Chamber’s Annual Report now online… The Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce has posted its 2006-2007 Annual Report on its Web site, www.tucsonchamber.org. Click here to learn more about the numerous projects that the Chamber worked on throughout the last year.

Safety Expo… The Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is participating in the SCF Safety Works Expo to be held Oct. 9 and 10 at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites. This Expo is one of many efforts that the chamber participates in to keep Tucson workers safe. We are now looking for safety vendors. If you are interested, please view the registration form.

MAC Golf Tournament a rousing success… Del Lago Golf Club was the location for the Third Annual Military Affairs Committee (MAC) Golf Tournament on June 15. Over 130 golfers participated in this annual fund raiser with the proceeds going to support the awards program of the MAC. Congratulations to Co-Chairmen Nancy Blythe and Kelly Pinksy, Golf Committee Chairman Robb Blythe and the hard working members of the MAC for their efforts on behalf of the Military and the Chamber.

State of Education plans have started… Chamber staff members Paula Stuht, Arlene Chiovetti and Cheryll Frazier met with Dr. Lyn Olsen and Cheryl House of Pima Community College to discuss the agenda for the upcoming State of Education event, planned for Oct. 3 of this year. Dr. Olsen has volunteered to moderate the roundtable effort and Dr. Linda Arzoumanian will be asked to be the Master of Ceremonies for the luncheon panel that will consist of Dr. Roy Flores, Dr. Robert Shelton, Mayor Bob Walkup and Dr. Susan Aldridge (University of Maryland President). The event will be held at the Tucson Convention Center. We are hoping for an even bigger crowd than usual so that the proceeds may continue to build the Tucson Center for Cultural Enrichment account, thereby allowing the Chamber to fund, and hopefully increase, our scholarships for the community’s high school youth.

Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)… The Hong Kong Trade Development Council, based in Los Angeles, met with the Business Development Division at the Chamber on June 8. HKTDC marketing manager Kelly Ma and business development officer Betty Young are developing a seminar on doing business with Hong Kong and China that will take place in Phoenix later in the year. The HKTDC’s will begin the process by learning more about the Tucson Chamber and introducing its programs and activities to the Chamber’s Business Development Division. HKTDC is Hong Kong’s official trade promotion organization responsible for promoting Hong Kong’s international trade with its counterparts worldwide through product publications, customized business matching services, trade exhibitions, business seminars and others. Kelly Ma is responsible for the Council’s marketing activities in the western U.S.

Literacy Volunteers of Tucson meets with Chamber staff… In keeping with the Chamber’s promise to the Town Hall initiative to become actively involved in the issue of adult literacy, Betty Stauffer, Diane Senders and Andy Davidson of Literacy Volunteers of Tucson (LVT) met with Paula Stuht, Cheri Cross and Jack Camper of the Chamber earlier this week to begin formulating plans. The Chamber has committed to help spread the word about the program’s existence, its website, www.lovetoread.org, and the opportunities the group offers. First and foremost, we want Chamber members to let their employees know that literacy problems need not hold them back from advancing in their careers; there is help. This organization is quite flexible and can assist people at different times and locations that best fit the students. Second, we want our members and their employees to know that Literacy Volunteers of Tucson (LVT) can always use new tutor volunteers. It’s a great way to help our community–one-on-one–one person at a time. In the coming months, the “Chamber News” will offer more specific information.