2020-2021 ANNUAL REPORT
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT A bright future for our business community Most of us are accustomed to annual performance reviews and templated measurements for progress and performance. We measure employee performance using evaluation sheets. We measure our business’s performance by a P&L sheet. At the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce we measure our progress and performance a little differently. We don’t sit down for an annual performance review by a higher authority. We don’t define our success by a P&L sheet. We know that the work we do and the mission of our organization is measured by how well we have served and impacted our community. The measure of our performance and progress is determined by YOU. Yes, you ...the resident, the professional, the business, the business owner, the municipal partner, the community. Our success and our performance is defined by how well we served you. I could not be more proud to share the 20202021 Annual Report outlining the ways in which Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce showed up to serve and represent you. Despite the continuing challenges of covid-19 our Board of Directors and dedicated staff proved steadfast in our mission to serve you with advocacy, resources, education, and programming. As your regional chamber of commerce, we see it as our absolute mission to be forward thinking leaders who provide practical responses to both local and regional needs. Sometimes our work efforts serve an individual. At other times our work efforts serve the broader community. All in all our performance is outlined in the pages of this year’s Annual Report. You will see that we committed to advocacy, member services, civic engagement, regional collaboration, and tireless efforts to impact the local business community. Our performance is fueled by the support of our local City leaders, sponsors and members. Thank you for your continued investment into our organization. It is your collaboration, partnership, and leadership that empowers us to do good and serve well. Additionally, we recognize and thank our elected officials for their engagement with us. We speak as the Voice of Business and more and more of our elected officials are listening and responding. The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce is proud to share its annual “performance report” with you. And, with this report we set a new par for our next year’s achievement.
Emily Falappino President/CEO
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CHAMPION INVESTORS The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce promotes regional prosperity, serving as a catalyst for economic vitality and strong communities across the valley. Thank you to our champion investors for supporting The Chamber.
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze
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GREATER COACHELLA VALLEY ONE OF CALIFORNIA’S LARGEST CHAMBERS As an influential organization in the state, the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce promotes regional prosperity, serving as a catalyst for economic vitality and strong communities. The Chamber is proactively involved in the important issues facing local business. One of the largest chambers in Southern California, the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber is comprised of over 1,100 business enterprises, civic organizations, education institutions, and individuals. As the largest business network in the region, The Chamber is accelerating business.
1,100 44
177
active members
New Members this year
591
Executive Sponsor Members
Founding Members
(with the chamber since formation)
Membership by Industry
4
23%
Other/Small Business
10%
Restaurant
10%
Tourism
9%
Trades
9%
Non-Profit
8%
Retail
7%
Real Estate
7%
Professional Services
6%
Health
6%
Financial
3%
Auto
2%
Media
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Membership Rates for 2021-2022 Individual $160 Non-Profit $310 Small Business/ Govt Elected $360 Banks, Clubs, Apts, Attractions/ Hotels (1-99) $610 Developers, Media, Utilities, Auto, Hospitals $710
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THE VALLEY’S REGIONAL CHAMBER The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce Reaches Across the Valley
Membership by area
10% 5% 3% 1% 21% 18% 19% 7% 3% 8% 5% 760-347-0676
CATHEDRAL CITY COACHELLA DESERT HOT SPRINGS INDIAN WELLS INDIO LA QUINTA PALM DESERT PALM SPRINGS RANCHO MIRAGE COUNTY UNINCORPORATED OUT OF AREA
The GCVCC is a necessary and powerful advocate for healthy business growth and prosperity throughout our wonderful region. Viewing the Coachella Valley as much more than the sum of nine great cities, the GCVCC tirelessly promotes the success of all business enterprises within our region. With the addition of dynamic new CEO Emily Falappino, the GCVCC is positioned to lift the business climate in our region to exciting new heights. Jay Chesterton
Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino
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CHAMPION FOR A STRONG BUSINESS COMMUNITY PUBLIC AFFAIRS The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber is the only chamber in the valley with a dedicated Director of Public Policy. We also have a State and Federal Policy Advisor. The Public Affairs team represents the voice of business from the state capital to our local city halls. From supporting pro-growth legislation to opposing measures that unduly burden business, The Chamber is your voice in government.
2020-2021 Legislative Highlights SB 657 (OCHOA BOGH) — Makes it easier for telecommuting employees to receive required notices from their employer. Allows employees to remain working and earning income, even during a pandemic or other disruption. Chamber Position: Support Status: Approved and signed by Governor
California Legislature
21 bills 19 bills
supported
opposed
Chamber Endorsed
85% Bill Success Rate
AB 995 (GONZALEZ) — Would impose significant costs on Regional Chamber small businesses by amending the Healthy Workplaces, Coalition Efforts Healthy Families Act (the Act) to increase the number of paid sick days employers are required to provide from 3 days to 5 days, increase the cap that employers can place on paid sick days from 6 days to 10 days, and increase the number of paid sick days an employer can roll over to the next year from 3 days to 5 days.
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Chamber Position: Opposed Status: Ordered to inactive It is so critical for chambers, especially a regional chamber like the GCVCC, to be involved in advocacy. Oftentimes, the business community is focused on the day to day operations and may be unaware of a new regulation or bill introduced that may have a significant impact on them. This is where the GCVCC comes in. Monitoring bills and taking positions on bills helps to (1) keep our members informed on what may be beneficial or hurt their business and (2) provide a voices for our region, our small businesses, our communities on business matters with our elected officials: locally, in Sacramento and in D.C. Sandy Hardin The Lock Shop
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COACHELLA VALLEY ADVOCACY Candidate Forums and Endorsements GCVCC hosted live candidate forums prior to the election. Candidate Forums connect the voting population with election candidates in livestream moderated discussion. The candidate forums were broadcast online and shared via social media. Additionally, GCVCC’s legislative committee and PAC reviewed candidates in local, regional, and state elections. GCVCC made endorsements for CA Assembly District 42, Coachella City Council, Desert Hot Springs City Council, Indian Wells City Council, Indio City Council, La Quinta City Council, Palm Desert City Council, Mission Springs Water District and Imperial Irrigation District. All endorsements were published in the Voice of Business: Election Guide and mailed out to members as well as published onlin. Covid-19 Relief for the Business Community GCVCC urged the State of California and its Elected Officials to support further Covid-19 Relief bills for our business community. GCVCC understands the massive financial burden that Covid-19 has distributed unequally across the face of business. GCVCC worked tirelessly with multiple coalitions to create new financial relief programs on local and State levels to help relieve businesses.
Voice of Business
The bi-annual Voice of Business Publication is mailed directly to 5,000+ businesses in the Coachella Valley. This publication highlights local business matters and helps inform our local business community of important legislative news, business resources, and pending legislation that will have an affect on them. It is one of the Valley’s most trusted business resources.
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CATALYST FOR A STRONG COMMUNITY 2020-2021 Community Support The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with its City and Local Partners supports community engagement, civic pride, and overall economic prosperity within our region through a variety of community-based events.
Chamber Connect Chamber Connect is a weekly virtual program designed to help businesses connect with businesses. This program encourages it’s attendees to utilize other chamber members for business and creates referral system to help members grow their business.
$121,900
82
75
456
REVENUE GENERATED FOR MEMBERS
REVIEWS
REFERRALS
MEETINGS
LoveLocal CV LoveLocal CV is a program created by the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Southwest Church and 14 churches throughout the Coachella Valley to help raise funds to help families and to be spent at local businesses participating in the Love Local CV program.
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$127,500
200 +
FUNDS RAISED
LOCAL BUSINESSES PARTICIPATING
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MEMBER EDUCATION AND TRAINING Members can count on the chamber to deliver relevant, timely training to them. From featured speakers like Google, to delivering free member training to satisfy government regulation, the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce supports our members and the business community.
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300 +
business education classes
2020-2021
chamber members participating
Training Programs
New Member Orientation Tips for Compliance with Brand New Labor Laws Lead Generation - Qualified Leads Increase Conversions Sexual Harassment/Abusive Conduct Prevention (3) Social Media - Which Platform is Best for Your Business Setting Up Events and Tracking in Google Analytics Make Your Website Work for You Small Businesses Next Steps Learn how to Set Up Conversions in Google Analytics Reach Customers Online with Google Display and Retargeting. Do More with Your Website Traffic. How Well Is Your Website Performing Live Stream Virtual Remotes Connected TV and Streaming: The New TV Audience
The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce has Changed my life when it comes to business. I earned 20% more income in 2020 during covid then I did in 2019. The relationships I have built and the people I have met has been incredible. I would highly recommend the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of commerce to anyone who is looking to grow their business Bill Noble Thryv
760-347-0676
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CONNECTIVITY & LEADERSHIP Communication Through several printed publications, digital properties, and visitor centers, the chamber helps connect valley tourism to local business.
Magazines The Gem Magazine, distributed directly to over 23,000 local homes, keeps residents informed of local events, business opportunities, and community news. Distributed to over 10,000 visitors through local events, hotels and visitor centers, Discover Indio Magazine highlights local business, including shopping and dining destinations in the valley. The 2019-2020 Annual Report was published and distributed to over 4,000 local businesses and members. Greater Coachella Valley Digital Properties like GCVCC.org, DiscoverIndio.com, CCShopLocal.com and more receive over one million visitors a year.
The Chamber helps bring people of different assets, interests and strengths together to help each other build business and a stronger community. Sandy Hardin The Lock Shop
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gcvcc.org
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COMMUNICATIONS STRENGTHENING THE VOICE OF BUSINESS Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce uses many different communication methods for connecting with its membership. Web, social media, e-newsletters, and print publications are some of the tools used.
GCVCC.ORG
65,500
82,098
146,643
UNIQUE VISITORS
SESSIONS
PAGEVIEWS
Social Media
24,833 FOLLOWERS ACROSS NETWORKS
NEwsletter
5,000+
37%
20%
SUBSCRIBERS
AVG. OPEN RATE
AVG. CLICK RATE
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COMMUNITY CONNECTION GCVCC takes pride in creating opportunities for the business community to learn more about local cities and regional development; in turn creating more opportunity for creating relationship with local consumers.
City and Regional Events GCVCC hosted virtual versions of all signature events for the year which included cross-platform streaming on YouTube and Facebook.
1,000 +
7,500 +
LIVE VIEWERS
VIEWS
Indio Food & Art The first Indio Food and Art was held at the Empire Polo Club on April 17th and 18th, 2021. This event was one of the first in person, outdoor events held in the region. It brought in food vendors and over 50 artists.
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7,000 +
50 +
ATTENDEES
ARTISTS
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During the COVID-19 State of Emergency reached the Coachella Valley, The Chamber understood it would take a special response and a collective effort to deal with the crisis.
Chamber Advocacy The GCVCC became the first local chamber in the Coachella Valley to publicly ask the County to start re-opening businesses. That push helped to form the Riverside County Economic Recovery Task Force and the eventual phased reopening of the local economy.
Community Updates • Community Townhalls with Assemblymember Chad Mayes, Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Senator Melissa Melendez to update State action and assistance. • Destination Talent Coachella Valley: 2021 Education Workforce Series with Dr. Joel Kinnamon, President, College of the Desert, Dr. Jake Zhu, Dean, California State University San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus, Dr. Tomås Morales, President, California State University San Bernardino, and Dr. Kim Wilcox, Chancellor, University of California Riverside to hear updates about our local and state colleges. • Town Hall with State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to recieve an update on insurance changes throughout the state. • Town Hall with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond to hear updates and changes to the education system throughout the state.
Community Support • • • •
The Chamber distributed thousands of free protective face coverings and sanitizers to local businesses in the Coachella Valley. The Chamber helped distribute free “Open for Business” banners to local businesses. Chamber employees and members helped organize food and supply deliveries to local health care workers and first responders. The Chamber offered a free support hotline for help with unemployment benefits, locating test sites, and other COVID-19 nonemergency related questions, fielding thousands of community calls.
Community Leadership GCVCC staff generously gave their time to local government and leadership sponsored efforts to lead COVID-19 economic recovery. • • • •
Chair of the Inland Empire Small Business Recovery Committee Vice Chair of the Riverside County Economic Recovery Task Force Co-Chair of the Coachella Valley Economic Recovery Team Chair of the Riverside County Large Event Recovery Committee
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2020-2021 GREATER COACHELLA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e
Toni Merrihew Chandi Group USA
Jeff Levine Asher & Asher Consulting
Jay Chesterton Fantasy Springs Resort Casino – Cabazon Band of Mission Indians
Rich Ramhoff Desert Care Network
Mike Etheridge Western Water Works
Valerie Ward Burrtec Waste & Recycling Services
Scott White Greater Palm Springs CVB
Julio Figueroa AT&T
Jason Cabanyog Imperial Western Products, Inc.
Tatiana Yturralde West Coast Cannabis Club
Julie Frazier Frazier Pest Control
Tom Niva LocaliQ – Part of the Desert Sun
Jeff Fishbein Brad Schmett Real Estate
Austin Beneteau Modern Woodmen of America
Lesa Bodnar Coachella Valley Economic Partnership
Cindy Burreson Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa
Vicky Franco Forest Lawn Memorial Parks & Mortuaries
David Nola Alpha Media
Mike Williams Capitis Real Estate
Victoria Llort Coachella Valley Water
Lee Osborne Osborne Rincon CPA’s
Alba Cruz - Rosales Pueblo Viejo Grill
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Carmen Contreras Carmen Contreras State Farm
Marcelino Maldonado Velarde Auto Group
Blaine Carian Growing Coachella Valley
Bob McCauley NBC Palm Springs
Daniel Harris Farmers Insurance Daniel Harris Agency
gcvcc.org
Mickey Jumapao Envoy Mortgage
David Roth Slovak Baron Empey Murphy & Pinkney, LLP
Victoria Martin Augustine Tribe of Cahuilla Indians
Sandy Lee Hardin The Lock Shop
Joshua Bonner Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District
Andrew McDuffie First Bank
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2 1 2 2 I n c o m i n g B o a r d
AWARD WINNING CHAMBER President’s Circle Award, CalChamber The GCVCC was awarded the 2020 President’s Circle Award by CalChamber. The award, first presented in 2009, recognizes chambers for excellence in business advocacy and helping their members comply with California employment laws. Only 20 other chambers across the State of California received the award this year.
GCVCC.ORG The newly designed and launched gcvcc.org website won multiple awards this year. The new site was created with members in mind, to allow for ease of use and fast response times. We won an award from WACE, a National Communicator Award thanks to our web agency JNS Next for submitting and an American Advertising award for the website.
Video of the Year and COmmunications Award Western Association of Chamber Executives The GCVCC was recognized for Video of the Year and excellence in communications by the Western Association of Chamber Executives for their weekly e-newsletter. The GCVCC was one of only three chambers singled out for recognition in the category.
American Advertising Federation Awards (Multiple) The GCVCC was recognized for their work in advertising and marketing by the American Advertising Federation as part of their regional awards program. The GCVCC brought home honors for their work on Discover Indio Magazine, The La Quinta Gem Magazine, Voice of Business Magazine, the Annual Report, as well as our videos for CV Shop Local and We Support You.
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GCVCC.ORG