MARY ELIZABETHJACKSONChairman 2012- 2013

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Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce

www.tylertexas.com

chambertalk FebruaryMarch

2013

Tyler /East Texas Coalition Dayin Austin a Big Success

Tyler, Texas, is going places–so what bettertime than to focus on traveling– to Austin, onthe outskirts of the city, on the historic streetsof town.

Tyler, the Rose Capital of Texas, stormed theTexas Capitol for East Texas Coalition Day inAustin with over 130 people representing ourregion. Tyler alone had 81 people walking thehalls of the Capitol spreading our legislativemessages. This was the first time in many yearsthat Longview, Kilgore, Gladewater, and Tylerjoined forces to host a 3-day event in Austin andthe collaborative effort caught the attention ofthe legislative leadership.

The very next week the issue of transportationand roads was front and center right here inTyler with the celebration of the opening of thesegment of Toll 49 that connects State Hwy 31with Interstate Highway 20. It was a cold andwindy day but the excitement about and realiza-tion of the impact for travel and growth aroundthe outer loop was riveting enough to heatthings up. Try leaving IH 20 close to Lindale andarriving in Whitehouse in less than 30 minutes!

But nothing can match the daily watch fortulips, dogwoods, and azaleas. Yes, it is AzaleaTrail season. Whether it is one of the many tourbuses, a church group, or a family outing, Tyleris in the midst of one of the busiest – and mostbeautiful – times for our local residential streets.Just remember as you drive and wonder wherein the world did all these out-of-towners comefrom, they are shopping in our stores, eating inour restaurants, buying gas at our local stations,and staying overnight in our hotels. Stop andenjoy the color of spring and welcome ourvisitors. Let’s show everyone our East Texashospitality.

Road tripping to Austin, looping around Tyler,or enjoying the highways and byways of town...remember, there is no better place to live, shop,and work than Tyler, Texas. Enjoy every minuteof every day.

Azaleas, tulip, dogwoods, oh my! This winterhas been a roller coaster of spring like tempsleading to blistery winter wind. All of that isdrawing towards a close; though as wemove forward into the most beautiful seasonin East Texas, spring. Spring in Tyler not onlybrings the blooming beauties that havegraced the yards of so many homes in theAzalea District for decades, but it also bringsvisitors from far and wide to see the Azaleaand Spring Flower Trail.

This year marks the 54th time Tyler hasopened its doors and welcomed guestsfrom all over to stroll our streets, join ourevents, and bask in the beauty that is Tylerin the Spring. This event is a much lovedand anticipated event for thousands everyyear. Last year the Trail brought over100,000 tourists to Tyler and this yearwe are expecting even more.

Tourism lends a significant economic impactand plays a big role in the well-being of thelocal economy.

Travel and tourism is one of the mostimportant “export-oriented” industries inTexas. Spending by visitors generates jobsand tax revenues for communities within thestate. The gross domestic product (GDP) ofthe Texas travel industry was $24.9 billion in2011. This is similar to other export-orientedindustries such as microelectronics andagriculture/food production. Only oil and gasproduction and related manufacturing hasa significantly greater GDP. (The EconomicImpact of Travel on Texas, Dean Runyanand Associates, 2012.)

The History of the TrailWhile oil booms gave Tyler an economichead start in the 1930’s, azalea and roseblooms gave the city its beauty. Azaleaswere introduced to Tyler in 1929 by MauriceShamburger, one of the city’s early nursery-men. Pleased with results of a test garden ofazaleas, Shamburger shipped the colorfulplants here by the boxcar loads from Georgia.

After completing his garden in 1929,Shamburger discussed the beautificationpotential of azaleas with Mrs. Sara Butlerof the Tyler Courier Times Telegraph.Mrs. Butler not only encouraged Shamburgerto promote azalea plantings in the city, butplanted a number of bushes at her ownhome on Charnwood Street. That home site,along with several other gardens on LindseyLane, soon became springtime showplaces.By 1960, the blooming azaleas wereattracting much attention, and that yearthe Chamber of Commerce established amarked route. The first Trail featured about60 homes on a five-mile route. The Trail wasan instant success. Within two years it hadexpanded to 75 homes and was attracting15,000 visitors. By 1964, 25,000 people ayear were coming to see the azaleas. In1986, it expanded to two miles and as of2009, the Azalea Trail stretches ten milesand attracts over 100,000 visitors to Tyler.The homeowners make the Trail thesuccess it is. They regularly increase theirazalea plantings and spend countless hoursmaking sure their yards are spotless for theannual visitors. The Trail has been featuredin numerous newspapers and magazines,including Southern Living and Texas High-ways, drawing visitors from all over America.

The History of the BellesWith the success of The Trail escalating andmore tourists coming to town The Chamberdecided guests needed to be welcomedwith true southern style. So, in 1964, the firstAzalea Belles were introduced to the Azaleaand Spring Flower Trail. The first group ofBelles was made up of two chambersecretaries. These ladies made their owncostumes by hand and distributedbrochures to guests along the Trail.

Now the Belles are a much beloved andanticipated part of the three week event.These Belles are truly the ambassadors ofthe Trail. They are always happy to visit withguests and pose for photos in any of thebeautiful gardens along the Trail.

This year 32 local sophomores andfreshman will serve this role. Be watchingthe Tyler Morning Telegraph in the weeksleading up to the Trail for photos and moreinformation on this year’s stewards.

For a complete list of events visitwww.visittyler.com to downloada brochure.

54th Annual Azalea &Spring Flower TrailMarch 15-April 7

Our bloomers are showing,and we invite everyone totake a peak!

ribboncuttings

A BOY AND HIS DOG4548 S Broadway Ave

903-787-8176

CALVARY PLUMBING7581 FM 14

903-533-0989

CIMA HOSPICE921 Shiloh Rd, B100

903-509-2462

CORK FOOD & DRINK5201 S Broadway, Ste 162

903-363-9197

CULINARY CROSSROADS2301 S Broadway, Ste A4

903-533-7974

KEVIN L. FERRIER, ATTORNEY AT LAW222 E Amherst, Ste 100

903-592-9757

GENTRY INTEGRA INSURANCE SERVICES15632 Hwy 110 South, Whitehouse

903-871-9828

HOLT HOUSE709 S Bois d’Arc

903-592-5553

INCOME SOLUTIONS3200 Troup Hwy, Ste 150

903-787-8917

JORDAN HEALTH SERVICES921 Shiloh Rd, B200

903-509-095

JUST IMAGINE2210 Three Lakes Pkwy, #145

903-787-7546

RED RIVER PHARMACY LTC OF TYLER4801 Troup Hwy South, Ste 402

903-617-6885

SMITH COUNTY LOW RISK FACILITY2811 Public Rd903-590-4607

TYLER OPEN MRI1904 ESE Loop 323

903-526-6736

contactor talkAnna Malone is a first year Contact Club member.She is a financial services professional and currentlyserves on the Susan G. Komen Race for the CureTyler Affiliate and the Trinity Mother Frances Women’sBoard. She is also a graduate of Leadership Tyler

Class 22. Anna, husband Brandon, and their daughters, Claire andEmma, are members of Marvin United Methodist Church, whereAnna serves on the Finance Committee.

Jim has been a member of the Chamberfor 12 years and a Contact Club member foralmost seven. He is a past Chairman of theContact Club as well as past Chairman of theMembership Services Council. Jim has been

in the insurance business for 29 years and is the owner of JimToman Agency Insurance He is also active with the IndependentAgents Association and the Texas Life Association. He and hiswife, Debbie have one son, Cliff.

Anna MaloneJanuary

Jim TomanDecember

For more information call (903) 592-1661.

“A Sentimental Journey”

Free Admission to all Seniors! Lunch Will Be ProvidedEntertainment, Door Prizes and Giveaways

Staying FitFinancial Matters

Cooking TipsSocial Media Tips

Medicare/Medicaid UpdatesAnd Much More!

GardeningSafety Tips

March 28,20138:30 a.m.-2 p.m. • Harvey Convention Center

15 BREAK OUT SESSIONS TO CHOOSE FROM ON POPULAR TOPICS SUCH AS:

Sponsored by

Celebrating Life

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LCDR RORKE DENVERNavy Seal and star of the2012 movie Act of Valor

DR. HENRY CLOUDBest-selling author

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JOHN C. MAXWELLBest-selling author

and leadership expert

ANDY STANLEYBest-selling leadership

author and communicator

JACK WELCHFormer Chairman & CEO,

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SANYA RICHARDS-ROSS2012 London Olympic

Gold Medalist, track & field

CONDOLEEZA RICESecretary of State (2005-2009)

Exclusive Simply Lead videointerview with John C. Maxwell

DAVID ALLENBest-selling Author ofGetting Things Done

and productivity expert

MIKE KRZYZEWSKIHead Men’s Basketball Coach,Duke University and Team USA

For ticket information, visit www.leadershiptyler.org.

newmembertalkMelissa Charba/ Whitney Parrish20 Two 102210 Three Lakes PkwySte 110Tyler, TX 75703(903) 787-8807Sponsor: Matt Pollard

Aaron L. PragerAaron Prager Advertising & Design432 Towne Oaks DrTyler, TX 75701(903) 787-7210Sponsor: La’Keidra Lincoln

Mr. Frank Cereva, JrAB Rent-A-Car3220 WNW Loop 323Tyler, TX 75702(903) 597-7368Sponsor: Vel Williamson

Mike CrosonAmerican Legion Post 125503 American Legion RdTyler, TX 75708(903) 593-9751Sponsor: Dustin Epperson

Michael A. TaliaferroAmherst Oil and Gas, LLC2329 Oak Alley Suite 2Tyler, TX 75703(903) 581-2260Sponsor: BJ Hornbostel

Mr Ryan A. ThompsonAria Agency, Inc.14800 Quorum Dr, Ste 180Dallas, TX 75254(214) 385-2650 Ext:108Sponsor: Cindy Smoak

Nick BuskeBuske Travel Group, CruiseOne205 King CtBullard, TX 75757(903) 530-5744Sponsor: Jan Key

Jill LoweCBS Outdoor2102 Sterling DrTyler, TX 75701(903) 520-9988Sponsor: Brandon Malone

Mr. James S. Holley, Jr.Center Stage Music1861 Troup HwyTyler, TX 75701-5869(903) 593-2780Sponsor: Tim Ogrodnik

Katrina D. SealeChoice Homecare/Choice Rehab6013 S Broadway AveTyler, TX 75703(903) 363-9932Sponsor: BJ Hornbostel

David LorenzoClear Channel Airports4635 Crackersport RdAllentown, PA 18107(800) 648-8437Sponsor: Darren Vossler

Lane BosleyClothes Mentor7006 Highlands LaneTyler, TX 75703(903) 561-2525Sponsor: Don Skylar

Ms. Sheila WigginsCustom Landscape18964 Hwy 155 SFlint, TX 75762(903) 534-0000Sponsor: Cindy Smoak

Jo Nell BlankenshipDigi Comm Enterprises, LLCP.O. Box 2006Tyler, TX 75710(903) 581-6500Sponsor: Matt Pollard

Mrs. Beth R. WimberleyEast Texas Title Companies1021 ESE Loop 323Tyler, TX 75701(903) 539-9167Sponsor: Tricia Walker

Mary F. EdmistonEn Color Color SelectionSolutions57 CR 1524Avinger, TX 75630(903) 562-1623Sponsor: Vel Williamson

Carolyn F. KillingsworthFound Objects---resalePO Box 120158Tyler, TX 75712(903) 216-4704Sponsor: Cindy Smoak

Cindy ShepardGlenn Shepard Seminars6953 Charlotte Pike, Ste 303Nashville, TN 37209(615) 353-7125Sponsor: Brandon Malone

Harry McKnightGomez Floor Covering, Inc.3805 Timms St, Ste 400Tyler, TX 75701(903) 617-6597Sponsor: Tim Ogrodnik

Rick HarveyHarvey Plumbing LLC14822 Seven League RdTyler, TX 75703(903) 534-5600Sponsor: Darren Vossler

Linda S. DyerHolt House, Inc.709 South Bois D' ArcTyler, TX 75701(903) 592-5553Sponsor: Denver Dyer

Stan McNielInline Network Integration LLC13616 Gamma RdDallas, TX 75244(903) 212-2523Sponsor: Nicole Cox

Judy NolleyJust Imagine2210 Three Lakes Pkwy, #145Tyler, TX 75703(903) 787-7546Sponsor: Abigail Duty

Joshua NorrisKeen Solutions GroupPO Box 6551Tyler, TX 75711(888) 862-2950Sponsor: Brandon Malone

Kent AbernathyMcKaig Chevrolet BuickPO Box 1797Gladewater, TX 75647(903) 845-2132Sponsor: Tanya Redic

Mike WilcoxMichael WilcoxPO Box 2676Kilgore, TX 75663(903) 983-2951Sponsor: Henry Bell

Gary W. KammerPatterson Tyler Pre-OwnedSupercenter3800 Chandler HwyTyler, TX 75702(903) 218-6222Sponsor: Tanya Redic

Stewart FeistelPinnacle Welding &Fabrication, LLCPO Box 8205Tyler, TX 75711(903) 565-0203Sponsor: Matt Pollard

Richard & Robin HayniePinot’s Palette322 ESE Loop 323, Ste 156Tyler, TX 75701(903) 561-2773Sponsor: Holly McFarlin

Todd CarrollRed River Pharmacy LTC of Tyler4801 Troup Hyw S, Ste 402Tyler, TX 75703(903) 617-6885Sponsor: Kurt Kitchings

Michael W. MartinRockies ’N Ropers Dance Club322 Winchester DrTyler, TX 75701(903) 258-3730Sponsor: BJ Hornbostel

Mr. Dan McNeilSenior News of TexasPO Box 23307Waco, TX 76702(800) 736-7350Sponsor: BJ Hornbostel

Tom HolyfieldService First Mortgage Company6775 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Ste 2Tyler, TX 75703(903) 787-7525Sponsor: Tricia Walker

Roy G. ChapmanStar Delivery of East Texas, IncPO Box 2721Houston, TX 77252(903) 533-1600Sponsor: DustinEpperson/Darren Vossler

Claire CozadThe Market at The Crossing2210 Three Lakes Pkwy, Ste 255Tyler, TX 75703(903) 561-7467Sponsor: Abigail Duty

Mrs Stephanie JonesThe Wedding Chapel & Eventsat Roseland Plantation2601 State Hwy 64Ben Wheeler, TX 75754(903) 849-5553Sponsor: La’Keidra Lincoln

Kirsten TorgorsonTransCanada450-1st SWCalgary, AB T2P 5H1Canada(866) 717-7473Sponsor: Cindy Smoak

Mrs Jessie AntonTruSmart Energy4004 Beltline Rd, Ste 215Addison, TX 75001(214) 556-4973Sponsor: Cindy Smoak

Tom RobbinsTyler CopyTex512 S Broadway AveTyler, TX 75702(903) 539-3550Sponsor: La'Keidra Lincoln

Julian GragTyler Jewelry & Watch6100 S Broadway AveTyler, TX 75703(903) 730-0792Sponsor: Kurt Kitchings

Tony A. TraweekTyler Junior College -Tony Traweek6105 Wilderness RdTyler, TX 75703(903) 581-1763Sponsor: Tanya Redic

Steven W. FoxTyler Open MRI1904 E Southeast Loop 323Tyler, TX 75701(903) 526-6736Sponsor: Holly McFarlin

Teresa Bogart - OfficeWaterton Plaza Skilled Nursingand Rehabilitation Center2875 Shiloh RdTyler, TX 75703-2936(903) 561-1300Sponsor: BJ Hornbostel

Steve HesleyWatkins - Logan Texas StateVeterans Home11466 Honor LaneTyler, TX 75708(903) 617-6150Sponsor: Anna Malone

PERIODICAL

Tyler Area Chamber News (USPS 447-540) is publishedmonthly by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce,315 N. Broadway, Tyler, Texas 75702. Member rate$4.00 annually. Periodicals postage paid at Tyler, Texas.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tyler AreaChamber News, 315 N. Broadway, Tyler, Texas 75702,903-592-1661, www.tylertexas.com

Chairman of the Board ......................................Mary Elizabeth Jackson

Chairman- Elect of the Board ............................Rosemary Jones

Past Chairman of the Board ..............................Jerry Woolverton

President / CEO ..................................................Tom Mullins

Chief Operating Officer ......................................Henry Bell

Treasurer ............................................................Kay Latta

Convention & Visitors Bureau Chairman ........Tim Drain

Area Development Council, Chairman ............Charles Hill

Business Development Council, Chairman ......Dawn Franks

Membership Services Council Chairman..........BJ Hornbostel

tacc officers2012-2013

(903)

2929 Crow Rd.