Chamber Newsletter

Chairman's Corner

As we look forward to 2010, whether to complete some of our current projects, start brand new initiatives or just to maintain the momentum gathered in 2009, it is imperative we continue to meet these challenges with optimism, enthusiasm and positive attitudes. Moving forward keeps us strong.

Companies will be forced to look at their business models a little differently in 2010. The issues related to the struggling economy, and the unknown effects of the changes in our healthcare system, will certainly effect all of us. It may be that some owners and operators will see a need to cut back, scale down and perhaps even slow down. Yet, on the contrary, I believe that the businesses that push forward, stay active and continue to build on their momentum will be the winners in 2010.

I hope you will be a part of that winning team. By fully utilizing your Chamber Membership, participating at every level, and meeting challenges head-on, businesses will put themselves in the best position for growing, thriving and prospering in 2010.

As I look forward to this year, I also look forward to making the best of my Chamber Membership and I hope you will too! If we do, I know we can count on 2010 being a Great Year!

Geoff Graham

2010 HEB Business2Business Expo

The HEB Chamber of Commerce and the HEB Economic Development Foundation will host the 2010 Business2Business EXPO on Friday, February 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Hurst, 521 W. Pipeline Road, Hurst. Booths can be purchased in advance for $200 for chamber member businesses. Extra fees are assessed for prime booth location, and electricity needs. Non-member pricing available.

The EXPO will have hundreds of products and services at display booths featuring a variety of businesses. There will be a Business Resource Area where agencies like Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County can answer questions. Fun activities include a silent auction, door prizes and drawings. Food vendors will also be on hand to give out complimentary food and drink.

Sponsorship Levels are:

Platinum Sponsors - $3,000
Section Sponsors - $2,000
Gold Sponsors - $1,500
Silver Sponsors - $750
Bronze Sponsors - $450

Each sponsor level includes tickets, booth location, pre-event publicity and additional benefits as the sponsorship level goes up. For questions regarding EXPO sponsorships or booth space please contact the chamber at (817) 283-1521.

Jump Start Your Marketing for 2010 or Beat Your Competition to the Customer

by Phil Freedman, The Freedman Company

We made it through 2009 and the holiday season. Most of us are now trying to get back into the swing of things. Don't let the year be half over while you are still trying to get your marketing going for the year. If you want to pull ahead of your competition, then take some time now to build your business. Start with these five steps.

1. Plan your goals for this year. Ask yourself these questions: What do you want to achieve this year? How much do you want to grow your business by? What other benchmark do you have for your business? Can you reach your goals with just your existing customer base? If not, how many new customers do you need to achieve your goals? Where will they come from? What will they buy from you?
2. Break down what you need (customers, dollars, product moved) by the month, week and day; some will even break down by the hour. The smaller the goal, the easier it is to achieve.
3. Next, answer these questions: Why do or should people buy from you? What makes you special? The easiest way to find out is to ask your current customers. This will give you a starting point to develop four or five unique selling proposition statements that you can then use in your marketing.
4. Review what you did in 2009. Sit down and go over all you marketing efforts. List what worked and what did not along with their costs and their return on investment. Include how many customers each brought in, the amount of the sale or sales and the lifetime value of each.
5. Use what worked last year as a jumping off point to build from that. Why reinvent the wheel! Do more than one thing at a time. If you're using email, start using direct mail at the same time and then add face-to-face meetings, writing articles for newsletters, social and in-person networking, public relations, special events, displays and more. Dan Kennedy once said it is easier to get one customer from 100 different marketing methods than it is to get 100 customers from one method.

Remember that you have to cut through the noise. The average consumer encounters 2,900 media messages daily and may remember 52 of them, but only 4 of them will be positive! To really jump start your marketing, your message must be sent to a specific audience and be personalized to that audience and you must have a way to measure responses. The right marketing message by way of the right media and sent to the right audience will get an outstanding response and help you achieve your goals.

Northeast Tarrant County Transportation Summit
Mobility for the 21st Century

Want to know how reducing congestion in Northeast Tarrant County will affect your business, commute and lifestyle?

Attend the at the Northeast Tarrant County Transportation Summit on Wednesday, February 17. It will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Grapevine Convention Center. Texas Transportation Commissioner William Meadows will be the keynote speaker.

An overview of the major transportation projects starting in 2010 will be presented, including information on:

• North Tarrant Express
• DFW Connector
• I-35 W / 820 Interchange
• I-35 North
• Local Projects

Reservations are required. Tickets are $15.00 per person and must be paid in advance. Call the HEB Chamber office at 817/283-1521 to register.

For more information about the Summit, contact Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes at 817/581-3600.

The event is sponsored by Tarrant County Precinct 3, NorthGate Constructors and NTE Mobility Partners.

There's More!

Go to page 2 for more information.