WHAT WE DO
ADVOCATE
We champion local business interests and promote policies that support growth.
The Chamber’s advocacy work connects McAlester’s business community directly to the people and policies shaping our region. Through the State of Series, legislative engagement, and direct representation at the Capitol, we make sure our members have a seat at the table — and that the people making decisions know what McAlester needs.
FREQUENCY
3 per year (State of the State, State of the City, State of Education)
FORMAT
Keynote speaker or panel + catered lunch
ATTENDANCE
Ticketed ($20) · Open to all members
SPONSORSHIP
Table sponsorships available · Presenting sponsor for each edition
Signature Luncheon Series
3 EVENTS PER YEAR
These aren’t your typical chamber luncheons. The State of Series brings in high-level speakers – governors, lieutenant governors, superintendents, college presidents – for substantive conversations about where Oklahoma, McAlester, and our schools are headed.
Each edition focuses on a different lens: State of the State covers legislative priorities and economic trends at the state level. State of the City features an address from city leadership on infrastructure, development, and McAlester’s trajectory. State of Education brings together education leaders to talk about what’s happening in our schools – and why it matters to business.
That last point is worth emphasizing. These events create connections that don’t happen anywhere else. A local manufacturer might hear at State of Education that the high school just launched a drone navigation program — and suddenly there’s a workforce pipeline conversation that didn’t exist before. That’s the kind of thing that happens when business and civic leaders are in the same room.
The State of Series events feature table sponsorships, a catered lunch, and a more polished atmosphere than the Chamber’s regular networking events. Attendance is ticketed at $20.
FREQUENCY
Annual
FORMAT
Capitol visit with legislative meetings
ATTENDANCE
By arrangement with the Chamber · Members welcome
COST
No charge to participating members
Chamber Day at the Capitol
ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
Once a year, the Chamber heads to Oklahoma City to advocate directly for McAlester’s business interests at the State Capitol. This is the Chamber in its most literal advocacy role – representing our membership to elected officials and making sure southeastern Oklahoma has a voice in the legislative process.
Chamber President Caroline Russell coordinates with our state representative’s office to schedule meetings and connect our delegation with key legislators. Members who join the trip get face time with officials they wouldn’t normally access – and the serendipity of Capitol visits is real. When one of our members visited on Optometry Day at the Capitol, she connected with the director of the state Optometrist Association completely by accident. That’s what happens when hundreds of organizations converge in the same building.
It’s also a chance to showcase McAlester. Towns bring local products, food, and stories to the Capitol – it’s part advocacy, part hometown pride.
FREQUENCY
Annual (June, after session ends)
FORMAT
Breakfast + legislative update from state representative
ATTENDANCE
Free to all members · Sponsor-funded
SPONSORSHIP
Exclusive sponsor ($1,500) — title recognition, VIP seating with legislators, speaking opportunity
Legislative Breakfast
ANNUAL POST-SESSION BRIEFING
The Legislative Breakfast is a morning briefing held after the Oklahoma legislative session wraps up. Our state representative delivers a plain-language update on what passed, what didn’t, and what it means for local business.
This is a free event for all members, made possible by an exclusive sponsor. No ticket required — just show up, eat breakfast, and find out what the legislature actually did this year.
