We take pride in celebrating the vibrant business community that makes our city thrive! Our ribbon cuttings are a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication of local businesses. This month, we are excited to showcase five exceptional additions to our community.

KnD’s Boutique at Wonder World

Nestled in the heart of Wonder World Cave, KnD’s Boutique offers a unique shopping experience. With a curated selection of clothing, accessories, and gifts, this boutique is a must-visit for those seeking one-of-a-kind treasures.

La Cima Amenity Center

Elevate your lifestyle at La Cima Amenity Center, where luxury meets community. This stunning facility offers residents a host of recreational options, from poolside relaxation to fitness amenities, creating a vibrant hub for La Cima’s residents.

Pacific Mobile Structures, Inc.

Pacific Mobile Structures, Inc. brings innovative modular solutions to San Marcos. Their dedication to quality and efficiency makes them a valuable addition to our business landscape, providing versatile space solutions for various industries.

KZSM Radio

Tune in to the heartbeat of San Marcos at KZSM Radio. This community-driven station connects residents with local news, music, and events, fostering a sense of togetherness and cultural enrichment in our city.

K9 Water World

For our furry friends, K9 Water World is a haven of aquatic fun and fitness. Their state-of-the-art facility offers hydrotherapy and recreational swimming for dogs, promoting health and happiness for your beloved pets.

Each of these businesses represents the diversity and innovation that define our local economy. We invite you to explore, support, and celebrate these fantastic additions to our San Marcos community!

On September 15, the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce held a thrilling day of swings, putts, and camaraderie at the Business on the Green golf tournament, presented by H-E-B and hosted at the Kissing Tree Golf Club. The event saw the participation of 30 teams, all vying for glory on the green.

The pinnacle of the tournament belonged to First-Lockhart National Bank, emerging as the champions, and etching their name on a plaque adorning the traveling trophy.

Adding a unique touch to the day’s proceedings was the inclusion of the Texas State Women’s Golf Team as part of the Bobcat Drive. Positioned at a designated hole, these talented athletes were ready to lend a helping hand to the golfers. All the proceeds from the Bobcat Drive will go to support the Women’s Golf Team.

Beyond the fairways, numerous businesses set up tents along the course, creating an ideal environment for golfers and fellow businesses to mingle, network, and forge valuable connections, elevating the event beyond the scorecards.

Within each flight category – Eagle, Birdie, and Par – triumphant winners emerged.

• 1st Place Eagle — First-Lockhart National Bank
• 2nd Place Eagle — S. Watts Group
• 3rd Place Eagle — Texas Regional Bank​
• 1st Place Birdie — Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative
• 2nd Place Birdie — Home Instead Senior Care
• 3rd Place Birdie — Central Texas Refuse
• 1st Place Par — Gumby’s Pizza
• 2nd Place Par — H-E-B
• D.A.L — Texas Aviation Partners

The San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business on the Green golf tournament, marked by camaraderie, sportsmanship, and thriving community connections, was made successful by everyone included. Thank you to all our sponsors, volunteers, committee members, and golfers!

Click below to view Scenes from the Course!

By: Page Michel; President & CEO, San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce

Have you heard about the Bond Election coming up for San Marcos CISD? There are 4 proposals included. Prop A is about the “recapture process” (Robin Hood) and must pass in order for taxpayers to avoid a tax rate increase. Props B, C and D all seek to make our local schools safer and more equitable for all students.

The San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors passed a resolution of SUPPORT for all four propositions that will be on the ballot.

By supporting these proposals, we can help make sure that all local students have access to the best possible educational environment. The bond funds in Props B, C and D will be used to enhance school safety measures, upgrade technology infrastructure, and make necessary repairs and improvements to school buildings.

You can find full details online at www.SMCISD.net. Look on the top menu for “Bond 2023 Elections.”

Voters of all ages in San Marcos should support this Bond Election. Even those who do not have school-age children. Investing in schools is important not just for students, but for the entire community. Having safe and efficient schools leads to a well-educated workforce which, in turn, helps to create a robust economy where local businesses thrive and expand.

The passage of these bond proposals will have a significant impact on our community now and in the future. Please take time to learn more and plan to vote “FOR” all four propositions. Consider the endorsement of the Chamber of Commerce Board. Ask others you know who are informed on the issues. And remember that not voting can have consequences as well.

Your vote of support is needed! Early voting is held April 24 – May 2. Election day is Saturday, May 6.

Another way that the Chamber supports businesses to thrive and expand is by providing up-to-date information on technology trends. We recently held a workshop on Cybersecurity with featured speaker Randy Bryan of tekRescue. He explained how to protect yourself and your business against cyber attacks.

Last week, the Chamber held a Five Day Challenge online that taught viewers how to easily use AI and ChatGPT.  Have you heard about these tech innovations and how they have life-changing uses?

ChatGPT is an auto-generative text program created by Open AI. It is a free tool and anyone can use it. Its artificial intelligence can help you write anything you can imagine. It can be used to create articles and essays, it can help students study and prepare for tests, it can help realtors create eye-catching listings, it can help small businesses with customer service replies, it can help you practice a foreign language, and much more.

You can use it instead of a search engine, because it will deliver a conversational experience rather than simply a list of website results.

The key for business usage is knowing how to prompt ChatGPT to get the best responses. That is what the Chamber helped dozens of businesses learn last week.

ChatGPT can be an excellent, free resource for business managers and sales people. It provides quick and detailed answers in seconds. It offers you immediate access to expertise on topics such as marketing, finance, operations and management. It incorporates a vast amount of data! It’s an affordable way to access expert advice to grow and improve your operations.

It is also a confidential platform that allows you to ask business-related questions without having to worry about sharing any of your personal data.

It can be customized to your specific business needs. You can ask questions about your industry or business model, and about your competitors. You can get personalized answers that are relevant to your specific situation.

All of this depends on your knowing HOW to prompt the program to get the desired information. Reach out to me for some helpful tips! page@sanmarcostexas.com

By: Page Michel; President & CEO, San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce

How much does your business rely on computers? Have you taken steps to protect your data in case you get hacked? Want to know where to find help locally on this critical topic?  The Chamber of Commerce is here to help.

This month, the San Marcos Area Chamber will kick-off a new business education series called “Level Up.” On March 9, the focus is “Cybersecurity: 3 Things to Protect Your Business in 2023.” Attend and learn what are three vital things you should be doing to defend yourself from online attacks.

Hosted by the Chamber at Workforce Solutions (off Posey Road), the session will be led by Randy Bryan, Founder and CEO of tekRESCUE. Bryan will deliver three important tips to protect businesses and organizations of all sizes.  Find details about how to register on the SanMarcosTexas.com Events calendar. Lunch is included!

The Chamber will offer a variety of “Level Up” sessions in the coming months. All designed to help you increase your level of knowledge in business operations, technology, marketing and more. The best part is, they’re offered locally and affordably.

Another opportunity the Chamber makes available to local businesses is to showcase their employment opportunities to future workers!

There are free Job Postings for Chamber members on SanMarcosTexas.com, seen by approximately 8000 people a month. And for businesses that offer career paths related to “STEM” sectors the annual “STEAM Fair” is held. This event is a festival of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math subjects with Arts included! 

The 2023 STEAM Fair will be held at San Marcos High School on Saturday, April 1. Visit SteamSMTX.com to participate.

STEM education is essential to the whole community for several reasons. STEM fields are among the fastest-growing and most in-demand industries today. By supporting STEM education in public schools, we can prepare students for careers in these fields and ensure that our San Marcos Area workforce remains competitive in the future.

These topics are also where students learn critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills. By including arts, the enhanced focus on “STEAM” education in SMCISD encourages creativity and innovation. This is essential for entrepreneurship! Within these classes, students can learn how to design, build and test their own ideas and make products with their own hands.

By providing all students with the opportunity to pursue STEM and Arts education, schools can raise achievement levels and promote diversity in STEAM-related occupations. The end result is high-paying employment for everyone who gains these skills.

Another way the Chamber connects and informs the business community about local schools and city government is through the annual “State of the City and District” luncheon event. It will be held on Thursday, April 6, at the San Marcos Conference Center at Embassy Suites. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available online on the Chamber website.

This event provides a platform for local leaders, including City of San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson and San Marcos CISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Cardona, to highlight recent developments and future priorities.

Attend this event to stay “in the know” and find out how you can get involved, have a voice, and help make an impact on this community. Input from all businesses is desired and valued by the Chamber!