OKC Schools Compact Launches Readokc Initiative Aerospace
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
June 2017 www.okcchamber.com OKC Schools Compact Launches ReadOKC Initiative Members of the Oklahoma City Schools Compact launched their first collective project to benefit Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) last month. ReadOKC, an initiative to promote the love of reading in the community, challenges elementary students to “get in the game” and read 20 minutes a day, for a total of 1,200 minutes during the summer. “Our students work so hard all year to improve their reading, and we don’t want to see them hit the ‘summer slide,’” said OKCPS Superintendent Aurora Lora. “Taking a few months off of reading can hurt future academic performance. We’re glad so many people came together to show students reading really matters.” The Oklahoma City Schools Compact launched its first project Students who meet the reading goal will be eligible for last month. ReadOKC challenges elementary students to read prizes and recognition, but most importantly, they will limit for 20 minutes a day during the summer. Continued on page 9 Aerospace Industry Has History of Success in OKC From the legacy of Wiley Post and Will Rogers to the thousands of Oklahomans working at Tinker Air Force Base, the aerospace industry plays an important role in Oklahoma City’s history. As the Oklahoma City community celebrates the 75th anniversary of Tinker Air Oklahoma City has played an important role in aerospace since the Force Base in 2017, the next two issues of the POINT! early 20th century, but its most well-known contribution was the newsletter will focus on the history of aerospace – both accomplishments of Wiley Post. The Chamber was instrumental in military and commercial – and the role it has played in raising money and awareness for his successful solo round-the-globe flight in 1933. Oklahoma City’s success. Before the Wright brothers’ first successful flight in 1903, Oklahoman Ben Bellis attempted to build a flying machine in Muskogee, Oklahoma, foreshadowing an era of passion and dedication to the aviation industry in the state. In 1910, Charles F. Willard solidified the arrival of the air age to Oklahoma when he flew his biplane for 50 feet in an open field in south Oklahoma City. Continued on page 2 OKC Contributes to Aerospace History (cont’d from page 1) As early as 1919, the Greater Oklahoma City some land and leased it immediately with an eye on Chamber organized an aviation committee to build the future of Oklahoma City aviation. After issuing a interest in bringing more aviation opportunities to bond for airport development, Will Rogers Field opened Oklahoma City, and in 1926, the Chamber sought on April 1, 1932, with service from six airlines in nine a bond issue of $10,000 to improve the airport. The directions. In 1936 an Air Reserve Training Station Chamber also worked with other communities to moved to the airport, foreshadowing the growth of establish 24 landing fields throughout Oklahoma. military operations. The Chamber also went to great effort to secure One of Oklahoma’s biggest contributions to regular air mail routes. The first service began on May aviation in the form of national attention was the two 12, 1926, when the Chamber guaranteed a minimum round-the-world flights made by Wiley Post. After of 30 pounds of originating air mail each day. When the circumnavigating the globe with Harold Gatty in 1931, weight was going to be under, Chamber staff members Post purchased the Winnie Mae and the Chamber would wrap and mail a brick to bring up the total weight started a campaign to raise money for a solo trip by and ensure continued service. Post. On July 15, 1933, Post started the trip and seven The Chamber assumed management of one of the days, 18 hours and 49.5 minutes later, Post became the city’s earliest air fields in 1927, but it became apparent first person to circumnavigate the globe alone. Before that a larger airport was needed. After oil was discovered, his death, Post also helped developed the world’s first it was hard to find empty tracts of land that had not practical pressure suit that made high-altitude flights been leased for oil development. The Chamber did find possible. Upgrade your world. Exploring lending and leasing options for your business? Commerce Bank can help. We ask you the right questions, listen to your answers and then, get to work structuring smart, cost-effective options that fit your needs and your business. Let’s talk business. 405.608.2702 | commercebank.com The POINT! ©2016 Commerce Bancshares, Inc. June 2017 Greater Oklahoma City Chamber 2 J19311 OKC Chamber Ad _EqFin and Comm Loans 7.5 x 4.91.indd 1 8/10/2016 1:03:54 PM 2017 OFFICERS RHONDA HOOPER Leadership Notes Jordan Advertising Chair Keeping our visitor industry strong DAVID RAINBOLT BancFirst Corporation In May, the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Immediate Past Chair JOHN HART Bureau celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week Continental Resources Treasurer by honoring the Hometown Heroes that have elevated BRUCE LAWRENCE INTEGRIS Health Oklahoma City’s appeal as a visitor destination. The Corporate Secretary Oklahoma City CVB honored eight individuals and CLAYTON I. BENNETT Dorchester Capital organizations that have exceedingly supported and Vice Chair, Strategic Planning promoted Oklahoma City tourism and travel. PETER B. DELANEY Vice Chair, Forward Oklahoma City Awards were presented to deadCenter Film Festival; CARL E. EDWARDS Price Edwards & Company Downtown OKC, Inc.; Jason Cocomise, national Roy H. Williams, CCE Vice Chair, Innovation and Bioscience STEVE HAHN convention manager of Philadelphia Church of President & CEO AT&T Oklahoma God; Julie Porter Scott, community director of Yelp. Vice Chair, Membership JUDY J. HATFIELD, CCIM com; Shari Goad, project coordinator with Oklahoma Department of Career and Equity Commercial Realty, LLC Technology Education; Larry Taylor, Oklahoma Wind Volleyball Tournament director; Vice Chair, Military and Aerospace PERCY KIRK Steve Henry, director of programming for OKC Tennis Center; and Science Museum Cox Communications Oklahoma. Vice Chair, Economic Development BRADLEY W. KRIEGER Arvest Bank The CVB’s own Sandy Price was also recognized during National Travel and Tourism Vice Chair, Government Relations Week by the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association. For more than 30 years, Sandy has TOM J. MCDANIEL American Fidelity Foundation served the Oklahoma City CVB and the industry as a dedicated tourism professional, Vice Chair, MAPS Development JENNY LOVE MEYER using her expertise to promote both Oklahoma City and the state as a prime Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores destination. For her service, Sandy was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Vice Chair, Marketing and Communications J. LARRY NICHOLS Award at the recent Redbud Awards, Oklahoma’s highest honor given in the tourism Devon Energy Corporation industry. Vice Chair, Strategic Planning TERESA ROSE CROOK Oklahoma City Community Foundation Like most things in business, the success of Oklahoma City’s visitor industry is a Vice Chair, Education team effort. The success of the hospitality industry in Oklahoma City is a credit to the NATALIE SHIRLEY Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City individuals, businesses and organizations who work tirelessly, and I applaud their efforts Vice Chair, Convention and Visitor Development to keep our visitor industry strong. ROY H. WILLIAMS, CCE Greater Oklahoma City Chamber President & CEO THE POINT! ISSUE #3508 - June 2017 Sincerely, Editorial staff Kaylee Terracina, Nate Fisher, Cynthia Reid Designer Josh Vaughn 297-8900 [email protected] www.okcchamber.com Roy H. Williams, CCE www.twitter.com/okcchamber Chamber CEO & President www.facebook.com/okcchamber The Point (ISSN 1075-6264) is published monthly by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, TRDC Marketing Oklahoma City Retail Market 123 Park Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. POSTMASTER: 5 Opportunities 8 Sees Success Send address changes to The Point!, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber 123 Park Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Chamber Events Special Thanks to 2017 or e-mail [email protected]. TRDC Sponsors SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 per year included in 6 10 Chamber membership; nonmembers, $25 per year within the U.S. Periodicals Postage paid at Oklahoma City. Advertising rates upon request. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising. CONTENTS THERE’S MORE THAN ONE MVPIN TOWN. INTRODUCING THE OKLAHOMAN’S ALL-CITY PREP SPORTS AWARDS FEATURING PEYTON MANNING JUNE 15, 2017 | 6 PM | COX CONVENTION CENTER Join Peyton Manning and more than 500 of OKC’s most accomplished high school athletes to celebrate their success on and off the field. Last Chance To Purchase Your Corporate Table! Call 405-475-3156 or Visit OKPrepSportsAwards.com SPONSORED BY: TRDC Provides Publication, Website Marketing Opportunities THERE’S MORE The Chamber’s Total Resource Development PUBLIC POLICY GUIDE Campaign is in full swing, and you still have plenty This one-of-a-kind publication features photos of opportunities to connect with the Chamber’s and contact information for all Oklahoma elected targeted audience of business and community officials, district maps, a voting guide, Chamber PAC leaders. The Chamber’s publications and websites THAN ONE information and the Chamber’s legislative agenda. It get your message to the right people – the is distributed at the Chamber’s Legislative Breakfast decision makers within a company. Advertising in January and included in the Chamber’s publication opportunities include: mailing to more than 4,000 Chamber members in ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE February. Promote your company’s product or service in a Rates: $1,000 - $3,250 special bulk mailing delivered to more than 4,000 THE POINT! NEWSLETTER Chamber members. This annual thank you package is the perfect opportunity to reach members from a With a monthly print circulation of 5,000, The variety of industries and new members as they join POINT! newsletter communicates topics that are throughout the year.