Tyler, TX, is Busy, Busy, Busy

Tyler Chamber schedules dozens of networking events for its members.

By Kevin Litwin on June 14, 2023

Leadership Tyler

Henry Bell, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce president, says the chamber surveys its membership each year, asking what the No. 1 reason is for being a chamber member.

“By far, the top reason given is the networking opportunities that the chamber provides,” Bell says. “Every event that the chamber schedules will feature time for our members to visit and chat with one another.”

Bell says the chamber hosts several early-morning events, daytime events and evening events.

“One of our most popular activities is an early-morning breakfast we call Power Networking, which occurs four times a year,” he says. “After the members in attendance have breakfast, we do kind of a speed-dating rotation where everyone at a table gives a sales pitch for about 90 seconds, talking about their business.”

Bell says nine people are at every table, and there are three table rotations at each Power Networking event.

“Everybody ends up with about 20 to 25 business cards by the end of each breakfast session,” he says. “It’s a great way to start a business day.”

Mixers, Summits & Expos

Also scheduled about four times every year are Chamber Member Luncheons, which also give members the chance to network.

“Each luncheon also has a guest speaker,” Bell says. “We started this year with a January luncheon that included an economist who talked about 2023 economic outlook projections for the nation, the state and Tyler itself. About 700 chamber members were in attendance.”

Another popular get-together is a Business After Hours Mixer taking place on the fourth Thursday evening of every month. A different chamber member hosts each month, welcoming 100-150 members to their business for on-site networking.

“We also feature an Energy Summit in March, because energy is a large employer in Tyler and East Texas,” Bell says. “Members who attend the Energy Summit are usually specific to that topic.”

The chamber also hosts an annual golf tournament as well as a Business-to-Business Expo, where businesses reserve booths and then network to other businesses and the public in attendance. The Business-to-Business Expo is the chamber’s largest event and has occurred for the last 25 years.

Bell adds that there are also a couple of Senior Expos each year, with businesses showcasing their goods and services that make lives better for senior citizens.

“Those expos are daytime events so that many senior citizens can attend and learn about the things that can improve their health care and quality of life – Tyler is an ideal retirement community for seniors,” he says. “We are a busy chamber that plans numerous activities. I am the Tyler Area Chamber president, but I think a more accurate title would be president and event planner.”