Chamber Chair-Elect and Leadership Team for 2009 Announced
The Board of Directors of the Austin Chamber of Commerce unanimously named Barry Mayer, President and COO Tokyo Electron U.S. Holdings, Inc., as the 2009 Chair-Elect. He will become Chair of the 2,500-member, five-county business organization in 2010, succeeding Paul Bury, President Bury + Partners.
“Barry will be a strong leader who can fuel innovation and take the Austin Chamber to the next level, providing a positive impact on this community,” said 2008 Chamber Chair Joe Holt. “His long term commitment to the Chamber and its initiatives shows true dedication to Austin and the surrounding communities.”
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Central Texas Economy In Perspective
by Beverly Kerr, Chamber Vice President of Research
Austin saw 14,700 net new jobs created during the last 12 months, or an average of 1,225 new jobs monthly. This performance places the Austin metropolitan area as the third fastest growing among the nation’s 50 largest metros for the period.
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Business Connections at Carmelo's Ristorante
Enjoy one of Austin’s oldest landmarks as you connect with businesses and develop new opportunities at the next “Business Connections After Hours” event at Carmelo’s Ristorante. This event takes place Wednesday, January 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with appetizers and drinks being served. Carmelo’s combines authentic Sicilian dining with a romantic old world feel in a distinctive Austin atmosphere. Built in 1872, the "Railroad House" accommodated passengers traveling to other railroads and stagecoach lines. The bar and private rooms occupy the area of the original building, recorded on the National Register as a Texas Landmark. Don’t delay register today!
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Austin Chamber and Austin Technology Council Launch Strategic Partnership
The Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Austin Technology Council (ATC) announced a major strategic partnership aimed at helping to grow the Central Texas technology industry. The partnership combines the economic development capabilities of the Chamber with the networking and educational programming assets of ATC to provide an array of business support services to Central Texas technology firms.
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Navigating the Current Economy
On January 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wyndham Garden Inn the South Austin Business Council will welcome keynote speaker Carl Stuart. Stuart, owner of Carl Stuart Investment Advisor, Inc. and Registered Investment Advisor, will give his perspective on the current economy. In 2008, Stuart was listed in Fortune Magazine as one of the top 50 independent advisors in America. This will be a great chance to hear how the economy got where it is now and what should be expected moving forward. This will also be our first South Austin Business Council event of the year and we are offering a special discount to those wishing to purchase SABC tickets for the entire year. Register Today!
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State of Education in Austin Features IBM Executive Anthony Befi
Austin Chamber Awards Education Leaders
The Austin Chamber hosted the annual State of Education in Austin event at the Frank Erwin Center on December 9. Before an audience of nearly 600 key Austin business and education leaders, the Chamber laid out a shared strategy for achieving an enrollment increase, provided baseline information on the current state of education in Austin and “graded our own paper” toward the overall success of the 20,010 by 2010 program. The Chamber’s education initiatives were established to help increase the number of metro-Austin students who enroll in higher education by 20,010 students by the year 2010.
The awards ceremony highlighted 20,010 by 2010 key performers.
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Marketing Plans Made Easy
Join us for lunch, "Theatre Style," on January 27 at the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar and learn how to develop and implement quick and effective marketing plans to help focus on specific areas of business that will bring the greatest return. This is the first Building Blocks of Business event of the new year and our highly qualified experts will share their expertise with you and provide real life examples of strategies you can take back to the office for immediate impact. You will also have the opportunity to ask your questions and receive instant feedback from two of Austin’s finest marketing professionals. To learn more and register today, click HERE!
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Pike Powers Receives AEA Texas Legend Award
Recognizing his lifetime achievements in support of the business of technology in Texas, Austin attorney Pike Powers has been honored with the "AeA Texas Legend Award." AeA cited Powers' work in helping to create the Texas Technology Initiative in 2002 the $295 million Texas Enterprise fund that led to the state's retention of International Sematech, a research consortium in 2007, and creation of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund in 2005.
Texas Governor Rick Perry, in his introduction of the award, called Powers "a leader and entrepreneur...who's done as much as anybody I know to put Austin, Texas on the high tech industry map." Perry said Powers is "a mentor who helps people achieve at the highest level."
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A Faster and More Efficient Way to Network
The Austin Chamber understands that networking can be time consuming, that’s why we’re breaking out our timers and cutting to the chase! Our new Speed Networking program, similar to "Speed Dating," offers a fun and exciting way to get connected in a short amount of time. Quickly and efficiently meet a large number of business professionals and arrange time to speak with significant contacts at length afterward. Enjoy networking of the future Wednesday, January 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Norris Conference Center. Food and drinks will be available to make this a business building opportunity as well as a fun evening. Register now!
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Call For Speakers
The Austin Chamber of Commerce and its Small Business Steering Committee is holding an open call for professional speakers, trainers and facilitators for the Austin Chamber’s small business programs including the Building Blocks of Business Series. This series is a collection of interactive, learning opportunities designed to assist business owners, managers and executives be successful in the world of commerce.
The deadline to submit the Call For Speakers Submission Form, speaker bios and supporting materials is Friday, January 23, 2009. If you have any questions about the Call for Speakers, please contact Dustin Woodhead at dwoodhead@austinchamber.com or 512.322.5613.
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CenTex RCIC Application Workshop and ETF Deadline
The CenTex RCIC will be hosting an ETF Applicant Workshop on Wednesday, December 17 from 3-5 p.m. in the Chamber Boardroom. This free event is designed to educate interested applicants for the Texas Emerging Technology Fund on the application process and criteria. Please RSVP to MK Holody, mholody@austinchamber.com.
The next quarterly submission deadline for the ETF is 5pm on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. Please see www.centexrcic.org for more details or contact MK Holody at mholody@austinchamber.com or 512.322.5677.
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Calling all Small Business Volunteers
Our newly formed Small Business Advisory Group will be having its second meeting to help plan out the year 2009.
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Why I Joined the Chamber...
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"To help and encourage growth in our business community, to encourage other firms to locate here, and to expose new businesses and residents to all that Austin has to offer." Shaun Cranston, General Manager — Carma Texas Inc.
Join now and start receiving the full benefits of the networking business community. Call 322.5618 or email Member Info.
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Check out new members and articles submitted by Chamber Members here.
Guidelines for submissions.
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