LAC Alumni Coordinate Candidates & Issues Panel

The Leadership Aransas County (LAC) Alumni (those who have graduated from the year-long program over the last 12 years) have found an area where they can be of great service to the community. It is coordinating the "Candidates & Issues Panels" for the Chamber of Commerce. The recent event, held Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, was attended by just under 100 people and nine candidates. Brian Olsen, graduate of LAC Class XII and Director of Class XIII emceed the evening. He began the evening telling the number of registered voters is over 15,000 in Aransas County and just under 10,000 voted in Aransas County in the last presidential election in 2004. That is a pretty good turnout but County Clerk and LAC graduate Peggy Friebele anticipates that turnout to be even stronger in this general election coming up Nov. 4. The remainder of the evening was spent with listening to candidates followed by questions from the audience. The LAC graduates were question runners, question readers and door greeters. Our hats are off to Leadership Aransas County Alumni for a job well done. Of the 12 classes that have graduated, a representative from every class was present accept for Class VII. The Alumni group is under the direction and leadership of Steve Berger, also a graduate. Call if you are interested in getting involved in this program! The next round for applications for the LAC program is August of 2009. Please give us your comments in the comment section below...

"Building Businesses...Leading Communities"

The Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce today announced a series of events that are planned in conjunction with Texas Chamber of Commerce Week, which runs from October 20 through October 24, 2008. The events planned during the celebratory week include:
*Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for the Chairs of Seafair - Monday
*"Your Chamber in Paradise Report" to City Hall - Tuesday
*"Board of Directors Meeting and Photo Session - Tuesday
*"A Informative Public: Candidates Panel Session" coordinated by the Leadership Aransas County Program.
* A press release in local newspapers explaining "What is a Chamber of Commerce?"
* Thursday and Friday (Oct. 23-24) "A tour of the Chamber offices" - Stop by for a brief tour of what goes on at the Chamber of Commerce office.

"We are proud to participate in Texas Chamber of Commerce Week," said Diane Probst, President/CEO of the Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce. "Our Chamber has played a significant role in attracting and welcoming new businesses to our community and serving as an important resource for businesses large and small."

Chambers throughout Texas are scheduled to participate in this year's event. "Texas Chamber of Commerce Week is an opportunity for Chambers of Commerce around Texas to celebrate their accomplishments and promote their roles in positively impacting their local economies through the creation of new jobs and new tax revenue," said Diane Probst, president/CEO of the Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce and board chairwoman of Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE). "We have Chambers that represent large metropolitan areas as well as those that represent smaller communities, but all of them have a substantial impact on their respective communities. Their collective efforts have helped position Texas as the number one state in which to do business."

Texas Chamber of Commerce Week is coordinated annually through TCCE, which is based in Austin. TCCE is an organization of Chamber executives from across the state, working together to improve the business climate in Texas, while developing ways to enhance the quality of life in the communities they represent. For more information visit www.tcce.org

About the Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce

The Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce promotes the growth and expansion of businesses in the Rockport-Fulton area, a community home to 24,000 residents and more than 900 businesses. The Chamber membership consists of 800 businesses and individuals interested in working in partnership with governmental entities promoting commerce and tourism while maintaining the environment. It serves as the economic engine for the community. With a rich heritage of leadership development and government collaboration, the Chamber works to promote the Rockport and Fulton area as a premier tourist destination. For more information about the Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce, visit www.1rockport.org or call 361-729-6445.

Seafair 2008

Here are general comments on Seafair 2008. We would love for you to add your comments at the comment tab below:

"Although we have just had a preliminary look at totals, it appears we did as good in attendance and sales as last year and last year was a banner year,"

"There are so many skilled and talented people who put on the Seafair. It is amazing to me each year to see our volunteers in action. They all do their jobs so well"

"Seafair was a great stimulus to our economy bringing people into town to spend money. We really felt this event put back the buzz in our economy after the horrible economic downturn effects due to Hurricane Ike"

"I went through the crowds during our peak period on Saturday and was pleased to see families having fun together, people entering contests, kayaking, shopping, dancing, cooking, listenning to music and just having a great time"

"The proceeds will continue to help build our building fund and one day the Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce will have a Visitor Center for the community that everyone will feel a part of through their support of Seafair."

Congratulations to everyone! It was fun for all!