Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Year of Economic Triumphs and Community Growth in 2023

The Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce celebrated a successful year in 2023, highlighting various achievements and contributions to the city's economic development. Beth A. Bowman, President & CEO, expressed enthusiasm for the future in her reflection on the past year.

1. Economic Development Wins: The Chamber delivered 57 project wins for the City of Irving, including 17 corporate headquarters, 4,700 new and retained jobs, and over 2.2 million square feet in commercial space, resulting in $190 million in capital investments.

2. Retail Growth: Over 1,200 new retail businesses joined Irving-Las Colinas, averaging 23 additions per week.

3. Networking Events: More than 1,300 member-investors and prospective members participated in networking events organized by the Chamber.

4. Entrepreneurial Support: The Chamber's SCORE-sponsored program provided consultations to over 400 entrepreneurs, aiding in the establishment and growth of their businesses.

5. DEI Fellowship Program: The Chamber's successful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fellowship program supported emerging leaders from under-represented backgrounds through mentorship, professional development, and community project work.

6. Leadership Development: The Leadership Irving-Las Colinas program graduated 11 promising talents, encouraging them to assume leadership roles in business, nonprofits, and community organizations.

7. Job Fair Support: The Chamber's team supported the hospitality room at The North Texas Job Fair, assisting 350 companies offering 15,000 job openings for Irving-Las Colinas and North Texas residents.

8. HR Alliance: The Chamber initiated a quarterly HR Alliance, focusing on advancing HR practices and addressing business needs with creative workforce solutions.

9. Economic Development Funding: Ninety business leaders invested nearly $325,000 in funding economic development programs, allowing the Chamber to be more active in the recruitment process and support innovative programs like the Small Business Blitz.

10. International Affairs: The Chamber's International Affairs/Sister Cities team supported 150 international-based companies, facilitating trade delegations, diplomatic meetings, and foreign government leader visits.

11. Legislative Advocacy: The Chamber hosted a Legislative Send-Off and Irving Day in Austin, advocating for member-investor priorities during the 88th Texas Legislature.

12. Voter Education: The Chamber educated voters through the VoteForIrving.com website, providing information on voter registration, election dates, and candidates for local, state, and school district elections.

13. Signature Programs: Six signature programs, including the Annual Meeting, Legislative Send Off, State of the City, State of the County, Back-To-School Luncheon, and Best in Irving Awards, engaged over 2,000 attendees with an additional 3,200 participating in educational programs, networking, and training opportunities.

14. Social Media Growth: The Chamber added nearly 700 new social media followers, reaching a total audience of more than 61,500 through Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.

15. Strategic Plans: The Chamber successfully concluded the Powering Progress Strategic Plan and initiated the Forging Our Future plan, aiming to lead economic vitality by investing in Irving-Las Colinas' diverse businesses and workforce.