Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce

[Vision 2025]

Vision 2025 that is a very "company man" answer.


Can we discuss the ca$h the TMCC gets to do... dodooo.

What you get for your money. and the fact that we have duplication of Economic Development in our City.

We need companies to move to Tulsa and the TMCC "One Voice" is just a lobbying effort. The money they receive is a sin.

Have a look.
sorry about the size of the pdf  -  but worth the look
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/1952827/metro-chamber-09-10-contracts-pdf-9-9-meg?da=y

Rico,

You're a Chamber hater.  OK, I can respect that as not that long ago I had no use (for what I call) "the previous chamber" but today I believe the current Metro Chamber leadership is effective, taking new directions, is making a positive impact, and most importantly listens and adjusts.  

Do I always agree, NOPE, Company Man; Hardly, I work out on them pretty hard when they don't go the right direction on my issues.. otherwise I wouldn't have joined.

[Townsend]

Last year-
They greatly assisted with efforts to obtain the first appropriation of federal funding ($50,000,000 authorized) for the Arkansas River Master Plan projects.

The chamber led the effort to secure $25,000,000 from the State for the Low Water Dams.

This year-
The again led efforts necessary to provide continued funding (second appropriation request) for the Arkansas River projects.

The One Voice agenda is noticed, having 50-100 in a lobby groups makes a big difference and the Chamber facilitates that quite well.

The Chamber really needs to say something.  "We've done this and that."  I can't find accomplishments listed.  Is there a face to look for?  Do they ever have any media meets?  The FB page doesn't clarify anything.

Maybe if more people knew the Chamber was accomplishing something they'd have more faith in it and it would be more effective.

Right now when the Chamber comes up in conversations I hear scoffs and bronx cheers.

[Conan71]

Waterboy- ironic, but here's their mission statement from their web site:

"Our Mission
The Tulsa Metro Chamber is the principal business-driven leadership organization improving the quality of community life through the development of regional economic prosperity. "

Well understood they don't exist to exploit NWA or SW Mo. but highlighting the close proximity doesn't hurt.  Much like Denver or Colorado Springs touting their proximity to skiing in the Rockies.

I think the Chamber used to put more physical effort into attracting business and I also don't remember them being such a political tool (take that how you like) 20 to 30 years ago.  The leadership has changed and the image has changed along with it to something of being more aloof and existing to serve local government as a cheering section on tax increase votes instead of helping incubate new business and assisting with the expansion of existing ones.  If that's a myopic view, then I seem to share it with many others.  I also feel they've blown their credibility with some of the outrageous figures they came up with for revenue generation from the River Tax smash and grab.

Looking over the executive committee these days, it's pretty much a who's/who of other community boards and leaders of prominent Tulsa businesses.  Not bad to have that accumen on board, but the list reads like donors to the annual Opera Ball.  There's very few smaller business owners represented.

http://ww3.tulsachamber.com/general.asp?id=447&siteuse=11

Clyde Cole commanded a fair amount of respect in the community and The Chamber seemed to be more accessible and in tune with business in the days he was in office.  He was also a very visible member of the community.  Unfortunately, I had to check the web site to refresh my memory that Mike Neal is the current President.  If you'd put a gun to my head, I could not have told you.

Here's one example of how they engaged in creativity to attract employers here, even going overseas 30 years ago to attract Hilti.

"...The final decision, however, was helped by good German.

Tulsa's long relationship with the European toolmaker was cemented when someone in the local chamber of commerce came up with the idea of making the city's pitch in Hilti's native tongue. Guten morgan, and here they go.

"It's true," Hilti Chairman Pius Baschera, who worked in Tulsa three years during the 1980s, said during the company's Innovation Day celebration last month. "That was not the only reason, but it did happen.

"The Tulsa chamber made a great job," Baschera added. "They went a long way."

Michael Hilti, a company executive board member, former chairman and the son of founder Martin Hilti, remembers that his father and other executives had looked at about 80 locations and were down to the last three before deciding on Tulsa.

"We said the people there were really trying hard," Hilti recalled.

The Tulsa chamber's shot hit the bull's-eye that year, as Hilti moved its North American headquarters from Stamford, Conn., and its manufacturing plant from Minnesota. The company still employs about 800 people at the Tulsa campus at 5400 S. 122nd East Ave. "

http://www.tulsaworld.com/site/printerfriendlystory.aspx?articleid=071110_5_E5_spanc43808

[waterboy]

i don't disagree with anything there, with the exception of the "regional" quote. Our region is acceptable. Start promoting Arkansas, Missouri and La as a part of our region and they would be roundly criticized by those who think our tourism dollars should stay in our state.

THey pretty much behave like the corporations they are dominated by. No big surprise.

[rdj]

I've been involved in some projects out in Jenks and feel pretty confident city folks were involved on some level in the Drillers to Jenks talk.  If Tulsa was run like Jenks is run folks would have a conniption.  But, because it is small town it gets a pass.

My company has been involved with the Chamber.  I would say it serves two primary functions, networking together local businesses to do business together and working behind the scenes for the betterment of the region.  I would say they don't get credit for everything they do and sometimes take credit for things they don't do.

Having done some lobbying myself for various issues over the years I've seen a marked increase in their lobbying activity in the last 3 years.  The new leadership at the top has taken a great role in that area.  I know its a two edged sword to go get money from state & federal governments but they are doing a better & better job getting it.

I know they are trying to hire a director of downtown development.  I hope they nail that hire and the momentum downtown gets even greater.

I can't fault anyone for having some of the comments I've seen, because of the layers and enormity it can be hard to get a true picture of what the Chamber does.

[Rico]

Rico,

You're a Chamber hater.  OK, I can respect that as not that long ago I had no use (for what I call) "the previous chamber" but today I believe the current Metro Chamber leadership is effective, taking new directions, is making a positive impact, and most importantly listens and adjusts. 

Do I always agree, NOPE, Company Man; Hardly, I work out on them pretty hard when they don't go the right direction on my issues.. otherwise I wouldn't have joined.

Ok... Point taken you have your own opinion.
I don't hate the Chamber of Commerce. The TMCC is not the Chamber of Commerce. They are something akin to the City having another Department that has access to a tremendous amount of cash. Taxpayer cash.
We don't direct their action.. more like they have their own agenda.

My point has always been that the City of Tulsa has some very good minds
perfectly capable of doing as good and most likely a whole lot better at Economic Development for the City.
When the Mayor is elected they give the State of the City address to the Chamber not the citizens that elected them.
I have heard one laughable explanation as to why this is so.
Kathy Taylor, prior to her becoming Mayor, said "If she were Mayor the State of the City address would be given to the citizens of Tulsa... not the Chamber". She failed to act on this promise.
It seems that we do not have anyone in power that will stand up to them and take their "slush" fund away and put it to better use.

We have an Economic Development Department, that in my opinion, has some of the brightest, innovative, and creative, minds that can be found in it.



Put the money that goes to the Metro Chamber to running the City of Tulsa more effectively... that would be the greatest accomplishment the Tulsa Metro Chamber could ever hope to accomplish.

[rwarn17588]

My spouse and I were discussing this issue yesterday and we both agreed on this:

The Tulsa Chamber needs to hire Natasha Ball and let her do what she wants there.

http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/

[Rico]

^  ^   ^   ^   ^

How about the "City of Tulsa hires Tasha"....

Cut the Metro Chamber back to what it needs to be.
Unemployed by the City of Tulsa

[BKDotCom]

Speaking of the Chamber of Commerce....
It's on fire...
Well.. the fire dept has put it out by now...
News @ 5

[Kenosha]

Yes...it was on fire.

[Conan71]

Speaking of the Chamber of Commerce....
It's on fire...
Well.. the fire dept has put it out by now...
News @ 5

Wonder if it started when someone threw their computer monitor at the wall after reading some of our comments on here.

[custosnox]

Wonder if it started when someone threw their computer monitor at the wall after reading some of our comments on here.

Or someone else who read the comments and decided to get back at em for not doing enough.

[Townsend]

1. What's up with the flag?

2. that's not their building anymore is it?

[patric]

1. What's up with the flag?

Set-and-forget Patriotism.
Dont raise or lower it, just shine a floodlight on it and let it rot.

[RecycleMichael]

The Chamber moved out of that building years ago. They now reside in the Williams towers at 3rd and Main