Corsicana — I am very proud to share the recent awards and recognition received from the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE) at their annual conference back in June and an honor for the Chamber, the CCVB and our community.



Back, in 2006, when I became Executive Director of our Chamber, I was looking for ideas and ways to market and promote Corsicana. One project was to revitalize the billboard campaign that had been funded by local businesses and foundations that had stalled. The Chamber’s Tourism Committee in partnership with Main Street brought this project back to life with the slogan “Where Country Meets Culture”. This project has since become a committee within the CCVB being updated with the new city brand and a revamped advertising concept and strategy.



Another project the Chamber’s Tourism Committee undertook was to create a Visitor Guide that could be distributed across Texas at visitor/welcome centers, hotels and restaurants, etc., to let others know what Corsicana had to offer. Eventually, this project was adopted by the Corsicana Development Commission (CDC), now known as the Corsicana Convention & Visitor Bureau (CCVB) since the mission of the CCVB is to market Corsicana and promote tourism for our community. Currently, we print 40,000 copies that are distributed not only locally and in information packets, but in hotels/welcome centers from Houston to North Dallas with future plans to include Galveston. Our Visitor Guide won 1st place back in 2008, 2nd place in 2009 and now 1st place for 2011.



Initially no local printer locally was prepared to create a piece but in 2011 and 2012, we were able to have the Visitor Guide created locally by GreenWorx Printing, promoting shopping locally and increasing our local sales tax. “We are extremely gratified to have partnered with the Chamber, the Corsicana Convention & Visitors Bureau (CCVB) and the local business community on these projects,” said Sam Yukon, President & Owner of GreenWorx Printing. “To have our work garner two first place prizes in such a broad statewide competition is truly a blessing. It reflects not only the hard work of my entire staff, but validates the trust and commitment to our local economy by the Chamber, CCVB and businesses. Award winning quality and services are available within Navarro County, and it is vital that we all support each other in these difficult economic times.”

It is highly appropriate for these pieces to have won such high recognition as they are the embodiment of the Chamber’s 2011 campaign, T.E.A.M. – Together Everyone Achieves More. I wish to thank my staff, Heidi Hudson, Beth McCrory, and Diane Richards (retired) for their efforts which made this possible. A special thank you also goes out to Paul Hooper of the Chamber, and the entire Board of the CCVB, for entrusting us with these significant marketing projects.”

Local Chambers from across the state of Texas convened Monday night June 25, 2012 for the TCCE Annual Excellence Awards.  The awards honor organizations for exceptional efforts in marketing, communications and media outreach.  Awards are judged in 7 separate categories:  Outstanding Chamber Map, Outstanding Brochure, Outstanding Magazine or Directory, Excellence in Print or Electronic Newsletter, Outstanding Chamber Website, Excellence in Social Media Marketing and Communications, and Outstanding Marketing Campaign.  



In the category of Outstanding Brochure (Visitor Guide) and Outstanding Magazine or Directory (Member Benefits & Application) the Corsicana & Navarro County Chamber of Commerce was honored as the best in Texas, winning first place in both categories’ with Palestine and Giddings chamber’s finishing second and third.  

The Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE) is the professional society of chamber of commerce executives and professional staff in the state of Texas.  Established in 1908, TCCE remains a strong, viable organization and the longest standing association of chamber of commerce professionals in the nation.  

As a private not-for-profit 501 (c)(6) TCCE operates with the primary goal of serving its membership by providing excellence in professional development, networking, resource and idea exchange opportunities and grassroots advocacy information and coordination.  Through its publications and other resources TCCE provides operational guidance and leadership to chambers across the state.  

“This is an extremely tough competition,” said Bruce Partain, TCCE Media Awards Chairman.  “Rest assured that the chambers that won these awards faced stiff competition from their fellow chambers of commerce.  It truly means Corsicana & Navarro County Chamber of Commerce is the best in 2012 in two categories, Outstanding Brochure and Outstanding Magazine or Directory.”



The overall competition had more than 200 entries from which the best were judged by panels of experts.  “This prestigious honor demonstrates the phenomenal work done by Corsicana & Navarro County Chamber of Commerce organizationally and in the community” said Matt McCormick, 2012 TCCE Board Chairman and President/CEO of the Lewisville Chamber of Commerce.



One of the primary responsibilities for a chamber is to promote the organization, community and that chamber’s members,” said Beth Journeay, TCCE Incoming Chair and President of the Angleton Chamber of Commerce.  “By winning this award Corsicana & Navarro County Chamber of Commerce can be held up as an example of the best at promoting the chamber, its businesses and providing excellent information to people in Corsicana and Navarro County.”

        

Together, we can achieve more!