Time to Go Bigger For National Tourism Week 2017 - Amarillo ...

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Gary Molberg President/CEO Andrea McClintock VP of Membership Jason Harrison VP of Business Development & Governmental Affairs Penni Bentley Senior Director of Communications Christy Bigler Database Administrator Lindsey Arbeiter Membership Sales Coordinator Mary Garcia Business Development Coordinator Denise Rayford Director of First Impressions Dan Quandt VP of Convention & Visitor Council Mary Ramirez CVC Executive Assistant Eric Miller CVC Director of Communications Tina Brohlin CVC Director of Sales Kashion Smith CVC Director of Tourism Stephanie Andrews CVC Services Manager Hope Stokes CVC Interactive Media Manager Braley Hand CVC Tourism Coordinator Ashley Gutierrez CVC Sales Manager Hollie Hawkins CVC Sales Manager Kendra Knowles CVC Sales Coordinator PO Box 9480 Amarillo, TX 79105 806.373.7800 806.373.3909 fax Amarillo-Chamber.org

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Time to Go Bigger For National Tourism Week 2017 By: Eric Miller, CVC Director of Communications It’s hard to think we could go bigger, but that’s the goal of the Amarillo Convention & Visitor Council for National Tourism Week 2017. Already recognized by the Texas Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus as having the most aggressive plan to celebrate National Tourism Week, the Amarillo CVC has new ideas for celebrating in 2017. “Chamber members are welcome at all our events,” Dan Quandt, Vice President of the Amarillo CVC, says. “Our industry employs more than 8,000 residents from hotels and restaurants to attractions and other professional services, so it is vital to our city.” Here are the highlights of Amarillo’s Time To Go Bigger celebration of National Tourism Week 2017. Find full details at www.visitamarillo.com/nationaltourism-week-2017/. First Friday Art Walk welcomes Amarillo CVC staff on Friday, May 5 from 6-8 p.m. Stop by the Center City Corral in The Galleries at Sunset Center, 3701 Plains Blvd. Museum Day expands on Saturday, May 6 as seven area museums participate with special admission prices. And go to just one participating museum and you’ll have the opportunity to win an iPad. Participants include the Amarillo Museum of Art, American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, Bill’s Backyard Classics, Don Harrington Discovery Center, Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum and Texas Air & Space Museum. Check out the details at www.visitamarillo.com/national-tourism-week-2017/museum-day-2017/. Art Night with the Amarillo Venom is Saturday, May 6 before the Venom’s 7 p.m. home game against the Duke City Gladiators. Arts organizations will join others on the concourse of the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum. Check out those ballet tickets you’ve always wanted. Hospitality businesses are invited to a special seminar with TripAdvisor’s Scott Caufield on Tuesday, May 9 from 9:30-11 a.m. in the Ashmore Inn & Suites. If you have a tourism-related business, then you must know the best ways to use TripAdvisor. Learn about Roundup, the Amarillo CVC extranet that makes communication easier at the Convention & Tourism Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 10 starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Chamber. Texas Panhandle Travel Rally Day is Friday, May 12 at the Texas Travel Information Center on I-40 East at Airport Blvd. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get the latest from more than 20 area attractions. Finally, National Train Day meets National Tourism Week on Saturday, May 13 at the Amarillo Railroad Museum, 3160 I Ave. Drop by the museum’s open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to see the progress made on their HO layout of the Texas Panhandle. And don’t forget the Madame Queen, a 2-10-2 locomotive from the Plains Division of the Santa Fe Railway located downtown at Lincoln and 2nd Streets. “We hope that everyone finds a way to go bigger for Amarillo this week. If you can’t find a place to join us, just call and we will help you,” Quandt says.

Ribbon Cuttings New Members

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BusinessConnection

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Mega Market Recap

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After Hours Networking

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Renewing Members

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CVC News & PRIME Service

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Summer Celebration

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Editor’s Corner

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Click on http://bit.ly/RibbonCuttingsMar2017 to download these pictures.

Adele Bryan Insurance 3131 Bell, Building 100, Suite A-1

Five Guys Burgers & Fries 2313 S Georgia, Space 37

Harwell & Cook Orthodontics 3420 Thornton Drive

Preferred Imaging 14 Medical Drive

Spirited Expressions 2600 Paramount, Suite G1

The Venue 7200 Canyon Drive

Turn Center 1250 Wallace Blvd

Urban Giraffe Outdoor Center 4000 SW 51st

Contact Christy at 342-2004 for information on holding your own Ribbon Cutting or Groundbreaking event.

Check the Week’s Sneak Peek for a list of upcoming ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, committee meetings, and more! http://bit.ly/ChamberWSP

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Welcome New Members Thanks for Joining in March ABC Signs Clay Venable JR Venable 6212 River Road Amarillo, TX 79108 (806) 381-1115 Locally owned family business since 1974. Car wraps, yard signs, banners, decals...you name it, we can do it! Adams Wealth Management Group LLC James Adams 600 S. Tyler, Suite 1906 Amarillo, TX 79101 (806) 324-7050 http://adamswm.com Adams Wealth Management is an investment management firm focusing on portfolio management and financial planning.

ARAD (Amarillo Recovery from Alcohol and Drugs) Martha Burkett Perry Gillmore 1001 Wallace Amarillo, TX 79106-1735 (806) 350-2723 Fax: (806) 350-7553 www.aradamarillo.com ARAD is a 30 day residential (non -medical) treatment program for substance use disordered individuals, opening in summer 2017. Family services also provided. Assurance Group Doug Tice Bob Patrick 6900 I-40 West, Ste. 140 Amarillo, TX 79106 (806) 803-9028 Fax: (806) 803-9029

www.assurancegroupamarillo.com/

Amarillo Angels Gwen Hicks 601 SW 10th Amarillo, TX 79101 (806) 570-2010 www.amarilloangels.org The Amarillo Angels' mission is to walk alongside foster children and their caretakers by offering on-going support through relationship building, mentoring and intentional giving.

Investigate and provide the most cost efficient health and wealth building options for all senior (over 65/Medicare) and younger (under 65) community.

Amarillo Property Solutions Michael Dodson 6900 Red Rock Amarillo, TX 79118 (806) 236-3817

www.cainscarpetcleaningamarillo.com

www.amarillopropertysolutions.com

We are a local real estate investment firm who buys, sells and rents property in the Amarillo and Canyon area. APS Security LTD Johnny Lopez, Paul McNally Chad Bentley 600 S. Tyler Suite 1510 Amarillo, TX 79101 www.apsama.com Since 2006, Amarillo Protective Services has been offering professional Smart Home security and AV applications. APS Security provides both physical and electronic investigations, guard services, mobile surveillance trailers and more, and are proud to offer the best service in the area.

Cain's Carpet Care D’Ray Peeples Mike Burdis 6325 Star Lane Amarillo, TX 79109 (806) 353-1695 Fax: (806) 353-0022

Cain's Carpet offers premier carpet, tile, furniture, rug, air duct, and dryer cleaning services to residential and commercial properties. DermAesthetica Med Spa Michele Agostini Tamara Jarrous 2800 Civic Circle Amarillo, TX 79109 www.dermalaserandvein.com DermAesthetica is a locally owned and operated medical spa. We provide services ranging from injectables to laser procedures as well as skin care.

Fibrenew Amarillo Evan Friemel Anne Friemel Amarillo, TX 79118 (806) 674-0850 Fax: (806) 335-3750 www.fibrenew.com/amarillo We are the leaders in repair/ restoration of leather, plastic, and vinyl. We are mobile so we come to you to repair your car, couches, or anything in between.

Liberty National Nathanial Grayson John Osborn 600 S. Tyler, Ste 2001 Amarillo, TX 79101 Liberty National Life Insurance has been in business since 1900. We offer affordable life & supplemental health benefits for working class Americans. Superior customer service will always remain one of our top priorities.

Girasol Cafe & Bakery Jessica Higgins Jeana Higgins 3201 S. Coulter Amarillo, TX 79106 (806) 322-0023 www.facebook.com/ girasolcafeandbakery Locally owned. Amarillo's first artisan bakery in years, plus a lil' Latin Sol! Breakfast, brunch, lunch, catering, and desserts.

Mary Kay Cosmetics/Debbie Weld Debbie Weld Dalhart, TX 79022 (806) 930-6192 www.marykay.com/dweld Changing lives with the #1 direct sales company in color cosmetics and skincare. Free makeovers and pampering sessions. We love to make you beautiful!!

HollandMerriman Bill Holland Michael Merriman P.O. Box 52707 Amarillo, TX 79124 (512) 569-7600 www.hollandmerriman.com HollandMerriman provides a full range of advertising and marketing consultation and services. Innovative ideas. Exact execution.

Mathnasium of Amarillo Michael Haxton 200 Westgate Parkway West, Suite J Amarillo, TX 79121 (806) 418-6778 www.mathnasium.com/Amarillo Mathnasium is a supplemental math only learning center. We help kids from grades 2-12 with remedial or enrichment math education. We make math make sense!

HOME by Lyons Chris Lyons 7701 SW 34th Ave. Amarillo, TX 79121 (806) 576-3735 www.HOMEbyLyons.com Family owned and operated. Home builder in the Amarillo, Canyon and Lubbock areas. We strive to bring great quality at an affordable price. Innovative Strategies Missy Nash Amarillo, TX 79102 (806) 803-0582 Fax: (806) 803-0582 www.innovativestrategiestx.com Specializing in teaching business owners how to use innovative tax saving strategies to provide benefits to employees. Business planning and personal retirement planning.

Milo Insulation Tom Martin Aubrie Starks 505 Hwy 87 Tulia, TX 79088 (806) 236-0706 www.miloinsulation.com Manufacture Natural Insulation made from Milo Grain.

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BusinessConnection® 2017 What You Need To Know We are just 2 weeks away from the area's largest business-to-business tradeshow on Thursday, May 11th. Join us for BusinessConnection® as we take over the north end of the Amarillo Civic Center Complex with more than 300 businesses and booths. Want to see who is on the list of participants as of April 25th? Visit http://bit.ly/ BCExhibitors042517. Don't see your business there? There's still time to make the printed directory if you get your booth reservation in by this Friday, April 28th. Get all the show details at http://www.amarillo-chamber.org/ businessconnection.html. If you are on the list of exhibitors, your packet that includes booth information and number, VIP tickets to give your staff or customers, posters and more is going in the mail this week. If you don't receive it by Monday, May 8th, give us a call. And if you need to order items for your booth from the Trade Show Decorator, http://bit.ly/BC2017DecoratorForm. And don't forget to purchase tickets for the Trade Show Food Court that will be open from 11:30am - 1:30pm in the Regency Room. You can enjoy great food and beverages from more than 15 businesses for the low price of just $10 per person. If you wait to get them the day of the show, they will be $15. Note, the VIP tickets you get in the mail are NOT good for lunch. Buy lunch tickets on our website at http:// www.amarillo-chamber.org/businessconnection.html. See who is serving up lunch on the flyer at http://bit.ly/FoodCourtFlyer2017. The best part is that you don't have to give up your parking space and leave to grab lunch!

We're looking forward to a great show and meeting the several thousand people that will make their way through three rooms of exhibits. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards and wear comfortable shoes and make a day of it from 10am - 4pm on Thursday, May 11th. If you need more VIP tickets, you can pick them up at the Chamber, or just show your business card to get into the show for FREE. Check out our commercial at http://bit.ly/BC2017TVSpot and be watching for it on your favorite local channels or listening for it on your favorite local radio station. Thank you to all our sponsors and participants who are going to make this a great celebration of 25 years of connecting. If you have questions about anything, give us a call at 806.373.7800 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

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Welcome New Members Thanks for Joining in March Panhandle PBS/FM90 Kevin Ball Joyce Knight 2408 S. Jackson Amarillo, TX 79178 (806) 371-5222 Fax: (806) 371-5258 www.panhandlepbs.org Panhandle PBS and FM90 actively serves, through media, as a community resource, advocate, and partner for the Panhandle of Texas. As the storyteller of and for the people, we work to be a gathering place on-air, online, and out in the community for thoughtful and trusted interaction designed to educate, empower, enlighten, and entertain. Racked Boutique Leah Reeder 2921 Interstate 40 West, Suite 800 Amarillo, TX 79109 (806) 676-7255 https://www.facebook.com/ rackedboutique806/ Amarillo's new women's fitness apparel boutique! We carry fitness apparel for every woman. From yoga to crossfit...we have you covered!

Ride Remodel Coly Whipple Nick Lloyd 1303 N. Forest St. Suite 100 Amarillo, TX 79106 (806) 670-8074 www.RideRemodel.com Ride Remodel is a full service automotive customization and professional detailing business created around quality and customer satisfaction. We offer pick up and delivery! Texas Residential Builders, LLC Kyle Michels Tammy Duke Jason Hix Tommy Johnstone Fernando Sanchez Madison Scott Jeremy Siedeman 3321 Bell St., Suite E Amarillo, TX 79106 (806) 680-2322 Fax: (888) 392-2010 www.texasresidentialroofing.com Residential & commercial roofing and construction.

More than 70 participants representing 65 businesses recently participated in the Spring Mega Market held at the Holiday Inn West Medical Center on Thursday, March 30th. The half-day event allowed participants to make short presentations to the others at their table before changing tables. Often called speed-dating for business, this event had attendees go through 6 table rotations throughout the day and concluded with a reception. Event sponsors pictured right included: Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, Holiday Inn West Medical Center, Adair Photography, Drury Hotels, J Ferg Pros, Neighbors Emergency Center, NTS Communications, Street Auto Group, and Willdan. View more event photos at http://bit.ly/MegaPicsSpring2017.

Town Square Nutrition Stephanie & Andy Lemons Larry & Heather Hulsey 5461 McKenna Square, Suite 102 Amarillo, TX 79119 (806) 236-0034 www.townsquarenutrition.com Serving the Healthiest, GREATEST TASTING Smoothies in town. Let one of our Health Coaches help you achieve a Healthy, Active Lifestyle! Trihydro Corporation Colin Radant Shanna McMullen 712 South Milam Street Amarillo, TX 79106 (806) 310-2207 Fax: (307) 745-7474 www.trihydro.com Trihydro has than 32 years of experience successfully and efficiently managing environmental, air quality, engineering, surveying, water and wastewater, and environmental data management projects.

Warford-Walker Mortuary Freda Powell Morris Overstreet 509 N Hughes Amarillo, TX 79107 (806) 374-5206 Fax: (806) 374-5245

www.warfordwalkermortuary.com

The Warford Mortuary was founded in 1962 by Charles E. and Wilma Warford, and is the oldest continuously operated African American business in Amarillo. We have proudly served the Texas Panhandle for over 50 years and look forward to continuing service in the years to come. Our caring funeral directors provide specialized services locally and throughout the state of Texas. We proudly have a reputation for, “A name you can trust and dependable dignified service."

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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Free Networking at Chamber After Hours June 8 If you have yet to join us at one of these fun events, you can expect to meet some new faces, connect with some old friends, hand out some business cards, maybe win a door prize, enjoy some great food and beverages, and network, network, network. Best of all, they are FREE. We invite Chamber members to take advantage of this great way to meet new people who might want to know about your business. For more information about After Hours hosts and to view photos from our last event at Rockwood Furniture, visit http://bit.ly/AmarilloChamberAfterHours. If you would like to host a future After Hours at your business, call Jason at 806.342.2018.

Thursday, June 8 5:00pm—7:00pm Instiller's Lawn & Landscape’s Resplendent Garden 11701 Truman Street (South Osage & FM 1151) Chamber Members & Guests are invited to join us for another FREE Business Networking event. There will be hors d’oeuvres, drinks & door prizes.

View more photos from our last After Hours event at Rockwood Furniture at http://bit.ly/AfterHoursRockwoodPics

Look for the event on Facebook coming soon!

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7 Star Therapeutic Riding Center A-1 Rocket Industries Aardvark Services Inc Abrahamson & Associates, LLC Accent West Acute & Chronic Pain and Spine Center Adobe Walls Stoneworks Amarillo Auto Supply & Off Road Amarillo Building, LLC Amarillo Chiropractic Center Amarillo Club Amarillo Dental Spa Amarillo Downtown Kiwanis Club Amarillo Outdoor Power Equipment Co. Amarillo Railroad Museum, Inc. Amarillo Testing & Engineering Amarillo Venture Capital, Inc. Armstrong County Museum, Goodnight Historical Center & Gem Theatre Atmos Energy Baumann Capital, LLC Best Buy Biocycle Inc. Buckner Children and Family Services Canyon Finance #0855 Caring Senior Service of Amarillo Chalice Abbey CLI Capital Coalition of Health Services, Inc. Cox Funeral Home David C. Woodburn, DDS Double J Siding & Windows Downtown Women's Center Edes Custom Meats Elwood Staffing Encourage Consulting ER Now - Hillside ER Now - Your 24/7 Emergency Room

Farmers Insurance - Leslie Massey Ferguson Firestone Complete Auto Care FirstCare Health Plans-Amarillo Four Winds Construction Co. Fuqua-Bryson Benefits Group Gene Messer Ford Golden Corral Buffet & Grill Golden Spread Chorus/Amarillo Chapter Barbershop Harmony Society Gold's Gym & Athletic Club Graybar Electric Company, Inc. Gregory A. Ogburn, CPA, P.C. H & R Food L.P. Hand Industrial Inc High Plains Retreat Center Hilton Garden Inn Amarillo Home2 Suites by Hilton Amarillo Howard Smith Co., Realtors iMavens Interstate Bank, ssb Jaelyn Properties KJRT - Kingdom Keys Network 88.3 KRBG - Radio by Grace - 88.7 & 102.3 La Bella Pizza - Olsen La Fiesta Grande LegalMatch Texas Lawyer Finder Locker Room Haircuts Mahaffey Orthotics & Prosthetics Mary Ann Piskun M. D., PLLC McGavock Nissan of Amarillo Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery Michael O. LaGrone, M.D., P.A. Motel 6 Mr. Electric My Home Team Media Networks Oliver Saddle Shop

Outback Steakhouse P A S O/Panhandle AIDS Support Organization Panhandle Community Services Pete's Greenhouse Plains Dairy, LLC Plains Land Bank Quality Carpets & Flooring Quick Quack Car Wash (Coulter) Ralph Duke Photographer Rhynehart Roofing, Inc. Rock N Fountains Roth Products of Texas, Inc. San Jacinto Christian Academy Silver Oak Apartments Sims Parge' Moya Architects, LLC Snack Pak 4 Kids Sparkman Orthodontics State Farm/Jamie Smith State Farm/Shannon Brooks State National Bank of Groom Sutherlands HomeBase Tap Snap Photo Entertainment Templeton, Smithee, Hayes, Heinrich & Russell Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Amarillo Texas Panhandle Honor Flight The Buckle, Inc. The Vineyards of Amarillo ThomasonScott, LLC Three Falls Cove Country Inn and Vineyards Tigris Real Estate LLC Timeless Designs, LP Tracy Howland Realty Triangle Realty, LLC Trinity Baptist Church Tupperware Elizabeth Alexander Ultimate Garage Systems Valet Cleaners Valmed Home Health Solutions

Vaughan Farms, Inc Vigil Pizza dba Domino's Pizza Vince Wirt Insurance-TWFG W Silver Recycling Inc. Walmart Supercenter East Waste Wranglers Welcome Pardner! Zips Carwash

REMEMBER: You can pay your Chamber invoices online and even update your membership listing, including address, phone, fax, email, website, description of services and more. Visit the MEMBERS ONLY section of our website or email [email protected] for your login name and password if you have forgotten it. Need help? Give her a call at 342-2004. Click here to go to the Members Only Login Section: http://bit.ly/MembersOnlyLogin

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WELCOME THESE SPORT & CONVENTION GROUPS TO AMARILLO May

Convention & Visitor Council 2016-17 Year-To-Date Statistics

5-7

National Club Baseball Association NCBA DI/II District VII Playoff Tournament

5-7

Toastmasters International District 23 Spring Conference

70

20-21

Panhandle Reined Cow Horse Association Windy City Warm Up Horse Show

40

22-24

American Quarter Horse Association AQHA Affiliate Workshop/Training

150

26-28

Tascosa High School Class of ‘67 50th Reunion

200

14-18

American Quarter Horse Association Region 8 Quarter Horse Show

540

20-23

National Corn Growers Association June Board Meeting

24

22-24

Jane Phillips Society National Convention 75th

50

30-7/2

Fields Family Reunion

65

Tourism Occupancy Rate (March) Group Tour Buses (Fiscal YTD)

66.7% 90

June

Film Commission Information requests (Fiscal YTD)

5

Sport & Convention Groups # of Conventions/Groups in Amarillo (Fiscal YTD) Delegates (Fiscal YTD)

175

34 49,845

Room Nights (Fiscal YTD)

2,370

Convention Delegates Booked-Future Conventions (Fiscal YTD)

1,584

4-9

Amarillo Gun Club—Texas Trapshooters Assn. Texas State Trap Shoot

300

Convention Delegate Room Nights Booked (Fiscal YTD)

3,054

11-13

American Quarter Horse Association Youth Excellence Seminar (YES) Leadership Conf.

360

Attendees Booked-Future Sport Events (Fiscal YTD)

4,245

16-18

Xcel Energy 2017 Lineman’s Rodeo

450

Room Nights Booked (Fiscal YTD)

4,174

Communications / CVC Website CVC Website Visits (Google Analytics—March)

29,060

CVC Website Unique Visitors (Google Analytics—March)

24,327

CVC Website Page Views (Google Analytics—March)

51,084

CVC Website Average Visit Duration (Google Analytics—March)

1:15

Social Media Facebook Page Likes Thru March (VisitAmarilloTX)

39,129

July

August 5

Koben Puckett Productions 2017 Koben Puckett Invitational PBR

25-9/2

American Quarter Horse Association 2017 Adequan Select World Championship Show

50 675

Do you get the Tuesday morning email updates for what’s going on around town with tourism, conventions, attractions and events? Email Eric Miller to be added to this fun and informative weekly email blast at [email protected].

VisitAmarillo.com

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35th ANNUAL GOLDEN NAIL AWARDS CELEBRATES THE ARTS The CVC Arts Committee hosted the 35th Annual Golden Nail Awards Gala on Thursday, April 6th for a crowd of 300 attendees. Awards were given in six different categories to deserving supporters, volunteers and contributors from Amarillo and the panhandle area. Awards presented were: Summit Award—Given for outstanding devotion and support of the fine arts in Amarillo and the Panhandle area over a period of years, including meaningful public involvement and unstinting personal services as well as generous financial help. This award is given at the jury’s discretion without a formal nomination. Joe & Laura Street of Amarillo. Up & Coming Distinguished Volunteer Awards - Given for exemplary volunteer service by an individual under the age of 35 in Amarillo and the Panhandle area. Angie Hawkins, Panhandle Area Winner; Alfonso & Britni Zambrano, Amarillo Winner. Distinguished Volunteer Awards—Given for exemplary volunteer service by an individual in Amarillo and the Panhandle area. Jackie Gilley, Panhandle Area Winner; Dorinda Creel, Amarillo Winner. Foundation & Non-Profit Awards—Given for exceptional generous support of the fine arts by a Foundation or Non-Profit Organization in Amarillo and the Panhandle area. Gayden Family Foundation, Panhandle Area Winner; Amarillo Area Foundation, Amarillo Winner. Business Awards—Given for exceptional financial support of the fine arts by a business or corporation in Amarillo and the Panhandle area. Newcrest Image/Embassy Suites/Courtyard Amarillo Downtown, Panhandle Area Winner; FirstBank Southwest, Amarillo Winner. Golden Touch Awards—Given for new, unique, or innovative arts event or activity that has added a “golden touch” to arts fare in Amarillo and the Panhandle area. The Citadelle Roadshow Art Traveler, Panhandle Area Winner; The Heart of Texas Art, Amarillo Winner; An Evening With Cheech Marin, Amarillo Winner. Individual Awards—Given for outstanding support and service to the fine arts both financially and personally by an individual or individuals in Amarillo and the Panhandle area. Louise & Gene Rahll, Panhandle Area Winner; Steven & Lori Beckham, Amarillo Winner.

Congratulations to these Prime Service Award Winners in March Members of the CVC’s Convention & Tourism Committee as well as other Chamber volunteers recently dropped in on the following businesses to deliver an AMA Prime Service lapel pin to these employees who provided someone with PRIME customer service. If you receive outstanding service at an area business, nominate that person for a Prime Service award. Just call the CVC office at 374-1497 or visit www.visitamarillo.com/about-amarillo/ primeservice/

Austin Turner

Lady Bug Termite & Pest Services Cindy Ellenda

Nereida Ortiz

Amarillo National Bank Adolfo Reyes

Furrbies

Amarillo Town Club (Cornell)

Tina Cook

Bryce Martinez

Furrbies

Rolanda Wilson

Santa Fe Federal Credit Union Darlene Martin

Buzula Furniture

Abuelos

Amanda Johnson

Quail Creek Ear, Nose & Throat Morgan Kelley

Happy State Bank (Georgia)

Emily Evans

Walgreens (45th & Western)

Special thanks to the Golden Nail Awards Committee, Civic Amarillo, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Panhandle Restaurant Group, Culinary Arts Students from Amarillo and Canyon Independent School Districts, Duncan and Boyd Jewelers, Freeman’s Flowers, Amarillo Opera, The Martini’s, Mr. Chuck Alexander, and the anonymous Golden Nail Awards jury.

View, download or print photos from the event from our Flickr album at: http://bit.ly/GNA2017Pics

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The Chamber eNewsletter is published by the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, 1000 South Polk, Amarillo, Texas 79101. It is provided free of charge to Chamber members. Address correspondence to Chamber Communications at the address listed above, call 806.373.7800 or fax 806.373.3909. 2016-17 Board of Directors Executive Committee Chair Chair-Elect Finance Chair Past Chair President/CEO Membership Council Business Council Governmental Affairs Council Quality of Life Council Ag Council Convention & Visitor Council City of Amarillo

Jeff Mitchell William Ware Michelle Reichert Brice Sheets Gary Molberg Chris Reed Wes Wright Bob Murray Penelope Davies Leon Church Stephanie Price Mayor Paul Harpole

Directors Barry “Bear” Albrecht Randy Arceneaux Spanky Assiter Mark Bridges Brian Bruckner Randy Castillo Corey Cowart Dusty Doyle Bryan Kauffman Brandon Kuhn Sherry Kunka John Luciano

Does your business have a Facebook page? Write on our Facebook timeline and we’ll share your information with our 7,000+ fans.

7,553 Fans on http://on.fb.me/5DZVNH Facebook 4,539 Followers on Twitter http://bit.ly/hvluwj 20,895 Photos on Flickr http://bit.ly/ePVylz

Shannon Massey Greg Meador Cindy Miller Ed Nichols Garry Rich Aaron Sage Brandy Sanchez Ernesto Sanchez Joe Street David Terry Toby Tucker Dr. Dana West

Visit our website at: Amarillo-Chamber.org Penni Bentley, Editor

[email protected]

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Editor’s Corner

By: Penni Bentley, Senior Communications Director Direct: 806.342.2005 Cell: 806.674.7334 [email protected] Do you ever find yourself saying something out loud that makes you feel like you are channeling your parents or a teacher from long ago, and it scares you a little bit?

I actually said, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” this week and shuddered at the line that came straight from my 4-H methoddemonstration script (written by my mother) from sometime in the late 80’s. This came out of my mouth as I was making corrections to a letter, and could also hear the grammar and punctuation police in my head that sounded a lot like my junior high English teacher, Miss Self. The college diploma on my wall and the years of experience here at the Chamber have taught me a lot, but the education and influence I got from my teachers growing up have probably influenced me more and had a greater impact on the things I do in my job every single day. Those teachers who held my hand and made me pay attention and follow the rules from the ages of 5 to 17 helped make me who I am. My 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Mullin, taught me that there are consequences to breaking the rules or not getting your work done. Back in the good ole days when corporal punishment was still allowed in schools (gasp…), she actually used a wooden paddle to give “licks”. But in that very teachable moment, she looked you in the eye, made sure you understood why you were in trouble, and after a couple of good swats, she hugged you and said, “I love you, and it’s because I love you, that you got in trouble.” Needless to say, she loved me a lot that year. But to this day, she is probably a favorite teacher for at least 90% of the kids that had her. I learned that “love” doesn’t always mean getting everything you want, and as a parent, I see how important that lesson was to learn. The 4 years of yearbook class in high school gave me lots of experience for putting together these monthly newsletters. Sheryl Weaver (one of the few teachers we could call by her first name) turned me lose with a Pentax camera and rolls and rolls of film and let me capture the memories and activities of my school mates and friends. It’s not surprising that you will always see me at our Chamber events behind the lens of my Canon Rebel capturing the friendly faces of our staff, Chamber members, sponsors and attendees. I didn’t really like diagramming sentences or paying attention to dangling participles at the age of 12, but with the stroke of a red pen, Miss Self made sure that I learned the impact the written word can have on a reader. I didn’t realize (or appreciate it) at the time, but being able to write well would be a big part of my daily job. The times in my life when I have written something here or on Facebook that other people have complimented, I realize I owe that to the teacher that didn’t care if she was the most popular. She didn’t care if she hurt my feelings with the many red marks or the less than perfect grade. She cared about making sure I knew how to do it right, even if it took several tries. After 40 years of teaching English, Miss Self (Jane, as I get to call her now) retired a few years ago. She also got married and is no longer a Miss. Right now, she’s battling cancer. My parents went to see her in Lubbock last week and my mom told her that I’ve always credited my writing skills to her. My mom said she was really glad that she took the time to tell her that. I pray she gets better and I have the chance to tell her that myself soon, but I’m thankful I don’t have to see how many red marks this column would get from her, because I still break a lot of rules. Teachers are in the home stretch of the school year, and most of them are probably frantically marking off the days left on the calendar with a big marker. If you have school-aged children or grandchildren and have

the chance, you should say “thank you” to those teachers that are shaping the little minds that may one day pick your nursing home. They teach them so much more than reading, writing and arithmetic. If you are at all good at your job or successful in some way, you can probably think back to a teacher that made a difference in your life too. Thank them if you can. If they are long since gone, pay it forward by being a mentor to someone else. As always, tell us how we are doing. Give us your suggestions, feedback, and input. Feel free to write on our Facebook wall. Get involved. We are proud to be YOUR Chamber.

Mark Your Calendar: 5/11 5/5-13 6/1 6/8 6/15 7/13 7/27 8/3 9/14 9/23 10/5 10/19 11/2 12/7

BusinessConnection National Tourism Week Cattle Drive Downtown After Hours Networking at Instiller's Lawn & Landscape Summer Celebration After Hours Networking at Scarborough Specialties Chamber Open Golf Tournament After Hours Networking at Keller Williams Good Times Celebration Barbecue Cook-off Chamber Challenge After Hours Networking at Casey Carpet One Annual Banquet & Business Excellence Awards After Hours Networking at First Capital Bank After Hours Networking at Street Volkswagen