovationtrainingprogramsforyouthbetweentheagesof11and18.

Thisgroundbreakingprogramenablesstudentstostartandlauncharealbusinessorsocialmovementoverthecourseoftheacademicyear.Throughouttheclass,studentsdevelopbusinessideas,writebusinessplans,conductmarketresearch,pitchtheirplanstoapanelofinvestors,andactuallylaunchandruntheirownreal,legal,fullyformedcompaniesandsocialmovements.Completewithdynamicguestspeakersfromthelocalbusinesscommunityandexcitingbehind-the-scenestripstolocalcompanies,thefun,projects-basedYEA!approachempowersstudentstotakechargeoftheirfuturesinaprofoundway.

CommunitY DEvElopmEntMAIN STREET/DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

OneHundredAcresofHeritageMainStreetcontinuesitseffortsasastrongadvocateforprogressandbeautificationindowntownLongview.In2013,newdirectionalsignswereinstalledwhichdirectmotoriststodowntownHeritagePlaza,LearParkandotherdestinations.ThisisthefirststepofamasterplantoaddwayfindingsignagethroughoutLongview.Additionally,successesincludeawardinga$40,000façadegranttotheGreggCountyHistoricalMuseum.

longview main Street

ChristmasattheCourthousecontinuedasafun-filledeventforthewholefamilyandpartneredwithGreggCountytopresentoneexcitingweekendofholidayfunforkidsofallages.LongviewMainStreetwiththeLongviewAMBUCSproducedtheannualChristmasparade.DowntownLIVE!andMOVIESONTHEPLAZAcontinuedtodrawcrowdstoHeritagePlaza.

Community Diversity/DiSC

TheLongviewChamberofCommercecontinueditseffortsthisyearasacommunityadvocatebyofferingDiversityintheWorkplaceatthe2013FallLeadershipInstituteaswellasaworkshoponUnderstandingBehavioralStyles(DiSC).Bothoftheseimportantworkshopsconcentratedonthechangeinourmulti-generationalworkplaces.

CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

CvB Goes on the Road to market longview

•KatyHomeShowandtheFortWorthHomeandGarden ShowtopromoteLongviewaspartoftheNorthEast TexasTourismCouncil.•MarketedLongviewinpartnershipwithTeamTexas intheAmericanBusAssociationConference-Charlotte, NC;NationalTravelAssociation-Orlando,FL;AARP Convention-LasVegas,NV;andAARPConvention- Atlanta,GA.•AlbuquerqueBalloonFiesta-Albuquerque,NM.•ProducedanewVisitorGuidewhichoffersmorephotos andfocusesontheactivitiesapersoncanenjoywhile stayinginLongview.

“One of the most interesting components of the program is the actual behind the scenes knowledge the students are given from local business leaders, who were at one time standing in their shoes. The experience is something they will be able to apply to whatever field they choose to enter, thereby giving them the necessary skills to become future leaders of industry,” explains Kelly Hall, President of the Longview Chamber of Commerce.

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•WorkedtheTexasHistoricalCommissionboothatthe TexasStateFairtopromoteLongview.•AttendedtheDallasTravelandAdventureShow November2&3.

Bringing Tourism Awareness at Home

•HostedthreeRealEastTexasFriendlyHospitality TrainingTours.• ParticipatedintheTexasForestTrailPhotoContestby providinga$250prizeforthebest“RealLongview” photo.PhotoentriescanbeusedbytheCVBin advertisingtopromoteLongview.•ConductedacontestonFacebookforNationalTourism WeekwithaYeti™TravelPackagegiveawaytogenerate morelikesfortheCVBFacebookpage.Theweekly totalreachincreasedto297,189people.•WorkedattheTexasTravelInformationCentersin WaskomandTexarkanatopromoteLongviewduring NationalTravel&TourismWeek.• StartedanannualpromotionforNationalTourismWeek, HospitalityEmployeeoftheYearAwardtorecognize someonewhohasgivenexemplaryserviceinthehotel, restaurantortravelindustry.Thepersonwiththemost nominations,DevonChurchillwithStebbinsAviation, receiveda$100giftcardandacustomStateofTexas awardmadeofCapitalLimestone.ThisHospitality EmployeeoftheYearwashonoredataluncheonon Wednesday,May8,atMaudeCobbActivityCenter. TheCVBhostedtheluncheonformembersofthe LongviewHospitalityandTourismAssociation.

•ConductedanEconomicImpactStudyontheGreat TexasBalloonRacetodeterminetheeconomicimpactof theeventonthelocaleconomy.Thetotalimpactwas over$885,000withanestimated11.5full-timeequivalent (FTE)jobscreated.

Bringing Tourism Business to Longview

•HostedtheTTIAGroupStudyTouronOctober8. Attendingwerethestate’s12TexasTravelInformation centers,AAATravelCounselorsandTexasHighways Magazine.Thetoursaredesignedtogivethecounselors first-handknowledgeofthetouristfacilitiesand

activitiesthatyourareahastooffer.Ourstafftreated thegrouptoa“RealEastTexasExperience.”•WorkedwiththeCityofLongviewonsecuringa full-serviceConferenceCenterHoteltohelpdrawsmall marketmeetingsandconferencestoLongview.•TheCVBserviced33groupswith3,140welcomebags, nametags,welcomesignsandotherserviceswhich resultedin1,351hotelroomnights.Mailedout9,541 VisitorGuidesandshipped25,941piecesofLongview literaturetoTexasTravelInformationCenters.•AdvertisedinnumerousissuesofTexasHighways, SouthernTraveler,TexasEventsCalendar,TourTexas website,TripAdvisorwebsite,RideTexasandCity Magazine.WealsoplacedadsintheTexasStateTravel Guide,NETTCEventsGuideandMap,DMagazine, TexasSportsFacilityGuide,TexasMeetingsandEvents, TexasForestTrail–Spring&SummerEvents,andthe SeeTexasFirstinsertforSpring&Fall.Distributed ourVisitorGuidesto260locationsfromMonroe,LAto Dallas,TXwithCertifiedFolder.

Leadership Longview identification and deveLopment

Developingleaderscontinuestobeacorevalueoftheorganization.ThisisaccomplishedthroughtheChamber’srigorousLeadershipLongviewprogram(est.1981).GraduatescancontinuetheirleadershipdevelopmentbyparticipatingintheLeadershipLongviewAlumniNetwork.

Leadership Institute

TheLongviewChamberofCommercelauncheditsfirstLeadershipInstitutein2013.Becauseourorganizationbelievesthatleadershipdevelopmentiskeytogrowth,notonlyofourChamber,butofourcommunityasawhole,thisimportantinstitutewasestablishedtoprovideongoingtrainingintheareaofleadershipdevelopmentforouremergingleaders.

Membership Luncheons: Celebrating Our Business Leaders and Entrepreneurship

TheLongviewChamberofCommercerecognizedoutstandingleadershipateachofourfourmembershipluncheonsin2013:SalutetoHealthcare,StateoftheCity,EmergingLeadersandSmallBusinessAwardsLuncheon.Fromhealthcaretofutureleaderstorecognizingcurrentleaders,theChamberisproudtosupportandrecognizethecontributionsofbothindividualsandChambermembers.

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Manufacturer of the Year U.S. Steel Tubular Products Lone Star Tubular Operations

Chairman’s Award Gerard Cace (posthumously)

Ambassador of the Year Troy Neuman

Large Business of the Year Citizens National Bank

Small Business of the Year Baxter Clean Care

Entrepreneur of the Year Jim King Photography

Minority Small Business Champion of the Year East Texas Review

Family-Owned Business of the Year Special Events & Tent Rental

Tourism Partner of the Year Eli Logan

Health Care Professional Dr. James Woodson

Dr. Sam Mack Lifetime Achievement Award Dr. Byron “Biff” Cook • Dr. Julia Van Burkleo

Health Care Volunteers of the Year Jean & Clarence Norton

Emerging Leaders Kristen Ishihara

Emerging Leaders Stephanie Wolford

Emerging Leaders Melanie Northcutt Crocker

2013 AWARDS

(posthumously)

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KEY STRATEGIC ISSUES UPDATE• MEMBERSHIPDEVELOPMENT• BUSINESSDEVELOPMENT• COMMUNITYDEVELOPMENT• BUSINESSADVOCACY

2013 PROGRESS REPORT ON KEY STRATEGIC ISSUES

Membership Development

•TheChambersustainedongoing,consistentmembership recruitmentyear-roundandadded135newmembers in2013;conducted53ribboncuttings;andhostedfour membershipluncheons:SalutetoHealthcare,Small BusinessAwardsandLeadershipLongviewGraduation, StateofthecityandEmergingLeadersLuncheon,aswell astwoBusinessAdvocacyLuncheons.

•TheChambercontinuedtoenhancetheLongview ProgressReportandTheChamberBUZZand othermembercommunicationsthroughutilizationof technologyandonlinecapabilitiesthroughitsnew website.Thesecommunicationtoolscreatebroader awarenessoftheChamber’sgoalsandresults,increase participationinprograms,andaddvaluetothe membership.•TheChambercontinuedtopublishtheannualChamber ResourceGuide&DirectorywithUniquely Longview, aswellasmaintaininganeffectivemembership-based website.

Business Development

•ContinuedtheRetailCommercialContractwith LongviewEconomicDevelopmentCorporation.•Continuedtoassistexistingbusinessesbyproviding connectionstoresourcesthatwillhelpthemina challengingeconomicenvironment.•CoordinatedandhostedthelargestBusinessEXPO inEastTexasandrecognizedourmemberbusinesses inthefollowingcategories:SmallBusinessoftheYear, EntrepreneuroftheYear,MinorityBusinessoftheYear, Family-OwnedBusinessoftheYear,andTourismPartner oftheYear.

Community Development

•HostedtheannualLeadershipLongviewprogram.•Continuedtoincreaseparticipationandsupportofthe LeadershipLongviewAlumniNetwork.•ConductedanInterCityVisit.

Retail Development

•Eighty-sixretail/commercialmarketingpackageswere distributedand22sitevisitsweremadein2013.•MaintainedTheBusinessChroniclesblogtoshowcase localsmallbusinessownersonaweeklybasiswithan emphasisofIShopLongview.

•Maintainedwebpageonlongviewchamber.com specificallyforcommercial/retaildevelopment.•Conductedcommunityretailsurvey.•CoordinatedwiththeCityofLongviewGeographic Departmenttoupdateallaerialmaps.•AttendedICSCTexasDealRealEstateConferences (REConinLasVegasandTexasDealMakinginDallas, RetailLive!inAustin)toattractretaildevelopmentto Longview.•DevelopednewmarketingadtopromoteLongview intheTEXASREALESTATEBUSINESSmagazineand weeklye-newsletter.•ConductedDistrict1and2tourswithLongviewCity Councilmembers.• ParticipatedinSmallBusinessSaturdayPromotion.

Business Advocacy

2013 ChAmbER AdvOCACY ANd POlICY RESUlTS

•Updatedthepublicpoliciesandformedthe2013 legislativeagenda.•LongviewVotes.comisanonlineadvocacytoolthat providesmemberstheopportunitytoviewlegislation theChamberistrackingontheirbehalfandsenddirect messagestotheirelectedrepresentativestoinfluence policyandlegislation.Nearly150directmessageswere senttoelectedofficialsbyChambermembers.•ChamberstaffandChambervolunteersattendedtheU.S. ChamberRegionalGovernmentalConferences.

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•TheChamberreformattedandhostedBlues&BBQ,the annualElectedOfficialsReception.•TheEastTexasCoalition(Longview,Kilgore,Gladewater andTyler)continuestoserveasacollectivevoicein Austinwithover125localleadersrepresenting EastTexas.•Thebi-annualEastTexasCoalitiontriptoAustinserves asacollectivevoicetoStateelectedofficialswithover60 leadersrepresentingLongview.• Facilitateddiscussionandworkshopson CNG(CompressedNaturalGas)/LNG(LiquidNatural Gas)andconductedCNG/LNGSurveytodetermine levelofinterestfromthosebusinesseswhoownfleets.•TheChamber’sPresidentnowservesontheU.S. Chamber’sCommitteeof100asarepresentativeofour areaandstateprovidingalocalvoiceinnationalpolicy setting.

BUSINESS ADVOCACY PARTNERSHIP: HIGHWAY DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE

TheImprovedHighwayDirectionalSignageinitiativewascompletedin2013.ThispartnershipbetweentheLongviewChamberofCommerce,GreggCounty,NETRMAandTxDOTresultedinbettersignageonI-20andTXHwy149.TheseexitsaremoreclearlyidentifiedandprovidebetterdirectionalsignagetodowntownLongviewandair/railfacilities,andimprovesLongview’svisibility.

KEY INITIATIVES ACHIEVED IN 2013

•FormedtheLongviewBusinessPoliticalAction Committee.•EquippedtheSatelliteEntrepreneurCenter.•LaunchedtheYoungEntrepreneursAcademy(YEA!).• LaunchedLongviewLearningCenter.•HostedanexplorationInterCityVisittoFortCollins.• ProducedthesecondEmergingLeadersRecognition AwardsLuncheon.•Designedandlaunchedwww.longviewtexaslistens.com.•Workedwithenergyspecialisttobring3newCNG fuelingstationstoLongview.

“I am proud of Longview and am proud of what it represents. It’s a great place to live, work and raise a family. This directional signage initiative will help make Longview more visible to leisure and business travelers.” – Dave Spurrier

The Chamber Twitters and Other Social Networking

The Chamber of Commerce continues to embrace technology to remain relevant to Chamber members,

community leaders, and volunteers. In addition to regularly updating the website, the Chamber is also

engaged in the social media networking sites Facebook, Word Press,

LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

Staying Connected

LiNkediN The Longview Chamber of Commerce

100 Acres of Heritage Main Street

FaCebOOk FaN PageS Longview Chamber of Commerce

Main Street Convention & Visitors Bureau

TwiTTer www.twitter.com/LongviewChamber

www.twitter.com/longviewtexas www.twitter.com/visitlongviewtx

www.twitter.com/Longview_MainSt

YOuTube www.youtube.com/LongviewPartnership

www.youtube.com/RealEastTexas

wOrd PreSS www.businessinlongview.com

awardS & reCOgNiTiONSTexas Chamber of Commerce Executives – Kelly Hall, 2013 Chamber Executive of the Year

Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives – 1st Place, Website

Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives – 1st Place, Directory/Magazine/Community Guilde

Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives – 2nd Place, Brochures

Completed the Texas Friendly Hospitality Program – Margie Harris

Completed the Texas Friendly Hospitality Instructor Training Program – Margie Harris

Locals Love Us-2013-2014 – Best Festival

Texas Festival and Events Association – Best Hat

Texas Festival and Events Association – Best Social Media - East Texas Outdoor Expo

Texas Festival and Events Association – Best Event Invitation

National Main Street City 2013, 2012, 2011

Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives – 2nd Place, Brochure 2012

Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives – 2nd Place, Map 2012

Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives – 2nd Place, Magazine Directory 2012

Texas Festival & Events Association – 1st Place, Marketing Awards - Outdoor EXPO 2012

Texas Festival & Events Association – 1st Place, Marketing Awards - AlleyFest 2012

American Chamber of Commerce Executives – 12th Place in Membership Sales 2012

5 Star Accreditation – U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2011

American Chamber of Commerce Executives – Chamber of the Year Finalist 2011

American Chamber of Commerce Executives – 9th Place in Membership Sales 2011

Texas Festival & Events Association – Best Single Newspaper Display Ad 2011

Texas Festival & Events Association – Best Printed Materials 2011

Texas Festival & Events Association – Best Outdoor Billboard 2011

Texas Festival & Events Association – Best Hat 2011

Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives – 1st Place, Newsletter 2011

Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives – 2nd Place, Social Media 2011

Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives – 3rd Place, Website 2011

410 N. Center St. • Longview, TX 75601 • 903.237.4000 • Fax 903.237.4049

www.longviewchamber.com