You are invited to officially begin the holiday season with your friends and business associates at this year’s Holiday Gala at the beautiful Isla Grand Beach Resort. Mark your calendar for Friday, December 2, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. This is a wonderful, as well as important event for our community, and is open to both members and non-members of the Chamber. The annual event benefits the Laguna Madre Education Foundation and the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce. The Foundation is a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization making contributions tax deductible. “The Agency” will be on hand to provide a variety of music for your dancing pleas-ure, and attendees will enjoy a wonderful sit-down dinner. Cock-tails, dinner and dancing, as well as the silent auction will take place in the Grand Ball Room. A photographer will be on hand to capture the special evening for you and your guests. For more infor-mation please contact the SPI Chamber at 956.761.4412 or info@spichamber.com

Holiday Gala “Jingle Bell Rock”B

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EVolume 1, Issue 1

November 2011

V OLU ME 1, ISS UE 1

SPI Chamber members, Islanders and Port Isabel Ambassadors gathered to celebrate the Grand Open-ing of the Namar Event Center. Namar Event Cen-ter is your premier event planning venue located at the Shores on the north end of South Padre Island. Namar Event Center has 3000 sq ft. of space for weddings, social gatherings, business or corporate meetings, quinceaneras, reunions and more. It fea-tures plenty of convenient parking and all the available amenities to make your event a success. Located at 8505 Padre Blvd., 956.761.2350

South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce Islanders and members joined together on October 18th to wel-come Laguna BOB. Laguna BOB is a great place to enjoy the beautiful Laguna Madre. Take in a breath-taking sunset while enjoying a cocktail, or spend the afternoon watching the activity on the bay. Along with lunch or dinner, Laguna BOB offers drinks and great food along with a friendly atmosphere. Located bay-side at 2401 Laguna Blvd., 956.433.5499

South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce Islanders and members joined together to welcome S.O.S at their new location. They are located at 3500 Padre Blvd., Ste. A. S.O.S. offers professional shipping and packaging services for Island businesses and resi-dents as well as visitors. S.O.S. is a full service postal and shipping facility featuring personal mailbox rentals, FedEx, Lone Star and UPS shipping services. They also offer computer repair, gift wrapping, greeting cards, internet access, keys made, eBay listings and custom crating. Stop by today for all your shipping needs or call them at 956.772.9700.

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Namar Event Center

Ribbon Cuttings & Mixers—Laguna BOB

S.O.S (Shipping’s Our Specialty)

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Member Spotlight

V OLU ME 1, ISS UE 1 Page 3

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The South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Meeting at the Sea Ranch Restaurant on October 20th, 2011. Attendees were welcomed and given an overview of the years’ activities. Darrell Mangham, Chairman of the Board, briefly reflected on the past year. Volunteers are the backbone of the Chamber and recognition was given to these very important members. Committee Chairs were recognized for their contributions and New Board Members were introduced.

JoAnn Evans received the Directors’ Award for her many years of involvement with the Chamber and our community.The Chamber Kukui Award is presented to individuals who display strong leadership qualities and have provided guid-ance contributing to the Chamber. Tim O’Leary, American Diving, was awarded the Kukui for his commitment to the Chamber by being an advocate of business and his long time involvement in the business community. The Ambassa-dors’ Award went to Bobby Vanzant, Central Texas Concealed, who by word and action, promotes the benefits of Chamber membership throughout the business community and is a proponent for business growth and development. The Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport was awarded the Community Partner Award which is given to a business member for their extraordinary, sincere and long standing financial support of the Chamber. The RGV Walk of Fame nomination went to Dave Friedman.

If you would like a copy of the 2010-2011 Annual Report, it is available at the Chamber office.

South Padre Island Chamber Hosts Annual Meeting

V OLU ME 1, ISS UE 1Page 4

Bobby VanzantAmbassadors’ Award

Michael Jones andBrownsville SPI Int’l. AirportCommunity Partner Award

Tim O’Leary Nominating Committee Chair

Tim O’LearyKukui Award

Darrell ManghamOutgoing Chairman of the Board

Javier Ch. Garza Leadership Laguna Madre Chair and

SPICE Chili Cook–Off Chair

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Annual Meeting

Bob Friedman Awards Committee Chair

Courtney HaydenBusiness Services Committee Chair

Jody HughesIslanders Committee Chair

Cynthia SellersLaguna Madre Education Foundation

and Education ChairBob Fudge

Government Affairs Committee Chair

Jimmy HawkinsonGo Fish! Surf Fishing Contest Chair

Guy BlatnikLadies Kingfish Tourn. Chair

Dan QuandtBylaws Committee Chair

Darrell ManghamIsl. Enhancement Committee Chair

V OLU ME 1, ISS UE 1

activity. At the time of the Island’s EDC inception, the population pre-vented it from qualifying for a Type B, but that is no longer the case. According to the recent survey, citi-zens would like to see more parks and recreational amenities on the Island. There will be an election on November 8, 2011 to give voters the option to change our EDC to a Type B.

The South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee hosted “Coffee and Conversation” with the SPI Eco-nomic Development Corporation Director, Darla Lapeyre. Lapeyre discussed the upcoming EDC Type B Election. The South Padre Island EDC is currently a Type A. Type A EDC’s are more traditional eco-nomic development organizations for manufacturing and industrial

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New Members

“Coffee & Conversation”

Caption describing picture or graphic.

Island Native, Inc.Kerry Schwartz700 Padre Blvd., #ASPI, TX 78597956.772.7100www.islandnative.com

Island Native Surf Shop supports the local surf scene and is an avid sponsor of up and coming talents. Whether buying or renting, Island Native takes great pride in cus-tomer service. Island Native is your one stop shop – from instruction and surfing equipment to skateboards and bikes. Island Native also carries an extensive line of clothing and shoes for your entire family.

Friendly SecurityJoby Gray721 North Shore Dr.Port Isabel, TX 78578956.943.8300www.friendlysecurity.com

Friendly Security is a local full service security systems company offering the latest in technology, monitored burglar alarm systems, surveillance, and service. They have been in business for more than 18 years, so call today to learn more about securing your property.

Member Renewals

Alliance Abroad Group

Beach Weddings by Sammie Kaye, LLC

Bert Whisenant Insurance

Coastal Contractors

Coastal Current Weekly/Island Breeze

Danny B Fishing Charters

HNTB

James Barrett

Jody Hughes

Kantack Alcantara Law Office,P.C.

Mary Kumpe

Motel 6

Rental World, LLC

Saint Joseph Academy

South Padre Island Board of Realtors

South Padre Motel, Inc.

Surfrider Foundation South Texas Chapter

Tropical Realty & Rentals

United States Coast Guard

Kantack Alcantara Law Office

Laguna BOB

Louie’s Backyard

Marcello’s Italian Restaurant & Lighthouse Pub

K’s Jewelry and Beads

Osprey Fishing Trips/Black Dragon

PadreRitaVille

Paradise Towing & Wrecker Service

Pier 19

:

American Diving

Breakaway Cruises

Central Texas Concealed

Clayton’s Resort/Beach Bar & Grill

Danny B Fishing Charters

Dolphin Docks

Fudge Consulting, PLLC

Furcron Realtors

Gladys Porter Zoo

Hilton Garden Inn - The Great American Grill

Pirate’s Landing

Premier Laser & Aesthetics

Quik Stop

Shrimp Haus

Sea Ranch Restaurant

Ship Shape

SPI Birding & Nature Center

South Shore Automotive

Southern Wave Sailing Charters

The Lost Galleon

Windchasers

2011- 2012 Winter Coupon participants

The South Padre Island Govern-

ment Affairs Committee hosted the

City of SPI Environmental Health

Services Dept. to discuss the Plas-

tic Bag Ban Ordinance which will go

into effect on January 1, 2012.

Victor Baldovinos briefly outlined

the details of the ordinance and

fielded questions from Island busi-

ness owners and managers. You

can find a copy of the ordinance on

the city’s website: www.myspi.org or

the Chamber office can email you a

copy.

“Coffee & Conversation”