Special Section - Produced in Partnership with the Bossier Chamber of Commerce
Looking To the Future - With a Whole New Look
The Bossier Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Kalmbach Smith Meadows (KSM) to develop our new logo. The concept of the pinwheel came out of the Bossier Innovates campaign, a regional branding initiative launched in 2013. The new logo showcases the Chamber’s innovative spirit and
represents forward thinking from our leadership, community and region. As Bossier Parish and Northwest Louisiana moves into the future we invite you to join with us in embracing innovation and opportunity, advocating for our membership and community, and partnering across industry sectors in order to make Bossier Parish a great place to live and work.
Bossier Chamber Welcomes New Staff of BPCC with an Associate’s The Bossier Chamber of degree in Telecommunications Commerce has added two with a Concentration in new staff members this Television Production. quarter. The Chamber She spent time attending is proud to welcome LSU-S with a focus Ginger Collier, Director on public relations of Communication and and was a reporter for Whitney Harris, Public Ginger Collier their news publication, Policy Assistant. Director of The Almagest. She Ginger Collier Communications recently graduated oversees the marketing from Louisiana Tech where she and communications efforts of earned BA of Liberal the Chamber. Collier Arts and Sciences in earned a BA in Public General Studies and Relations from the Humanities. Whitney University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Ginger worked for six years at Texas Street Steakhouse brings experience in before joining the the areas of brand Whitney Harris management, graphic Public Policy Assistant Bossier Chamber team. Whitney will apply her design and media relations. She has primarily customer service training from the service industry with her worked in non-profit and served journalism background to her as director of communication in new position here at the Bossier her previous positions. Chamber. Whitney Harris is a graduate
Preferred Military Merchant Guide Goes Digital Just in time for the holiday season shopping blitz, the Bossier Chamber launched the Digital Preferred Military Discount Directory. Previously a printed directory, the now exclusively online program is a resource for military members to find local businesses who offer discounts to them and their families in recognition of their service to our country. Launched in the fall of 2011, the printed resource quickly outgrew its pages with continuous additions of new
businesses offering discounts. The overwhelming response following the inception of the program led to the present day online digital formatting, which allows for the directory to be kept up-to-date in real time. This project is supported and made possible through a partnership with local businesses, the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the ShreveportBossier Convention and Tourist Bureau.
BossierChamber Bulletin · March 2014 30 Biz. Magazine • April 2014
Final Installment of Pancakes and Politics Focused on Immigration Reform An informational forum and community conversation focusing on immigration legislation and reform was held as part of the Bossier Chamber’s Pancakes and Politics series. Lisa Atkins, Director of Immigration Policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce joined the community seminar via Skype. The event was hosted at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bossier City where members of the business community gathered for a Q & A session to learn more about the complex legislation proposed for 2014. Atkins led discussion on several key topics slated for debate in the 2014 session.
The issues affecting reform highlighted during the event discussion are directly related to workforce development, higher education and safe harbor laws. With Louisiana leading the nation with the second highest ratio of immigrant entrepreneurs, the forum was the first of many conversations pertaining to immigration laws and reform to be hosted by the Bossier Chamber of Commerce. Among event attendees were several community dignitaries including Mayor Lorenz Walker of Bossier City, and State Representative Patrick Williams.
Smith Honored at Annual Chairman’s Dinner On Tuesday, January 21, the Bossier Chamber honored outgoing Chairman of the Board, Jason Smith, at the annual Chairman’s Dinner. Members of the Bossier Chamber Maj. Gen. Robert Rego, Trish Rego, Dana and Kem Smelser, Lt. Col. Mark Otis gathered at the Chairman’s staff, Executive Committee as well Dinner to celebrate outgoing Chairman, Jason Smith. as Mayor Walker of Bossier City and ranking officers from Barksdale Air Force Base were there to celebrate the many successes for the organization under Smith’s leadership. Under Smith’s tenure as Chairman of the Board during 2013, the Chamber received 4-Star Accreditation and is ranked among the top three Chambers in the country. The Chamber also celebrated the 20 year anniversary of the Bossier Youth Leadership Program and launched Bossier Innovates, a regional branding initiative as a part of the 2013 successes.
3DUWQHULQJ IRU 3URÀW DQG 3XUSRVH In the fall of 2014 the Bossier Chamber will launch a new initiative aimed at bringing more visibility and exposure to the Bossier Chamber membership. This initiative will help to bring new and exciting programs to the Bossier Chamber and strengthen your business. More details to come soon. The Bossier Chamber represents a diverse group of businesses in the region. This
diverse group of businesses is a part of our membership because they believe in the efforts we put forth to connect business to business. We happen to believe that in our organization every member is provided an opportuntiy to take part in the advocacy, partnerhip and innovation we offered through our membership. Look for details in the later part of 2014.