Whitney Theriot, Temple Chamber of Commerce President/CEO

As the first quarter of 2025 wraps up, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible momentum we’ve built and express gratitude to our Board of Directors, Chamber Members, Chamber Team, and the greater Temple community.
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If 2024 was a year of resilience and alignment, 2025 has roared into action—with focus, purpose, and impact. Over the past three months, we have moved from planning to execution, bringing our bold vision to life through strategic initiatives, strong partnerships, and meaningful engagement.

Quarter One Wins
In just the first quarter, we have:
• Welcomed 31 new Members, continuing the growth of our network of over 1,000 businesses and organizations.
• Celebrated 17 Ribbon Cuttings and Business Milestones, each one a meaningful celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that defines Temple.
• Hosted Salute to Business, our 118th Annual Meeting—a signature event of the organization
featuring keynote speaker and documentary film maker Brett Culp, whose inspiring message of leadership and storytelling set the tone for the year ahead.
• Held a successful Temple Chamber Day at the Capitol, where we amplified our voice on critical issues for our business community, bringing together our Board of Directors, Public Policy Council, and Leadership Temple Class to constitute our delegation.
• Hosted the well-attended State of the City Luncheon, where Mayor Tim Davis and City
Manager Brynn Myers shared a compelling vision for “Growth with Purpose.”

From Vision to Action
We began the year with clarity—redefining our strategic framework with three verticals: Advocacy, Member Services, and Organizational Excellence. Each initiative we undertake now aligns with these core areas, ensuring that our efforts are intentional and impactful.
• Under Advocacy, we advanced with strong participation with the delegation at the Capitol,
a Public Policy Council luncheon, and advocacy efforts at the local level—most recently championing Member concerns regarding commercial roll-off dumpsters at City Council meetings.
• In Member Services, we introduced fresh engagement tools at our first six Business Link
Lunches and Business After Hours, including interactive games like a “conversation beach
ball” and a Veteran owned business showcase. Additionally, our Membership Directory in print and online continues to serve as a vital connector.
• Under Organizational Excellence, we’ve begun executing key aspects of our strategic plan--
including the initial development of a dashboard to enhance transparency and accountability for our Board of Directors and Membership, along with continued efforts to align governance with our long term vision.

Investing in Leadership and Legacy
Our commitment to community building and leadership development remains strong. The Board of Directors green lit the Leadership Temple Spring Project, opened applications for the Class of 2026, and continued recruitment for the Launch Temple entrepreneur program. We also celebrated legacy by establishing memorial contributions to honor past Chamber leaders.

Looking Ahead
The second quarter brings even more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and lead. We’re excited to support upcoming networking programs, educational partnerships, and enhanced storytelling to highlight the incredible businesses that shape Temple.

To our Members—thank you for your trust, partnership, and continued engagement. Your success is our mission, and together, we are building a resilient, connected, and thriving business community.

Here’s to continued momentum and bold progress in 2025!

Published first in the April 2025 Focus on Business - Temple Daily Telegram

The Temple Chamber of Commerce is excited to host the fourth annual Polar Texas Bottling Summer Sizzle “Seltzer”. The event takes place on Friday, August 16, 2024, in the Santa Fe Plaza, 301 Santa Fe Way, in Temple. This free, family-friendly community event is a fantastic way to end the summer ​and enjoy Downtown Temple.  It is an evening of live music, food trucks, an outdoor market, and fun for the entire family from 6:00 - 9:30 pm.
 
Polar Texas Bottling is bringing the “Chill” to Summer Sizzle “Seltzer” sharing their New England roots with Central Texas.
 
Founded in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1882 by a savvy bartender, Denis Crowley recognized an opportunity in carbonation as Prohibition began to rumble in New England. He crafted what he considered the best-tasting bubble recipe and began selling sparkling beverages from a horse-drawn carriage.
 
Today, Polar Beverages remains owned and operated by the Crowley family’s fourth and fifth generations, under the leadership of President and CEO Ralph Crowley Jr. They are the largest independent beverage company in the United States. They are purveyors of premium quality sparkling beverages, including Polar® Seltzer, heritage sodas, and Polar Orange Dry®.
 
Food trucks and vendors for the outdoor market will be set up along Santa Fe Way and in the Plaza beginning at 6:00 pm. Live music by Members Only 80’s cover band will begin at 7:30 pm in the Plaza Greens. Lawn chairs or blankets are welcome to use while enjoying the music.
 
Members Only is a 80's cover band located deep in the heart of Texas.  Their high energy performances and love of 80's music make for an epic evening of singing and dancing.  Their musicianship is exceptional, and their vocalists have been called the songbirds of their generation.
 
Summer Sizzle “Seltzer” is proudly supported by Polar Texas Bottling, McLane Company, Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors, Reynolds Consumer Products, and Ludwick, Montgomery & Stapp, PC.
 
Polar Beverages invites you to sip into their world on August 16, 2024, at this free, family-friendly event. Vendor spaces are available for food trucks and the outdoor market. Visit templechamber.com/summerseltzer for more information.

​The Temple Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the 14th Annual Baylor Scott & White Health Community Showcase, continuing its tradition of offering an exceptional welcome to new resident physicians, fellows, nurses, senior staff, and their families.
 
"Temple is dedicated to providing a warm and exceptional welcome to the new resident physicians upon their arrival to the community. With our annual Showcase, now in its 14th year, and the street banners, we strive to ensure our new arrivals and their families feel genuinely embraced and supported," noted Whitney Theriot, President & CEO of the Temple Chamber of Commerce.
 
The Baylor Scott & White Community Showcase offers a unique opportunity for newcomers to meet and explore their new community. Set in a trade show format, Temple Chamber Member exhibitors introduce their businesses and services to the latest residents. This event aims to ease the transition for these new community members by showcasing the various goods and services available in Temple.
 
Moving to a new city involves numerous challenges: packing, relocating, finding housing, unpacking, and preparing for a new job are time-consuming and stressful. Recognizing this, Baylor Scott & White Health and the Temple Chamber of Commerce collaborate annually to host the Showcase every June, welcoming over 150 new residents and fellow doctors. The showcase featured over 85 local Chamber Member businesses.
 
The event received positive feedback from local businesses, with many exhibitors impressed by the warm reception from the new residents. "It was amazing to welcome such an important part of our community to the Temple area," commented one exhibitor. Another added, “Several attendees commented on how nice it was of the Temple community to give them such a warm welcome.”
 
In an age that is more digital than analog, a more traditional meet and greet creates a lasting impression and has the potential to build lifelong relationships.
 
For more information on the Baylor Scott & White Health Community Showcase or other initiatives of the Temple Chamber of Commerce to strengthen the ties between local businesses and the community, visit www.templechamber.com.