VOL. 7 | FEBRUARY 2020 BUSINESS BULLETIN · a Facebook Group where you can share your progress, healthy recipes and more as ... RED DIRT RELOADED: Enjoy an evening of networking,

BUSINESS BULLETINVOL. 7 | FEBRUARY 2020

WHAT'S INSIDE?CHAIR REMARKS

INDEX

CEO COLUMN

NEW MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIP HAPPENINGS

JANUARY ECONOMIC INDICATORS

FROM THE CITY MANAGER DESK

FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS

HEALTHY BITES

FEBRUARY MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

HIGHLIGHTS

EDUCATION

MARKETING MIX

CHAIR REMARKS

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM THE LAWTON FORT SILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

1

2

3

4

5-6

7

8

9-10

11

12

13

14-15

16

Are you consider ing gett ing back into shape and adopt ing a healthier l i festyle? Join our

Chair Chal lenge! Track your mi les from now unt i l Apr i l

15th and be entered to a win a F i tBit watch. The Chair Chal lenge does not stop

there--we have also created a Facebook Group where you

can share your progress, healthy recipes and more as

you proceed through the new year with a healthier

outlook.To find out more about excit ing new events,

please v is i t lawtonforts i l lchamber.com or

cal l (580)-355-3541 .

CHAMBER BOARD

Business Bulletin Page 2

Jennifer Ellis Cosmetic Specialty Labs Chair Mark Scott Arvest Bank Incoming Chair

Albert Johnson, Jr. Cameron University Immediate Past Chair Jason Hensley City National Bank Secretary/Treasurer Barry Ezerski Re/Max Vice Chair Industrial Development

Jacob Brox Brox Roofing Vice Chair Chamber Affairs Mark Brace BancFirst Vice Chair Government & Military Affairs

Michael Cleghorn City of Lawton City of Lawton Representative Candy Hanza Comfort Suites Hotel-Motel Representative

Brenda Spencer-Ragland President & CEO

Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce

OFFICERS

Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce

302 W. Gore Blvd. 580.355.3541 www.lawtonfortsillchamber.com

BUSINESS BULLETINVOL. 7| FEBRUARY 2020

Yvonne Landmark The UPS Store Class of 2020 MG(R)Lee Baxter Signal Mountain Associates Class of 2020

Patty Neuwirth Lawton Philharmonic Society Class of 2020 Bridget Randle Classic Lawton Chevrolet, LLC Class of 2020

James Taylor Great Plains Technology Center Class of 2020 Daniel El Kouri 4-D Landscape & Irrigation Class of 2021

Tiffain Easton Easton’s Marine Class of 2021 Ray Howard Republic Paperboard Company Class of 2021

Tony Puckett AM General Class of 2021 Christy Clark Southwestern Medical Center Class of 2021

Shawn Anderson Anderson Pharmacy & Accents Class of 2021 Jesse Cross Red River Science & Technology LLC Class of 2021

Keaton Francis Comanche County Memorial HospitalClass of 2022 Fred Fitch Retired Class of 2022

Dustin Hilliary Hilliary Communications Class of 2022 Lauren Ellis United Way Class of 2022

Vera Oldham Atlanta Bread/Silver Spoon Class of 2022

BOARD MEMBERS

STANDING POSITIONSMayor Stan Booker City of Lawton

John Cunningham Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

EX OFFICIO DIRECTORSJoe Gallagher Fort Sill Representative - Deputy to the Commanding General

Kevin Offel Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) Dr. John McArthur Cameron University

Brad Cooksey President Lawton Economic Development Corporation Clarence Fortney Great Plains Technology Center

Scott Chance Congressman Tom Cole’s Office Gail Turner Representing Comanche County Commissioners

Steve Carson Senator James Lankford’s Office Bryson Panas Senator James Inhofe’s Office

Brent Smith Comanche County Memorial Hospital Elisabeth Jones Southwestern Medical Center

BUSINESS BULLETINVOL. 7| FEBRUARY 2020

FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO'S DESK

President & CEO on the Benefits of Chamber Membership

President & CEO on the Chamber’s Impact on Tourism

FOR THE LATEST LAWTON CONSTITUTION: CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VIEW ARTICLES PROVIDED BY OUR PRESIDENT & CEO BRENDA SPENCER-RAGLAND,

PLEASE VISIT WWW.SWOKNEWS.COM.


Tourism act iv it ies in December included host ing or sponsoring three (3) events/groups and producing 47 trackable room nights, and 20, 466

reported vis i tors with a potential economic impact of at least $791, 677.66 to the City of Lawton. Events supported included, Wichita Mountain

Classic (WMC), Ware on C/in the Hol iday in the Mall , and support for the annual Christmas Parade and Hol iday in the Park. At the Chamber, we

were busy in December support ing and host ing several events, to include the annual Chamber Open House, State of Healthcare Luncheon,

Breakfast B4 Business, and two r ibbon cutt ings. We continue to reflect a high attendance at each of these events, and we have witnessed the

same high attendance for our State of Mental Health we hosted in January.

Chamber membership creates better v is ibi l i ty. As well , you wil l be able to stand out and get not iced by being act ively involved in many

community events that the Chamber either hosts or sponsors. You can take ful l advantage of the many professional development

opportunit ies which includes monthly luncheons, educational and professional development resources. The Chamber Board and staff

wil l serve as strong advocates for you and your business. Networking is a key element of chamber membership. I t ’s not just who you know, but who knows you and who they know that you need to get to know.

For individuals looking to network in order to sustain or expand their career, no organizat ion can produce a higher return on investment

than your local Chamber of Commerce. Get involved, and learn, grow and lead as a Chamber member.

LEAP OF KINDNESS SWOK The Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the first Leap of Kindness Southwest Oklahoma on February 29th. In honor of this years' Leap Year, we are encouraging residents to show random acts of kindness throughout the day. These random acts of kindness can range from donating to the Lawton Food Bank to purchasing a cup of Viridian Coffee to give to someone else. For a full listing of businesses to support, check out our Online Membership Directory.


CHAMBER MEMBER SAVE THE DATE

Lawton Employer Council: Workplace Violence-- Active Shooter February 18th 8:30a.m.-10:00a.m. Hilton Garden Inn Great Plains Room CDE Cameron University Presents 2020 Red River Career Expo February 20th 12:30-3:30p.m. Aggie Rec Center

Arvest Bank: Grand Opening Celebration February 14th 12:00p.m.-2:00p.m. 2602 W. Gore Blvd. Lawton First Assembly Presents Living Room Reset Featuring Kirk Cameron February 20th Lawton First Assembly

CHAMBER HAPPENINGS



RIBBON CUTTING WRIGHTS DONUTS

On Tuesday, January 7th, we celebrated the official ribbon cutting of My Daily Choice/Hempworx at the Chamber offices. My Daily Choice/.Hempworx is a natural, CBD based nutrition and skin care line.To learn more about the products, please visit www.mydailychoice.com/EJBOO

On Wednesday, January 15th, we hosted the official ribbon cutting for Wrights Donuts #2. Congratulations and welcome to the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber, Wrights Donuts #2! To learn about the business, please visit 501 SW 11th St. or call (580)- 699-8888

RIBBON CUTTING MY DAILY CHOICE/HEMPWORX

BREAKFAST B4 BUSINESS APACHE CASINO HOTEL

Apache Casino Hotel hosted the Breakfast B4 Business of the year on January 7th. To kickoff the New Year, our monthly BB4B offered a true networking experience for new and seasoned business professionals. The event was attended by 79 total business professionals. Stay tuned for next BB4B!



STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH LUNCHEON

January's Business After Hours was hosted by White Buffalo Coffee Bar on January 16th. The monthly evening networking event highlighted the latest members of the Chamber as well as new faces to the local business community. Don't miss the next Business after Hours!

Our State of Mental Health Luncheon took place on Wednesday, January 8th at Cameron University. Our guest speaker provided an informative discussion on the needs of mental health resources and challenges occurring in the State.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS WHITE BUFFALO COFFEE BAR

SPRING NEW MEMBER RECEPTION

Our Semi-Annual Spring New Member Reception took place on Friday. January 23rd at the Chamber office. With over forty in attendance, each new Chamber member had the opportunity to "pitch" their business, connect with other Chamber members. Congratulations and welcome the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber!

ECONOMIC INDICATORS JANUARY 2020

Breakfast B4 Business Business Leader

Attendance Apache Casino Hotel, 79 in

attendance

New Member Reception– 34

Business After Hours-

White Buffalo Coffee Bar – 26 in attendance

Referrals from website hits on the business

directory – 12,555


CHAMBER BY THE NUMBERS

Day of Trauma Informed Trainin February 7th Cameron University 2800 W Gore Blvd. $80 for day, $40 for either workshop, if pre-registered by 1/24/20, $100 for day after this. FREE and OPEN to community not needing CEUs! 25% discount for seniors, veterans, or state employees! For more information, please call (405)905-9322.

COUNTY SALES TAX CITY SALES TAX HOTEL MOTEL TAX

January 2020: $43,384.53

January 2019:

$51,263.05

January 2020: $4,264,117.98

January 2019: $4,197,964.49

January 2019 $525,958.20

January 2020

$651,178

CHAMBER MEMBER SAVE THE DATE

Cache Road Square Liquor & Wine Presents The Wine Tasting Club Every Saturday from 2-4 Limited tasting available in-store For more information, please visit www.cacheroadliquor.com

CITY OF LAWTON


FROM THE CITY MANAGER'S DESK

FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS

BREAKFAST B4 BUSINESS: DOBSON TECHNOLOGY Enjoy a morning of networking, learning about other local businesses and finding out what’s happening in our business community! Join us on Tuesday, February 4th at 8 a.m. at the Chamber offices.


RIBBON CUTTING FIREHOUSE SUBS

STATE OF ARTS LUNCHEON The Chamber has introduced a monthly luncheon designed to highlight specific areas of interest within our business community through discussion topics over the lunch hour. Join us on Friday February 28th at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Join Firehouse Subs and the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce for their official ribbon cutting! Celebrate this business with us on February 3rd at 11 a.m. This event is FREE to attend.

FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS


MAKING THE CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE MAGICAL A Community of One Program (COOP) Program Presents: Making the Customer Service on February 15th at Apache Casino Hotel. Experience Magical With John Formica! John Formica (The "Ex-Disney Guy") is 'America's Customer Experience Coach" This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Lawton Fort Sill community to hear from one of the most influential customer service experts in the world. To buy tickets, call (580)-355-3541 or order online at lawtonfortsillchamber.com

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT RED DIRT RELOADED:

Enjoy an evening of networking, learning about other local businesses and finding out what’s happening in our business community! Join us on Thursday, February 20th at 5:30 p.m.

HEALTHY BITES

2 tablespoons all-

purpose flour

1 ⁄4 teaspoon sea salt

1 ⁄4 teaspoon freshly

ground black pepper

1 ⁄4 cup plain

breadcrumbs

2 large egg whites

2 firm, ripe avocados

Cooking spray

1 lemon, cut into 6

wedges


CRISPY AVOCADO FRIES

BUILDING A HEALTHY WORKFORCE

INGREDIENTS (SERVES 4)

Step 1: Preheat broiler. Place a baking sheet in oven while broiler preheats. Step 2: Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Place breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Place egg whites in a small bowl and whisk until foamy. Step 3: Halve avocados, remove pits, and cut each half into 6 wedges. Pull off peels. Step 4: Dredge avocado wedges in flour, dip in egg white, and then dredge in breadcrumbs. Remove baking sheet from oven; coat with cooking spray. Place avocado slices on baking sheet; coat avocados with cooking spray. Step 5: Broil 5 minutes or until brown on top. Turn and broil 2 more minutes. Remove and serve with lemon wedges.

DIRECTIONS

Cash Community Development 1415 NW Smith Ave.

(949)-525-0468 www.cashcommunitydevelopment.org

Acache Loans

17068 NW Cache Rd Suite (580)-510-9796

Physical Therapy Central

910 SW 38th St (580)-351-9956

Top Notch Texas BBQ

2012 W Gore Blvd. (580)-713-5440

Young Men In Action 1201 NW Ft. Sill Blvd.

(580)-355-8544 kingbizdemo.wixsite.com/mysite-48

Troops Into Transportation

2502 Sheridan Rd. Suite 107 (912)-376-5015 Ext. 190

www.troops2transport.com

B& L Industries Inc. 2802 N.W. Liberty Ave.

(580)-591-1880

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

FEATURED MEMBER SPOTLIGHT


Susan’s Framing is a veteran owned business and are proud members of the Lawton-Fort Sil l community. Susan and her husband, both retired United States Veterans, have raised their children and now their

grandchildren here in Lawton. They say that they have thoroughly enjoyed their l ives in Southwestern

Oklahoma, and they l ive by their family motto that you must, “Grow where you are planted.”

With the platform of their business, located in the Cache Road Square, Susan and her husband have

always supported many Veteran organizations, including the VFW, VVA, and the Purple Heart Foundation. Susan has served as the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the

Comanche County Veterans Council , has held a seat on the Oklahoma State Veterans Council , and currently sits

on the board of a non-profit organization called Home at Last .

Her husband has held many posit ions in Veteran based groups as well , and is currently a Commissioner of

Veteran Affairs, as appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma. Together, they have helped with the

Homeless Veterans Stand Down in Oklahoma City for the past 13 years, and now for several years here in

Lawton. Susan’s Framing started a decade ago, as a hobby in their family home. Now, they are entering their third

year operating from their brick and mortar location on Cache Road. They special ize in custom framing,

personalized photo mats, hanging photo albums, shadow boxes, awards, and gifts . They also do custom

metal art , slate and t i le coasters, engraved wooden and acryl ic plaques, desk sets, coin holders, and soy

candles. They are a one stop shop for all things framing, and they str ive to provide affordable pricing for mil itary

famil ies and cit izens of the Lawton-Fort Sil l area. Susan’s Framing is very proud to provide quality

handmade products.

SUSAN'S FRAMING

Interested in being the Featured Member Spotlight?

Call 580-355-3541.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

A.R.A Equipment 2318 W Gore Blvd

(580)-355-1539 www.ARArents.com

John Brothers Insurance 608 SW D Ave. Suite 5B

(580)-495-4777

Keystone Roofing LLC 328 NW Ridgeview Way

(580)-678-6573

F.J. Lashley Jr. M.D. P.O. Box 369 Walters, OK 73572 Wrights Donuts #2 501 SW 11th St. (580)-699-8888 Dayspring Community Church 8612 N.W. Cache Rd. (580)-510-0300 www.dayspringcc.net TFI Family Connections 1320 Homestead Dr. Ste. C (580)-704-2695

What's Poppin' 6714 NW Cache Rd. (580)-699-2088

CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU DASHBOARD


2020 CVB SPONSORED EVENTS

Freedom Fest Southwest OK Corvette Club Chautauqua Pershing Black Jack Fliptastic Star Spangled Classic Western Swing Music Society USJCI Lions Club Mayor's Summit


LAWTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SUBTOPIC TITLE

EDUCATION MAKING THE IMPACT

In a couple of weeks, Cameron University will hold its annual homecoming celebration. We invite our alumni to return to campus Feb. 17-22 to reconnect with classmates and to see how the campus has progressed. Activities early in the week are geared toward our current students. Then, starting on Friday, the focus of the celebration shifts to our graduates and former students. There will be games for the kids at the Aggie Rec Center, followed by the traditional bonfire and pep rally. We will also induct our newest members into the CU Athletics Hall of Fame. On Saturday is the annual Aggie Family Fun Run and breakfast, followed by a tailgate party ahead of the homecoming basketball games against Arkansas-Fort Smith. Our Aggie baseball team will be on the diamond, giving alumni a choice of sporting events. Members of the 1980 men’s basketball team will reunite to share stories on the 40th anniversary of becoming NAIA National Champions. That evening, Cameron will recognize distinguished alumni and witness the inaugural performance of our “Legacy Choir” made up of Aggie alums. We are extremely proud of our alumni, whether they were Aggies during our high school, junior college, or university years. We hope to see you on campus.


EDUCATION MAKING THE IMPACT

CAMERON UNIVERSITYFROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK

John McArthur, President,Cameron University

BUSINESS BULLETINVOL. 7 |FEBRUARY 2020

MARKETING MIX

1. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

FOR MORE TIPS ON MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS FROM COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER BRANDI SIMS, PLEASE VISIT WWW.LAWTONFORTSILLCHAMBER.COM


TIPS FOR MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS

2. UPDATE YOUR BUSINESS PROFILE

3. SHARE YOUR BUSINESS NEWS

Utilizing the Chamber website feature is not only a great way to publish a new opening available at your business, but it also

provides additional exposure to your products and services. As an added benefit, Chamber members have exclusive to publish

employment opportunities available at their business.

Our online directory is a great tool for any Chamber business sharing their company details. Users have the opportunity to share social links,

contact details, and promos--all in one convenient location on the Chamber website. With nearly 35K

hits per month, it is highly encouraged to keep your business profile up to date.

Did you know you can share exciting news and announcements from your business on the Chamber page?

Whether it is a new product or extension of your service, share your announcements on our Member News.

Documents

VOL. 7 | FEBRUARY 2020 BUSINESS BULLETIN · a Facebook Group where you can share your progress, healthy recipes and more as ... RED DIRT RELOADED: Enjoy an evening of networking,