Message from the CEO

Updates and Upcoming Events from the Greater Bakersfield Chamber

On behalf of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber, I am delighted to share some noteworthy updates from our recent State of the City luncheon, a collaborative event jointly hosted by the Chamber and the City of Bakersfield. This gathering brought together more than 350 business and civic leaders, allowing us to address pressing issues and celebrate the progress achieved in the past year. Thank you to all who supported and attended this event, especially to our City leaders.

Our mission is to foster collaboration among business, civic and public sector leaders to create a thriving Bakersfield. The State of the City luncheon provided an excellent platform for dialogue, enabling us to address concerns raised by our members and work collectively to tackle these challenges head-on. It is through such collaborations that we can pursue an agenda of shared prosperity and improved quality of life for all residents.

As for Chamber programs, Leadership Bakersfield will begin accepting applications for the Class of 2024 starting Monday, Aug. 14. This esteemed 10-month program has been instrumental in shaping the future of our community by bringing together exceptional individuals. If you or someone you know is ready to expand your leadership talents and make a meaningful impact in our community, then Leadership Bakersfield is the perfect platform.

Stay tuned for the official announcement on Aug. 14, and make sure to submit your application before the deadline on Aug. 31 at 5 p.m.

Speaking of marking your calendars, please plan to join us for our August Mixer, generously hosted by Jim Burke Ford. You can find further details for this event on page 7

Date: Thursday, Aug. 31

Time: 5:30-7 p.m.

Location: Jim Burke Ford Downtown, 2001 Oak St.

Cost: $10 Members / $15 Nonmembers

Drink Tickets $7

Raffle Tickets $5 for 6

And finally, I am pleased to share a highlight from our monthly Ambassador Committee meetings: A steady increase in attendance month-over-month. We have welcomed dynamic speakers and are providing a platform for business-to-business engagement. Should you wish to attend a meeting, reach out to us, and please remember to RSVP for events to ensure adequate accommodations.

We are finalizing details for our upcoming events this fall with information to come!

Sincerely,

Hillary Haenes Interim President & CEO Greater Bakersfield Chamber

A Better Bakersfield

An annual event or project that enhances the quality of life in the community.

Architecture & Design

The completion of a brand new interior and/ or exterior building design integrating the environment with space and materials.

Arts & Culture

Efforts by a group or individual to improve and/or enhance the arts and culture within our community.

Business Person of the Year

A local business owner/manager whose efforts truly impact and enhance the quality of life in the community.

Education

Efforts by an educator, project or school/ college that promotes or benefits education in our city at all levels.

Harvey L. Hall Lifetime Achievement

A local long-time community leader, age 55 and over, who has made a lasting impact to Bakersfield and its residents.

Health

An individual, group or organization impacting healthy living - above and beyond their normal scope of activities - through education, prevention or medical services.

Humanitarian Group

A group whose personal volunteer efforts have made a significant impact in the community.

Humanitarian Individual

An individual whose personal volunteer efforts have made a significant impact in the community.

Large Business/ Corporation of the Year

The recognition of a large business (26 employees or more) whose volunteer hours and/or financial donations have made a meaningful difference.

Next Gen

An individual or group in grades K-12 that, through personal involvement and endeavors, has answered the challenge of good citizenship.

Nonprofit of the Year

Efforts of a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that impacts the community.

Renovation & Tenant Improvement

The completion of a renovated design that upgrades an existing structure and/ or incorporates the use of landscaping to enhance the aesthetic value of the property.

Small Business of the Year

A small business (25 employees or less) whose contributions and/or products and services instill community pride.

Urban Revitalization

An individual, business or organization that has made a meaningful contribution in the past year to placemaking, reimagining how we live, work and play.

Young Professional

An individual, age 18-40, whose efforts truly impact and enhance the quality of life in the community.

PLEASE NOTE:

Nominations must be for work completed in 2023 to be eligible for consideration. No more than two nominations per individual, business or organization will be considered.

Nomination Deadline: Friday, February 2, 2024

Beautiful Bakersfield Award Recipient –Renovation/ Tenant Improvement Chairman's Award

The Open Door Network works every day to make our community better. We work to reimagine the lives of so many who have faced their darkest days. Receiving an award recognizing our newest building supporting housing and workforce development departments was a true milestone for the hard work both from our team and the City of Bakersfield, who supported the renovation. The Chairman’s Award supporting our Downtown Street Ambassadors, a workforce development program that hires currently or formerly homeless individuals, was a great recognition for the bold work done every day through this team. We are so humbled and blessed to be seen for this work. Our organization is seeing strategic growth in helping support homelessness and victim care. We have recently opened a transitional home supporting those who are needing additional support post detox. In 2025, we aim to open a new campus supporting homeless families and individuals. This will be a pivotal location, where all wrap around services will be offered, including childcare, mental health services, job training and educational services. We are excited to reimagine how we support our clients facing homelessness.

- Lauren Skidmore, CEO The Open Door Network