By Karen Wages
Sara Powell is on vacation so We decided that I should write this week.
This is one thing that I am passionate about staying connected. I am glad that Sara is also good at connecting with the people of our area with e-mails, social media, text casting, blogs and most recently podcast.
If you know me very well then you know I always have something to say, especially about the Chamber, Poteau and LeFlore County.
This is something that we as leaders need to take time and do a few times now and then.
As leaders we tend sometimes to get so tied up with day to day details that we forget the smaller stuff or give the task to a staff person or ad agency. Thirteen years being in this profession I often reflect how we did things in the beginning and how we do things now. Things haven’t changed much except for a few things that I think that are going away that is very critical to the success of business today.
The communication line is becoming a one-way street that we send an e-mail to someone then assume they received, opened or even read it. The one- way street sometime never returns with the communication lost in the spam, cyberspace world. I still stand by how I started following up with a phone call or a face to face short visit. We are sometimes surrounded by so much paperwork while we are preparing for events, but one thing that is foremost in our minds daily that we never forget to make that strong connection we are still in the people work.
One thing about Poteau Chamber is our great staff can pick up the pace, step in to complete any project or event that we decide to embark upon for the benefit of our City and area.
We are constantly in promotional and recruitment mode looking for things that can bring visitors to our area and things that can improve the quality of life for those that live and do business.
One thing that I have said many times is; “Poteau is one of the best small cities in Oklahoma” and is surrounded by great communities and regional partners. Our association as the chamber allows us to meet so many people helping those that come through our door or contact us. We are very pleased to be all things to the community such as the voice for tourism, events, economic development and many civic organizations and businesses in the region.
We host many events but also help with non-related chamber events and issues concerning the area lending advice and sharing resources and manpower. We continue to be the sounding board to visitors, businesses and organizations.
With the population of the county we represent over 50,000 people that sets a high standard around the state. Recently there have been some closures and some setbacks and as one of the leaders of the city I can’t stop here without saying we are not dying at any means. We are a very active, progressive and synergistic city and county with progress plans being made as this was printed.
Our citizens should just hold on for the ride and be very proactive and positive that our leaders are out there working and making plans for even greater things in the area. I know we live in a microwave, high speed time but economic progress does not happen in 60 seconds or less. As I have stated also many different times you don’t know who is here looking before we are even contacted. Just last week we received a new member that has been watching us for 8 months.
A video was filmed by a professional cyclist on cavanal, in the mountains and at our skate park and released on YouTube.
We also have many businesspeople and possible new residents that watch our Facebook post looking to re-locate and my own personal page as well. So, friends let’s keep it positive and “above the ordinary” and good things will come to those that never give up. Winning begins on the inside and here are just a few good things coming our way. Poteau is a very sustainable community that continues to move forward.
September 12-14 The Oklahoma Motorcycle Rally “Rumble in The Mountains” scheduled with over 600 people here for 3 days, a car show, BBQ cookoff, 1/2 marathon, a regional special event tournament, a balloon fest, a firefighters competition, Main Street event, a circus, many events at the Donald W. Reynolds Center, A Veterans Street Banner Project, parades, homes are being built, property being sold for future development, we have a large number of retail stores and restaurants and much more.
How does this happen? The people of this city never give up.
Keep the positive energy flowing and it will be most contagious and magnetic.
If you have questions or suggestions feel free to contact me at the Chamber Office.
We are here for you! #finditinpoteau #positvleypoteau
Karen Wages, CEO
Poteau Chamber of Commerce
918-647-9178
Poteauchamber @windstream.net
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