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Real prosperity in business is the focus of the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce (GTACC) annual E³ –Educate, Enrich, Empower—Small Business Conference Friday, Sept. 21. Speaker, author and consultant Rory Aplanalp will be the keynote speaker.

Aplanalp has impacted more than a million business people around the globe with his philosophy on success: It’s not what you know, it’s what you do that makes the difference. Using humor and real-world business examples he passionately delivers his message.

Aplanalp began his career as an Evans Training Personnel franchise owner and later became the national training director for Evans. For the past 14 years, Aplanalp was with the Franklin Covey Company as one of their top presenters.

The conference will also offer four sessions on topics including local business resources, business tools, branding and marketing. In the morning, Business 101: Keep Your Business Sound will be presented by attorney Kevin M. Jones, J.P. Magill of Magill HR and Chuck Ransleben, CPA. Before lunch, Technology Moving Forward will be facilitated by Camille Hamilton of CMIT Solutions, Tim Stone of i-Tech and Steven Galvan with Sprint.  In the afternoon, Branding will be presented by Kimberly DeLape, founder of Brand Moguls, and Omar Cabrera, a noted software problem solver.

The Chamber is accepting a limited number of sponsors for this conference, Sept. 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Elmer L. Beckendorf Conference Center on the Lone Star College-Tomball campus. Sponsorship benefits include a booth at the conference and pre conference publicity.

Registration for the Small Business Conference is $79 each for GTACC members; $99 for non members; and $69 per person for five or more within a group. Registration includes continental breakfast and lunch.

For more information about the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Conference, to become a sponsor or to register for the conference, call 281-351-7222 or visit TomballChamber.org.

Tomball is on the move and keeping up with new businesses in the city can be a challenge. With that in mind, the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce (GTACC) First Friday networking luncheon, Oct. 5, will feature GTACC President Bruce Hillegeist with, Tomball’s Top 10 Newsmakers.

“Most days I receive calls and inquiries about a new business or businesses coming Tomball’s way,” Hillegeist said. “We are so fortunate to have such a strong regional economy, but major corporations calling Tomball their home and headquarters don’t happen by accident. There are many people and efforts that deserve our thanks, and this is what I’ll be talking about at the luncheon.”

In addition to Hillegeist’s presentation, Congressman Michael McCaul will be on hand to receive the Spirit of Free Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. State Rep. Allen Fletcher will also be honored for his numerous achievements in the Texas Legislature, especially those involving local mobility projects.

Chamber members, guests, and the public are invited to attend the luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at the ElmerL.BeckendorfConferenceCenter on the LoneStarCollege – Tomball campus, 30555 Tomball Pkwy.  For reservations call the chamber at 281-351-7222 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Cost is $15 at the door and $17 if invoiced. To learn more about the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce visit, www.TomballChamber.org.

The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce (GTACC) Golf Classic Golf Ball Drop will be held Mar. 21 at High Meadow Ranch Golf Club.

At 5:30 p.m., a helicopter will drop numbered golf balls onto the driving range and the ball landing closest to the designated hole or in it wins the grand prize, a 50-inch FHD LCD TV. Second place prize is an X Box 360 Kinect and third place prize is an Android tablet.

Balls for the Golf Ball Drop are available for $5 each or 5 balls for $20. Other ways to participate in the GTACC Golf Classic include tent sponsorships, hole sponsorships, or with donations for the silent auction or door prizes.

Individual players may register online at TomballChamber.org or at the GTACC offices located at 29201 Quinn Rd., Ste. B. Individual registration is $150 and includes range balls, lunch, an awards dinner and a gift bag. Registration fee for teams of four is $600. Lunch will be provided by Willie's Grill & Icehouse and dinner by Mel's Country Cafe.

There is still time to sign on as a player or sponsor for the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce 35th annual Golf Classic. Shotgun start is at 12:30 p.m. For information call 281-351-7222 or visit, TomballChamber.org.

The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its 35th annual Golf Classic, March 21, at High Meadow Ranch Golf Club, 37300 Golf Club Trail, in Magnolia. Shotgun start is at 12:30, with a golf ball drop for prizes that afternoon. A Business After Hours event  will immediately follow at 5 p.m. For details visit www.tomballcham
ber. org or call 281-351-7222.

The Greater Area Chamber of Commerce (GTACC) is offering a 2013 Chevy Cruze to the winner of  its 2013 Car Raffle that kicked off this spring. The Cruze, donated by Lone Star Chevrolet, garnered top consumer ratings in the Kelly Blue Book review and with a 42 mpg highway rating it is ranked in the top 10 percentile of American produced fuel-efficient autos.

The chamber is offering a look at the Cruze and $20 tickets to win the car at upcoming events throughout the year, including the Memorial Day Weekend Chili Challenge May 25.

If you cannot wait for an event to purchase a raffle ticket, visit the chamber office at 29201 Quinn Rd., Ste. B or Classic Hair in Tomball at 14257 FM 2920. Raffle tickets will also be sold at regular chamber networking events including Business After Hours, the First Friday Networking Luncheon and the Networking Breakfast at 7 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at Luby's Cafeteria.

The winner of the Chevy Cruze will be announced  Dec. 6 at the GTACCFirst Friday Networking Luncheon, holiday edition at Salem Lutheran Church. Proceeds from the raffle will go to the GTACC Building Fund.

For more information about the raffle or to purchase tickets please call the Chamber at 218-351-7222 or visit, TomballChamber.org.

The Teacher of the Month, sponsored by Element Payment Services, was recognized at the Greater Tomball Chamber of Commerce First Friday networking luncheon, Feb. 1. Billie Ann Dio of Tomball High School was recognized as the February winner. Dio teaches speech communication applications, team leadership and is the THS Student Council sponsor. Pictured (from left) THS Principal Greg Quinn, Billie Ann Dio and Leo Corley of Element Payment Services.

The Officer of the Month for February was recognized at the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce First Friday networking luncheon, Feb. 1. Tomball Police Department (TPD) Detective Kenny Yoho was honored for outstanding service by TPD Chief Rob Hauck. Officer of the Month is sponsored by Woodforest National Bank. (Pictured (from left) Maria Espitia of Woodforest National Bank, Tomball Mayor Gretchen Fagan, Yoho and wife, Sandra Yoho, State Rep. Allen Fletcher and Hauck.

The Greater Tomball Chamber of Commerce will be holding its first monthly networking breakfast Mar. 19, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Luby's Cafeteria, 28750 Tomball Pkwy., in Tomball. There is a $10 charge for chamber members and a $15 charge for non-members. For more information call 281-351-7222, or email admin@tomballchamber. org.

Nonnie's Soda Fountain, located at 102 Market St. in Tomball, recently joined the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber welcomed its new member with a ribbon cutting. Nonnie's is a old-fashioned soda fountain featuring hand-spun shakes and sundaes made with Hank's Ice Cream, the second leading ice cream in the U.S. For hours call 281-516-1942.