Chamber Newsletter (4th Quarter, 2010)

Chairman's Corner

Fall is here, the leaves will soon be changing, and the air is just a little cooler — all just subtle reminders that we are getting closer to the end of the year.

And as we do approach the end of the year, I think that great things have been accomplished at your HEB Chamber of Commerce — from the Bussiness2Business Expo, to the Golf Tournament at Texas Star, to the Annual Awards Gala held this year at the brand new Hurst Conference Center — what a great year it has been!

I do hope you were able to attend the Annual Awards Gala. It certainly was the place to be in September. Be sure to congratulate and thank Chairman Jamie Tongate, David Medina, the Gala Committee, the Chamber staff and all of the volunteers! The Gala was such a success and I think the biggest and best ever! Also please be sure to congratulate all of this year's Businesses and Community Leaders who were recognized at the event. Please see the HEB Chamber's Website for a full list of the Winners!

Fall also signals the beginning of a new Leadership Class. This year marks the 25th HEB Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class. The Steering and Alumni Committees have a great slate of participants to mentor and shepherd through the class. The orientation, ropes course, and first full day of team building have already occurred. All indications are that the 25th HEB Leadership Class will bring the HEB area many new leaders!

The Board of Directors is already planning the next year and the Chamber is poised for even more success in 2011 with Linda Caram of AT&T as the chairman. But as we wind down 2010, I want you to know how much I have enjoyed my year as chairman of the board, and how much I have appreciated everyone's support along the way. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to Chair this Great Organization!

Geoff Graham

Make Your Input Count! Take the HEB Chamber Member Survey today!

Don't let this brief survey close without your feedback. Our Board of Directors wants to hear from you as they begin planning for 2011. Ten to 15 minutes is all it takes, but don't wait…this survey closes on Monday, October 11.

Click this link to reach the survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HEBChamberMemberSurvey2010

Bright Lights... Magical Night at the 2010 Annual Awards Gala

The HEB Chamber of Commerce hosted its 12th Annual Awards Gala, "Bright Lights...Magical Night," on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at the all new Hurst Conference Center. This evening, with over 500 attendees, featured live entertainment, a gourmet dinner, and auctions. The highlight of the evening was honoring the Chamber's outstanding members and businesses for 2010.

Please help us, as we celebrate these community leaders. The 2010 award recipients are:

Small Business of the Year: Dental Offices of Dr. James B. Wright and Dr. Kip Anderson
Mid-Size Business of the Year: Bice's Florist
Large Business of the Year: AT&T
Officer of the Year: Micah Lane
Director of the Year: Rachel Branum
Paul Battreal Memorial Award Ambassador of the Year: Jim Gathwright
Member of the Year: Pepper Hudson
Gertrude Tarpley Memorial Spirit Award: Jamie Tongate
HEB Chamber Community Service Award: 6Stones Mission Network
Clyde Mooney Award: Leighton Railsback
Public Service Award: State Senator Jane Nelson

Of course, events such as these would not be possible without the support of our sponsors. Thank you to all of our sponsors of this year's event.

VIP Sponsor

Super Star Sponsors

Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep Hyundai
City of Hurst
Kaner Medical Group, P.A.
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital HEB

Silver Star Sponsors

Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine
Bell Helicopter Textron
Benenati Law Firm, P.C.
Chesapeake Energy
Frost Bank Euless
Southwest Surgical Hospital

Media Sponsors

Star-Telegram

Wish Bowl Sponsors

Community Bank

Auction Table Sponsors

Five Star Ford
Fort Worth Community Credit Union
Minuteman Press
Oncor Electric Delivery

October Membership Luncheon

Thursday, October 14, 2010
First United Methodist Church of Hurst
521 W. Pipeline Road, Hurst

Stay Healthy this Flu Season! Attend the Flu Shot Clinic

Friday, October 22, 2010
HEB Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot
2109 Martin Drive, Bedford
10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Come-and-Go

Kaner Orthodontics

Kaner Medical Group will be on site providing low cost flu shots during the day on Friday, October 22. Protect you and your business this flu season. You can't afford illness-related absences during this busy time of the year! Cash or checks only; checks payable to Kaner Medical Group.

North Tarrant Express Open House Provides Information

Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Hurst Conference Center
1601 Campus Drive, Hurst
2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Make plans to attend a public open house as construction gets ready to begin on the North Tarrant Express. There will be maps and visuals on display, schematics of the road design, and information on traffic management and aesthetics for the rebuilding of the 13.5-mile corridor along IH820 and SH121-183/Airport Freeway. Project staff will also be on hand to answer your questions and take your comments. Light refreshments will be served.

Members of the Month

The Hurst Euless Bedford Chamber of Commerce recognizes Member of the Month Phil Freedman with The Freedman Company for July, Cathy Hotchkin with Community Bank, Hurst for August, and Linda Huggins with James B. Wright, DDS for September.

Phil Freedman
The Freedman Company

Phil Freedman is recognized for his ongoing commitment to Chamber endeavors, as evidenced by his service on the Board of Directors. He also serves as Chairman of the Marketing Committee, where he puts the skills he's used every day in The Freedman Company since 1994 to good use. He and his team of professionals help effectively market local businesses by listening to their goals, putting together a plan of action, and seeing the plan come to fruition. These skills are a great asset to the Chamber.

Cathy Hotchkin
Community Bank

Cathy Hotchkin of Community Bank, Hurst is a very active volunteer within the HEB Chamber. She is an integral part of the Annual Awards Gala Planning Committee, including serving as the Wish Bowl Chairman. She is also an active part of the Ambassador Committee, where she makes members feel welcome by serving as greeters at events and attending ribbon cuttings. Clients of Community Bank, Hurst experience this same kind of customer service from Cathy.

Linda Huggins
James B. Wright, DDS

On a daily basis, Linda Huggins represents the practice of James B. Wright, DDS well. As Chairman of the Ambassador Committee, she also represents the Chamber well. She is active on the Annual Awards Gala Planning Committee, and her volunteer efforts are a big part of the event's recent success.

Thank you to our Members of the Month. Our Chamber is greater as a whole because of you!

Inoculate Your Stress – Guest Article by Valerie Grimes, CHt

Well Institute and Medical Spa

When we are talking about managing stress it's good to understand these two terms: Stressor and Stress.

A stressor is any stimulus or event capable of producing physical or emotional stress. And there are varying degrees of stressors from "life's little annoyances" such as... traffic, or long lines, to major life experiences such as:

workplace issues
unemployment
catastrophic events
socioeconomic issues
relationships

Stress is a physiological and psychological response to a condition that threatens or challenges a person and requires some form of adjustment (feeling like you need to run away or protect yourself).

What is interesting is that our body's reaction to stress is mostly a learned behavior (genetics plays a role as well) something we learned to do by watching our parents, grandparents, etc. But, anything we learned can be unlearned by adopting a new behavior that is counter to the current behavior.

It isn't life situations, but how one reacts to them and the attitude toward them that determines a positive or negative effect on one's life.

David Hawkins

The easiest way to change your current reaction to stress is to be aware of it. Notice how your body feels during a stressful situation. Is your heart beating faster, is your stomach knotted? Then make a conscious choice to take some deep breaths and relax those tight muscles, lastly do what you can to remove yourself from the stressful situation. Practice this new response to stressful situations and notice how you can begin to slowing change your reaction over time.

Stress relief tips for work-related stressors:

Leave your workplace area just for a few minutes. Removing yourself from the environment is one of the most powerful things you can do. Step outside notice the trees, burn off some energy, go for a walk around the building, etc.
Play some music that soothes you and really listen to the music. When you continue work, you'll feel refreshed.
Take a moment to breath slowly and deeply. Close your eyes and just take a mini break. You will feel much calmer.
Lightly massage your forehead and temples. Making small circles, varying the pressure so it is comfortable to you.
Try a few simple stretches. Use the stalls in the restroom for privacy.
Use visualizations, imagine a peaceful place you've been before, and pretend you are there, feel it, sense it, experience it.

Article by Valerie Grimes, CHt, Wellness Institute & Medical Spa. The Spa offers a selection of services for stress reduction such as massage, complimentary stress reduction workshop and hypnotherapy. You can contact the spa at 817-358-5800.

The Value of Client Gift Giving – Guest Article by Duane Wieland

Challenge Incentive

'Tis the season for giving. Have you thought about your best clients and referral sources as well as your family. These are the people responsible for your paycheck and the opportunity to give to your loved ones, so let's consider them for a minute. As you ponder the 'what's in it for me' when considering gifts for these folks, look at the what's been in it for you. Have you established a relationship? Gained a valued contact? Closed a sale from someone? Have you gained financially from a new client you've acquired this year? These are some of the people you want to know you are thinking of as you look back at 2010.

Your gifts to these folks have a twofold purpose, one is to let THEM know you are thinking of them, second is to help keep your name in front of them throughout the new year. Gifts may be as simple as a greeting card, a personalized coffee mug or an engraved writhing instrument. You may even decide to go elegant with a box of chocolates (with your logo), a gift basket with personalized wine(s) or a laptop bag. Your gift should be a reflection of you, the financials with the business and the contact within that business. There is no true figure (dollars or percentage) to judge your gift, but rather how you value the business' you work with.

Don't forget that there are also multiple charitable organizations that you can give to in your clients name and present them with a certificate. Thinking outside of the gift wrapped box will keep your contacts, referrals and clients thinking of you. Have a GREAT holiday season and an AWESOME 2011.

Article by Duane Wieland, Challenge Incentives. They provide products and services that help make businesses successful. Contact Duane at duane@challengeincentives.com or 817-3657-3409.

New Members

Be sure to check out the list of new members. Make our newest members feel welcome by inviting them to an upcoming event and introducing yourself when you see them at a ribbon cutting, Business After Hours, Leads Group meeting, monthly luncheon, or other Chamber function. This quarter's new members' orientation and newsletter section was sponsored by Benenati Law Firm, PC.

Ambassador of the Quarter

Jim Gathright
Gathright Natural Supplements

The Al DuPree Ambassador of the 3rd Quarter is awarded to Jim Gathright of Gathright Natural Supplements. Whether attending a ribbon cutting or other Chamber event, Jim is there with a smile on his face and a hand out to greet attendees. He's been a positive influence on the Ambassador Committee throughout 2010. Known as the "meeters and greeters" of the Chamber, Ambassadors are essential in helping new members feel welcome and get involved.