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Weekly News &
Business Resource Update

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

This week's email includes:


  • Ways to Support Celebrate Small Business Week
  • A Video and Invitation to Join Us Thursday for Business After Hours at Sharpened Iron Studios
  • 1 New Member to Welcome
  • 1 Recent Ribbon Cutting Photo and Video
  • BusinessConnection - Do You Have a Booth? Check Out Who is Already Signed Up
  • Tickets Available for the Tradeshow Food Court
  • More Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings, Ground Breakings, Council Meetings & Events Happening Soon
  • SSBI Partner Content from Pantex: Earth Day Efforts – Maintaining Sustainability
  • Register Now for Governor's Small Business Summit Planned for June 1st -- Tentative Agenda and Speaker List Included -- Chamber Members Get a Discount
  • Text Message Reminders about Networking Events
  • Additional Business Resources & Opportunities Including:
  • Main Point Monday Newsletter | May 1
  • Brickly eNewsletter | May 2
  • SBDC Workshops | May
  • Chamber Job Bank -- List Your Job Openings For Free
  • Online Community Calendar - Promote Your Events
  • A List of Chamber Events Coming in 2023
  • and More


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. 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

penni@amarillo-chamber.org

www.amarillo-chamber.org

Celebrate Small Business Week

April 30 - May 6

It's National Small Business Week! We're celebrating all our local small businesses that help make Amarillo a great place to live, learn, work, and play. So let's congratulate and spread the cheer this week to all the small businesses we have in the community.


Here are 5 Ways You Can Support Our Small Businesses:


1. Shop, Eat and Support Local

2. Promote on Social and Engage with their posts

3. Write a positive review

4. Recommend their services

5. Give Positive Feedback

Business After Hours at Sharpened Iron Studios

is Thursday, May 4th

Check out the short video on YouTube or Facebook from Jason Harrison and Sean Doherty, CEO & Founder of Sharpened Iron Studios, giving you more information on Thursday's event. There will be food, drinks, networking, and door prizes with lots of room to spread out and see how films are made. Grab a friend or colleague and join us this Thursday, May 4th at 1314 S Polk.


"Business After Hours" are FREE business networking events for current and future members of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce.  They include food, drinks, door prizes, and lots of mixing and mingling.


Click here to get more information on After Hours, including past photos and future hosts on our website. Click here to view information on Facebook for the next After Hours at Sharpened Iron Studios on May 4th.

Welcome to this New Chamber Member

 

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 (806) 373-7800.

 

Las Brisas Southwest Steakhouse

Maria Valencia

550 S Buchanan

Amarillo, TX 79101

(806) 437-1483

https://www.lbfinedining.com/

Steakhouse inside the Embassy Suites.

Recent Ribbon Cutting & Ground Breaking Events


View more past event photos in our Facebook Album or on Instagram

Click here or the image above to view or share this photo on Facebook,

or click here to watch the ground breaking video.

Don't Miss Out -- Reserve Your Booth Now for the 30th Annual BusinessConnection Tradeshow Happening Thursday, May 18th


Check out the Exhibitor List Signed Up So Far Below

Check out our 30-second TV spot below or on YouTube or Facebook to share it with your friends, and watch for it on your favorite local channel. Special thanks to Jack Light, Panhandle PBS, for the voiceover for our spot.

We have posters and FREE VIP tickets for our BusinessConnection tradeshow. We have mailed a poster and 20 tickets to all exhibitors who have signed up, but if you would like to pick up a poster or two for your office or some free VIP tickets for your staff or customers, you can pick those up at the Chamber during our normal business hours. They are available to all, even if you aren't exhibiting at the show.


We are excited to offer our longest-running annual event for members, so make sure you are a part of this one-day business-to-business tradeshow that connects nearly 250 businesses with thousands of other members and the general public. It's a great way to show off your products and services and see new trends in a number of different industries. Visit our website to secure your space now.

Thanks to these sponsors:


Gold Sponsors: Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, Amarillo National Bank, AW Broadband, Double U Marketing, FirstBank & Trust Texas, and LifeGift. Gold Sponsor representatives are pictured in the above poster. (LtoR: Barbara VerWey, Matthew Carpenter, Hollie Shankle, Amy Henderson, Ty Cox, and Wendi Swope.)


Silver Sponsors: 1-800-Plumber + Air & Electric, Andrews & Associates, Bell, City of Amarillo, FirstBank Southwest, Happy State Bank, Jenny Edwards Portrait, KT Black, Optimum, Polaris Healthcare, RedCap Staffing and Zip Print.

Is Your Competitor at the Show? You Should Be Too!


If you think you have a booth but aren't on the list, you need to call Mary today at (806) 342-2009 to confirm your spot.

Exhibitor List as of 5-2-23
Get More Info & Reserve A Booth

Check out who has already signed up to exhibit at this business-to-business tradeshow.

Get your booth now and don't miss out.


If you have already signed up for a booth, watch your mailbox for your information packet and VIP tickets. If you need additional posters or VIP tickets, come by the Chamber during normal business hours and pick up what you need.

Tradeshow Food Court

Make plans to grab lunch from the Tradeshow Food Court as part of our BusinessConnection Tradeshow on May 18th from 1130am-130pm. Attendees at the show will be able to purchase lunch tickets in advance for $10 each through Wednesday, May 17th from the Chamber, or they will be $15 at the door the day of the event. Food Court Tickets include a one-time entry for all you can eat samples from these participants while in the Food Court. (Note, to-go plates are not available and all food and drinks must be consumed within the food court area of the Regency Room.)


Thank you to these companies who have already signed up to participate.

Food Court Participants:



Belmar Bakery

Chicken Salad Chick

Chick-fil-A on Georgia

Cocina on the Go

Desperado's Catering

Dominos

Embassy Suites/1887 Social House

Hoffbrau

HTeaO / Texas Tea

Joe Taco - Wallace

La Fiesta Grande

Macaroni Joe's

Mr. Gatti's

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Outback Steakhouse

Sonic

Sharky's Burrito Company

Sweets and Meats

The Lost Cajun

Ye Olde Pancake Station

Yolo’s

Chamber Events Coming Up Soon
 

THURSDAY, MAY 4


Ribbon Cutting: Paradise Builders Siding & Window LLC

3:00pm

3801 Business Park Drive, Bldg 100

More Information: Brent, (806) 341-4515

Find this event on Facebook

THURSDAY, MAY 4


Chamber Event: Business After Hours at Sharpened Iron Studios

5:00pm-7:00pm

1314 S Polk

More information, Ashley, (806) 342-2015

Find this event on Facebook

SATURDAY, MAY 6


Election Day: Go Vote

Click here for Randall County Information

Click here for Potter County Information

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

​​

Ribbon Cutting: Urban Air Adventure Park Amarillo

3:00pm

7701 I-40, Suite 700

More Information: Kelsey, (504) 265-3955

Find this event on Facebook

 
 

THURSDAY, MAY 11


Ribbon Cutting: Special Spaces Amarillo

4:00pm

1000 S Polk (Chamber Steps)

More Information: Carol, (806) 654-6191

Find this event on Facebook

FRIDAY, MAY 12


Ribbon Cutting: Three Dog Bakery

11:00am

3562 S Soncy, Unit 381

More Information: Angie, (806) 803-1917

Find this event on Facebook

FRIDAY, MAY 12


Ribbon Cutting: Roaring Expressions

2:00pm

14915 FM 2590, Suite 3

More Information: Jennifer, (940) 655-8560

Find this event on Facebook

MONDAY, MAY 15


Ribbon Cutting: Acts Community

3:00pm

816 S Van Buren St

More Information: Joy, (806) 683-5054

Find this event on Facebook

TUESDAY, MAY 16


Ribbon Cutting: Bristol Park at Amarillo

4:30pm

1610 Research St

More Information: Mark, (806) 353-1900

Find this event on Facebook

 

THURSDAY, MAY 18


Chamber Event: 30th Annual BusinessConnection Tradeshow

10:00am-4:00pm

Amarillo Civic Center

401 S Buchanan

FREE entry with VIP Tickets or your business card. Visit more than 250 booths to check out their products and services.

More Information: Mary, (806) 342-2009

Find this event on Facebook

 
 

See more upcoming ribbon cutting & ground breaking events on our Week's Sneak Peek page or on our online calendar. If you would like more information on scheduling an event like this for your business, complete the online Ribbon Cutting Request Form.


* NOTE: We will help promote Ribbon Cutting or Ground Breaking events held outside of our normal business hours, however, we cannot guarantee the Chamber Staff or RoundUp Club members will be in attendance. 


**Meeting requires RSVP and is open to council/committee members only and is closed to the public. If you would like more information on the meeting or open council/committee seats, please contact the staff member listed.

Register Now for the 2023 Governor's Small Business Summit Happening in Amarillo June 1st at the Amarillo Civic Center


Chamber Members Can Attend for just $10 with Discount Code

 
 
 

The Governor’s Small Business Summit aims to help Texas small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs reach new heights by connecting them with resources and information needed to start, strengthen and grow a business. This event offers a variety of sessions bringing together local, state and federal resource partners to provide key insights on critical business topics. It’s also an opportunity to network with other business owners and meet experts who will share timely, relevant and actionable advice on a multitude of small business subjects.


Tentative Agenda


745am

On-Site Registration / Expo Networking / Coffee


815am

Welcome


9am

Morning Session A

  • Topic #1: Government Contracting
  • Rich Lyles, Northwest Texas APEX
  • Alyson Villalon, Potter County
  • Randy Crawford, CNS Pantex
  • Trae Kepley, City of Amarillo

or

  • Topic #2: Cybersecurity
  • Jake Mitchell, Bazar Solutions
  • Mason Stewart, Andrews & Associates
  • David Melear, Amarillo National Bank


950am

Networking Break


10am

Morning Session B

  • Topic #3: Access to Finance & Funding
  • Amy Henderson, Amarillo National Bank
  • Doug Nelson, Texas Panhandle Regional Planning Commission / Amarillo EDC
  • Brittany Rivera, People Fund

or

  • Topic #4: Business Workforce Development
  • Trent Morris, Panhandle Workforce Solutions
  • Jay Barrett, AmTech Career Academy
  • Todd McLees, Innovation Outpost
  • Cindy G. Lanham, Mirarchi Management Group


1050am

Networking Break


11am

Morning Session C

  • Topic #5: Succession Planning
  • Eric Alexander, Six Arrows Consulting 
  • Whitney Wells, Amarillo National Bank Trust Department
  • Chris Jones, Sprouse Shrader Smith

or

  • Topic #6: Marketing (Online/Social Media)
  • Madison Mays, West Texas A&M University - Academic Affairs
  • Emily Lake, Sod Poodles
  • Jonathan Standefer, Sad Monkey Mercantile


1150am

Networking Break


1210pm

Luncheon - Governor's Small Business Awards

  • Amelia Balderrama, iDocket
  • Lenny Sadler, Ditch Witch
  • Brian Bruckner, Bruckner's
  • Brian Kelleher, 575 Pizzeria


130pm

End of Program


130pm

Networking Event / Reception

 

*Registration is now open and and more details are coming soon! Watch our newsletters or this page for information or our website.

 
Register for the Summit Here

Register for this event today to secure your seat. Registration includes breakout sessions, a keynote address and lunch for just $20 per person. Chamber Members can use the discount code

Chamber_50

to get a 50% discount and attend for only $10 per person thanks to the generous support of our SSBI Partners.

Do you love networking at our After Hours Events but sometimes forget they are happening? Opt in to our text message reminders by texting the word CHAMBEREVENTS (without a space) to 71441. We send reminders of the date, time and location 2-3 hours before the event starts. It's free, but standard text message rates apply if you don't have unlimited texting. We also send out registration reminders about bigger events coming up through this special keyword. It's a great way to stay in the loop.


Please note, if you would like to opt in for reminders about ribbon cutting events, text the word REDCOAT to the same number. Note, ribbon cuttings are open to the public, but in order to serve on our Roundup Club as a Redcoat Representative, you must apply online.

Sponsored Content. Click here or the ad above for more information.
Additional Business Resources & Opportunities
 

MAIN POINT MONDAY FROM AMARILLO MATTERS | May 1


This week's newsletter includes information on:


  • The Lead: Early Voting Looks Strong
  • State News
  • Local News
  • What We're LIstening To
  • Out and About
  • and more


Click here to read the entire update.

 

BRICKLY NEWSLETTER FROM BRICK & ELM MAGAZINE | May 2


This week's newsletter includes information on:


  • Saturday is Election Day
  • Local Focus
  • Transformation Park
  • Wendler Addresses WT Vote
  • Business Growth Workshop
  • NAACP Scholarships
  • Hey Amarillo 300th Episode Live Show
  • Chip Chandler's "Can't Miss"
  • Eye on Amarillo
  • Our May/June Issue is Here!
  • and more


Click here to read the entire update.

Celebrate National

Small Business Week!

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER WORKSHOPS | May


Upcoming Workshops & Events


  • 5/2 Start a New Business: Entrepreneurs Supporting Your Business
  • 5/3 Small Business Awards
  • 5/5 Food Manufacturers Roundtable
  • 5/10 Lunch Club: Workplace Culture Best Practices 
  • 5/16 Meet the Buyer 
  • 5/17 Intellectual Property Basics 
  • 5/31 Learn How to Protect Your Intellectual Property Abroad 


Click here for more information or to register.


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.

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.


Please do not use this form to request or schedule a ribbon cutting or ground breaking event.


If you have questions about using the calendar, or what kinds of events are allowed, contact Denise at 806-373-7800.

 

Chamber Events Planned for 2023

All events are tentative and subject to change.

Watch the online calendar for more details and updates.

 

5/4/23 Business After Hours at Sharpened Iron Studios

5/18/23 30th Annual BusinessConnection Tradeshow

6/1/23 Governor's Small Business Summit

6/22/23 Business After Hours at Adobe Walls Stoneworks

7/13/23 Business After Hours at Amarillo National Bank Skyline Conf. Room

7/20/23 Chamber Open Golf Tournament

8/10/23 Business After Hours at the Tri-State Exposition / Fairgrounds

8/24/23 Business Excellence Awards Celebration

9/7/23 Business After Hours at Casey Carpet One

9/21/23 Business After Hours at FirstBank Southwest Downtown Tower

10/5/23 27th Annual Chamber Barbecue Cook-Off

10/19/23 Business After Hours at Rockwood Furniture

11/9/23 Business After Hours at Four Points Sheraton (Hosted by RAM Hotels)

12/7/23 Business After Hours at Street Volkswagen


If you have questions about participating in or sponsoring any events, please call the Chamber at (806) 373-7800 or email chamber@amarillo-chamber.org.

Thank You 2023 Supporting Small Business Initiative Partners

The Chamber is thrilled to recognize our sponsors that stepped up to be part of the Supporting Small Business Initiative for 2022-2023. This 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 the year.


Please join us in thanking these generous underwriting partners that are serving the Chamber, our members, and the entire business community with their support. DIAMOND PARTNERS: Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, Amarillo National Bank, Atmos Energy, Happy State Bank, Northwest Texas Healthcare System, CNS Pantex, Reed Beverage, and Xcel Energy. RUBY PARTNERS: Amarillo College, Bank of America, Casey Carpet One, FirstCapital Bank of Texas, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. SAPPHIRE PARTNERS: Andrews & Associates / cat.man.du, AT&T, Avant Garden, AW Broadband, BSA Health System, Carson Wealth Management, Edward Jones, FirstBank Southwest, Insurica, and KT Black.


If you would like to know more about this program and the benefits of partnership, contact Jason Harrison or Ashley Gutierrez at (806) 373-7800.

Chamber Partner CGI Communications Offers
Advertising Options to Members
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 representatives and their team of associates 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 Zeke or Stacey at the contact information below.
Zeke Siembor
(585) 427-0020 Ext. 548 or (585) 301-5301
Stacey Siembor
(800) 398-3029 Ext. 538 or (585) 305-4909
Associates:
Corey Mulhern, Ken Wuest, and Maura Saraco
 
 
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.
Chamber Staff

Jason Harrison

President & CEO


Lindsey Arbeiter  

Executive Vice President


Penni Bentley

VP of Communications & Marketing


Ashley Gutierrez

Membership Director


Mary Garcia

Business Development Director


Christy Bigler

Finance Director / Database Administrator


Denise Rayford

Director of First Impressions


Sydney Frye

Communication & Marketing Assistant

See our Staff Directory with photos, direct phone numbers and more on our Contact Us page of the website.

2022-23 Chamber Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE


John Luciano

Chair

Street Volkswagen


Spanky Assiter

Chair-Elect

Assiter Auctioneers


Richard Constancio

Finance Chair

Shiver-Megert & Associates


Chris Reed

Past Chair

Reed Beverage


Jason Harrison

President & CEO

Amarillo Chamber of Commerce


Wes Wright

Business Chair

Wright Law TX, PLLC


Julie Imke

Membership & Quality of Life Chair

Harrington Academic Hall

WTAMU Amarillo Center


Ed Nichols

Governmental Affairs Council Chair

Brown Graham & Company, P.C.

 

Brice Sheets

Ag & Natural Resources Chair

Alpha Media


DIRECTORS


Tyler Andrews, Andrews & Assoc. / cat.man.du

Blaine Baker, Crown House Insurance

Brad Baldridge, Xcel Energy

Kevin Carter, Amarillo EDC

Sonja Clark, Bell

Tony Ensor, Amarillo Sod Poodles

Michael Gonzales, Atmos Energy

Andrew Hall, Amarillo EDC

Mark Hodges, FirstCapital Bank of Texas

Jody Holland, Jody Holland Training & Speaking

Matt Irwin, Insurica DFB

Karen Isern, Amarillo National Bank

Wade King, AgTexas Farm Credit

Charles Leard, M&R Liquor

Brent McClure, KFDA NewsChannel 10

Jared Miller, Amarillo City Representative

Joby Mills, Happy State Bank

Trent Morris, Workforce Solutions Panhandle

Lindsey Murphy, Education Credit Union

Joseph Peterson, Edward Jones

Brady Ragland, Tri-State Expo

Lindsay Reynolds, Elevate Amarillo President

Chris Rhynehart, Rhynehart Roofing

Doug Street, Affiliated Foods

Wendi Swope, Double U Marketing 

Sean Wright, GVH Distribution

Ryan Zimmer, A-1 Rocket Industries



Learn more about our Board of Directors

on our website. 


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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