Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce

www.tylertexas.com

chambertalk FebruaryMarch

2016

BOB WESTBROOKChairman 2015- 2016

Message Fromthe Chairman

Your Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce is off to a great start in2016! Member driven, all Chamber committees are fully engagedin their respective work programs. Visit and join one today!

Continuing to deliver “Member Value,” Chamber Staff andvolunteers produce highly regarded Expositions, IndustrySummits, Business Workshops and Networking opportunitiesthroughout the Chamber year.

We kicked off the New Year with Internationally acclaimedEconomist, and native East Texan, Dr. Ray Perryman. Hedelivered his insightful and entertaining economic forecastfor our region to a sold out crowd at the GABC CrosswalkCenter on January 7, 2016.

SPORTyler hosted the 3rd Annual Earl Campbell “Rose City”Award Banquet at Willowbrook Country Club on January 13,2016. University of Houston Quarterback and John TylerH.S. Alumni, Greg Ward, Jr., won the award.

The Business2Business Luncheon and Expo was held onJanuary 28, 2016 at Harvey Convention Center. The luncheonfeatured “Business is Like a Box Full of Chocolates” by

Chris Zervas, an interactive lecturer. The sold out Expo eventwas attended by over 1500 business men and women seekingconnections and/or solutions for their businesses.

The Contact Club hosted the “Quarterly Networking Breakfast”at Traditions Restaurant on February 17, 2016. Over 100business professionals attended and received “Get Organized”tips from Lorraine Brock, President of Get Organized!

The Contact Club also hosts the Chamber “Business After Hours,”an incredible networking event held the last Thursday of everymonth from 5-7pm.

Spring is in the air in East Texas! The “Azalea and Spring FlowerTrail” officially begins March 25th and runs through April 10th.The “Visit Tyler” Team is working feverishly to coordinate thefinal details, events and volunteers showcasing this incrediblenature spectacle. So, prepare well as we hope to greet 90,000+visitors to the area, many of whom will dine, shop and findlodging overnight. Some might even stay to call Tyler theirnew home!

Go to www.tylertexas.com for more exciting opportunities!

Mark YourCalendars!

Green Acres

Baptist Church

Crosswalk

Conference Center

See page 2 for more details.

Continued on next page.

57th AnnualAzalea and Spring Flower Trail

slated for March 25-April 10

Our bloomers are showing, and we inviteeveryone to take a peak!Azaleas, tulips, dogwoods, oh my! Spring into Tyler this season with our blooming

beauties that have graced the yards of so many homes in the Azalea District for

decades. Each spring visitors from far and wide travel to town to see the Azalea

and Spring Flower Trail and enjoy the various community spring events.

This year marks the 57th time Tyler has opened its doors and welcomed

guests from all over to stroll our streets, join our events,

and bask in the beauty that is Tyler in the Spring.

Last year the Trail brought more than 100,000

tourists to Tyler, and this year we are

expecting even more.

Tourism lends a significant economic impact

and plays a big role in the well-being of the

local economy.

Travel and tourism is one of the most

important “export-oriented” industries in Texas.

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Photo courtesy of Rose Bailey

Spending by visitors generates jobs and tax revenues for

communities within the state. (The Economic Impact of Travel

on Texas, Dean Runyan and Associates)

Visit Tyler will also once again be hosting the Bunny Hunt and

Azalea Photo Contest. Travelers and locals alike are encouraged

to try their hand at these two contests during the Trail. Official rules

for the event can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce.

Entry forms will also be available online at VisitTyler.com/

AzaleaTrail and at the ribbon cutting ceremony on March 25.

Visit Tyler encourages everyone to be a tourist in your own backyard,

and take advantage of the natural beauty of the city in which we

live. We are all so fortunate to live in a city that literally comes alive

in the spring!

The History of the TrailWhile oil booms gave Tyler an economic head start in the 1930’s,

azalea and rose blooms gave the city its beauty. Azaleas were

introduced to Tyler in 1929 by Maurice Shamburger, one of the

city’s early nurserymen. Pleased with results of a test garden of

azaleas, Shamburger shipped the colorful plants here by the

boxcar loads from Georgia.After completing his garden in 1929,

Shamburger discussed the beautification potential of azaleas with

Mrs. Sara Butler of the Tyler Courier Times Telegraph. Mrs. Butler

not only encouraged Shamburger to promote azalea plantings in

the city, but planted a number of bushes at her own home on

Charnwood Street.That home site, along with several other gardens

on Lindsey Lane, soon became springtime showplaces with their

colorful azalea blooms, and Tylerites began buying the plants by

the thousands. Some of the thick, towering azaleas at older homes

on the Trail date back to the ‘30’s and ‘40’s. By 1960, the blooming

azaleas were attracting much attention, and that year the

Chamber of Commerce established a marked route. The first Trail

featured about 60 homes on a five-mile route.The Trail was an

instant success. Within two years it had expanded to 75 homes

and was attracting 15,000 visitors. By 1964, 25,000 people a year

were coming to see the azaleas. In 1986, it expanded to two miles

and as of 2009, the Azalea Trail stretches ten miles and attracts

more than 100,000 visitors to Tyler. The homeowners make the

Trail the success it is. They regularly increase their azalea plantings

and spend countless hours making sure their yards are spotless

for the annual visitors. The Trail has been featured in numerous

newspapers and magazines, including Southern Living and

Texas Highways, drawing visitors from all over America.

The History of the BellesWith the success of The Trail escalating and more tourists coming totown The Chamber decided guests needed to be welcomed in truesouthern style. In 1964, the first Azalea Belles were introduced tothe Azalea and Spring Flower Trail. The first group of Belles wasmade up of two chamber secretaries. These ladies made their owncostumes by hand and distributed brochures to guests along the Trail.Now the Belles are a much beloved and anticipated part of the threeweekend event. Tourists are taken aback by the local hospitability andthe extra flare these young ladies add to the overall experience. TheseBelles are truly the ambassadors of the Trail. They are always happyto visit with guests and pose for photos in any of the beautiful gardensalong the Trail.

This year, 34 local sophomores and freshmen will serve this role.Watch the Tyler Morning Telegraph in the weeks leading up to theTrail for photos and more information on this year’s stewards.

Get ready, Tyler, for the most spectacular spring flower trail inEast Texas just outside your window, March 25-April 10, 2016.

For a complete list of events go to VisitTyler.com/AzaleaTrailor pick up a brochure at the Chamber of Commerce.

Continued from previous page.

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ALTRA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION8976 S. Broadway

The Village at Cumberland Park • Tyler, TX 75703800-755-0055

ASCO2602 E. Front Street • Tyler, TX 75702

903-593-0201

AZALEA ORTHOPEDICS1537 E. Grande St. • Tyler, TX 75702

903-939-7747

BROOKSHIRE GROCERY STORE – RICE ROAD100 Rice Road • Tyler, TX 75703

903-561-6247

FEDERAL TITLE INC. 501 Shelley Drive, Suite 170

Heartland Financial Center • Tyler, TX 75703903-266-7080

GOOSEHEAD INSURANCE -MORGAN SHIPP AGENCY

625 Chase Drive, Suite 107 • Tyler, TX 75701903-630-8069

LADY D HAIR SALON210 Shelley Drive • Tyler, TX 75702

903-630-7001

MORGAN-DAVIS BRIDAL10816 U.S. Highway 69 N • Tyler, TX 75706

936-615-6363

OAK HILLS TERRACE2651 Elkton Trail • Tyler, TX 75703

903-747-3927

SAMUELS JEWELERS4601 S. Broadway, #B23

Broadway Square Mall • Tyler, TX 75703903-939-0232

STUDIO B PILATES + BARRE7054 Highlands Lane • Tyler, TX 75703

903-245-1653

WAL-MART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET #4605OLD JACKSONVILLE

5976 Old Jacksonville Highway • Tyler, TX 75703903-405-6197

WAL-MART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET #5700FRANKSTON HWY.

2151 Frankston Highway • Tyler, TX 75701903-405-6197

CORRECTION: PLEASE NOTE THE CORRECT PHONE NUMBER FROM LAST NEWSLETTER:

NEIGHBORS EMERGENCY CENTER – 903-533-1280

For more information call (903) 592-1661.

15 Break Out Sessions to Choose From!Gardening • Safety Tips • Staying Fit • Financial Matters Cooking Tips

Social Media Tips Medicare/Medicaid Updates • And Much More!

FREE ADMISSIONTO ALL SENIORS

Lunch Will Be ProvidedEntertainment, Door Prizes

and Giveaways

Sponsored by

M A R C H 3 1 , 2 0 1 68:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Harvey Convention Center

SENIORSCELEBRATING

LIFE

10TH ANNUAL

newmembertalkAl Hafner Tuning

3208 Park Center Dr.

Tyler, TX 75701

903-561-8145

Amax Auto Insurance

532 S Broadway Ave

Tyler, TX 75702

903-597-7000

Budget Business Systems

532 E. Broad

Mineola, TX 75773

903-569-2210

East Texas Men in Harmony

2008 Lamplight Lane

Tyler, TX 75701

903-279-7226

Express Leadership University

5609 S. Donnybrook

Tyler, TX 75703

903-592-9999

FR Girls of Texas

170 N. Cedar St.

Van, TX 75790

903-963-7410

Franklin Dental Center

631 S Broadway

Tyler, TX 75702

903-593-2330

Generator Supercenter

3223 S. Southwest

Loop 323

Tyler, TX 75702

903-630-6117

H & R Block Premium

Tax Services

3800 Paluxy Dr #505

Tyler, TX 75703

903-534-1802

Morgan-Davis Bridal

10816 U.S. Hwy 69 N

Tyler, Texas 75706

936-615-6363

Movement Mortgage -

The Mortgages by

Mallory Team

119 W Charnwood St.

Tyler, TX 75701

903-235-3413

Pine Creek Dental

7925 S. Broadway Ave. #300

Tyler, Texas 75703

903-561-2232

Rause Realty and Investment

1901 Rickety Lane

Tyler, TX 75703

903-571-8248

Ryan's Restaurant

5602 S Broadway

Tyler, TX 75703

903-534-8042

Smallwood Management Company

3815 Old Bullard Road

Tyler, Texas 75701

903-581-3881

Spring Street Hair Design

Hair, Heath, and Nutrition Salon

518 S. Spring Avenue

Tyler, TX 75702

903-426-9898

Time-It Lube and Xpress Car Wash

6310 S. Broadway Ave

Tyler, TX 75703

318-422-1705

Tyler Glass & Mirror Co.

4865 American Legion Road

Tyler, TX 75708

903-597-6396

Tyler Lions Club

Sweet Sue's Restaurant

3350 SW Loop 323

Tyler, Texas 75701

972-743-1851

Tyler Valet Parking Services

404 N. Evenside

Henderson, Texas 75652

903-657-5264

U.S. Health Works - Tyler

5040 Kinsey Dr Suite 500

Tyler, Texas 75703

903-561-2690

U.S. Lawns

13838 Hwy 31 W

Tyler, TX 75708

903-526-9122

Value Place Hotel

3210 S Southwest Loop 323

Tyler, TX 75701

903-561-3232

Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market -

4605 Old Jacksonville

5976 Old Jacksonville Highway

Tyler, TX 75703

903-405-6213

Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market -

5700 Frankston Highway

2151 Frankston Highway

Tyler, TX 75703

903-405-6197

Woodforest National Bank

3820 Hwy 64 W

Tyler, TX 75704

903-526-8700

Worth Planning Group

719 W Front St. Suite 164

Tyler, TX 75702

903-525-9336

contactor talk

The Contactor of the Month forDecember, Kurt Kitchings has beena member of the Contact Club since2012 and has earned 7 ProductionAwards. He is a Marketing Consultantwith KETK/Fox TV and has workedin media sales for 7 years.

A 5 year member of the Contact Club,Nicole has earned her 5 ProductionAwards. She works in sales/marketingfor Ables Land in Tyler and is an activemember of Tyler Educational Marketing(T.E.M.). Nicole and her husband,Daniel, are the parents of Mackenziand Colin.

Kurt KitchensDecember

Nicole CoxJanuary

(903)

2929 Crow Rd.

S A V E T H E D A T E

2016 Tyler Area Energy SummitOur Challenging Energy Environment

March 31, 201611 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Green Acres Crosswalk Conference Center

Tyler Area Chamber News (USPS 447-540) is published quarterly by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, 315 N. Broadway, Tyler, Texas 75702.

tacc officers2015-2016

Chairman of the Board ..............................................Bob Westbrook

Chairman- Elect of the Board ......................................Claude Henry

Past Chairman of the Board............................................Charles Hill

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

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

Treasurer ........................................................................Roy Martinez

Area Development Council, Chairman....................June Cheatham

Business Development Council, Chairman ........................Skip Ogle

Membership Services Council Chairman ....................Tricia Walker

Business Education Council Chairman ....................Martin Heines

Tyler Hispanic Business Alliance Chairman ................Nora Reyes

Visit Tyler Chairman ......................................................Mary Foster