SPREADING THE WORD

The Host Committee stays true to its promise to keep the community informed about on-going planning

By Steve Pate

Thursday, July 29, 2010 - 11:30am

Bill Lively tossed several verbal touchdowns on March 18 that were graciously received by the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce. If this had been a football game, the North Texas Super Bowl Host Committee never had to punt.

Lively’s speech, at a luncheon in a ballroom at the Westin DFW North Hotel, was his first to a formal gathering since the Fort Worth media luncheon two weeks ago. Many more will follow, leading up to the February 2011 Super Bowl.

Chris Wallace, the Chamber’s President/CEO, called Lively’s presentation “awesome” and added, “This really gets you fired up.”

The Irving-Las Colinas Chamber is the only five-star Chamber of Commerce in Texas. Members listened attentively to a rather “Lively” pep talk, followed by a question-and-answer session. What seemed to impress them most is the Host Committee’s determined goal to unite all of North Texas like never before.

“This will give us an event with a firm deadline,” said Wallace, referring to the game itself, “with the purpose of making sure that all North Texas cities, chambers and convention visitors bureaus will all really come together to make sure North Texas shines. That’s really the key to all of this — the opportunity to pull the region together like never before.”

Wallace’s term for it is finding a “conduit for connectivity” — a way to commit all of North Texas’ many organizations to dedicate themselves to a united purpose.

Lively emphasized that theme in his speech, noting, “It is our fervent hope this region works together and fosters friendships that, at the end of the day, will continue long after this game is over.”

“He’s very knowledgeable about how it all will work,” said Roland Medina, Chair of the Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “I think the Super Bowl will have a very large economic impact in North Texas.

“I think this speech should be repeated often at many functions because it’s very important that everyone understand it’s not just a ballgame. This is a celebration of the economic growth for the entire region.”

Beth Bowman, the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber’s Executive Vice-President, said she was “absolutely enlightened” by the event.

“What’s most important is that this is all about the region coming together to bring the best concerts and events that will impact the region for many years to come,” she said. “That’s what makes this so much more than a Super Bowl Game. It’s a great opportunity.”

A recap of today’s scoring: Touchdown, Host Committee. Touchdown, Irving-Las Colinas.