Our 13th interview in our 2020 ACCE Chamber of the Year Finalist Series is with Mike Neal and Justin McLaughlin from the Tulsa Regional Chamber in Oklahoma. In the interview the main areas that we covered were the highlights of their synopsis that were submitted with their Chamber of the Year application, what makes the Tulsa Regional Chamber stand out, their plans on how to lead through the recovery from COVID-19, and words of advice for other Chamber Champions to improve their own Chamber. The Tulsa Regional Chamber was the ACCE Chamber of the Year Winner in 2005, 2008, 2010, and a Finalist in 2018.
Mike and Justin worked as a tag team to cover the highlights from their Chamber of the Year synopsis. The first program they addressed was their Tribal Partnerships. In 2006 they started a 20 county regional economic development initiative that involved the 3 tribal nations in their region (Cherokee, Osage, and Muskogee nations). This initiative has resulted in 70,000 new jobs including a Macy’s distribution center. This program is also putting Tulsa on the map as they were being considered as a potential new site for a Tesla manufacturing facility.
The second program that they highlighted is their Mosaic Program to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their community. This came as a result from old Chamber minutes being donated from the time of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Right now, this is a sensitive subject around the country, but Tulsa is doing their best to mend the wounds of the past and to create a brighter future for everyone in the Tulsa region. If you are not familiar with the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, you can learn more on the American History Tellers Podcast.
When they talked about what makes the Tulsa Regional Chamber stand out, Mike said that they have processes in place for excellence. He mentioned that they really stand out by being the only Chamber with 4 accreditations. They have a 5 Star US Chamber accreditation, they are an accredited Economic Development Organization through IEDC, they are an accredited Destination Marketing Organization though Destinations International, and they have the only accredited City Film Commission by the Association of Film Commissioners International in the state of Oklahoma. In addition to these accreditations, they have a focus on becoming a collaboration machine.
The Tulsa Regional Chamber plans to lead through the recovery from the economic impact of COVID-19 by empowering businesses, advocating for relief, visibly lead, convene & connect, and they will work to secure funding. They acknowledge that things will be different for a while, but they will continue to lead.
As Mike and Justin shared advice for the Chamber Champions listening, Mike encourages everyone to engage with ACCE, your state/regional associations and to continue to invest in yourself and your organization through books, classes, and trainings. Justin added to this by mentioning the value of utilizing outside consultants for retreats and to focus on your strategy and your business.
If you would like to connect with Mike or Justin, they can be reached below:
Mike Neal:
Email: mikeneal@tulsachamber.com
Mobile: 918-409-1732
Justin McLaughlin:
Email: justinmclaughlin@tulsachamber.com
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