May 2015 www.okcchamber.com Conventions Boost Oklahoma City Economy The renaissance that Oklahoma City has experienced in the last 20 years has not only improved the quality of life for Oklahoma City’s residents, but also transformed Oklahoma City’s appeal as a convention destination. The Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), a division of the Chamber, will assist with more than 85 Oklahoma City events or conventions, reaching approximately 182,000 attendees, from May until the end of 2015. These events make up more than189,000 booked hotel room nights in the Oklahoma City hotel market. “The demand for event and convention space in Oklahoma City is as strong as it has ever been,” said Michael Carrier, CTA, president and CEO of the Oklahoma City CVB. “The number of conventions held Between now and the end of 2015, the Oklahoma City in Oklahoma City acts as a strong foundation for the Convention and Visitors Bureau will have assisted with more rest of our hospitality industry and also helps us promote than 85 events in Oklahoma City, bringing approximately 182,000 attendees to the area. Oklahoma City’s recent renaissance.” Continued on page 13 Oklahoma City Sees Success in Retail Recruitment Oklahoma City continues to see increased momentum help fund the city’s police and fire departments and in the growth of its retail sector, specifically in its ability meet Oklahoma City’s infrastructure improvement to recruit national retail chains to locate in Oklahoma needs. When we recruit new retailers, we are adding to City. This success comes as a result of Oklahoma City’s Oklahoma City’s diverse retail mix.” growing buying power – a combination of “When we recruit Retail target areas across Oklahoma Oklahoma City’s population growth and its new retailers, City are experiencing success. Recently low cost of living. Since 1995, per-capita we are adding to Sweden-based multinational clothing retail sales for the Oklahoma City metro Oklahoma City’s retailer H&M announced that it would area have grown by more than 20 percent. diverse retail mix.” open its first Oklahoma location at Quail “Recruiting retail to Oklahoma City -Tammy Fate, manager Springs Mall in Oklahoma City. The store, is critical to improving this community’s of retail development and which will occupy two floors on the north recruitment for the Chamber. quality of life,” said Tammy Fate, manager end of the mall, is set to open in fall 2015. of retail development and recruitment The formal announcement was made for the Chamber. “More than just funding the one- after H&M applied for a building permit in February. cent MAPS 3 sales tax, the sales tax collections also A permit filed in March values the 23,000-square-foot Continued on page 12 A PARTNER IN YOUR SUCCESS™ 2015 OFFICERS DAVID RAINBOLT Leadership Notes BancFirst Corporation Chairman PETER B. DELANEY OGE Energy Corp. Immediate Past Chairman Oklahoma City is a sure investment JOHN HART Continental Resources Treasurer BRUCE LAWRENCE INTEGRIS Health The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber has long worked Corporate Secretary for a strong retail sector within Oklahoma City. Retail CLAYTON I. BENNETT Dorchester Capital is critical to the health of a city – it funds the important Vice Chair, Strategic Planning city services that boost the city’s safety and also CARL E. EDWARDS Price Edwards & Company contributes to an area’s quality of life. Vice Chair, Bioscience JUDY J. HATFIELD, CCIM In order to promote Oklahoma City as a retail Equity Commercial Realty, LLC Roy H. Williams, CCE Vice Chair, Membership destination, representatives from the Greater Oklahoma President & CEO RHONDA HOOPER City Chamber and the City of Oklahoma City attend Jordan Advertising Vice Chair, Economic Development the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) RECon in Las Vegas each PERCY KIRK Cox Communications Oklahoma year. We have exhibited at this global conference since 2008, and we use it as an Vice Chair, Marketing & Communications opportunity to promote the qualities that make Oklahoma City a good investment BRADLEY W. KRIEGER Arvest Bank for retailers, including our resilient economy and our growth in per capita income. Vice Chair, Government Relations DAVID A. JACKSON Since our first year at the convention, I have seen a remarkable difference in JPMorganChase Bank, N.A. the perception of Oklahoma City. At first, most people didn’t understand what Vice Chair, Military/Aerospace TOM J. MCDANIEL Oklahoma City could offer their company. Today, the perception of Oklahoma American Fidelity Foundation City has changed from confused to confident, largely because of this community’s Vice Chair, MAPS Development J. LARRY NICHOLS economic vitality. Oklahoma City is brimming with buyers, which would not be Devon Energy Corporation possible without the growth of companies that call Oklahoma City home. As the Vice Chair, Strategic Planning JOHN RICHELS Oklahoma City delegation travels to ICSC RECon this month, I would like to Devon Energy Corporation thank all of you for helping change the perception of Oklahoma City. You make this Vice Chair, Forward Oklahoma City TERESA ROSE community a reliable investment for retailers across the globe. Chesapeake Energy Corporation Vice Chair, Education/Workforce Development NATALIE SHIRLEY Sincerely, Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City Vice Chair, Convention and Visitor Development ROY H. WILLIAMS, CCE Greater Oklahoma City Chamber President & CEO Roy H. Williams, CCE Chamber CEO & President THE POINT! ISSUE #3483 - May 2015 Editorial staff Kaylee McDaniel, Lillie-Beth Brinkman, Cynthia Reid, Jennifer Seaton Designer Josh Vaughn 297-8900 [email protected] www.okcchamber.com www.twitter.com/okcchamber Program Helps Recruit Progress Continues on MAPS 3 www.facebook.com/okcchamber The Point (ISSN 1075-6264) is 5 and Retain College Grads 10 Projects published monthly by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, 123 Park Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Upcoming Chamber Forum FOKC: Impact on Oklahoma POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Point!, 7 on Entrepreneurship 14 City’s Workforce Greater Oklahoma City Chamber or e-mail [email protected]. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $5 per year included in Chamber 2015 Total Resource Economic Indicators membership; nonmembers, $25 per year within the U.S. Periodicals Postage paid at Oklahoma City. 8 Development Campaign 19 Advertising rates upon request. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising. CONTENTS Ginormous Ginormous, mammoth, colossal — in other words, the oklahoman has the biGGest sports team in the state. With the biggest sports journalism team in the state, no one else brings you more captivating stores, exclusive interviews, and in-depth analysis than The Oklahoman Sports Team. At The Oklahoman we believe our community deserves only the finest sports content, and we strive to deliver it each and every day. To get Oklahoma’s most comprehensive sports content delivered straight to your door or device, subscribe now at oklahoman.com/bestsports. The biggest team. The most awards. The best coverage. Nobody gives you more of the sports you love than The Oklahoman. WE ARE OKLAHOMANS. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP MAKE OUR STATE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND RAISE A FAMILY. Last year, more than 430 interns from 73 different companies participated in the Chamber’s InternOKC program. InternOKC is part of Greater Grads, the Chamber’s workforce development initiative that helps build Oklahoma City’s young workforce. Program Helps Recruit and Retain College Grads Throughout the past few years Oklahoma City has and internships are a great way for companies to recruit been consistently ranked as one of the top cities for new talent. In addition to being vital to the future of college graduates. In April, OnlineColleges.com ranked your company, recruiting and retaining a talented young Oklahoma City in the top three cities in the nation for workforce is crucial to the future of Oklahoma City. By millennials to choose as a college location. The study registering interns to participate in InternOKC, Greater examined a city’s affordability, its access to cultural Oklahoma City businesses can contribute to the growth events and social activities, its transportation options and and development of the city’s workforce. its unemployment rate to determine Oklahoma City’s high ranking. To promote these facts about Oklahoma City to college students around the state of Oklahoma, the Chamber uses the Greater Grads program, a workforce development initiative created by the Forward Oklahoma City program, to keep Oklahoma’s brightest college students in the state after graduation. By assisting with the workforce development in Oklahoma City, the Chamber is helping meet companies’ needs for an educated and prepared By registering your interns in the InternOKC program, you will workforce. As Oklahoma City continues to see job help them transition from college to career while also helping growth from both new and existing companies, grow Oklahoma City’s young qualified work force. attracting and retaining a qualified workforce is critical to the future success of Oklahoma City’s businesses. InternOKC session dates include an afternoon kick off session on June 17 and lunch programs on June 24, The InternOKC program, which kicks off next July 1, July 8 and July 15. The cost to register for the month, is one part of the Chamber’s retention effort. program is $100 per intern, which includes lunch at This leadership development program highlights the each session. To register your interns, visit benefits of living and working in the Oklahoma City www.GreaterGrads.com/summerintern by June 10. region through a five-week series of luncheons. The The POINT! program also fosters peer networking and provides Special thanks to InternOKC Signature Sponsor resources to help college students transition from college SandRidge Energy, Inc. and Greater Grads Benefactor to career. Last year, more than 430 interns participated Sponsors The Boeing Company, Chesapeake Energy from 73 different companies.