The U.S. Chamber defines a chamber of commerce as a voluntary partnership of businesses and professionals working together to build a healthy economy and improve the quality of life in a community.
At the Midland Chamber of Commerce, our mission and strategic plan make us a positive force to help strengthen, grow and prosper local businesses. Our Chamber serves as a convener of forums to identify and communicate the needs and concerns of the business community with local, state and national leaders.
The Midland Chamber also serves as the management agency for VisitMidland, the VisitMidland Information & Travel Center, the Bush Convention Center and Centennial Park. All these entities work together to improve the quality of place in Midland.
This guide is filled with resources and opportunities available throughout the Permian Basin that can help your business thrive. The Chamber is here to serve as your advocate, your legislative voice and a community problem-solver.
Within these pages, you’ll discover Midland’s magnetic business environment. Our region is thriving in the energy industry. Equally as important, it is a center of commerce and arts. Opportunities are vast, and Midland is continually growing and evolving. Midlanders are changing our community – and world – one bright idea at a time.
Growth and Redevelopment
In the last decade, the city of Midland has experienced tremendous growth. The current population reaches beyond 142,000 inside the city and an additional 30,000 residents in the county. All facets of the community are partnering together to ensure optimization of infrastructure, economic resources, transportation and safety to best serve new and existing businesses.
The Chamber develops and supports local education initiatives to enhance workforce development. Training opportunities such as our Growth to Greatness sessions are provided to Chamber members to build business skills applicable to any industry. These sessions offer valuable training that is practical and cost effective. ›
Revitalizing Midland’s downtown business district and improving the quality of place for residents and visitors remain top priorities for the Midland Chamber.
We are eagerly anticipating the opening of the downtown Centennial Park in summer 2020. The new park will include a performance stage, pavilion, greenspace, splashpad, children’s play area and dog park. The park creates a natural space downtown for recreation, inspiration and essential respite from the concrete surround. Availability of park and recreation facilities is an important quality-of-life factor necessary for attracting and retaining businesses and residents.
Adjacent to the park stands the new Barbara & George H.W. Bush Convention Center that opened in September 2019. The new facility boasts a 62% increase in exhibit and event space from the former Midland Center. Over a 20-year span, the total economic impact of the Bush Convention Center is projected to generate $129,200,000 for Midland. Book your event at www.bushconventioncenter.com.
With so much to offer, Midland is a prime development spot, eliciting constant inquiries from developers about demographics and community profile statistics. Many new restaurants and retail stores are popping up throughout our city.
Cost Savings
Chamber members are offered exclusive discounts on services such as commercial telecommunications, business training and Teladoc medical services, as well as numerous free and paid advertising opportunities.
Programs and Committees
The Midland Chamber offers a variety of committees and programs to foster community involvement.
NOTE: Unless otherwise stated, all committees require Chamber membership for eligibility.
Education Committee
The Education Committee is dedicated to propelling a high standard of learning, at all levels in our community, to strengthen our future workforce. The committee specifically focuses on needs that Midland’s business community can address. For example, it helps facilitate Midland ISD’s Partners in Education program, which seeks to meet needs in our local classrooms and campuses. The Chamber’s Teacher Adoption Program was implemented to provide local teachers with a voluntary community of tangible support, care and encouragement. Teachers are the primary in-school influence on student achievement. They need our support.
Governmental Affairs Committee
It is essential that the Chamber and its members remain informed about current legislative issues and effectively make their voices heard. The Governmental Affairs Committee alerts the business community on federal, state and local governmental issues affecting business. The committee also develops and maintains relationships with key elected officials.
Leadership Midland Committee
(Program participation is open to non-members. Committee service requires Chamber membership and graduation from the program.)
Leadership Midland is a program initiated by the Midland Chamber to develop community leaders. With more than 1,300 graduates, the impact of this program is visible throughout Midland. Committee members work year-round to plan and develop program content.
The two-year program introduces participants to the places and faces that give Midland its unique personality. It also includes relevant leadership training and development, an element that has propelled many alumni in their careers and community leadership.
M-Squad Ambassadors
The M-Squad is one of the most active and visible volunteer groups in the Chamber. The Ambassadors represent the Chamber by helping our members mark milestones at ribbon cuttings, grand openings, dedications and other celebratory/ceremonial events.
Star-Spangled Salute Committee
Midland’s annual Fourth of July celebration is produced by the Midland Chamber, in partnership with the City of Midland, Midland County and local businesses. To prepare for the largest one-day celebration in Midland, the Salute committee works year-round for this family-friendly, free community event! ›
Tourism Commission
(Chamber membership not required for service.)
The VisitMidland Tourism Commission is composed of business leaders with a passion for the tourism industry. While not a governing body, this board advises the management of VisitMidland on tourism development, as well as guiding management of the Bush Convention Center, the Information & Travel Center and the VisitMidland Sports & Entertainment Granting Authority. ›
As noted above, VisitMidland administers sports and entertainment grants for annual events hosted in Midland that are less than three years old. To qualify for a grant application, events must enhance community pride, economic impact and promote a positive image of Midland and the tourism industry.
Volunteers serves as community guides – greeting guests, providing information on restaurants, shopping, accommodations & attractions, and answering questions about our community.
Events
The Chamber is responsible for organizing strategic events throughout the year. These events seek to enhance community, instigate collaboration and foster forward-thinking. Members receive direct communications on event details. General event information can be found on our website: www.midland.biz.
These events include the following:
- State of the Economy
- State of Education
- State of Oil & Gas
- Annual Meeting
- Star-Spangled Salute
- Business Mixers