Upcoming Events & Photos hamber • New Members & Renewals onnection • Volume 6, No. 9 • November 2019 • www.kilgorechamber.com How do you “Chamber of Commerce”? CThe Kilgore Chamber of forming our legislators kilgorechamber.com/ side, Find out about volun- Commerce has nearly 300 what is important to our keepitinkilgore/ teer opportunities, Cultivate members, and within those members in regard to leg- 3. Community – many of referrals, Get the skinny on 300 members we have sever- islative issues, we partici- our members join their lo- the competition, Enjoy low- al different ways our mem- pate in the East Texas Co- cal chamber of commerce cost continuing education, bers utilize their member- alition during legislative because they want their Receive invitations to events, Talking ship investment. sessions, coordinate and business to be a part of the galas, and trade shows, Host Tourism ...........0 1. Volunteer – as a member conduct Capital Connect professional community. events without planning of the Kilgore Chamber each year as well as can- 4. Advocacy – we also have events, Edge out the compe- of Commerce you have didate forums when rele- members who appreciate tition, Gain access to special the opportunity to have vant. We are also bring- our advocacy efforts in Aus- discounts, Increase your SEO staff become an active ing back two of our most tin and continue to support (search engine optimization). member of one of our active past committees, those efforts with their I have asked a couple of committees. We have Transportation and Edu- our members for a testimo- membership investment. Jill R. McCartney, IOM, several to choose from: cation. If you have a de- 5. Sponsorships & Recog- nial regarding their mem- Ambassadors – assist us sire to serve on any of the CCEO-AP Morning nition – by sponsoring bership investment in the President & CEO Brew ..............0 in going out and visiting committee’s I mentioned an event or program your Kilgore Chamber of Com- members to say thank above, please reach out to business is listed in some merce and here is what they you, assist with events, me at jmccartney@Kil- had to say: members and helping their way (digital, print, social businesses succeed.” recruit new members goreChamber.com. media) to assist in promot- Jeremy Withrow, Co-Own- and volunteers; E.M.T.’s 2. Keep It In Kilgore – ing that event/program. “Since opening our branch er of Global Graphics – our Events and Market- Member to Member We offer several different in Kilgore we have had Josh ing Team assists with our Discount Program – as levels of sponsorships in Wimberly of Laird Insurance event planning, research- a member of the Kilgore order to have large and save us almost 8k a year on “My Chamber experience Mark Your ing topics for luncheons, Chamber of Commerce small businesses able to insurance, increased our cov- has exceeded my expectations. Calendar .......0 marketing our events and you have the availabili- participate financially. erage in all categories, and I have met some great people programs, coordination ty to offer a discount to takes care of all bank requi- and developed new business of our women’s tea and the other members and relationships. I look forward Published monthly The reasons are far and sites. Additionally we have by the Star Gala; Government their employees. You can found local vendors for our to future involvement with Kilgore News Herald wide to join the Kilgore Affairs – this team is very check out this program tee shirts that we give out to the Chamber and the positive active and assists in in- on our website at www. Chamber of Commerce. impact on my company.” Here are a few more… customers by over 40 percent Bobbie Hurley O’Dell, Look more trustworthy, from our previous buyer. All in all Pinnacles year to date Chief Executive Officer of Help make important deci- Arpco Valves & Controls sions, Encourage new cus- vs 2018 shows a 10.8% re- tomers with coupons, Keep duction in the controlla- “After joining the Cham- AMBASSADOR up to date on trends, Up ble expense category. I just ber and getting involved in awareness of your business, want to thank you for your the Ambassador’s program, Encourage consumers to do unyielding advocacy of our it has exposed me to relation- business with you, Increase organization, and we look ships and new businesses that the chances of customers pur- forward to working with you I may have otherwise over- chasing your products, Get long into the future.” looked. It has fostered more AMBUSHfeatured, Promote your prod- than one marketing partner- ucts through other business- Paul Brandon Gilpin, ship and multiple business to for October es, Take a startup step, Gain Manager Partner of Pinnacle Coating of East Texas business referrals. If you’re mailing list access, Form rela- going to join, get involved!” tionships, Enjoy free public- ity, Gain industry leadership “The Kilgore Chamber of status, Look bigger than you Commerce has been a great Brent Rice, State Farm are, Integrate yourself into asset to my business. The Don’t wait – join today. the community, Save on mar- connections made through keting, Get a voice in govern- chamber events have been We Are Kilgore, ment, Show consumers you beneficial, and have opened Jill R. McCartney, IOM use good business practices, doors that otherwise would President & CEO Create charitable opportuni- not have been. Jill and Lisa Kilgore Chamber of Com- ties, Get the powerful on your do a great job of motivating merce & Visitors Bureau Therapeutic Optometrists Dr.Jadie Roberts Dr.J.T.Roberts Dr.Shiloh Roberts 1100 Stone Rd •Kilgore,Tx|903.983.2020 |www.eyecarecenters.org|CHAMBER MEMBER SINCE 1976 PAGE 2 CHAMBER CONNECTION NOVEMBER 2019 Talking Tourism head start on your holiday chants offering holiday re- MIRACLE ON 34TH More November - December Events shopping during Mingle freshments and libations. STREET: A LIVE RA- & Jingle, when you can Downtown Kilgore is DIO PLAY – DEC 13-15 Kilgore Christmas Parade browse historic downtown transformed into a holiday The Texas Shakespeare ....................................... December 3 | 6:30 pm Kilgore’s stores after hours wonderland with fantastic Festival will also usher while enjoying the soiree. Christmas lights and hol- Avalon Christmas Market the holiday spirit as they .................. December 7-8, 14-15| 10 am - 6 pm The holiday festivities iday fun including Santa present their adaption of continue with the Kilgore Flavious & Joshua the Elf! Christmas favorite, Mira- Kilgore Public Library Open House Christmas Parade, Ran- cle on 34th Street. All per- ............................................ December 8 | 6 pm gerette Christmas Show, RANGERETTE formances take place in the Geekmas Holiday Bizarre A Miracle on 34th Street: CHRISTMAS SHOW – renovated UpStairs Space DEC 8 Live Radio Play, Christ- on the second floor of the .............. December 14 | 10am - 5 pm mas in Kilgore and more. Ryan Polk The Rangerettes annu- TSF Festival Center at 815 Avalon Christmas Market, Avalon Faire You can see why Christmas al Christmas show always Houston Street. Tickets to Under The Stars in Kilgore puts us in the holiday Tourism Mgr. ..................................... December 15 this production are avail- is a favorite for so many! spirit. The 2019 presen- able for purchase at texas- Hello, November! We tation of “A December to shakespeare.tix.com. are in a fall wonderland Kilgore. From the chang- is a month filled with ex- MINGLE & JINGLE – Remember” will feature with colors changing hues ing leaves to annual events citement in Kilgore. Here NOV 30 guest performances by CHRISTMAS IN KIL- and falling all over Kilgo- like Mingle & Jingle, you are some events you don’t Come dine and shop the Kilgore Hi-Steppers GORE – DEC 14 re! With November, the can feel the season’s festive want to miss this year. under the Stars of His- and Co-Ed Dancers, In- holiday season kicks off in vibe all around. November toric Downtown Kilgore! Step Dance Company, Make your plans for CHRISTMAS UNDER Come to Downtown Kil- The Dance Studio, and nothing but pure holiday THE STARS 2019 gore during the Thanks- the Whitehouse First La- bliss in Historic Down- Kilgore’s fascinating mix giving holiday weekend dies. Show times are 2:00 town Kilgore as Christmas of festive traditions and to escape from the holiday pm and 5:00 pm. All seats in Kilgore is a fun filled friendly Texas hospitality hustle. This is downtown’s are reserved and tickets event for those last min- make it a bright destina- annual #SmallBusiness- are $15.00 each. Tickets ute shoppers! There will tion to celebrate the holi- Saturday celebration, bol- are on sale at the Rang- be kids’ activities, live mu- days this year. Experience stering ‘Mingle & Jingle’s’ erette Box office located sic, and plentiful holiday the magic of the season offerings post-Turkey Day. on the south end of the shopping this year. with our festive lights The party starts at 6 p.m. Rangerette Gym. Hours and colorful bright stars, with some merchants open of operation is 8:00 - 4:00 Don’t forget to use #Vis- events, and shop for that all day. The scene will be pm. For more information itKilgore or #KilgoreTX “one-of-kind gift” Get a merry, with some mer- please call 903-983-8179. when using Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and we may just repost your image on our Visit Kilgore social media sites. If you have an event that you would like to share to our calendar, please email me at [email protected]. For more tips and ideas and information on hap- penings and events in Kilgore, visit our website www.visitkilgore.com, and stay up-to-date on cur- rent events by liking us on Facebook and following us on Instagram and Twitter at VisitKilgore.