LegacyTexas Executive Vice President Chuck Eikenberg and Plano Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jamee Jolly stand in front of LegacyTexas’ main office on Legacy Circle.[/caption]The Plano Chamber of Commerce is moving from 1200 E. 15th St. in downtown Plano to the second floor of LegacyTexas Bank’s branch at 5400 Independence Parkway, Plano, this month. The new location is set to open Aug. 24
“LegacyTexas has a long history with the Plano chamber, so it was a natural fit to partner with them in opening the new LegacyTexas Business Center. It represents our shared commitment to the Plano community and support of local business,” LegacyTexas Executive Vice President Chuck Eikenberg said.
The bank, which joined the chamber in 1970, is also partnering with the chamber to provide additional meeting space in the new office for local businesses.
The move and partnership come as the chamber celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
“Back then we were a one-street, Main Street-type community. The chamber has to evolve along with [the] business community,” said Jamee Jolly, president and CEO of the Plano Chamber of Commerce. “Our business community needs a chamber that is strictly focused on business issues and making sure that we’re business-friendly. This center is really going to allow us to focus on that.”
Today, the chamber has 1,100 business members.
The new LegacyTexas Business Center will offer amenities to bank clients and chamber members, such as small private meeting rooms, a conference room, coffee bar, lounge seating, Wi-Fi and media boards for conducting remote meetings.
“The partnership that we have created [with LegacyTexas Bank] is unique,” Jolly said. “We all know that Plano is a busy place; we’re built on business. We do a really good job of supporting large corporations, and we want to provide the same service for small businesses and this is just another way to do that.”
The new space will allow chamber members to conduct their own business matters in a more modern and spacious environment separate from chamber operations, she said.
Room space will be available via reservations made through the chamber. The new location will also include staff offices and gathering space for chamber functions. The chamber will be a tenant within the new facility.
The Plano Chamber of Commerce has been a downtown Plano mainstay for roughly 40 years.
"This is more than a meeting place. We function as the voice of business, and we want to make sure our business community is represented." –Jamee Jolly, president and CEO of the Plano Chamber of Commerce
The organization eventually outgrew the space, which was also in need of structural renovations, Jolly said.
A task force consisting of local officials, chamber staff and business leaders was created five years ago to help determine the best place for relocation. She said the areas near Independence and Spring Creek parkways seemed ideal, she said.
“Membership organizations are having a tough time right now finding their identity. Everything is social networking, so what value can the chamber bring? This is more than a meeting place. We function as the voice of business, and we want to make sure our business community is represented.
“I want Plano not to just be recognized for big corporations. We love the Toyotas … of the world, but small businesses are the backbone to any community,” Jolly said.
Eikenberg said the office’s centralized and easy-to-find location will be a benefit to chamber members and small-business owners who are also bank clients.
