<strong>Tulsa</strong> Metro Chamber<strong>Tulsa</strong> Global AllianceAs our region continues to develop, change, and grow, our organizationlooks to find new ways to foster business growth and economic stabilitythrough regional economic prosperity.Advancement within the <strong>Tulsa</strong> region has been achieved throughcooperative rather than competitive means, and the <strong>Tulsa</strong> MetroChamber has benchmarked efforts behind building a thriving businesscommunity and enhancing our quality of life.<strong>The</strong> Chamber is devoted to providing programs and services catered to a growing membershipof more than 3,000. Focusing on the areas of economic development, business retentionand expansion, education, workforce attraction and retention, legislative support, advocacy,downtown development, and visitor attraction, we are constantly working to serve the <strong>Tulsa</strong>region’s dynamic needs.Following the success of <strong>Tulsa</strong>’s Future I, which created more than 15,000 jobs in the <strong>Tulsa</strong>region, the <strong>Tulsa</strong> Metro Chamber created <strong>Tulsa</strong>’s Future II, a five-year, public-private economicdevelopment plan aimed to create 10,000 high-quality, primary jobs. Already, these plans haveimproved every segment of the region’s economy, providing business opportunities for newand existing companies of all sizes and quality new jobs.We’re building on a great momentum. <strong>Tulsa</strong> ranked as a top 10 metro area in 33 publicationsin recent years for its economy, real estate, low cost of living, and quality of life.A quality of life that is enhanced by organizations like <strong>Tulsa</strong>’s Young Professionals (TYPros),whose 8,000-plus membership is a testament to the growth and change in the region.With efforts like Street CReD, the urban revitalization event; the entrepreneurial incubator,<strong>The</strong> Forge; legislative advocacy including the TYPros Day at the Capitol; and much more,these under-40 professionals are creating a new environment in <strong>Tulsa</strong>.<strong>The</strong> Chamber’s comprehensive regional legislative advocacy partnership, OneVoice, celebrateda number of successes during the 2011 session. In partnership with 37 regional entities thatinclude chambers of commerce, cities, and organizations, the Chamber worked to advocatefor regional priorities. Seven of the top priorities passed both the House and the Senate and weresigned by the Governor before the close of session, encouraging a pro-business climate.With nearly $1 billion injected into downtown <strong>Tulsa</strong> alone through new developments and theexpansion of venues and facilities, Visit<strong>Tulsa</strong>, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, looks to continuebuilding <strong>Tulsa</strong>’s economic base by working to attract meetings, events, and conventions to the regionthereby bringing in out-of-town guests and positively impacting the region’s economy.A complete package for meeting planners exists downtown, with more than 850,000 squarefeet of centrally located, multi-functional space and an ever-growing number of accommodation,entertainment, and restaurant options within walking distance.New venues and nightspots in the area’s three unique entertainment districts offer overnightguests more entertainment options than ever before. <strong>The</strong>se efforts combined to help supporta $1.3 billion industry, employing 24,000 individuals in the tourism industry.<strong>Tulsa</strong> hosted an NCAA Regional Basketball tournament in March, giving our businesses and citizensa taste of the underutilized potential our region holds as a visitor and tourism destination. Havingrecently completed a research initiative, Visit<strong>Tulsa</strong> looks to reengage and reestablish resourcesto enhance a positive image of <strong>Tulsa</strong> to visitors.Overall, the population in our community is growing and becoming more diverse, and new, innovativeindustries are emerging. People from all over the world are taking notice of <strong>Tulsa</strong> and its momentum.And the best is yet to come.Sincerely,<strong>The</strong> <strong>Tulsa</strong> Global Alliance (TGA) is pleased to have this opportunityto be a part of <strong>Vision</strong> <strong>Tulsa</strong> 2012 and to highlight international activitiesin the <strong>City</strong> of <strong>Tulsa</strong> and surrounding area. We are honored to foster,encourage, and promote economic development, good will andunderstanding, and cultural and business exchanges between<strong>Tulsa</strong> and its eight Sister Cities.TGA is recognized as the gateway for international programsin Northeast Oklahoma. Our goal is to educate and empowerour citizens for their future. We are affiliated with some of the most well-respected organizationsin our state and nation and regularly compete and win over much larger cities for opportunitiesto share our world with the world. Since 1976, immeasurable community volunteer involvementhas made it possible for <strong>Tulsa</strong> to have eight active Sister <strong>City</strong> partnerships and to bring internationalawareness to several generations. Our supporters are citizens who believe in the cause of culturalunderstanding and have a passion for building bridges for positive relations in the world.Whether it be a large festival, intimate in-home dinners with guests from other countries,business seminars or tours, foreign dignitary receptions, or student/teacher exchanges,our programs offer the most unique educational, economic, and multicultural citizen diplomacyopportunities in the state! We firmly believe that we’re helping <strong>Tulsa</strong> become a more robustand connected community and that our supporters are making a very powerful investmentin <strong>Tulsa</strong>’s future. <strong>The</strong> TGA mission is broadly aligned with the goals of many other areaorganizations and can best be explained by our 2011 actions:Opportunities for businesses to build global connections. <strong>The</strong> 2011 internationalbusiness seminars focused on India, the aerospace industry in Canada and Japan, a majorevent— the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Roadshow, and Global Entrepreneurship. Year2012 will be the sixth year of TGA’s partnership with <strong>The</strong> University of <strong>Tulsa</strong> for the <strong>City</strong> of <strong>Tulsa</strong>to offer a series of international business seminars focusing on doing business in countriesthat are Oklahoma’s primary and future trade partners.TGA programs allow citizens to exercise their right and responsibility as citizen diplomats to helpshape foreign relations. In 2011, Oklahoma volunteers hosted more than 400 international guestsfrom 55 different countries with professional and home visits, including U.S. State Departmentinternational visitor leadership program participants and visitors from all eight of <strong>Tulsa</strong>’s Sister Cities.International visitors contribute to the Northeastern Oklahoma economy. <strong>The</strong> economicimpact of TGA visitors and programs was more than $900,000 in 2011.Building global literacy and cultural competence among citizens. TGA promotes theCulture Box program housed at Eisenhower International School, the Tucky Roger EducationFellowship, a Speakers Bureau, and the opportunity for school classrooms to meet internationalvisitors. In 2012, the award-winning Kids’ World International Festival will return on November15-17 at the Exchange Center at Expo Square. Expected attendance is 15,000 Oklahomans,including 8,000 school children.Showcasing our area’s resources to international decision-makers and emergingleaders. More than 260 professionals hosted international visitors, and 32 international visitorprograms covered 25 different industry/interest fields in 2011. TGA helped welcome His ExcellencyIchiro Fujisaki, Ambassador of Japan, to <strong>Tulsa</strong> last August.2012 brings great opportunities for <strong>Tulsa</strong> to become a more robust and international community.In partnership with the <strong>City</strong> of <strong>Tulsa</strong>, the Mayor’s Office, the <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, and numerous membersand volunteers, TGA invites you to join us in striving to make <strong>Tulsa</strong> a truly remarkable place to live.Sincerely,Becky Collins President and CEO,<strong>Tulsa</strong> Global AllianceMichael S. Neal CCE, CCD President and CEO, <strong>Tulsa</strong> Metro Chambert u l s a c o u n c i l . o r g | VISION <strong>TULSA</strong> 20125
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