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No wonder we’re all tired!

July 13, 2018

110 years is a really long time. Think about the world (and our great city) as it was all the way back in 1908.

Teddy Roosevelt was our nation’s president. In November of that year, William Howard Taft was elected to succeed Roosevelt in the White House.

Times Square saw the very first New Year’s Eve ball drop. Chuck Taylor (Converse) basketball shoes made their debut. The forty-sixth star was added to the U.S. flag, representing the state of Oklahoma. Harvard Business School was established. Mother’s Day was observed for the first time. General Motors was born. Henry Ford produced the first Model T.

And perhaps most importantly – the Abilene Chamber of Commerce was born. Folks, we’ve been together for over a century – working together to make a great community even better – and the best place for business on the planet.

If you’re a student of local history, you no doubt know of the progress made over the last century. An afternoon with Jay Moore’s popular video series will enlighten you to the amazing transformation of Abilene, Texas. And it will share the stories of those leaders who made it happen.

The Abilene Chamber of Commerce has been a part of that leadership, that progress and that transformation. And this year, we celebrate 110 years of progress and the tireless men and women who have been a part of it all. We’ll also thank Chamber Chairman Scott Hibbs (Enprotec / Hibbs & Todd, Inc. (eHT)) for his outstanding leadership.

And when I say “celebrate,” I do mean celebrate.

On September 20 at the Abilene Convention Center, the Chamber will conduct its 110th annual meeting sponsored by First Financial Bank. More than 800 people will come together to recognize the achievements, business owners and leaders of the Chamber.

We’ll bestow several awards, as we always do – you won’t want to miss it. No long, drawn out speakers. A lot of fun. “Western Chic” attire. And get this – Texas’ own Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel will perform, thanks to Rentech Boiler Systems.

Folks, this one will be a doozy. Make sure you plan for an evening out – find someone to watch the kids – and let us know if you’re able to join us and nearly 1,000 of your closest friends and business associates. This event will sell out, and I know many of our members are looking forward to it.

September 20, 2018 will go down in history as the date the Abilene business community took a few hours to catch its breath as we prepare for the next 110 years of progress and leadership through the Abilene Chamber of Commerce.

I want to acknowledge and express our deep gratitude to the two co-chairs of this year’s Celebration: Sharon Riley (Sharon Riley Restaurants) and Alex Terrell Russell (Oddly Natural). Click here to meet the sponsors and leaders who are working alongside Sharon and Alex to make this year’s Annual Meeting one that will long be remembered.

And if you think about it next time we cross paths, let me know a good place to get my boots shined. It’s going to be one of those nights – celebrating Abilene, Texas: the amazing West Texas city without an “off” switch.

Onward!

Doug

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