From the Desk of Krystal Crockett: How the Bixby Metro Chamber Supports Businesses, Builds Community, and Gets the Work Done—Publicly and Behind the Scenes

As the President and CEO of the Bixby Metro Chamber, I often get asked: What does the Chamber actually do?

It’s a fair question—and one I’m always happy to answer. Because what we do, both in the public eye and behind closed doors, matters deeply. Not just to our member businesses, but to the entire Bixby community.

A Visible Partner in Growth
Many people recognize the Chamber for our events—and that’s a good place to start. Whether it's a ribbon cutting for a brand-new business, a packed room at our Annual Awards Gala, or a conversation with elected officials at one of our Legislative Luncheons, those are the moments where we show up publicly to celebrate, inform, and connect.
Our public-facing events are intentional. They’re designed to amplify the voices of our members, highlight their achievements, and give them access to resources that help them grow. We want businesses to feel seen and supported. We want our community to know their leaders are listening. And we want everyone—from residents to investors—to see that Bixby is a thriving, forward-moving place to live, work, and do business.
We also prioritize community connection. We believe in being visible where it counts—whether that’s supporting education through partnerships with Bixby Public Schools, promoting local shopping through merchant events, or advocating for infrastructure improvements that help our city grow smarter.

The Work You Don’t See
While our public work is important, some of the most meaningful efforts happen quietly.
Behind the scenes, our Chamber serves as a trusted resource, a connector, and a problem-solver for businesses. We answer questions about permits and expansion. We help entrepreneurs brainstorm marketing strategies. We connect job seekers to employers, and we advocate at every level of government on behalf of our members. We advocate tirelessly for our businesses and smart growth and this year we are actively assisting with a housing study to make sure we have the housing options are current and future residents need while also ensuring our businesses have the workforce they need right here in our city. We make calls and send texts and emails to our county, state, and federal officials about bills and the needs of our business community.

Our commitment extends to our work through the Bixby Development Foundation, which we launched in 2019 to attract and retain businesses in our region, grow and support entrepreneurs, and build leaders through programs like Leadership Bixby. Through that work, we’ve supported startups, promoted workforce initiatives, and laid the groundwork for long-term community investment. We have also visited other communities to connect with their leaders to learn how they have grown and bring back best practices and ideas right here to Bixby.

Our space at The HUB serves as a launchpad for innovation and collaboration. We provide a meeting room, flexible workspaces, and programming that helps local businesses and nonprofits succeed. It’s one more way we’re making sure businesses have what they need to thrive right here in Bixby.

We also support the Downtown River District through social media, a website with a community calendar and business directory, and direct conversations with businesses looking for space in our core business district.

Why We Have a Team
All of this work—public and behind the scenes—requires people who care deeply and work tirelessly. That’s why we have a staff.

Our Chamber team is small but mighty. We wear many hats and juggle a lot of responsibilities, but every task is rooted in service—to our members, our community, and our shared vision for Bixby’s future.

We’re here to answer the phone when a business owner needs help navigating city code. We’re here to schedule meetings, write grants, coordinate volunteers, and plan events. We’re here to provide consistency, leadership, and forward momentum—so our members can focus on doing what they do best: running great businesses.

The truth is, Chambers don’t run on autopilot. We run on people. And I’m proud to lead a team that shows up with heart and hustle every single day.

Looking Ahead Together
Bixby is growing. It’s one of the fastest-growing cities in Oklahoma—and with that growth comes opportunity, complexity, and the need for thoughtful leadership.

The Bixby Metro Chamber is committed to showing up in all the ways our community needs us—loudly, quietly, and everywhere in between. We’re here to be your advocate, your resource, and your connector.

If you are reading this message, I hope you know: we’re glad you’re here. And we’re building something special—together.

As always, I am here for you. If you would like to connect over email, phone, or my favorite – coffee, please reach out!

Warmly,
Krystal Crockett
President/CEO, Bixby Metro Chamber of Commerce