The move and partnership come as the chamber celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. The Plano Chamber of Commerce was formerly located at 1200 E. 15th St. in Historic Downtown Plano.
Visitors were treated to snacks and drinks. The new center also features a coffee bar for users.[/caption]
"We just felt like the [downtown location] didn't project the kind of image that we wanted to project for our business community, so that started the conversation,"said Jamee Jolly, president and CEO of the Plano Chamber of Commerce. "This [new office] is located in the dead-center of Plano. This will be a quiet and professional environment for [local businesses] to work and we're so glad that LegacyTexas came to us with this opportunity."
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.
Past chamber board chair Al Valente, left, visits with guests at the new chamber office.[/caption]
The new space will also allow chamber members to conduct their own business matters in a more modern and spacious environment separate from chamber operations. 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 chamber's new central location and modern amenities reflect the kind of organization the chamber wants to be, 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. Considering that little more than 80 percent of chamber member businesses are located west of Custer Road, the areas near Independence and Spring Creek parkways seemed ideal, she said.
"We truly believe that a partnership between the Plano chamber and LegacyTexas is a win-win for both parties. LegacyTexas has been helping businesses since 1952 ... and Plano is home [for us]," said Tyler Huslig of LegacyTexas Bank. "When we caught wind that the chamber was looking a larger office space we got very excited that we'd be able to convert the second floor into an area that can accommodate both the chamber and its growing staff and also another avenue for our business customers so we can service them.
