The DFW red carpet treatment is much akin to what Boeing is experiencing in Chicago and Denver as the media scramble to break a corporate story that has captured attention nationwide. In a prepared statement, metroplex leaders say they felt confident as the sun set on Boeing's visit.

"We sold this region and all of the wonderful qualities to the Boeing officials with the utmost pride and confidence," says Bill Sproull, vice president of economic development for the Greater Dallas Chamber, "and their feedback confirms that we did a great job."

The regional effort represents a union, the likes of which is seldom undertaken by rival cities Dallas and Ft. Worth, down to a joint press release. "Our strong showing, superior quality of life and diverse real estate options will serve us well," says Reid Rector, executive vice president of the Fort Worth Chamber.

Those diverse real estate options had Boeing's corporate crew scurrying around the metroplex to review a handful of potential sites for a planned relocation from Seattle. There are more options than Boeing had time, so Harwood International did its wooing by placing Roman numerals on various downtown parcels. The numerals, which range in size from 50 feet to more than 100 feet, are visible from upward of 30,000 feet in the air. The reasoning is the numerals would be seen in the flyovers and trigger questions. Harwood owns 13 city blocks that could hold up to three million sf should Boeing relocate here and then decide to build.

Though not part of the Boeing clique, J. Reagan Dixon, vice chairman and COO of Cawley Wilcox Cos., tells GlobeSt.com that the region's "can-do attitude is an intangible that is always underestimated by outsiders until they get here." In 1999, that attitude had netted an FAA approval for a Boeing 777 to do a low fly, just a couple hundred feet above Stemmons Freeway, as part of the American Airlines celebration for securing naming rights to the arena being built at Victory, the intown development of Ross Perot Jr. and Southwest Sports Realty. The photograph, owned by Hillwood, hangs in the arena lobby.

"I haven't heard that Dallas will win out," Dixon says, "but I have heard that there's a feeling like 'it makes sense to us.' Certainly, I'm not unbiased."

Rector's prepared statement to the media reflects that same vein of confidence. "The feedback has been very positive and we look forward to Boeing making their new home the North Texas region," he says.

For related news, click on: Boeing Narrows Denver Choices to Five Buildings