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Chair's Corner
G. Steven Bray
Chair-Elect |
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New Board
With the new year comes new excitement to the NW Austin Chamber. First, I ask that you join me in congratulating our three newest Board members: Al Frazier, Pam Harris, and Carol Roberson.
Al (CMIT Solutions) has been a member since Feb 2008, and he has agreed to take on the Membership Committee Chairmanship. Al has promised some ambitious thinking to improve our guest attendance and increase our membership base.
Pam (Third Coast Properties) joined the Chamber in Oct 2007. She, too, jumped right in on the Board. In addition to serving as your 2009 Secretary, she will chair our Luncheon Committee. It will be great to hear her voice leading our luncheons.
Carol (IronStone Bank) joined the Chamber in June 2007. She is going to serve with Claudia Machell and myself on the Member Benefits Committee to improve our focus on membership value.
Membership Value
Last year, we developed a number of programs to add value to your Chamber membership. As I talked to members this winter, I realized that few knew of these great programs. So, each of the next few months, I'm going to highlight one. I hope you can take advantage of all these programs to improve your business this year.
This month, I call your attention to the Members Only section of our Web site. (Go to our Web site, NWAustinChamber.org, and click on the "Members Only" link in the title bar.) This is where you'll find many of the membership benefits programs.
In addition, this is where you'll find "Member News." Take a minute to find out about your fellow Chamber members. Take another minute to let Claudia know what's happening in your business and life. Do you have any news you want to share with other members? Send your news items to Claudia at cjm@pictureperfectvacations.com.
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Welcome!
Our New Members |
Bronze Members
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Roshni Patel Agency-Allstate
Roshni Patel
(512) 918-9844
RoshniPatel@allstate.com |
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| Member Spotlight |
Claudia Machell
Picture Perfect Vacations
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 How long have you been in business?
I've been in business since 2003.
How long have you been in Austin?
I started out as an Austinite in the 70's for college. (Yes, I am a longhorn.) After college, life took me to Dallas, then Salem, Oregon and Chicago, Illinois for 5 years. My life started over in 1986 when I moved back to Texas. I've been in Austin ever since.
What do you do in your business?
Basically, I am a travel consultant and trip coordinator for people ready to take vacations. I specialize in 3 areas
- small ship cruising - ships that have less than 800 passengers - there are BIG differences;
- romantic destinations with a focus on the Caribbean, Hawaii and the South Pacific; and
- local get aways in Texas for people that want a special experience without the hassle of airline flights.
Does your business offer any unique products or services?
Yes. Some of the cruise lines and tour companies I work with are most likely ones you have not heard about before that offer experiences you won't get anywhere else, like sleeping outside on the deck of a ship, petting a whale from the edge of your raft, or walking through a wild flower studded mountain path accessible only by helicopter.
What do others NOT know about you or your business that you would like to share?
Oh, my. Would you believe I got lost at Versailles France? I also tried stand up comedy ... once!
Have you or your business received any awards or special accomplishments?
I am a Hawaii destination specialist and a Sea Dream Yacht specialist. This means I know these products, have researched them, been awarded special designations, and have experienced them first hand. In the case of Hawaii, I've been there 6 times, and have visited ALL the islands.
Have you or your business been involved in any special events or activities?
I was one of only 8 U.S. travel agents selected to take an extraordinary 11 day trip to Fiji. I am the co-founder of a national on-line discussion group made up of fellow travel agents.
If you could give advice to those just starting out in their careers, what would you say?
You've got to stay focussed and don't give up on the career path you want to take. You may not get that dream job right away. Don't give up on your dreams!!!
What is the best advice you've ever received?
Stay focussed!
If you didn't have this job, what would you be doing instead?
If I was single, I would be working on a cruise ship, travelling the world, as the cruise director. Either that, or I'd be a starving actress in Hollywood.
Does your business have a Web site you want readers to visit?
Please do! www.pictureperfectvacations.com
How can readers contact you for more information?
cjm@pictureperfectvacations.com or call me at 257-1290
Is there anything else you'd like to add or say?
Yes, thanks! Our world is beautiful and there are incredible things to see and experience no matter where you go.
I always like to remember this phrase when I travel - "There are no strangers in this world. Only friends we have yet to meet"
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