Archive for June, 2011

17
Jun
11

Economic Indicators remain strong for Longview TX

By Longview Chamber of Commerce Leave a Comment
Categories: Advocacy, Business Development, Chamber of Commerce, Leadership and Promoting Longview
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Cautious optimism remains in place for the Longview economy as unemployment numbers continue to be below state and national averages coupled with another strong monthly sales tax report from the State Comptroller’s office.   Yesterday, the Texas Labor Market Information services released their latest report for the Longview MSA.  Unemployment is at 6.7% compared to the State ’s 7.9% and US’s 8.7%.  Mining, Logging and Construction experienced a 9.4% growth rate compared to the same time last year.  Manufacturing reflected a 3.8% increase with Professional and Business Services at 3.7%.

The Longview Chamber builds hundreds of relocation packet for member companies to aid in their recruitment process stated Kelly Hall, President/CEO.   Over the past 60  days we have seen the volume of relocation packets  increase immensely compared to the same time last year.  HR teams from several sectors have requested high volumes of relo packets for their recruitment efforts.

Additional good news comes from WIRED Magazine.  Adam Davidson did an article recently on “The Emerging Epicenters of High Tech Industry”.   He created a map utilizing the Cluster Mapping Project at  Harvard Business School. The  provides the top 20 job-creating areas for the following fields: Plastics, Chemicals, Automotive, Aerospace vehicles, Information technology, Biopharma, Metal manufacturing, Communication technology, Medical technology, Analytical instruments, and Electrical equipment.  Eastman Chemical of Longview Texas is spotlighted at http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/05/ff_jobsclustermap/.  Davidson reports Eastman dominates the chemical industry in Longview, an area spread over 3 counties in East Texas.  The company produces more than 40 products but ethyl acetate NF – solvent also used in pharmaceutical production and cosmetics – is as Longview specialty (even comes in kosher variety).

Longview Texas economic recovery continues to outpace the state and country.  If you would like to share more good news about your companies growth patterns in Longview  please contact Kelly Hall at president@longviewtx.com.

09
Jun
11

Longview chamber given a five-star accreditation – KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |

By Longview Chamber of Commerce 1 Comment
Categories: Advocacy, Chamber of Commerce and Uncategorized
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The United States Chamber of Commerce today awarded the Longview Chamber of Commerce with 5-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.

 

 

 

“Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit their local economy and for positively influencing action in their community,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber Executive Director of Political Affairs and Federation Relations.  “We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise.”

 

 

 

Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. In order to receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology. This extensive self-review can take 6-9 months to complete.

 

 

 

See KLTV’s Interview on the importance of being an accredited Chamber.  

 

http://www.kltv.com/story/14870228/longview-chamber-given-a-five-star-accreditation

 

Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.

 

 

 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

 

 

 

Vision Statement: 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.

Mission Statement: To enhance economic growth of the Longview trade area by focusing on education, promotion, and development of the business community, and those areas of the community affecting business.

 

CORE VALUES

 

Strengthening our Local Economy
Promoting the Community
Providing Networking Opportunities
Representing the Interest of Business with Government
Developing Community Leaders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

08
Jun
11

HHS Issues Final Rule to Control Premium Increases

By Longview Chamber of Commerce Leave a Comment
Categories: Advocacy and Chamber of Commerce
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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a final regulation aimed at controlling large health insurance premium increases. The rule, which was issued on May 19, 2011, provides that:

  • Rate increases of 10 percent or more by insurers in the small group and individual markets must be reviewed by state or federal officials.
  • Insurance companies will be required to justify significant rate increases and provide information to consumers about the reasons for the increases.
  • Grandfathered plans and excepted benefits (such as separate dental-only and vision-only plans) do not have to meet these requirements.

This The Ward Agency Legislative Brief provides a summary of the HHS final rule, which is effective Sept. 1, 2011. For a copy of the rule, see www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2011-12631_PI.pdf.

BACKGROUND

Under health care reform, HHS was required to establish a process for the annual review of “unreasonable increases in premiums for health insurance coverage.” The reform statute provides that the process must require health insurance issuers to submit justifications for unreasonable premium increases to HHS and the applicable state prior to the implementation of the increases.

The final rule implements section 2794 of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), which was added by section 1003 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

It establishes the requirements for health insurance issuers offering health insurance coverage in the small group or individual markets to report information concerning unreasonable rate increases to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It also sets the process for determining whether the rate increases are unreasonable.

FINAL RULE

Applicability

The final rule regarding rate increases applies to insurers in the small group and individual markets. However, it does not apply to grandfathered health plan coverage or to excepted benefits. Excepted benefits include things like liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, limited scope dental or vision benefits, long-term care or nursing home benefits and hospital indemnity insurance.

Source: The Ward Agency

06
Jun
11

Man Talk June 14th! Topic: obtaining success in business?

By Longview Chamber of Commerce 1 Comment
Categories: Business Development and Chamber of Commerce
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The Longview Chamber is proud to announce they are working with “Longview Community Men” and hosting Man Talk on June 14th at 7:00pm.  The topic is: Obtaining Success in Business.  Discussion items will include:

  • Have you discovered what does it take to have a successful business?
  • Do you know what a business must do to gain support from the community it is attempting to serve? 
  • Do you understand what are successful practices a business must have to survive in the world today? 
  • Did you realize how important  networking is to grow your business?

On Tuesday, June 14th, the Longview Community Men will host its monthly MAN TALK.  The panel participating in Man Talk will reflect the community of Longview and will discuss why it is important to work together and what are ssome of the barriers and how the community should rise to the occassion for the sake of the children and the future of the city as a whole.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Longview Chamber of Commerce.  The Chamber is located at 410 N. Center., Longview, Texas. A small meal will be served at 6:30 p.m.

We are challenging the men of Longview to show up and represent their home, family and community at this Man Talk. If you know of men that have a business or want to start a business,this would be a great session for them to attend.  Encourage the young men to attend as well because there is a need for young entrepreneurs in the area.  DO NOT miss this opportunity to network and bring your business cards as well!!!!!!!!!!!

For more information contact Branden Johnson at brandendjohnson@live.com.

03
Jun
11

5 Keys to Creating a Magnificent Customer Experience

By Longview Chamber of Commerce Leave a Comment
Categories: Business Development and Chamber of Commerce
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Join us on June 10th  and learn how Zappos turned a shoe website into the world’s largest online shoe store in just 10 years, with $1 billion in gross revenue and a reputation for world-class customer service.

  • Key 1: Live and Deliver WOW
  • Key 2: Focus on the Customer Experience as the #1 Priority
  • Key 3: Make Emotional Connections with Customers
  • Key 4: Treat Employees Very Well
  • Key 5: Surprise and Delight      

 In addition to the 5 keys you will learn:

  1. How Zappos is able to WOW customers AND maximize operational efficiency with no call scripts and no call time targets
  2. Why Zappos decided to invest in surprise and delight and is getting a big ROI…and how you can too   
  3. How to use emotion to connect with your customers like the Zappos customer leadership team does with every customer
  4. Why Zappos pays new employees $2,000 to quit
  5. The Keys to empower contact center employees to deliver beyond wow service. 
  6. How Zappos management takes very good care of it’s contact center employees…ideas you might want to try
  7. All hands on deck! How Zappos handles peak call volumes  
  8. A step-by-step plan for making the customer experience the #1 priority

Speaker:

Myra Golden is a highly sought-after speaker and one of America’s most recognized experts on customer service. She has become internationally renowned for her energizing delivery of hard-hitting advice that leads to dramatic and immediate changes in attitudes and behavior.

 How to Register:    Online (www.longviewchamber.com) or via phone (903.237.4000)

Cost:  $25.00 per person (chamber members)

            $50.00 per person (non-members)

            MC/VISA/AM EX/Discover accepted

Cancellations:          Reservations require payment unless cancelled by June 7, 2011

01
Jun
11

AlleyFest celebrates 33 years of festival fun in downtown Longview June 3-5

By Longview Chamber of Commerce Leave a Comment
Categories: Downtown Longview, Main Street, Promoting Longview and Uncategorized
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AlleyFest – A Real East Texas Celebration of the Arts is taking place on the streets of Downtown Longview’s historic Main Street district.
 
Music Fest brings great entertainment to Longview on Friday and Saturday evening. Friday, Matthew Davidson Band will open the festival, taking the stage at 8:00 pm. The Matthew Davidson Band is not your typical rock band. Classic rock…classic blues…classic style.
 
Wade Bowen will headline Friday night starting at 10:00 pm on the Bud Light Main Stage. Bowen a leading light on the thriving Texas country foundation that also draws inspiration from the wide spectrum of music he loves. Ask Bowen what distinguishes his music, and after mulling the notion for a minute, his answer is basic and direct: “Intensity”.
 
Saturday AlleyFest proudly welcomes 3 Rock N’ Roll Tributes! (33 years with 3 Tributes)
· 6:00 pm – 7 Bridges: The Ultimate EAGLES Experience is a stunning accurate tribute to the music of the Eagles. 7 Bridges is a tour de force of talent combining incredible musicianship, vocal precision and a stage presence that has garnered them nationwide acclaim.
· 8:00 pm – Back in Black a Tribute to AC / DCis an incredible, exciting, high energy reproduction of a concert performance of AC / DC. They are one of the first bands chosen by Live Nation to tour the House of Blues!
· 10:00 pm and still rocking – Guns 4 Roses the internationally touring, total Guns N’ Roses rock and roll tribute experience; long hair, leather pants, sunglasses, bandanas, top hats, and Les Pauls! Guns 4 Roses rock all your favorite songs from Welcome to the Jungle to November Rain and everything in between putting on a full stage production. More than just a Guns N’ Roses tribute band, Guns 4 Roses is the Ultimate Guns N’ Roses Tribute Experience!
 
Alley Art, Alley Run, Kids Fest, Food Fest and more!
 
AlleyFest — The Place to BE! June 3 – 5, 2011 http://www.alleyfest.org/

 

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