North Dallas is a center of economic activity, and it continues to grow in popularity and retain a loyal following of residents and businesses. The Dallas business sector caters to companies of all sizes, and the chamber is a valuable resource to acquaint you with this special area of the Metroplex that expands each day.
As the business capital of the Southwest, Dallas is one of the most dynamic international business centers in the country. The city is bursting with an entrepreneurial spirit, as fast-breaking technological advances constantly create new business opportunities. The city also has a firm corporate base and ranks sixth for the number of Fortune 500 companies located here. Dallas is a city of business diversity, with companies in telecommunications, technology, financial services, real estate, construction, banking, electronics, computers, manufacturing, defense, transportation and insurance. It is a city where strategic planning, business development and technological progress create an economic climate that projects an image of success, prosperity and vision.
Dallas also offers a unique blend of retail centers, restaurants, hotels and charisma make it one of the most popular convention cities in the United States. Dallas has more shopping centers per capita than any other city in the nation. It is home to the Dallas Market Center, the world’s first and largest wholesale merchandise mart, hosting 400,000 buyers and conducting $7.5 billion in wholesale sales annually. Dallas is also the nation’s second-leading fashion and apparel center.
Dallas is one of the largest employment centers in the U.S., and the Metroplex is expected to lead the nation in employment growth until 2005, creating nearly 500,000 jobs. It is ranked second in telecommunications manufacturing employment, sixth in annual advertising agency billing, and second for fashion and apparel in terms of volume, revenue and buyer attendance. The primary sources for employment are wholesale/retail trade, with 26 percent employment, and service businesses, with 21 percent. Manufacturing accounts for 14 percent of Dallas-area employment, while 10 percent hold government jobs. Finance, insurance and real estate employ 10 percent, while 6 percent work in transportation and 3 percent work in construction.
For a complete listing of businesses associated with the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, visit us online at www.ndcc.org.
Major Industries
Accounting Firms/CPA
CPA/accounting services are an integral part of the success of any business, forming the basis for important financial decisions of individuals and businesses each day. Dallas has a diverse selection of CPA/accounting businesses.
All of the major national and international firms are represented, as well as smaller independent firms, in order to serve all types of accounting needs. In addition, many leading CPA/accounting firms offer their expertise in Information Services, in helping their clients find innovative ways to achieve their short- and long-term goals.
North Dallas residents seeking assistance with personal and corporate tax returns, payroll tax reports, auditing, bookkeeping, and financial statements need look no further than the local business community. Accountants are an integral part of the local business and financial economy. In addition, industry experts provide information to clients designed to minimize penalties and maximize returns.
Banking
In an industry that has an optimistic outlook, the banking business has had its ups and downs. Banking institutions are being reborn, with a renewed focus and stronghold on the economy. From consumer loans to income protection policies, large and small businesses in North Dallas are reaping the benefits of assistance and growth plans throughout the banking industry.
Dallas is the largest banking, finance and insurance center in the Southwest. Large national banks, including Bank of America, Bank One, Comerica Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, have a substantial number of employees here. The local and community bank sector continues to thrive, which will likely attract more community bank investment, resulting in more business development opportunities and an increase bank and non-bank employees in this region.
Employment Agencies
Dallas’ employment agencies have kept up with the growing and specialized needs of the area’s business community. Dallas employment agencies provide temporary and permanent staffing in a wide range of secretarial, management, technical and professional positions. Whether the labor need is general office, clerical, secretarial, word process-ing, data entry, accounting, records management, office administration or telemarketing, you can be sure an employment agency can fill the position. Many agencies also specialize in providing personnel for medical, technical and information technology staffing. These agencies often serve an additional need by providing newcomers with an easy way to peruse the local job market or make a career transition.
Financial Planning Consultants
Have you spent your entire life working just so the IRS can take more than half the value of your estate when you pass away? Without proper estate planning, the IRS, not the ones closest to you, could be the single-largest beneficiary of your estate.
Several firms in North Dallas are available to assist clients with financial planning, including mutual funds, estate planning, mortgage banking and real estate financing. In fact, investment and tax changes have challenged the industry to become more innovative by offering new products and services to clients.
International Business
Dallas attracts businesses from all over the world because of its dynamic economic climate, versatile business community, outstanding transportation access, cosmopolitan setting and cultural sophistication. It appeals to all levels of international trade by featuring the resources necessary to conduct any kind of global transaction or convention. The well-known Dallas Market Center contains the International Apparel Mart, featuring more than 43,000 square feet; the World Trade Center, offering more than 600,000 square feet; and Market Hall, with 202,000 square feet. In addition, the Dallas Convention Center, with more than 1 million square feet, has an international reputation for professional management, large spaces and versatility, making it an ideal location for international conventions of all kinds.
Law Firms
The legal profession is well-represented in Dallas, providing essential legal services to businesses and residents. Headquarters of many of the top Texas firms are located here. The Dallas Bar Association has a membership of more than 9,000 and has an excellent reputation for providing continuing education and social activities to its members, as well as promoting pro-bono work and special events.
Transportation
The transportation industry is well-represented in Dallas, providing essential air and ground services to businesses and residents. American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Greyhound Bus Lines have their corporate headquarters here. The cargo facilities in the Metroplex are also critical to retaining business and recruiting new business, including Dallas-Fort Worth’s second FedEx hub, which is scheduled to open in spring 2005.
Technology — On The Cutting Edge
North Dallas has earned a reputation for being a high-tech center for the nation. It hosts some of the most prestigious and productive companies in the fields of telecommunications, computers, semiconductors and software. These companies are involved in manufacturing, research and development, and marketing of products and services that daily impact and enrich our lives.
High-Tech Employment
The high-tech industry plays a critical role in North Dallas employment. Between telecommuni-cations, semiconductor manufacturing, software services, data processing, information services, and computer and office equipment manufacturing, the importance of the high-tech industry is extremely powerful in Texas, and especially so in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
As Dallas continues its dynamic growth in high-tech areas, it also fosters the development of a highly trained labor force. The continually growing labor requirements have made way for rapid growth in a variety of education programs promoting research and development. There are many alliances between business and educational institutions, including programs with local centers for higher learning such as the University of North Texas, Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas at Dallas and at Arlington, and nearly 100 more technical and vocational schools in the Dallas area.
High-Tech Companies
The list of high-tech companies represented in North Dallas is long and includes many of the nation’s and the world’s leaders in telecommunications, computers, information services, electronics, software, semiconductors and defense industries.
The world’s largest high-tech exhibition and information center is located in the Dallas Infomart. This striking building, featuring modern architecture, hosts many trade fairs, conferences and seminars catering to the high-tech industry.
e-commerce
North Dallas’ technology companies play a key role in the e-commerce equation and have invested heavily in the infrastructure required to support and foster the growth of an electronic marketplace.
As e-commerce and e-businesses change traditional business practices and increasing numbers of businesses enter the electronic marketplace, phrases like “time to market” and “location, location, location” take on new meanings. The dynamics of sales relationships are changing and will be further defined as customers dictate their specific needs. Competition also takes on a new meaning, as the next vendor is only a few mouse clicks away.
The North Dallas Chamber is filled with members who are acutely aware of the connection between technology and future financial success. For a complete list of these forward-thinking companies, visit the NDCC Web site at www.ndcc.org
The Internet
Another high-tech industry that is shaping North Dallas is the Internet. Millions of individuals and businesses use the Internet daily to exchange information and to sell products and services. Internationally, the total domains registered totals more than 4 million, with a current weekly growth rate of 61,660. Locally, it is estimated that more than half of homes have Internet access. Dallas is among the top 15 cities in terms of registered Internet domain names in the United States.
The entrepreneurial spirit of North Dallas has taken advantage of the Internet’s inexpensive accessibility, with companies specializing in providing online services, Web site development and design, and Internet training.
Dallas has hundreds of local Internet Service Providers providing a range of Internet connections, from the simplest to the most sophisticated and fastest options for online access. A variety of Web site developers exist in Dallas, many of which are one-person shops.
The North Dallas Chamber of Commerce took advantage of the Internet’s numerous business opportunities and launched its own Web site in 1995 and a Wi-Fi hotspot in 2004. The chamber’s site changes weekly, always featuring monthly events, committee information, Dallas facts and many other useful tools to benefit Dallas businesses.
Business Development
Annual Conferences
The North Dallas Chamber of Commerce has developed an excellent reputation for developing exciting conferences relevant to today’s business community. The 2004–2005 conference schedule included:
Human Resources
April 30, 2004
Keynote speaker: Carol Wright, vice president of human resources, American Airlines
Managing Intangible Assets (Intellectual Property)
May 13, 2004
Keynote speaker: Harlie Frost, vice president and general counsel, SBC Laboratories Inc.
Metroplex Growth Capital (Later Round Financing)
May 20, 2004
Keynote speakers: Don Hultgren, chairman, SWS Group; Huntley Paton, publisher, Dallas Business Journal
Real Estate Symposium
October 20, 2004
Keynote speakers: Craig Hall, chairman, Hall Financial Group; Steve Brown, real estate editor, Dallas Morning News
Transportation Crossroads (Regional Surface Transportation)
November 4, 2004
Keynote speakers: David Blair, chairman of the Board of Directors, North Texas Tollway Authority; Todd Staples, Texas state senator and chairman, Senate Infrastructure Development and Security Committee
Telecommunications
December 3, 2004
Keynote speaker: Paul Hudson, chairman, Public Utility Commission of Texas
Health Care
January 13, 2005
Keynote speaker: Bart Starr, chairman, Healthcare Realty Services. Mr. Starr is a two-time Super Bowl MVP and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Economic Outlook Forum
January 19, 2005
Keynote speakers: Bernard Weinstein, Ph.D., director of the Center for Economic Development and Research, University of North Texas; Ted C. Jones, Ph.D., senior vice president/chief economist, Stewart Title Guaranty Company; Jamie Richardson, vice president/branch manager, Community Investments/Raymond James Financial Services Inc.
Business Toolbox Seminars
The NDCC Business Toolbox Seminar series features quarterly seminars focused on the concerns of small businesses. At each seminar, industry experts offer current information relevant to the everyday life of your business. Speakers are available immediately following the seminar to answer any questions. The Business Toolbox is sponsored by Comerica Bank and co-sponsored by the Dallas Business Journal. Seminar topics from 2004 included:
• “Marketing-Recession-Proof Your Business”
• “Branding: Creating an Image That Lasts”
• “Business Financing: How to Get It When You Need It the Most”
Hot Topics/Cool Lunch Series
Hot Topics/Cool Lunch speakers provide insight and expertise on a number of issues and challenges facing today’s business community. This monthly program takes place during lunch hour on the second Thursday of each month. Topics cover a wide range of subjects. Recent programs have included the following topics:
• “Pricing Products and Services in a Small Business “
• “Blending Marketing With Technology”
• “What Makes Business Promotions Work — Or Not”
