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Weekly News &
Business Resource Update
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This week's email includes all you need to know about next week's BusinessConnection and who is signed up to exhibit, information about a recent Taking Flight meeting, photos from our last two After Hours events, and a recap from our Spring Mega Market. We're glad to have 3 new members to welcome, and you can see a photo from last week's ribbon cutting and see what else is coming up in the next couple of weeks. You'll also find some information about Armed Forces Day and a summary of a recent Texas Association of Business survey and other helpful resources that might interest your business. Don't forget you can post job openings in our Job Bank or events in our Community Calendar for free. You can get information on all of this and more below.
We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and add new information and resources to our COVID Resource Page on our website that may be important to our members.
On behalf of our staff, Board of Directors, and the Amarillo business community, we want to thank you for your continued support of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, and we look forward to serving you now and in the future. Please let us know what we can do to help your business.
Penni F. Bentley
VP of Communications & Marketing
Amarillo Chamber of Commerce
1000 S Polk
Amarillo, TX 79101
806.373.7800
806.342.2005 direct
806.674.7334 cell
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Boots & Business--BusinessConnection® Tradeshow
Thursday, May 20th | Tri-State Fairgrounds
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We are less than 10 days away from our annual BusinessConnection Tradeshow on Thursday, May 20th at the Tri-State Fairgrounds in the Amarillo National Center. We have a few spots remaining if you haven't signed up for a booth at this year's show, but don't wait...space is limited. If you want to see who is already on the list of participants, Click Here. Be sure and check out the event poster below with all of the details, or visit our website. If you would like to have a poster for your business or FREE VIP tickets to give your staff, customers, or special guests, you may pick them up at the Chamber Office at 10th & Polk Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm through Wednesday the 19th or you can present your business card for entry if you do not have a VIP Ticket.
We are so thankful to our Gold Sponsors including the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, Amarillo National Bank, and Amarillo Tri-State Exposition. Our Silver Sponsors include Andrews & Associates IT Solutions/ Premier Alarm Solutions, AW Broadband, Bell, Double U Marketing, FirstBank Southwest, Goodwill, Happy State Bank, Joe Marr Wilson Law Firm, Northwest Texas Healthcare System, Smile Workshop, and Zip Print.
We hope to see all of you out networking and checking out all of the different businesses and non-profit organizations we will have at the Fairgrounds on Thursday, May 20th. Bring a friend, bring your co-workers, bring your business cards, and let's support our amazing local businesses!
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Check out our 30-second TV spot and be watching for it on your favorite location channels. You may also hear it on one of our great local radio stations. |
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Taking Flight Air Service Group Met Recently with
SWA Representatives
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As Amarillo begins to get back to traveling post-Pandemic, we are making every effort possible to get air service back on previous levels as well as looking into new markets such as Phoenix and Denver. Members of the Taking Flight Air Service group met with Southwest Airlines executives in Dallas (and via zoom) on April 30th to go over these important topics. Local representatives included: Kevin Carter, Amarillo Economic Development Corporation; Jason Harrison, Amarillo Chamber; Bruce Tarletsky, Team Insight & Associates, LLC; Michael Conner, Rick Husband International Airport; and Sean Doherty, Sharpened Iron Studios. |
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Thank You Recent After Hours Hosts |
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Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Center
May 6, 2021
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FirstBank Southwest Downtown Tower
April 8, 2021
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Click a photo above to view more photos in our Flickr album.
Join us for our next After Hours event on June 10th at Adobe Walls Stoneworks at 7410 Hillside.
If your business is interested in hosting a Business After Hours in 2022, contact Ashley Gutierrez for more information on host responsibilities, requirements, and scheduling availability. |
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Spring Mega Market Recap & Photos |
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Welcome to these New Members |
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If you know of a business that is not a member of the Chamber, we always appreciate referrals. For more information on joining the Chamber and the costs and benefits, click here, or give our Membership Director Ashley a call at 373-7800. |
Floor Coverings International
Abbye Barnett
4140 Business Park Dr.
AMARILLO, TX 79110
(806) 680-5050
Locally owned, nationally recognized, and convenient with 3,000 product options in our mobile flooring showroom. We come to you! Free consultations, customized solutions for every budget, and turnkey professional installation.
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Memory Gardens Cemetery
14200 I-27
Amarillo, TX 79119
(806) 622-0106
Our friendly and professional staff is dedicated to providing your loved one with a memorable funeral service in Amarillo, Texas, and surrounding areas. With years of experience, our licensed funeral directors can help guide you with ease.
Ron Goodlin Construction
Ronald Goodlin
8300 W McCormick Rd
Amarillo, TX 79119
(806) 676-0342
At Goodlin Construction we care about your home improvement needs for over 45 yrs, you can be sure your next project will be on time and within your budget. Call Today for a fast, free estimate.
All home improvement including Siding, Replacement Windows, Doors, Kitchen & Bath Remodels, and Roofing. We are also a builder of log, stick, and metal buildings.
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Recent Ribbon Cutting Events
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Is your organization a new member of the Chamber? Is your business celebrating a milestone anniversary (10, 25, or 50 years) in business? Have you recently moved to a new location or undergone a major renovation? Will you be building a new location for your business? We can help you celebrate with a Ribbon Cutting or Ground Breaking event. Contact Christy Bigler at (806) 342-2004 for more information or to schedule your free event!
Please Note: Ribbon Cutting and Ground Breaking events are only held between the hours of 9am - 5pm Monday through Thursday or 9am - 3pm on Fridays. If you need to have an event outside of those days or hours, contact us about borrowing our big scissors or shovels and conducting your own.
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SSBI Partner Content. Click here to email a Pantex representative directly or click on the graphic above to read their blog from Dr. Michael Paston about Armed Forces Day and the importance of unified purpose.
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Upcoming Events Within Next Two Weeks |
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TUESDAY, MAY 11
10:00am
400 SW 14th Ave, Suite 1000
More Information: Bradley, 337-5953
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THURSDAY, MAY 20
10:00am - 4:00pm
Tri-State Fairgrounds
More Information: Mary, 342-2009
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FRIDAY, MAY 21
11:00 am
1250 Wallace Blvd.
More Information: Carolina, 353-3596
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FRIDAY, MAY 28
9:30 am
3703 Wolflin
More Information: Gabe, 223-5048
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TAB Survey Shows Businesses Struggling to Hire Workers
80% of Respondents Call for End to $300/Week Federal Supplement
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AUSTIN – The Texas Association of Businesses (TAB), in conjunction with local chambers of commerce, recently conducted a survey among its business members to determine whether they are struggling to find workers as they reopen. While unscientific, these results show a concerning trend among Texas businesses.
Of the 177 businesses surveyed:
- 48% have 1-5 positions currently available.
- 11% have 6-10 positions available.
- 11% have 20 or more available positions.
- 21% say they do not currently have any available positions.
The overwhelming majority of these businesses cited the $300/month federal supplement workers are receiving as the reason they are unable to fill their job openings.
“While the initial federal unemployment supplement was needed at the height of the pandemic, its continuance for those who are eligible to work is keeping businesses from unleashing the full might of the Texas economy,” said TAB CEO, Glenn Hamer. “This survey is just a sample of what TAB has been hearing for weeks from organizations all throughout Texas and backs up the recent call by the United States Chamber of Commerce to put an end to this federal supplement. With vaccines readily available to anyone who wants one, it is time for the President and Congress to realize that this policy is a barrier to enhanced employment in Texas and throughout the country.”
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Additional Business Resources & Opportunities |
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GROW WITH GOOGLE SERIES FROM AMERICA'S SBDC
Learn how your business can be found online with Google. This workshop explains how Google Search works and how you can improve a website's visibility with Search Engine Optimization
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RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND
The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.
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STATE AFFAIRS REPORT FROM TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS
The Texas Association of Business weekly State Affairs email update for May 7th includes:
- TAB Elections Survey
- Chapter 313
- Comptroller Revised Estimate Provides Optimism/Surplus
- 87th Legislative Session Updates
- Pandemic Liability Protection Act
- Keep Texas Trucking - Commercial Vehicle Liability Protection
- Broadband Development Voted Out of Senate Committee
- Texas Data Privacy
- Governor Abbott, TDEM, and TMD Launch State Vaccine Call Center to Connect Businesses with Mobile Vaccine Teams
- Preemption Bill Moves to the House
- Federal Updates
- TAB Hot Tracks & Bills to Watch...
- Articles of Interest
- TAB Top Priorities
- and more
Read the entire newsletter and find links for more information here. |
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CHAMBER JOB BANK -- LIST YOUR JOB OPENINGS FOR FREE
Is your company hiring? Did you know you can put job openings in our online Job Bank for FREE?
Check out our website and click the buttons for "Job Seeker" or "Employer" and you can either view job openings or post your own with an online form.
Have questions, contact Denise at (806) 373-7800. |
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ONLINE COMMUNITY CALENDAR - PROMOTE YOUR EVENTS
Are you holding a fundraising event, open house, or other special events you want to share with the public? You can add events to our Online Community Calendar for FREE. Click here to complete the online form and submit it to the Chamber. Your event will not be visible until our staff approves the event, typically within 1-2 business days.
If you have questions about using the calendar, or what kinds of events are allowed, contact Denise at 373-7800. |
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The Chamber is thrilled to announce and recognize our new sponsors that are stepping up to be part of the Supporting Small Business Initiative for 2021. This new program is designed to support the Chamber's efforts to serve our small business community better by offering programs, seminars, virtual events, and more for little to no cost to our members throughout 2021.
Please join us in thanking these generous underwriting partners that are serving the Chamber, our members, and the entire business community with their support.
If you would like to know more about this program and the benefits of partnership, contact Jason Harrison at (806) 373-7800 or jason@amarillo-chamber.org. |
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Chamber Events Planned for 2021
All events are tentative and subject to change.
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5/20 - BusinessConnection® at the Tri-State Fairgrounds
6/10 - Business After Hours at Adobe Walls
7/8 - Business After Hours at First United Bank (The Colonies)
7/15 - Building a Company Culture Seminar with Jody Holland
7/22 - Chamber Open Golf Tournament at Tascosa Golf Club
7/29 - Business After Hours at WT Enterprise Center (or Revolution at 800)
8/12 - Business After Hours at Nistler's Lawn & Landscape's Resplendent Garden
8/26 - Annual Banquet & Business Excellence Awards
9/9 - Business After Hours at Amarillo Club
9/23 - Business After Hours at Snow Bear Heat & Air
10/7 - Good Times Celebration® Barbecue Cook-Off at the Tri-State Fairgrounds
10/21 - Business After Hours at Casey Carpet One
10/28 - Business Seminar
11/4 - Business After Hours at The Nesting Place - Bushland
11/18 - Fall Mega Market
11/18 - Business After Hours at Fairfield/Four Points Downtown Amarillo
12/1 - Ag Appreciation Luncheon at the Amarillo Civic Center
12/2 - Business After Hours at Street Toyota
12/16 - Business After Hours at Rt. 66 Auto Haus
If you have questions about participating in or sponsoring any events, please call the Chamber at 373-7800.
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Free COVID-19 Rapid Testing Kits Still Available for Small Businesses |
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To learn more about this program that was started in an effort to help support the continued operation of small businesses throughout the state of Texas by Governor Abbott, click here. If you are a small business owner and would like information about free testing for your business, please call Denise at 373-7800 or email denise@amarillo-chamber.org. |
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COVID 19 Vaccine Offered Through City of Amarillo |
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The City of Amarillo Public Health Department is currently administering COVID-19 vaccines. Immunizations will take place at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex (401 S Buchanan St, Amarillo, TX 79101). Eligible citizens should enter the North Exhibit Hall through Entrance 3. Beginning Monday, March 29th ALL ADULTS will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 Vaccine in Texas. You can also get a vaccine through their Mobile Clinic.
Be sure to check the clinic hours, vaccine availability, or the Mobile Clinic location ONLINE before going. |
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Chamber Partner CGI Communications Offers
Advertising Options to Members
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CGI Communications has been a partner of the Amarillo Chamber for a number of years. CGI handles several advertising products offered to our members including website banner ads, community videos, ReviewTube reviews, and now has a new Magellan tool for voice activated website searching for text and videos.
Our representative, Al Forys, and his team will be reaching out to some of our members to offer more information about these tools that may be beneficial for your business.
Should you want more information on any of their products, reach out to Al Forys at the contact information below.
Senior Sales Executive
CGI Communications, Inc.
(585) 576-0947
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We try to alert you anytime a third party may contact you so that you know they are a trusted and legitimate partner of the Amarillo Chamber. You may see our complete list of advertising options and partners on the Advertising Opportunities page of our website. We encourage you to always check this site or contact Penni Bentley at (806) 373-7800 to verify our official program partners before giving out personal or financial information.
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President & CEO
VP of Membership & Business Development
VP of Communications & Marketing
Membership Director
Business Development Director
Database Administrator
Director of First Impressions
Senior Consultant
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See our Staff Directory with photos, direct phone numbers and more on our Contact Us page of the website.
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2020-21 Chamber Board of Directors |
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Dusty Doyle
Chair
Casey Carpet One Floor & Home
Chris Reed
Chair-Elect
Reed Beverage
John Luciano
Finance Chair
Street Volkswagen
Michelle Reichert
Past Chair
CNS Pantex
Jason Harrison
President & CEO
Amarillo Chamber of Commerce
Brandy Sanchez
Membership & Quality of Life Chair
KAMR/KCIT/KCPN-TV
Wes Wright
Business Chair
Wright Law TX, PLLC
Leon Church
Ag & Natural Resources Chair
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DIRECTORS
Tyler Andrews, Andrews & Associates / cat.man.du
Blaine Baker, Crown House Insurance
Scott Bentley, Amarillo EDC
David Bishop, Amarillo ISD
Lew Bradshaw, Pat Davis Properties
Kevin Carter, Amarillo EDC
Ryan Chandler, Northwest Texas Healthcare
Richard Constancio, Shiver-Megert & Associates
Joe Graham, Graham Brothers Jewelers
Jason Henderson, Bell
Brady Hochstein, Elevate Amarillo
Mark Hodges, FirstCapital Bank of Texas
Julie Imke, WTAMU Amarillo Center
Charles Leard, M&R Liquor
Trent Morris, Workforce Solutions Panhandle
Ed Nichols, Brown, Graham & Company, P.C.
Joseph Peterson, Edward Jones
Stephanie Price, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum
Aaron Sage, Sage Oil Vac
Doug Street, Affiliated Foods
Wendi Swope, Double U Marketing
Ronnie Walker, Xcel Energy
Peter Warrick, Atmos Energy
Mikel Williamson, Happy State Bank
Lance Wolff, Insurica DFB
Learn more about our Board of Directors
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The Chamber cannot guarantee your success or your profitability,
but it can guarantee the right business climate for you to succeed.
– Author Unknown
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