ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Texas Midwest Community Network conducts the Annual Texas Midwest Conference in October.

 

·        Date for 2008 – OCTOBER 15th

·        San Angelo Civic Center

·        For details:  325-795-TMCN(8626)

 

Activities during the Annual Conference include:

·        Networking for Community Leaders

·        Solutions Seminars

·        Information Expo

·        Luncheon and Keynote Speaker

·        Silent Auction

·        Entertainment

 

Community Awards are a feature of the Conference Luncheon

 

 

ECO DEV ALLIANCE

Texas Midwest Economic Development Alliance was established in 1999 as a service to TMCN member cities actively engaged in economic development.

 

Marketing Alliance Objectives:

·        Support economic development in member cities

·        Promote available facilities and building sites in the region

·        Share leads

·        Provide educational opportunities and tours of successful businesses & plants

·        Increase TMCN identity, both inside and outside the region

 

Eco Dev Alliance Programs:

·        www.tmcn.org – web site for marketing city resources and incentives and for sharing leads

·        Educational seminars, workshops and tours

·        Networking events to increase communication among economic development leaders in the region

 

Alliance meetings in 2008:

      March 12 - Winters

      June 10 - Baird

      August 12 - Dinner & Conversation, Perini Ranch Steakhouse, Buffalo Gap

      November 12 - Snyder

 

 

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

Legislative and related activities:

·        Texas Midwest Day in Austin during the Legislative Session

·        Legislative Issues List – developed during April Network Luncheons the year prior to a Legislative Session.

·        Communications with Legislative Staffs

·        Citizen input needed for testimony at committee hearings

·        Representation on state agency rural advisory committees

·        LAWMAKERS LUNCHEON - May 20, 2008 – Bill Franklin Center in Coleman
Event Sponsors
Abilene Chamber of Commerce
AEP Texas
AT&T
Cisco Junior College
McMurry University
San Angelo Chamber of Commerce
San Angelo Standard-Times
Shannon Medical Center
West Texas Area Health Education Centers

Each biennial year prior to the Texas Legislature Session, TMCN conducts a series of network luncheons throughout the region to focus on issues and concerns of rural Texas.  The TMCN Legislative List of Issues is developed and prioritized based on the feedback received at the luncheons.  As the Session begins, issues are monitored to determine when and if position statements need to be submitted on behalf of the region.

 

 

 

NETWORK LUNCHEONS

One of the cornerstones upon which TMCN was founded was to provide communications among community leaders in the region.   The need for community leaders to network and share ideas & success stories was recognized as a primary function for the regional organization. 

 

Network luncheons are scheduled each year in April throughout the region for community leaders to stay in touch and discuss topics of interest and concern.

 

2008 Network Luncheons focus on “Tools for Growth”.

      Breckenridge - April 9

      Colorado City - April 10

      Winters - April 11

      Comanche - April 16

      Knox City - April 18

      Brady - April 23

 

Network Luncheon History:

2007 Topic: “The TMCN Scoreboard” Host cities: Cisco, Bronte, Brownwood, Munday, Sweetwater, Dublin

2006 Topic: “Legislative Issues for the 80th Session” Host cities: Robert Lee, Eastland, Early, Snyder, Anson

2005 Topic: “Local Vision leads to Regional Vision” Host cities: Ranger, Comanche, Roscoe, Stamford, Eden

2004 Topic: “Legislative Issues for the 79th Session” Host cities: Sweetwater, Hamilton, Haskell, Coleman, Clyde/Baird

2003 Topic: “Ingredients for Community Success” Host cities: Rotan, Ballinger, Gorman, Albany

2002 Topic: “Legislative Issues in the Region” Host cities:  Anson, Bronte, Colorado City, De Leon

2001 Topic: “Chamber of Commerce Challenges” Host cities:  Breckenridge, Brownwood, Sweetwater

2000 Topic: “Legislative Issues & TM Day plans for 2001” Host cities:  Dublin, Albany, Ballinger, Tye, Aspermont

1999 Topic: “Texas Forts Trail” Host cities:  Throckmorton, Colorado City, Cross Plains

1997 Topic: “How TMCN can serve the Region” Host cities: Baird, Stamford, Coleman, Sweetwater

1996 Topic: “City Challenges” Host cities: Merkel, Coleman, Haskell, Hamlin, Early, Breckenridge

(Aug. series) Topic:  “Partnership between City & Chamber” Host cities: Aspermont, Winters, Eastland (speakers from La Grange, TX)

1995 (special interest attendance) Host cities: Colorado City, Cross Plains, Haskell, Anson, Ballinger, Cisco, Throckmorton, Rotan, Santa Anna, Albany, Comanche, Snyder

 

 

SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

 

TMCN coordinates seminars and workshops in the region as needed. 

 

Past Seminars & Workshops:

2007

(Nov)      “Emerging Technology Fund” – Dale Gannaway, West Texas Coalition for Innovation & Commercialization (Abilene)

(Aug)            “Dinner & Conversation” – Success Stories from the Region (Buffalo Gap)

(May)     Marketing Alliance - “Setting Directions: Facilitating Organizational Change” - Session facilitated by Bill Shelton (Abilene)

2006

(Nov)      Marketing Alliance “Implementing A Marketing Plan” (Abilene)

(Aug)            “Dinner & Conversation” – Comments by Carlton Schwab, TEDC Executive Director – Eco Dev projects around the State (Buffalo Gap)

(June)     Tourism Roundup (Brownwood – partner with Texas Forts Trail)

(May)     Marketing Alliance “Emerging Technologies Task Force Report” and “Industry Standards Information” (Abilene)

2005

(Nov)      Marketing Alliance “Online Tools”    (Abilene)

(Aug)            “Dinner & Conversation” - Report from Bob Turner, Rural Issues Consultant – School Finance Reform (Buffalo Gap)

(June)     Tourism Roundup & Chamber of Commerce Summit (Abilene – partner with Texas Forts Trail)

(May)     Marketing Alliance “Website Redesign”   (Abilene)

2004

(Aug)      “Dinner & Conversation” (Report from House Economic Development Committee Chr., Rep. Jim Keffer)

(June)     Tourism Roundup & Chamber of Commerce Summit (Abilene – partner with Texas Forts Trail & ACVB)

(May)     Economic Development – “Site Location via Internet” (Abilene)

2003

(Aug)            “Dinner & Conversation” Regional Approach to Economic Development (Buffalo Gap)

(June)     Tourism Roundup & Chamber of Commerce Summit  (Abilene – partner with Texas Forts Trail)

(June)     Economic Development – Regional opportunities/Automotive Industry in Texas (Brownwood)

2002

(Aug)            Legislative Forum    (Abilene – partner Abilene Chamber of Commerce)

(Aug)            “Dinner & Conversation” Update on Target Market Research (DCOA)

(July)     Technology Seminar (Abilene CJC computer lab)

(May)     Round-Up for Tourism    (Abilene – partner with TDA)

2001

(Aug)            “Dinner & Conversation” Legislative Update  (Buffalo Gap)

(May)     Telecommunications Seminar   (Abilene)

(May)     Motor Coach Seminar     (Abilene – partner with ACVB)

(Feb)      Forts Trail Round Up      (Abilene – partner with TFT)

2000

(Aug)            Telecommunications Seminar   (Abilene)

(Feb)      Forts Trail Round Up      (Abilene - partner with TFT)

1999

(Aug)            Economic Development Forum (Abilene)

(Feb)      Texas Midwest Summit   (Abilene)

1997

(Feb)      Nature Tourism            (Wingate, Albany)

1996

(Sept)     Economic Development    (Abilene)

(Feb)      Bed & Breakfast     (Abilene)

1995

(Sept)     Up Against the Walmarts        (Abilene)

(Feb)      Sales Tax for Economic Development    (Baird, San Angelo)