The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce (GEDCC) will host its 18^th  Annual Economic Summit on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 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, comprised of East Dallas community leaders and advocates, is thrilled to announce that this year’s Keynote Speaker will be the Co-Founder of Hari Mari  – Lila Stewart. Bringing years of business experience and dedication to her company and giving back to the community, Lila will focus her discussion on her background, her career, and the growth of the Hari Mari flipflops brand and flagship brick and mortar store located at 3213 Knox Street. Stewarts says: "We live, work, and have built our company in East Dallas and Hari Mari is what it is today, in part, due to the incredible support we've had from such a special community. As such, I'm thrilled to be joining my fellow friends, colleagues, and change makers of our community at this year's Economic Summit." 

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 “Flip Your Script: Finding Opportunity and Adventure Everywhere.” 

Hear from 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.   

Additional Sponsors at print date include:

Atmos Energy – Platinum Sponsor

Veritex Community Bank – Silver Sponsor

White Rock Medical Center – Silver Sponsor

Advocate – Media 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. 

The 2022 Economic Summit Chair is Karen Hettrick with Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty.  Says Hettrick: “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.” 

Sponsorship Levels range from $1,500, $2,500, and $5,000. Host Tables are $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 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.

2022 GEDCC Board Members

Brad Grist, Chair

Karen Hettrick, Vice Chair I

Mark Ramsey, Vice Chair II

Tammy Oliver, Secretary

Mark Rounds, Treasurer

Ross Williams, Legal Counsel

Steve Moore, Immediate Past Chair

Deborah Brown, Executive Staff

Rheanna Avila, John Botefuhr, Jenny Capritta, Megan Dennen, Darlene Ellison, Marty Ezelle, Jonathan Fredi, Diana Hamilton, Kelly Harris, Nakita Johnson, Dr. Chuck Kobdish, Shawn Lovelady, Jason Myers, Stephanie Muckleroy, Mike Nurre, Roger Perry, Jesse Simmons, Nathan Smithson, Patty Sullivan, Fred Welsh 

The GEDCC Advisory Board Members Include: Brian Bessner, Susan Falvo, MaryBeth Shapiro 

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/

About Keynote Speaker, Lila Stewart

Lila Stewart, a native Dallasite and mom of two, is the Co-Founder of Hari Mari, which began 2012 with the simple mission of making comfortable, premium sandals & footwear for men, women, and children. Lila's expertise and experience in Wholesale, Public Relations, Retail, and Sales Management has helped place Hari Mari in over 1,000 retail locations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Bahamas. But her true passion is the brand's philanthropy - Hari Mari donates 1% of sales to help children and families battling pediatric cancer. It's called #FlopsFighting Cancer.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League was extremely proud to close the 2021-2022 fiscal year with a monumental gift to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. DSOL President Venise Stuart presented a check to DSO Ross Perot President and CEO Kim Noltemy in the amount of $1,650,000. It is the most significant amount that has been given in a single year from the organization in its 76 year history.

It was the result of each of the member and music sponsor’s participation and gifts of time, talent and treasure.  

“The members of the DSOL made everything possible. I thank them for their talents and support,” said Venise. “With a membership of over 1,100, this is how it happens. Coming together and working for the success of the organization to keep our mission and purpose forefront.”

Each of the 2021-2022 events produced a profit over budget allowing the gift to impact even more young lives through the gift of music. Activities ranged from Board retreats, to Meetings, to Fashion Notes to Teas and Young People’s Concerts; From Presentation Ball Debutante parties to Sponsorships and much underwriting; Noteworthy Nights to TASO to Savor the Symphony to AMSOV.

Funds raised will benefit the education and outreach programs of the DSO including Young Strings, Kim Noltemy Young Musicians, and the Cecil and Ida Green Youth Concerts.

About the DSOL
Founded in 1946, the mission of the DSOL is to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through service, education and fundraising activities. Since 1998 the League has contributed over $21 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.

Photo by Deborah Brown

The most significant thing about food is it unites people. The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce is proud to present a panel discussion with individuals who continue to contribute to the vibrancy that characterizes the East Dallas food scene, by staying true to their brand and to their community. These individuals find common ground across cultures through food accessible to our community, providing a way for people from all walks of life to come together. This program and panel discussion will shine a light on the culinary scene and how it creates a strong sense of community. 

The panel discussion will feature: 

• Corey Mobley – Executive Director, Texas Restaurant Association, North Texas Region
• Brian Reinhart – Dining Critic, D Magazine
• Casey Cutler - Executive Director of Good Local Markets
• John McBride - Owner/El Vecino Tex Mex

The program will be held on Tuesday, June 21 at BarNone, 718 N. Buckner Blvd. in Lake Highlands. Check-in and networking begins at 11:30 a.m. and the program and luncheon will begin at 12:00 noon. Seating is limited. Cost is $40 for members and $45 for non-members, lunch included. Reservations can be made online at www.greatereastdallaschamber.com. For information: president@eastdallaschamber.com or 214-328-4100. 

The event is hosted by members of the Chamber’s Live Local East Dallas Committee. 

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League was excited to host its annual Savor the Symphony on April 21 at The Ritz-Carlton.

The event was made possible by Presenting Sponsor SIDLEY. Angela Fontana and Penny Reid were the event chairs and Venise Stuart is the DSOL President. 

The elegant night began at 6:30 with a cocktail reception and silent auction for the guests to have the opportunity to bid on individual bottles of wine and other items, preview the live auction packages and to purchase wine through the Wine Pull. Guests were seated at 7:15 p.m. for a lavish three-course wine-paired dinner.

The guest speaker was Dr. Ron Sanchez, the owner of Domaine Verdant vineyard in Yamhill-Carleton AVA, Oregon known for pinot noirs. A brief musical performance was presented by DSO violinist Sasha Adkins and cellist Nan Zhang and a live auction followed.  

The proceeds from the evening will benefit the Dallas Symphony Association and its education and community outreach programs. Some of the quality outreach programs the League supports are Young Musicians, Young Strings and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Youth Concert Series. These programs impact over 35,000 area students and are vital as they promote brain development and increased high school graduation rates, and open the door to a brighter future with more opportunities for the program participants.

Photos by Jeff Smith

Lakewood neighbors and local businesses gathered for the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural event Building Blocks held on April 20 at Caddo Office Reimagined.

Nearly 200 guests attended the family-friendly evening which was free and open to the public with food, drinks, door prizes and wares from local vendors. Local businesses had displays and special offers for attendees. Adult beverages were provided by Times Ten Cellars and White Rock Alehouse along with food samplings from CAVA, DELEON PROVISIONS, Scalini’s Pizza, and BarNone, among others. DJ Deluxe Mark Ridlen played rocking tunes providing a festive atmosphere for the evening. Local businesses included Lantana Studios Photography, Chisholm Trail Financial Group, Fold Studios, Charlie's Treats - Kid Made, Kid Owned, Mood Virtual Contractors, Free My Music, Adams Keegan-Payroll, Benefits, Advisory; IHC Specialty Benefits, Lakewood Dental Studio, Juliette Fowler Communities, Life in the Hills, SleepCreme, and White Rock Lake Weekly.

Mark Ramsey, chair for the event, leads the Chamber’s Live Local East Dallas committee which works on projects such as this to event to support local small business owners. This was the first of several of these planned for different areas of East Dallas.

“I had several people tell me that this was one of the best events that they've been to in a long time,” said Chamber Chairman Brad Grist. “Several more indicated that it was events like this that were why they joined the East Dallas Chamber.”

For information about the Chamber visit www.eastdallaschamber.com.