ANNUAL 2017 REPORT LOANS TO FIT YOUR NEEDS Whether you’re looking for a commercial loan, small personal loan or mortgage for a new home, we oer competitive loan rates with an easy application process and timely approvals. At Arvest Bank, our lending team can help you nd a service to t your needs, including: • Auto Loans • Business & Commercial Loans • Home Loans • Construction Loans • Home Equity Lines of Credit • Equipment Finance For all your lending needs, contact us today. (405) 677-8711 arvest.com/loans Member FDIC LETTER FROM THE CHAIR In 2017, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber continued to do some of its best work to increase the momentum of the region. From advocacy efforts at the State Capitol and supporting our school districts to encouraging business growth and leading criminal justice reform efforts, there is no doubt that what we accomplished this year will be the foundation of many years of success. We didn’t get here by accident. If there is one thing that sets our region apart from other communities around the nation, it’s our ability to work together. Throughout the 2017 Annual Report, you’ll read stories of collaboration and its impact on the work of the Chamber. I hope you’ll be inspired to commit to the continuous work of bettering Greater Oklahoma City. It takes all of us, and the more voices we engage in the process, the better. Thank you for being part of that process, and I look forward to the ways we can be stronger together in 2018. Sincerely, Rhonda Hooper, Chamber Chair President and CEO, Jordan Advertising TABLE OF CONTENTS About the Chamber .....................................................................................................................................2 Strengthening the economy .......................................................................................................................5 Speaking up for business ...........................................................................................................................9 Bettering the community .......................................................................................................................... 11 Building the hospitality industry ..............................................................................................................14 Connecting our members .........................................................................................................................16 Supporting our students ...........................................................................................................................18 Selling Oklahoma City ..............................................................................................................................20 2017 Executive Committee ......................................................................................................................23 2017 Board of Directors ...........................................................................................................................24 Board of Advisors/Lead Investors ........................................................................................................25 123 Park Ave. www.okcchamber.com Oklahoma City, OK 73102 twitter.com/okcchamber 405.297.8900 facebook.com/okcchamber Fax: 405.297.8916 All information represented in the 2017 Annual Report is accurate and current as of Dec. 31, 2017. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 1 THE VOICE OF BUSINESS IN GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY 2 GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER Since 1889, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber has been the voice of the business community and the visionary organization of Oklahoma City. From when the Board of Trade – the predecessor of the Chamber – was founded until now, the Chamber has worked to encourage new industry, support existing businesses and drive the momentum of the region. The Chamber’s list of contributions to the growth of Oklahoma City span the city’s history and include providing utilities to the community at the city’s founding, securing airmail service in the 1920s and recruiting an air depot that later became Tinker Air Force Base to locate in Oklahoma City in the ‘30s. No matter the generation, the Chamber has worked tirelessly to bring new industry to the region, speak on behalf of business at the state Capitol and improve the community’s quality of life. Throughout the 2017 Annual Report, it is evident that the Chamber’s driving principles are alive and well today. Its work on economic development, criminal justice reform, advocacy and more illustrate HIGHLIGHTS OF 2017 the pioneering spirit still at work in Oklahoma City. • Chamber-assisted companies announced 4,175 Chamber leaders continue to dream, and by working new primary jobs in the Greater Oklahoma City together, they will advance the renaissance of Greater region with an average salary of $49,064 and capital Oklahoma City for the next generation of innovators. investments of more than $237 million. GOALS: • The Chamber’s Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Task Force established the Oklahoma County The Chamber seeks to increase Greater Oklahoma City’s Criminal Justice Advisory Council, an interlocal ability to rapidly seize new and expanding economic government agency that institutionalizes cooperation opportunities by: and planning for the criminal justice system. • Creating a business climate and positive image that Since the task force began its work, the average are strong foundations for economic development daily population at the Oklahoma County Jail has dropped by nearly 900. • Attracting new businesses, supporting the growth of existing businesses and fostering entrepreneurship • The Chamber and its partners continued their work to develop Oklahoma City’s innovation district with • Enhancing the region’s attractiveness for visitors and the release of the Brookings Institution’s study on the events area. The Chamber also helped facilitate two cross- • Ensuring the region’s talent base for the future disciplinary symposiums to help build connections through improvements in education and attraction/ between similar industries. retention of talent • The Chamber created the Coalition for A Better • Providing value-added opportunities and benefits to OKC to pass a bond and sales tax package that our membership included a $965 million investment in 13 bond projects, a temporary penny sales tax that improves • Supporting community efforts that enhance Oklahoma City’s streets, and a quarter-cent opportunities and amenities for residents permanent sales tax to hire 129 more police officers and 57 more firefighters. When combined, the bond projects and temporary sales tax will invest an estimated $847 million in street improvements. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 3 4 GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMY The Chamber believes that a strong Greater Oklahoma City • NTT DATA Services announced an expansion in region starts with strong businesses. For that reason, the Oklahoma City and revealed that it will be the initial Chamber leads efforts to grow existing industries, recruit tenant for the recently completed Westgate One new companies, encourage entrepreneurial activities and development. The company had an existing presence strengthen the workforce of the region. in Oklahoma City after NTT DATA acquired Dell Services in 2016. With the expansion and new location, the company will be able to continue its work with existing clients and grow into new markets. • Amazon celebrated the grand opening of its 300,000-square-foot sorting facility in southwest Oklahoma City. While the facility does not store unsold inventory, it does sort customer packages by ZIP code, which leads to improved delivery times for customers in Oklahoma. The facility was built to house hundreds of associate employees and opened in time for the holiday shipping rush. • Bringing 375 new jobs to the market, SkyWest announced the construction of a 135,000-square- foot maintenance center at the Lariat Landing development near Will Rogers World Airport. Their ATTRACTING GROWTH estimated annual wage is more than $56,000 and the The Chamber continued to work with companies to company plans to invest approximately $30 million increase their presence in Greater Oklahoma City with for construction of the facility. great success, and in 2017 the Chamber’s active pipeline • Solaris Paper, a new-to-market company, announced of potential projects hit a five-year high. A number of they will be the new tenant of the former Clearwater new-to-the-region companies announced their expansion Paper facility. The company will employ 84 people into the market in 2017, including: with first-year wages of $47,000. They will also • Mobile Medical Examination Inc. (MedXM), a invest $37 million into improving the facility. national leader in the design and implementation • Niagara Bottling is currently constructing a of preventive care technology and in-home health 340,000-square-foot facility in west Oklahoma City risk assessments, announced their expansion into that is estimated to cost $57 million and employ 45. Oklahoma City to house additional support for MedXM outreach initiatives. When fully staffed, The region’s existing businesses also saw a year of the new outreach center will provide 400 full time success. Despite softening business conditions last jobs over the course of five years in the Oklahoma year, Oklahoma City’s existing businesses proved their City community. For the past five years, MedXM resiliency. In 2017, Chamber-assisted existing companies has