The Austin Chamber hosted its 137th Annual Meeting at the end of January to celebrate successes from the past year and look ahead to the future. More than 850 attendees were on hand to hear about the continued success of the Austin economy and priorities for 2015, as well as recognize the Chamber’s Volunteers and Austinite of the Year.

“It was a true privilege serving as Chairman this past year,” said Jack McDonald, 2014 Chairman of the Austin Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Upland Software. “Thanks to the 2014 Executive Committee members and the board of directors who took time out from families and business to serve — we would not be where we are today without the heavy lifting of these dedicated business leaders.”

In 2014, the Chamber helped to drive success and progress in several key areas:

• Austin again achieved high rankings in several national research reports and surveys, including the following:
  • Fastest Growing Economy in the US through 2020
  • #1 Top Metro in Economic Growth since Pre-Recession
  • #2 Metro in Attracting Families
  • #3 America’s Coolest Cities
  • #3 City to Educate, Entertain & Exhaust Your Kids
  • #7 Global Top 20 Dynamic Cities
• Corporate relocations in the region were at an all-time as 64 companies announced moves to Central Texas – the most since the inception of Opportunity Austin in 2004. Some of the notable company moves were Charles Schwab (800 jobs); Websense Headquarters (500 jobs); Box (200 jobs); and Athenahealth (600 jobs).

• In addition, 63 local companies announced that they were expanding their operations in 2014, creating hundreds of new jobs and adding additional economic benefit to the region.

• Venture capital funding in Austin last year hit a 13-year record high of over $1 billion, a level not seen since the dotcom era.

• Our nationally recognized public education initiatives all achieved high water marks in 2014 including a record 83% of our region’s 16,000 high school graduates applying for college. Thanks in part to the Chamber’s Financial Aid Saturday program, more than two-thirds of those students completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, the only way students and families can become eligible for grants, scholarships and subsidized loans.

• On transportation, we saw continued progress on MOPAC construction and engineering work for two new lanes on I-35 as we’ll as several other road and highway projects. Additionally, the Chamber led the way on telecommuting initiatives, convening our four major broadband companies, promoting Mobility Week and securing the participation of major employers to reduce traffic through telecommuting and flex schedules.

McDonald welcomed Gene Austin, president and CEO, Bazaarvoice, as the new Chairman for 2015. During his remarks on 2015 Chamber priorities, which included attracting companies and jobs to the region, focusing on transportation concerns and increasing college and career readiness, Gene Austin announced the addition of Space Technology & Exploration as one of the Chamber’s key industries for future economic development. Through Opportunity Austin, the Chamber’s five-county economic development initiative, the addition will open the door for job expansion. This will also include the development of the rapidly-growing commercial space exploration industry, as well as related technologies. To learn more about this exciting announcement click here. In addition, several volunteers were recognized for their outstanding service and support to the Chamber community.

2014 Volunteers of the Year

• Communications: Michael Westgate, W2O Group
• Economic Development: Mike Wilson, LegalZoom
• Education: Tony Budet, University Federal Credit Union
• Federal and State Advocacy: Janis Carter, Winstead PC
• Local and Regional Policy: Hi Thai, Windstream Communications and Rene Campos, MarketMailPrint
• Membership Development: Fred Meyers, Kuper Southeby’s International Realty
• Membership Engagement: Mary Dawson, Extended Stay America
• Regional Mobility: Bill Blackstone, Rackspace
• Talent: Melissa Anthony Sinn, anthonyBarnum Public Relations
• Technology and Innovation: Bob Metcalfe, University of Texas at Austin

Mayor Lee Leffingwell was recognized as Austinite of the Year, the Chamber’s highest honor, for his hard work and dedication to the Austin community. In his comments, the former Mayor expressed gratitude to all of his supporters. He highlighted the progress that the community made together during his two terms as Mayor including an aggressive strategy that the City and Chamber undertook to attract and retain great jobs in targeted industries, using economic incentives. According to Leffingwell, “We all know that this city is like no other. It’s a special place, with a special quality of life. My one overriding goal as mayor was to simply leave Austin at least a little better than I found it.” The former Delta pilot, who received two standing ovations, concluded his remarks by sharing a fond wish to Austin for the future using the words of Willie Nelson: “nothin’ but blue skies from now on.”

If you missed the Annual Meeting, check out our social media re-cap of the event, here.