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Twenty Years of the Chamber...
Twenty years of Chamber development (and fun) have been condensed into the timeline below...and we plan to add to it to 1985
Mike Grimes hosted first organizational meetings at the Park Place building owned by LW Parker
Filed for incorporation on October 2, 1985 and started with 36 Charter Members with much support from Buddy Priesmeyer
1986
Loren Kohl hired as full-time Executive Director and first Chamber Office opens up in donated space in the Priesmeyer building at 15300B FM 1825
Sponsored a Haunted House & Breakfast with Santa
1987
Chamber Office moved to 301 W Pecan Street (currently Pflugerville Country Gift Gallery)
Formed an Economic Development Committee with the City of Pflugerville & produced a Business Recruitment Video
Hosted Easter Egg Hunt in Pfluger Park
Published first Greater Pflugerville street index Map
Conducted a Membership Drive Telethon
Started “Get That Pflugerville Pfeeling” Marketing Campaign
1988
Angela Barnes hired part-time as Chamber Office Representative and moved into new offices at 100 E Main Street (currently City Hall)
ACC Trustee & County Commission Bruce Todd speak at Chamber Breakfast meetings
Conducted Market Study of Pflugerville market with Texas A&M
THE CHAMBER Logo Developed
Launches “Forward Pflugerville” campaign to promote current Pflugerville businesses and attract new industries
Started Street Dances on Main Street and continued through 1994
Started The Great Pumpkin Pflyer Bicycle Tour (turned over to COP Parks & Recreation in 1993 which continued until 1997)
Started Ambassador Program which continues today
Worked with Community to start a Pflugerville Historical Society (now called Heritage House Partners)
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for FM1825 Widening, Miller’s Hamburgers, Movies 12, Paperbacks Etc, Union Modern Mortgage & Wells Branch Children’s Center
Groundbreaking for Applegate Tool Company (which is now EVS Metal)
1989
Co-Sponsored Keep Pflugerville Campaign (Pflugerville Beautification Committee now sponsors)
Launched “Pfirst Pfriday in Pflugerville” Bingo in Pfluger Hall (Circle of Pfriends now sponsors)
Manager of Manor Downs spoke at Banquet
Sponsored Business, Merchants & Health Pfair & Miss Pflugerville Teen USA pageant
Started “Citizen of the Year” Awards
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for Allstate Insurance, Beckstein’s Ceramics, Pfiesta’s Mexican Food, The Jewelry Place, Prime Cuts & Curls, Smitty’s Old Fashion Hamburgers, Stonewall Gallery & Ye Olde Pfashion Cafe
1990
Ran ads in Austin Business Journal that read “You Haven’t Seen Austin Until You’ve Seen Pflugerville”
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for Fast Lube, Gaddy’s Hardware & Feed, Hanover’s Cash & Carry, Mama Jack’s, The Pflugerville Pharmacy, Three Points Auto, Windermere Center
Groundbreaking for Pflugerville Care Center
1991
Celebrated opening of new Parks System
Started Street Dances on Main Street
Produced a Business Discount Coupon Book
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for El Rincon, English Properties, Pecan Street Café, Pizza Hut, Subway, Texas Black Belt Karate & Wells Branch Vision Care
1992
US Congressman “Jake” Pickles spoke at Chamber Banquet
Sponsored booth at the Austin Home Products Expo
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for Duncan & Duncan Motors, Jim’s Food Mart, Norman Johnson’s Trading Post, Pflugerville Pest Control, Plantation Homes & Wilshire Homes
1993
Amy Durbin was hired as part-time Executive Director
Co-sponsored & hosted a Press Tour of “Pfacelift Pflugerville”
Started The Best Little Auction in Texas Fund Raiser with the support of Jack & Winnie Mae Murchison and Leonard Dearing & his BBQ Buddies
Started Member-To-Member Discount Program (now called Investor to Investor - I2I)
1994
Launched Christmas on Main Street (Knights of Columbus now sponsors)
Started Scholarship Program
Purchased the current Chamber Office building at 101 S Third Street in downtown Pflugerville (previously City Hall)
The City of Pflugerville contracts THE CHAMBER to provide promotional services for the Parks System.
1995
Patricia Gervan-Brown was hired as part-time Executive Director
Developed current Mission Statement
Started “C/CC’s”, Candidates Forum & Evening Unwinders
Sponsored Deutschen Pfest Friday Night Street Dance with Terry McBride & the Ride, Leadership Pfirst & Main Street Market
Started Halloween on Main Street which continues today
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for The Old Prague Market, Purcell Tire & Rubber
1996
Executive Director position is upgraded to full-time
Completely renovated the interior & moved into the Chamber Office building at 101 S Third Street
Developed & posted the first Community Website: www.the Chamber.pflugerville.tx.us
Served on the Heritage Park Development Committee
Started a Job Bank
The City of Pflugerville contracts THE CHAMBER to serve as their Economic Development Agent
1997
Donkey Basketball – THE CHAMBER vs. PPD Association
Celebrated Charlie’s Steak House 25th Anniversary
Hosted a Welcome Reception for President of Samsung
Served on Travis County’s Citizens Bond Committee
Sponsored Jarrell Tornado Relief Effort
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for Bealls Department Store, Circle of Friends, Cook’s Sure Shot Gun
Range, Cook-Walden/Capital Parks, McDonald’s & Pflugerville Post Office
Groundbreakings for Austin Foam & Plastics, Heritage Park, Pecan Square Phase II & Pflugerville Orthodontics
1998
Co-Sponsored Holidays at Heritage Park with the Circle of Pfriends (COP Parks & Recreation now sponsors)
Launched Easter Festival (COP Parks & Recreation now sponsors)
Participated in Economic Development Marketing trip
Board change ED Title to President & CEO and President’s to Chair
Renovated Exterior of Chamber Office
Served on the Northeast Metro Park Stakeholders
Started New Member Orientations which continues today
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for Arcon Healthcare, James Burk Family Dentistry, Domino’s Pizza, First Texas Bank, Heatherwilde Assisted Living, Pflugerville Vision Care, The Plantation House, Taco Cabana & Wells Branch Family Dental
Groundbreakings for COP Recreation Center, Pflugerville Community Library, Quality Suites
1999
Ended “The Best Little Auction in Texas” is Coming Up Roses as a fundraiser for PHS Band’s trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade. Presented Panther Band with a check for over $6K
Launched the Welcome to Pflugerville Program (PfCONA now sponsors)
Hosted Welcome Reception for new PISD Superintendent
Sponsored “Choices” Program in PISD
Started EXPO-Where Community Services, Merchants & Families Meet!
Co-Sponsored Pflugerville Community Library Grand Opening Gala
Supported the City of Pflugerville’s efforts to vote out of Capital Metro and vote in an Economic Development tax
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for Brenda Gentry DDS, Heatherwilde Boulevard, Quality Suites, Pflugerville Firestone, Pflugerville Post Office, Taco Bell,
Groundbreakings for HEB Pflugerville, Pflugerville Office Park & St Mary’s Baptist Church
2000
Participated in the Dessau Road Extension opening
Started “Chamber Chatter” which continues today
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for Boozer Construction, COP Recreation Center, Chase Bank, Dessau Middle School, HEB Pflugerville, Murchison Elementary School, Providence Presbyterian Church, Sam’s Club, Seton Pflugerville, Southwestern Bell, YMCA
Groundbreakings for 1825 Place & Pflugerville Justice Center
2001
Encouraged addressing the critical infrastructure needs of the forthcoming growth with meetings with Utility Suppliers
Linda Bertram was hired as Executive Assistant
Participated in Pflugerville Middle School’s Career Day and Northeast Metro Park Opening
Co-Sponsored “Evenings in the Park” with COP Parks & Recreation Department
Served on Travis County’s Citizens Bond Committee
Started Holiday Season Shop Greater Pflugerville Campaign
Welcomed Round Rock Express to Region with THE CHAMBER Family Fun Night
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for 1825 Place, Affiliated Therapies, Blackhawk Golf Club, Justice Center, White Rock Veterinarian
Groundbreakings for Heatherwilde Park Retirement Apartments
2002
Community voted out cap metro, voted in an economic development sales tax and the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation was born.
Participated in Deutschen Pfest Booth & Parade
Started the Landowners’ Council, Third Thursdays Networking & Weekly Wire Programs which continue today
Planted Pecan Trees on property
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for Curves, Eagle Transmission, European Bistro, Heatherwilde Park Retirement Apartments, Pflugerville Orthodontics, Pflugerville Vision Care, Round Rock Donuts, Springhill Suites, Venice Café & Wells Point Soccer Complex
2003
Welcomed Austin’s Park & Pizza with THE CHAMBER Family Fun Night
Served as Mediator with 685 Issue
Joined “Opportunity Austin Regional Partners Alliance”
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for AAA Storage, DS Photography, Grand Avenue Retail Center,
Hakata Sushi, Pflugerville Animal Hospital, Rosemont Apartments, Shell Rapid Lube, Stor Self Storage, Toys “R” Us & Wal-Mart Supercenter
2004
Assisted the City of Pflugerville with promotion for the Nation Soccer Tournament at Northeast Metro Park
Developed current, contemporary THE CHAMBER logo
Participated in the Mayor’s Marketing Task Force, National Site Consultants Regional Showcase, Travis County Community Center Dedication & Williamson County Alliance Growth Summit
Former European Theater Commander US Army Retired General Montgomery Meigs speaks at “Chamber Chatter”
Published a Greater Pflugerville “Visitors Guide”
Welcomed Mayor Callen with a Business Focus Group meeting
Grand Opening Ribbon Cuttings for Accurate Disposal, County Line Equestrian Center, El Rincon Fruteria, Moore Embroidery, Office Depot, Palm Valley Executive Suites, Pflugerville Motor Company, Simply Hearing & Marc Smith, DDS
Groundbreakings for Boozer Construction, COP Reservoir Project, & COP Western Gateway Project
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