The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce (GEDCC) will host its 19^th  Annual Economic Summit on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 8:30am to 11:30am at the Lakewood Country Club (1912 Abrams Road, Dallas, TX 75214). CC Young is this year’s Presenting Sponsor. 

The Chamber is thrilled to announce that this year’s Keynote Speaker will be the heralded sports stadium architect and Oak Cliff native Bryan Trubey of Overland Partners. Bryan is known for designing some of the world’s most memorable, recognizable, and critically acclaimed sports and entertainment facilities. The former HKS architect known is now working with Overland Partners to redesign Fair Park and uplift its surrounding neighborhoods. 

He launched his sports career 30 years ago as the lead designer for the National Stadium in Hong Kong, and since has elevated the power of what sports facilities can be – from the fan experience to creative revenue streams to enhancing player performance. He most recently completed the celebrated SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles! 

Bryan’s projects and contributions to the sports and entertainment industries have garnered national and international media attention including NBC, CBS, ABC, ESPN, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Forbes, and Wired. In 2016, Bryan was named to the 50 Most Influential by Sports Business Journal. 

The 2023 Economic Summit Chair is René Barrera with Ebby Halliday REALTORS. Barrera says: “The East Dallas Chamber of Commerce is once again pleased to bring quality speakers and programs to the community and this year’s line-up is no exception. Join us for a wonderful morning of networking and community engagement.” 

Combining the East Dallas community’s dedication to education, growth, the work force and development, this year’s Economic Summit will center around the theme “Building a Better East Dallas.”  

The program will also feature East Dallas City Council members and perennial favorite featured speaker, Steve Brown, Real Estate Editor of The Dallas Morning News, on topics surrounding the economic vitality of the Greater East Dallas community and this year’s theme.   

The Chamber’s annual Economic Report will be distributed to attendees at the event. It provides an economic development update for East Dallas Business members including an overview of major commercial and residential projects, a Quality of Life section highlighting what makes East Dallas a great place to live and for companies to do business (schools, healthcare, culture and recreation); and a directory of Chamber members at time of printing. 

Additional Sponsors at print date include:

Advocate – Media Sponsor

Veritex Community Bank – Silver Sponsor

Doors open at 8:30am, and the program begins promptly at 9:00am. The morning will include a seated breakfast, followed by speaker introductions and Q&A sessions. Throughout the summit, participants will hear from event sponsors and have the opportunity to network with East Dallas professionals. 

Sponsorship levels ranging from $1,500, $2,500, and $5,000 and Host Tables $500.   

To secure sponsorships online, visit http://www.eastdallaschamber.com, call 214-649-1773, or e-mail president@eastdallaschamber.com. 

Advance sales of individual tickets are $65 and can be purchased online at www.eastdallaschamber.com or by calling 214-649-1773. Checks should be mailed to GEDCC at 9543 Losa Drive, Suite 118 – Dallas, TX 75218.  

For more information about this year’s event, please call 214-649-1773 or visit Economic Summit.

About the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber, comprised of East Dallas community leaders and advocates. The purpose of the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce is to promote the cultural, educational and industrial interests of the East Dallas Area so that its businesses, neighborhoods and citizens shall prosper. 

The multifaceted approach of the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce provides benefits to our members in a variety of different arenas. We offer a number of forums for the promotion of all of our member businesses. We are also proud to provide our members with relevant information regarding the East Dallas community, as well as insight into local, state and national government issues. The events that provide a conduit for these benefits, and others, include our monthly luncheons that highlight a variety of topics addressed by featured keynote speakers. We also present an annual Economic Summit - essentially a "state of the union" with respect to the Dallas Economy. Member businesses and guests are encouraged to gather and exchange information through our numerous networking events, especially our Business After Hours excursions, which are hosted by a spotlighted member business. Sponsorship opportunities abound for these events, as well as for many of our other Chamber gatherings. For more information, please contact the Chamber directly.

2023 GEDCC Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Karen Hettrick, Chair

Dr. Chuck Kobdish, Vice Chair I

Rheanna Avila, Vice Chair II

Patty Sullivan, Secretary

Mark Rounds, Treasurer

Brent Turman, Legal Counsel

Brad Grist, Immediate Past Chair

Deborah Brown, Executive Staff

Board Members

René Barrera, John Botefuhr, Jenny Capritta, Megan Dennen, Darlene Ellison, Marty Ezelle, Diana Hamilton, Kelly Harris, Nakita Johnson, The Honorable Dan Micciche, Steve Moore, Jason Myers, Stephanie Muckleroy, Mike Nurre, Roger Perry, Laura Porting, Mark Ramsey, Jesse Simmons, Thomas Zepeda. 

The 2023 GEDCC Advisory Board Members Include: Brian Bessner, Susan Falvo, MaryBeth Shapiro, and Fred Welsh. 

For more information about GEDCC, visit http://eastdallaschamber.com or contact 214-649-1773 or president@eastdallaschamber.com

GEDCC Blog / News: http://www.eastdallaschamber.com/chamber-blog 

Find the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce on Social Media:

Facebook - GEDCC: https://www.facebook.com/GEDallasChamber/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GEDallasChamber; @GEDallasChamber

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastdallaschamber/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/27217958/

Mark your calendars for a night of music and dancing on Saturday, January 27, 2024, as the Junior Symphony Ball takes over the iconic Gilley's Dallas for an evening of fun and entertainment. Full details will be unveiled in the weeks to come. 

The lineup of the 2024 Co-Chairs represents schools across Dallas: Jenny Lichty, Episcopal School of Dallas; James Sutherland, St. Mark's School of Texas; Kate Fagan, The Hockaday School; Cash Nix, Highland Park High School; Ela Austin, Ursuline Academy; Ashton Krug, Jesuit College Prep of Dallas; Adelaide Boisture, Parish Episcopal School; Baker Trent, Bishop Lynch High School; Caroline Woram, Highland Park High School. 

Their supportive and proud moms are: Suzanne Austin, Jenny Lichty, Ashley Boisture, Jonika Nix, Dana Woram, Holly Krug, Lauren Sutherland, Aimee Fagan, and Katy Trent. 

The JSB is the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League's longest running fundraiser now in its 66^th year. It is a student-led event that unites high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors for a night filled with live music, dance, gaming tables, exciting raffle prizes, and refreshments. Funds raised benefit education and community engagement programs of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.  

www.dallassymphonyporchestraleague.com

Photo by Jenny Watts

Key to Photo

Left to right: Jenny Lichty, Episcopal School of Dallas; James Sutherland, St. Mark's School of Texas; Kate Fagan, The Hockaday School; Cash Nix, Highland Park High School; Ela Austin, Ursuline Academy; Ashton Krug, Jesuit College Prep of Dallas; Adelaide Boisture, Parish Episcopal School; Baker Trent, Bishop Lynch High School; Caroline Woram, Highland Park High School.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Debutantes and Honor Guard proudly partnered with the Prestonwood Polo Club for an evening of polo matches, dinner and drinks and halftime activities. The annual Honor Guard Polo Cup was held at the Prestonwood Polo Club in Oak Point on June 24. The Debutantes, Honor Guard, and their families viewed the polo games from the pavilion, with many wearing their best derby hats. 

The Debutantes participated in the traditional divot stomp. Divot stomping is a long-standing tradition where spectators converge on the field to stomp down the turf that has been torn up by the ponies' hooves. Attendees gathered on the field for a glass of Champagne, photo opportunities with players and horses, and meet club owner, Vaughn Miller.

Miller is the son of Tincy Miller who founded the Presentation Ball in 1987. He was among the first group of Honor Guards in the inaugural year. His family continues the tradition of support for the Presentation Ball. Daughter Gigi made her debut this year and sons Vance Miller, III and Vaughn Miller, Jr. served as Honor Guards. The Presentation Ball is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL and over $15 million has been raised for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through the annual event,    

“We are so grateful to Dena and Vaughn Miller, Vaughn Miller, Jr., Vance and Gigi for their incredible Prestonwood Polo Club venue,“ said Presentation Ball chair Kristin Cordiak. “The Honor Guard Polo Cup evening was exciting with the horses, players, champagne divot stomp - all fabulous fun!!”

The evening was one of the season events for the debutantes which culminate with the 38th Presentation Ball, to be held on February 10, 2024. 

“This Presentation Season is filled with fun events like The Polo Cup, and we have the added focus of bringing music education to our community through the DSO Education and Outreach Programs,” said DSOL President Nancy Labadie. “Keep watching for what is up next for this amazing group of young women.

Founded in 1946, the DSOL's mission is to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through service, education and fundraising activities. Since 1998 the League has contributed over $22 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association’s Community Outreach and Education programs, which help bring the wonder of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to thousands of youths and adults in the Dallas Metroplex.

Photos by James French

The highly anticipated 65^th annual Junior Symphony Ball was sold out weeks before the event. 2,600 high school students from 35 schools attended the fundraiser on Saturday, February 4 at Gilley’s. With 600 Steering Committee members and 2000 individual students, it was the largest event to date.

The total dollars were tallied, and a tremendous sum has been raised by the students. On behalf of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, a gigantic, oversized check in the amount of $415,000 was presented to Kim Noltemy, Ross Perot President and CEO of the Dallas Symphony Association.

“The co-chairs did an outstanding job to ensure the success of this year's event,” said Courtney Plumlee, proud mom of co-chair Alexa Plumlee. “Most importantly, they helped educate their peers that JSB is "A Purpose with A Party."  The proceeds have a significant role providing arts education programs and instruments to many local students in our community.”   

The JSB’s “Purpose with a Party” was a student-led fundraiser which brought together high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to celebrate an evening filled with live music featuring Drake Milligan and DJ Souljah, dancing, professionally staffed gaming tables, raffles, prizes and refreshments – and a mechanical bull.

The 2023 co-chairs who worked tirelessly planning and organizing the party were Will Searcy, Episcopal School of Dallas;  Mary Ellen Schoellkopf, Highland Park High School, Sydney Hoyl, Hockaday, Dylan Gibbons, Jesuit, Alexa Plumlee Parish Episcopal, Bowden Slates, St. Mark’s of Texas; and Alexandra Paredes, Ursuline Academy.

Proud parents are Kristi and Ron Hoyl, Courtney and Mike Plumlee, Amanda and Thomas Paredes, Ginny and Conner Searcy, Karen and Allen Schoellkopf, Karen and Christopher Gibbons, and Paige and John Slates.

Participating high schools include Alcuin School, Bishop Lynch, Booker T. Washington,  Cambridge, Cistercian, Episcopal School of Dallas, Greenhill, Highland Park, Hillcrest, Hockaday, Jesuit, John Paul II, Lake Highlands , Parish Episcopal, Shelton, St. Mark’s of Texas, Ursuline Academy, Woodrow Wilson, Lakehill Preparatory School, Bishop Dunne, Convenant, Prestonwood, and Trinity Christian Academy.

Event sponsors were Trive Capital, Stonelake Capital, Platinum Homes by Mark Molthan, Sewell, Ben E. Keith Company, Hilltop Holdings, Highland Park Village, Gilley’s Dallas, Luke’s Fastbreaks, Mister Tuxedo and Haynsworth Classic American Portraiture.

The JSB is the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League’s longest running fundraiser. It was founded with the concept of “student-led, parent-guided” leadership. While JSB has evolved in scope and participation size, it has always been a high school student fundraising event for the DSO hosted by area 10^th-12^th grade high school students and their parents. JSB has grown over the decades from just a handful of participating schools to over 35 this year. 

Photo by Courtney Plumlee

Drink specials offered with Passport from June 1 through August 31

The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce is inviting the Dallas community to embark on a thrilling new adventure this summer with the release of its East Dallas Cocktail Tour Passport, a newly launched program that allows the public to explore the most vibrant cocktail scene in East Dallas. This program, which runs from June 1 through August 31, allows individuals to purchase a Passport for only $20. The East Dallas Cocktail Tour is a self-guided tour and offers a diverse range of drink specials and pricing. From margaritas to martinis, there is something for everyone. The Passport is valued at $100 and allows access to 10 of the best East Dallas restaurants for exclusive cocktail promotions. East Dallas Cocktail Tour is sponsored by Jesse Benavides with Nuwave Lending. 

Passports can be ordered at www.eastdallaschamber.com/cocktailtour.

Passport pick up and launch party is scheduled for Wednesday, May 31. It will be held from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. at the Chamber’s office located at 9543 Losa Drive. Food and margaritas will be catered by Mixtito’s Kitchen.

For additional pick-up and delivery options, please visit the Chamber’s website or email Deborah Brown: deborah@eastdallaschamber.com

The tour is the brainchild of the Live Local East Dallas (LLED) committee of the Chamber. 

“We want to help promote local businesses in the East Dallas area,” said Mark Ramsey, chairman of the committee. “We know Dallas restaurant traffic slows in the summer months when so many Dallasites leave for vacation. This fun program allows people to experience the unique East Dallas scene while supporting our local restaurants.” 

With an East Dallas Cocktail Tour Passport, people have the opportunity to indulge in amazing drink specials, explore innovative dining menus, and support local businesses. This initiative is an excellent opportunity to experience the diversity and spirit of East Dallas while also promoting the growth of local businesses. 

To take part in this self-guided tour, Passports can be purchased on the East Dallas Chamber's website. Beginning June 1, guests can begin redeeming the Passport benefits. The first three patrons who complete the East Dallas Cocktail Tour, receiving stamps from every participating restaurant, will be awarded a prize. With an East Dallas Cocktail Tour Passport in hand, patrons can sip and taste their way through the summer, all while enjoying eclectic energy that makes the East Dallas community so special. 

Participating restaurants include:

Ascension Coffee - White Rock - 9353 Garland Rd.

BarNone - 718 N. Buckner Blvd #100

El Vecino Tex Mex - 718 N. Buckner Blvd.

Good Friend Beer Garden and Burger House - 1154 Peavy Rd.

Lake House Bar and Grill - 7510 E. Northwest Hwy.;

Maya’s Modern Mediterranean - 9540 Garland Rd., Suite C362;

Mixtitos Kitchen - 2706 Samuell Blvd.

Momo Italian Kitchen – Lake Highlands - 8989 Forest Ln., #130

Palmers Hot Chicken - 6465 E. Mockingbird Ln., #316

White Rock Ale House - 7331 Gaston Ave., #100; 

About the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce

The purpose of the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce is to promote the cultural, educational and industrial interests of the East Dallas Area so that its businesses, neighborhoods and citizens shall prosper.

The multifaceted approach of the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce provides benefits to its members in a variety of different arenas. A number of forums are offered for the promotion of all of member businesses. The Chamber is also proud to provide its members with relevant information regarding the East Dallas community, as well as insight into local, state and national government issues. The events that provide a conduit for these benefits, and others, include monthly luncheons highlighting a variety of topics addressed by featured keynote speakers and an annual Economic Summit - essentially a "state of the union" with respect to the Dallas Economy. Member businesses and guests are encouraged to gather and exchange information through numerous networking events, especially Business After Hours events. Sponsorship opportunities abound for these events, as well as for many other Chamber gatherings. For more information, please contact the Chamber directly. 

For more information about GEDCC, visit http://eastdallaschamber.com or contact 214-649-1773

or president@eastdallaschamber.com

GEDCC Blog / News:   http://www.eastdallaschamber.com/chamber-blog

Find the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce on Social Media:

Facebook - GEDCC: https://www.facebook.com/GEDallasChamber/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GEDallasChamber; @GEDallasChamber

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastdallaschamber/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/27217958/