2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT
A Message from the President
Community and Leadership in Times of Crises As a community-based organization, I have the pleasure of immersing myself in the Coachella Valley on an almost daily basis. Coming into the desert you are always struck by the majesty of our towering mountains, the eternal sunshine and a vibe that is both welcoming and relaxing. But when you get to know the people in the area, that is when you discover the real gems within our desert. The Coachella Valley is home to so many generous, engaged people that care about their community and the neighbors they share space with.
“Never has that spirit of generosity and caring been on greater display than during our current COVID-19 health and economic crises. ” From day one our business community has met the challenge of this pandemic. From meals and essential items made available to those in distress, to caring for the daily needs of frontline health care workers, aide and support came from every corner of the community. When our businesses did start to re-open, the vast majority of our community showed up to support them in a safe and conscientious manner. Leadership has also been an essential element to crises management. I want to thank local cities that stepped up and offered grants to struggling small businesses to help them through the shutdown, purchased “we are open” banners to distribute, and found other creative ways to assist and promote local commerce. Our county leadership quickly formed the Riverside County Economic Recovery Task Force and worked in conjunction with local business leaders to open the Main Street Grant Program, distribute over a million protective facemask to businesses, and advocated to the State Health Department to let our business community open in a safe and expedient manner. We can say with certainty at this point that 2020 will go down as one of the most challenging and uniquely difficult years the Coachella Valley business community has ever faced. I believe we will get through it and emerge stronger on the other side of these challenges because of the strength, compassion, and hard work of this community. I have never been prouder to call the Coachella Valley home.
Joshua R. Bonner, IOM
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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 1,300 business enterprises, civic organizations, education institutions, and individuals. As the largest business network in the region, The Chamber is accelerating business.
1317 61
active members
Executive Sponsor Members
231 591
New Members this year 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 2020-2021 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
296
Number of Economic Development visits made to local businesses
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
We have been with the chamber for 15 years. They are a group of professionals who will always be available to help your business grow. A great organization to bounce ideas off of...they will make it happen. Elaine Holmes PJ’s Trophies
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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.
Hosted Special CA Senate 28 Candidate Forum
bill spotlight AB 628 (Bonta; D-Oakland) — This State bill would have created a uncapped new leave of absence for employees and their family members, adding yet another layer of burdens on employers and their ability to manage their workforce. Chamber Position: Opposed Status: Failed passage in Assembly H.R. 7671 (Rep. Vela, D-TX-34) — This federal bill was drafted from a unified effort that started with a coalition of Southern California Chambers, which the GCVCC was a founding member of. The bill secures federal funding and relief for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
California Legislature
15 bills 50 bills supported
opposed
Endorsed 73% Chamber Bill Success Rate Chamber 5 Regional Coalition Efforts
Chamber Position: Support Status: Under Consideration in United States House of Representatives GCVCC meets with Consul Audrey Rivera Gomez, of the Consulate of Mexico to discuss the USMCA Trade Agreement.
GCVCC has supported our small business in being an advocate when it comes to issues that heavily impact small business such as the newly proposed bill on the Family Leave Act. Sandy Hardin The Lock Shop
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COACHELLA VALLEY ADVOCACY Mission Springs Water District Groundwater Quality Protection Project The GCVCC advocated on behalf of Mission Springs Water District in support of the Groundwater Quality Protection Project proposed by the Mission Springs Water District through the Coachella Valley Regional Water Management Group for funding through Proposition 1, Round 1 Implementation Grant. Cathedral City Sustainable Retention Basin Project The Chamber supported Cathedral City’s application for a Sustainable Retention Basin Project Grant Application to the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy Proposition 1 Local Assistance Grant. The Sustainable Retention Basin Project would serve Cathedral City along Date Palm Drive and Los Gatos Road that has been subject to ongoing flooding. The project would result in the creation of retention basins which would use green infrastructure and sustainable practices to reduce flooding in the area.
Voice of Business The bi-annual Voice of Business, mailed directly to over 5,000 businesses in the Coachella Valley, helps to inform our local business community about advocacy topics and pending legislation important to them.
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CATALYST FOR A STRONG COMMUNITY COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with our city and local partners, supports community engagement, civic pride, and overall economic prosperity within our region through a variety of community-based events.
14 52,000 460 4,100
Major Community Events (200 or more attendees)
More than
Community Volunteers
765
Attendees
staff hours
Member Vendor Opportunities
95%
of all chamber generated revenue in 2019-2020
$1.609
million dollars, was returned directly to the local economy.
Networking through volunteer efforts with The Chamber opens many doors for growth in any business. They are awesome! Marie Rosales
Desert Oasis Healthcare
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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.
15 2019-2020
351
business education classes
chamber members participating
Training Programs
Guide to Social Media (2) Employees or Contractors? Team Building Sexual Harassment/Abusive Conduct Prevention (3) Food Industry 101 (2) Finance for Business Marketing Your Business and Finding your Customer Basic Quick Books Digital Marketing Creating Your Own Podcast Strategy Amidst Uncertainty
Through the GCVCC training seminars and educational forums, my business was able to become educated about the current laws and updates in regards to compliance news during COVID-19. I’ve noticed the seminars and educational forums have become a vital service in providing training and resources to small businesses throughout the Coachella Valley. Melanie Perez SBF Payroll
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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. JANUARY 2020 | THE GOLF ISSUE
Magazines The Gem Magazine, distributed directly to over 23,000 local homes, keeps residents informed of local events, business opportunities, and community news.
THE PERFECT SWING WITH BECKY FOSSUM RICKIE FOWLER, TONY FINAU, FRANCESCO MOLINARI, PAUL CASEY, MATTHEW WOLFF JOIN PHIL MICKELSON IN THE AMERICAN EXPRESS™ PLAYER FIELD
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 2018-2019 Annual Report was published and distributed to over 4,000 local businesses and members.
2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT
CONVENER
OF LEADERS AND INFLUENCERS
CATALYST
FOR BUSINESS GROWTH
CHAMPION
FOR A STRONG COMMUNITY
Greater Coachella Valley Digital Properties like GCVCC.org, DiscoverIndio.com, CCShopLocal.com and more receive over one million visitors a year.
“The GCVCC has assisted me with introductions to key city staff and council members which has created necessary relationships for my business and in my community leadership.” Stephen Burchard, M.A. HomeSmart Professionals
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Convener
Brining the Business Community Together The Chamber offers a variety of networking opportunities for business professionals, including our weekly Lunch Bunch, monthly regional mixers, local business walks and more. It’s never been a better time to get connected!
131
Networking Events Last Year
16 7 17
14 23 7
City of Cathedral City
City of Indian Wells City of Palm Desert
1,851
4
City of Coachella City of Indio City of Palm Springs
13
Unincorporated Riverside County
9 14 7
City of Desert Hot Springs City of La Quinta City of Rancho Mirage
Virtual Events
Member Participations
Participating in GCV networking event opportunities has helped me build trusting relationships! This has proved amazing for my business of connecting with our next generation as well as having resources for my personal life! Kimberly Krause
Konnections Certification Inc.
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GOVERNMENT CONNECTION The Chamber prides itself on helping to make public officials accessible to membership.
2,040
Member Audience
All Valley Mayor and Tribal Chair Lunch
Indio State of the City
Coachella State of the City
La Quinta State of the City
Senate 28 Special Candidate Forum
Townhalls Congressman Raul Ruiz Assemblymember Chad Mayes Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia Supervisor V. Manuel Perez Sheriff Chad Bianco 12
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When 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 crises.
Chamber Advocacy In April, 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 • Special COVID-19 Community Townhall with Assemblymember Chad Mayes and Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia to update State action and assistance. • Special COVID-19 Community Townhall with Supervisor V. Manuel Perez to update County action and assistance. • Special COVID-19 Community Townhall with School Superintendents.
Community Support • • • •
The Chamber distributed over 70,000 protective face coverings 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 over 1,500 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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2019-2020 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
Valerie Ward Burrtec Waste & Recycling Services
Jay Chesterton Fantasy Springs Resort Casino – Cabazon Band of Mission Indians
Rich Ramhoff Desert Care Network
Deirdre Callanan North American Title
Ernesto Rosales Ronald McDonald House Charities Southern California – Loma Linda
Carmen Contreras Carmen Contreras State Farm
Julio Figueroa AT&T
Herman Sebastian Garcia Mechanics Bank
Tatiana Yturralde West Coast Cannabis Club
Ramiro Jimenez FirstBank
Debbie Wales JFK Memorial Hospital
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 Mission Springs Water District
Anthony Madrigal Mike Etheridge Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Western Water Works Indians, Spotlight 29 Casino
Scott White Greater Palm Springs CVB
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Jason Cabanyog Imperial Western Products, Inc.
Bob McCauley NBC Palm Springs
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Mickey Jumapao Envoy Mortgage
Sandy Lee Hardin The Lock Shop
Bob Bailey Torre Nissan
Julie Frazier Frazier Pest Control
Lee Osborne Osborne Rincon CPA’s
David Roth Slovak Baron Empey Murphy & Pinkney, LLP
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2 0 2 1 I n c o m i n g B o a r d
Award Winning Chamber 2019 Chamber Executive of the Year, Western Association of Chamber Executives President and CEO Joshua Bonner was recognized by the Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) as their 2019 Executive of Year at their annual conference in Portland, OR. WACE is an association that represents over 850 chamber professionals in 19 Western states and Canada. Every year, the association considers executives from across their membership for the honor. Judges look at candidate’s five areas of expertise including finance, communications, legislative action, and membership services performed by the 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.
Communication Award – Newsletter, Western Association of Chamber Executives The GCVCC was recognized for 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 Gem Magazine, Voice of Business Magazine, the Annual Report, as well as their creative marketing for the Southwest Arts Festival, La Quinta Car Show and the Indio California State Championship BBQ.
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