Last week Luis Spinola of Azteca Omega was honored by the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association when he was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year. The award was presented to him Thursday during the Pillars Program. Luis' son was also recognized during the ceremony as an up and coming leader.
Recently in 11) Investors Category
Irving-Las Colinas Chamber Investor, Omega Enviornmental Technologies was featured in an Inc., AT&T and the U.S. Small Business Administration video sharing thier success stories as a small business exporter and expert trade specialists.
With 96 percent of the world's customers living outside the U.S., small businesses that export are realizing increased sales and profit. Why not take your business global?
SEE VIDEO HERE
The Chamber led a delegation down to our capital for Irving Day in Austin on February 8 -- meeting with an impressive list of legislators and officials and advocating for Irving's pro-business agenda. Special thanks to presenting sponsor ACE Cash Express for making it possible. A recap in pictures follows.
On February 7, many from the Irving delegation traveled down to Austin for a dinner where we heard from Representatives Rodney Anderson and Harper-Brown
A luxurious Wynne Motor Coach bus led the rest of the contingent down to Austin on Tuesday morning February 8
Following a Chamber-Sponsored Texas Association of Business Breakfast attended by those who stayed in Austin Monday night, the Irving delegation prepares to enter the House Gallery
On the House Floor, Representatives Linda Harper-Brown and Rodney Anderson recognize Irving. Behind the bench are Mayor Herbert Gears, Mayor Pro Tem Rose Cannaday, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Rick Stopfer, City Manager Tommy Gonzalez and Board Vice Chairman Governmental Affairs, Rudy Martinez.
Group picture of the entire Irving delegation
Representative Harper-Brown is pictured with a group of Irving Firefighters including Capt. Gene "Shaky" Holder wo was recognized for his 55 years of service.
Chairman of the Board Robert Martinez and his wife Jill pose for a quick picture by a welcome sign in front of Senator Florence Shapiro's office
Eric Norrington, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, from presenting sponsor ACE Cash Express kicks off an informative afternoon session where the delegation heard from many legislators.
Representative Linda Harper-Brown sets expectations for the 82nd Legislature
Senator John Carona offers his take on what to expect during the 82nd Legislature
Senator Florence Shapiro called Chamber President and CEO Chris Wallace to the podium as she recognized the Chamber for its legislative advocacy
Senator Shapiro takes a quick picture with Erick Melendez, the Salvation Army Youth of the Year who the Chamber sponsored to attend the trip
Senator Chris Harris visits with the Irving Delegation
Representative Raphael Anchia takes his turn at the podium
Representative Joe Pickett talks transportation
Representative Rodney Anderson closes the afternoon session
Nancy Navarro, Irving Hispanic Board Chair, and Representative Linda Harper-Brown pose for a quick photo at a reception at the Austin Club
Mayor Pro Tem Cannaday comments on the importance of Irving's presence in Austin
Don Green, Senior Advisor for the Budget (Lieutenant Governor's Office) visits with the Irving Delegation at the Austin Club
The Chamber rolled out the red carpet - a nearly 300 foot red carpet - to welcome more than 1,000 guests who entered the brand new, state-of-the-art Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas for the first time. Dozens of cheerleaders, drill team and a drum line comprised of Irving ISD students provided an enthusiastic welcome to the Chamber's 30th Annual State of the City, the largest event the Chamber has hosted in its rich 79 year history.
"As our city and our thriving business community have grown to become the third largest employment center in North Texas, Irving has had the visionary leadership to bring this venue to fruition to better serve our businesses, visitors and residents," stated Robert Martinez, the Chamber's Chairman of the Board, in his opening remarks. "To the leaders at the Irving CVB, the City and your Chamber, we say - job well done!"
Martinez continued on to discuss the great year the Chamber had in 2010, and its big plans for 2011. Martinez announced several new initiatives including a new economic development initiative designed to boost Irving's film and entertainment industry. Also, the Chamber formally launched the Best In Irving voting - a program which recognizes the best retail, restaurant and service-oriented businesses in Irving as voted by those in the community. The ballot is available online here and voting is open through February 28.
Following Chairman Martinez's remarks, Victor Howard, Senior Director of Marketing and Customer Care with Gexa Energy, took the stage, expressing great pride in being the retail electric provider for the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. The Chamber extends a great thanks to presenting sponsor Gexa Energy and our many sponsors for their support.
Following Howard's remarks, Mayor Gears had his turn at the podium, appearing in a copper suit to match the convention center facade. The Mayor began his speech by celebrating the fact that Irving now had a venue for a gathering of such substantial size. He reflected on his five previous State of the City addresses- showing how themes have remained the same, but results have improved year after year. For example, Irving's crime rate, which has decreased each year since 2005, is again at a new record low.
The Mayor's State of the City speech also complemented the partners in progress theme by detailing the progress the City has made in working with partners such as the Chamber and the CVB, but also other partners including the DFW Humane Society and the Irving Arts Center. In 2010, Irving saw the opening of the new Irving Animal Care Campus in partnership with the DFW Humane Society, and in 2011, Irving has secured a major Smithsonian exhibit - Genghis Khan: The Exhibition, which opens June 1 at the Arts Center. Progress has also occurred especially in Heritage Crossing through new development such as that by JPT Graphics and the new McDonald's.
Economic development, in fact, was a central theme of the night. Chairman Martinez detailed several of the new economic development projects which yielded nearly 6,000 new and retained jobs and $135,273,000 in taxable capital investment in Irving. Mayor Gears focused discussion on the future of the former Texas Stadium site, and of course, the economic impact of the new convention center. According to the Mayor, it will be a tremendous boost to Irving's hospitality industry, especially its many hoteliers.
With 35 events already booked for the new convention center, including ZestFest which opens today, the future is bright for the convention center and for Irving! Just phase one of the project, the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, will have a new, important neighbor - an entertainment center which Mayor Gears described as a "category killer." He elaborated to explain how Irving is reinventing the traditional concert venue by keeping ticket prices low, and banking on concessions at this destination venue, which will be surrounded by restaurants and nightlife.
"It's very doable and we will get it done," stated the Mayor. "We will have the premier entertainment center in the Metroplex."
For a City with big plans to bolster its entertainment options, it was fitting that the Mayor then wrapped things up with a little entertainment from Beyonce - whose "crazy in love" video played as guests exited the convention center ballroom for their red carpet departure. They did so knowing that a new era is only just beginning, with unprecedented success ahead for an already thriving pro-business city.
ACE Cash Express, Inc., a leading retailer of financial services, purchased new books for every student at Jackie M. Townsell Elementary School in Irving as part of their annual book fair.This donation was made possible through the ACE Community Fund, ACE's corporate giving program that focuses on children, education and financial literacy.
"We are proud to provide Townsell Elementary students with more than 800 books for the seventh year in a row," said ACE Senior Vice President Eric Norrington. "ACE and our associates are committed to promote the importance of education and literacy in all of our communities."
To date, the ACE Community Fund has provided Townsell Elementary with more than 2,500 books.
"Through the generosity of ACE Cash Express, every student at Townsell selects a new book to take home at the holiday season. The element of choice heightens the interest in pleasure reading during the holidays," said Townsell Elementary School Principal Linda Willett.
In addition to providing books, Ace Cash Express also provided a donation of $3,803 and 1,710 pounds of food to the North Texas Food Bank in support of its mission to Close the Gap by uniting the community to provide 50 million meals by 2011. This donation was also made possible through the ACE Community Fund.
"ACE Cash Express is proud to present the North Texas Food Bank with these donations," said Norrington. "Our Annual Holiday Food Drive creates camaraderie with our associates while supporting our community."
North Texas Food Bank reported that ACE's 1,710 pound donation combined with its financial contribution will provide more than 17,000 meals this holiday season.
"We are so thankful for businesses like ACE Cash Express that not only acknowledge the need in North Texas, but work hard to do something about it," said Jan Pruitt, President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank. "According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas is the second hungriest state in the nation; that is simply unacceptable. It's up to each and every one of us to step forward, open our hearts, and give back--and ACE Cash Express has set a terrific example for our community in this regard."
For media inquiries or additional information about ACE Cash Express and the ACE Community Fund please contact Vanessa Segovia via email at vsegovia@acecashexpress.com or by phone at 972-550-5161.
Recently, the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce was pleased to witness one of Irving's most respected companies giving back to the community. Frito-Lay's Irving manufacturing facility partnered with two Irving ISD elementary schools for its Fourth Annual Frito-Lay Adelante Coat Drive.
Students at Brandenburg Elementary and John R. Good Elementary received not only coats, but also backpacks, binders, spiral notebooks and pencil binder cases. Students were also treated to a pizza party.
"The coat drive is a nationally-sponsored initiative, and each year our employees in Irving have outdone the previous year's effort," said Angel M. Rico, human resources staffing coordinator at Frito-Lay Irving. "This year we were able to provide more than 100 coats for students who would otherwise go cold this winter."
The coat drive and pizza party were made possible by an annual golf tournament and plate drive which raised a total of $4,700 to support the company's community service and charitable efforts.
"Frito-Lay continues to be a great corporate citizen in Irving," said Chris E. Wallace, President/CEO of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce. "From helping to provide needed supplies for community and educational facilities to being very engaged in the Chamber, Frito-Lay exemplifies the spirit of giving that is characteristic of the Irving business community."
The Chamber's Annual Meeting was held today, November 29. This significant event sponsored by Reliant Energy served as a recap of the Chamber's many successes in 2010 and a preview for 2011. Highlights included the symbolic exchanging of the gavel between immediate past chairman Rick Lindsey and current chairman Robert Martinez. Tom Trotter received the Jennings Smith Community Service Award for his service to the Irving community and AT&T presented a check for $30,000 to the Chamber's Education Foundation. A panel of Irving's Legislators was moderated by Juan Elizondo of the Dallas Business Journal. Senators Florence Shapiro and Chris Harris and State Representative Linda Harper-Brown discussed the upcoming legislative session among other topics.
Tom Trotter accepts the Jennings Smith Community Service Award from last year's winner, Margie Stipes. Mayor Herbert Gears (back left) and Immediate Past Chairman Rick Lindsey (back right) joined Margie Stipes on stage in congratulating Trotter.
Immediate Past Chair Rick Lindsey (middle) and Current Chairman Robert Martinez (right) exchange a gavel symbolizing the changeover in leadership. Chamber President / CEO Chris Wallace (left) recognizes them both for their outstanding contributions to the Chamber.
AT&T shows their generous support of the Chamber's Education Foundation through the gift of $30,000 during a special presentation.
The Legislative Panel from left to right: Moderator Juan Elizondo (Dallas Business Journal), Senator Florence Shapiro, Senator Chris Harris and State Representative Linda Harper-Brown.
Oncor recently hosted its "Ask Oncor. We Deliver" expo at the Heritage Senior Center. Oncor provided a series of stations for Irving residents to ask questions and learn how to improve their energy efficiency. Lunch was also provided for attendees. Below are a few pictures from the event.
An Oncor representative visits with an Irving resident about Oncor's smarter power grid and the new smart meters.
Join Chamber Investor, Oncor, for an open house event on Thursday, November 11 from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. in the Irving Heritage Senior Center Ballroom! The Heritage Center is located at 200 S. Jefferson Street.
More than 130 business and civic leaders gathered at the Four Seasons Resort and Club for the Economic Development Partnership's Newsmaker Reception where the Chamber and the City recognized and honored new businesses coming to Irving, businesses that have renewed their leases, or current businesses with significant achievements.
Mayor Gears, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Stopher and City Councilman Philipp attended to congratulate the approximately 60 businesses that attended and thank them for choosing Irving for their businesses. These events are sponsored by the private economic development and technology leadership investors of the Chamber.
Chairman Robert Martinez concludes the Newsmaker Reception while Mayor Gears and Don Moulton, Vice Chairman of Economic Development, look on.
State Representative Harper-Brown is visiting with business leaders during the reception
