Chamber Connection (October 2023)

OCTOBER 2023

CHAMBER CONNECTION

THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER CELEBRATED COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE AT THE 2023 ANNUAL AWARDS GALA

On September 21st, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber gathered community members for a night of celebration at the Allan Hancock College Fine Arts Complex. With about 250 guests in attendance, the Chamber recognized several businesses, organizations and individuals for their exceptional community leadership and the outstanding contributions they have made to the Santa Maria Valley.

“Each year, the Chamber is excited to bring our community together in celebration to honor a few of the individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations that make the Santa Maria Valley the best place to live, work, and do business on the Central Coast,” said Glenn Morris, President & CEO of the Chamber. “This year’s recipients bring unique contributions to our community and we are proud to formally recognize each for their impact on the Santa Maria Valley.”

In addition to honoring the award recipients, the Chamber formally

IN THIS ISSUE

LEADERSHIP SANTA MARIA VALLEY VSFB TOPIC DAY P.3

TOURISM MARKETING DISTRICT UPDATE: MID-WEEK CAMPAIGN P.3

CHAMBER IN ACTION P.4

RECENT CHAMBER PUBLICATIONS P. 5

MEMBERSHIP CORNER P.6

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT P.7

SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Above: Santa Maria Valley Chamber Annual Awards Gala attendees pose for a photo during the event cocktail hour prior to the awards ceremony.

Continued on p. 2

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

Chairman: Paul Cook, CoastHills Credit Union

Chairman-Elect: Emily Kitts, Naughty Oak Brewing Company

Vice Chairman: Shannon Seifert, Santa Maria Valley YMCA

Vice Chairman: Dominick Barry, Quintron Systems, Inc.

Past Chairman: Sandra Dickerson, Your People Professionals

Board Members

Sue Andersen, Marian Regional Medical Center

Michael Boyer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast

Jeff Buckingham, Astound Business

Solutions Powered by Digital West

Donna Denham, Santa Maria Country Club

Kelsi Fitzgerald, Veritas Innovative Pest & Termite Solutions

Karen Fothergill, Andre, Morris & Buttery

Antonio Garcia, Santa Maria Joint High School District

Gina Gluyas, Realtor, Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate Haven Properties

David Leroy, Toyota Of Santa Maria

David Merlo, Glenn Burdette

Tere Paredes, Maya Restaurant

Joshua Sahagun, Luttrell Staffing Group

Ryan Swack, Best Western Big America

Laurie Tamura, Urban Planning Concepts

Kevin G. Walthers, Allan Hancock College

Interested in Chamber volunteer leadership opportunities? Contact Molly Schiff, Director of Member & Community Engagement, at molly@santamaria.com to learn more about open positions on our committees.

CONTINUED - THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER CELEBRATED COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE AT ANNUAL GALA

Continued from p.1

recognized newly elected and outgoing Board members. Paul Cook, president & CEO of CoastHills Credit Union was formally recognized as the chair of the Chamber board, succeeding Sandra Dickerson, owner/CEO of Your People Professionals/HR Your Way. A complete list of the Chamber’s Board of Directors can be found to the left.

With a diverse range of initiatives and programs, this event also serve as an opportunity for the Chamber to share important accomplishments from this year.

Past-Chair Sandra Dickerson concluded the night by honoring Vicki Conner of EconAlliance with the Chairman’s Award for her many years of unwavering commitment to the success of local businesses.

2023 recipients included:

• Ambassador of the Year: Sol Pacheco, United Staffing Associates

• Large Business of the Year: CalPortland

• Non-Profit of the Year: Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley

• Robert F. Grogan Public Service Award: Mike Grogan

• Robert P. Hatch Citizen of the Year: Jim Bray

• Small Business of the Year: Wine Stone Inn

• Tourism Partners of the Year: The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center

Learn

more about this year’s award recipients.

LEADERSHIP SANTA MARIA VALLEY VISITS VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE

DURING FIRST TOPIC DAY OF THE YEAR

This month, the Leadership Santa Maria Valley class had the opportunity to visit Vandenberg Space Force Base and learn more about the base’s current operations and community development priorities. During their visit, the class was able to engage with knowledgeable personnel from various departments on base. One of the most significant takeaways from the visit was the emphasis placed on local partnerships as the base is strengthened by its ongoing collaboration with local business, educational institutions and government agencies.

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber in partnership with the Tourism Marketing District are inviting people to break free from the year-end hustle and take a “Midweek Break,” offering $100 to relax, recharge and repay themselves.

The first 500 visitors to book their Midweek Break will be eligible to receive a $100 Visa gift card after booking a twonight stay at a qualifying lodging property between Sunday and Thursday. The trip must be between now and Jan. 31, 2024.

Whether you have friends or family for the holiday or are in need of a staycation, the break people need is right here–visit santamariavalley.com/midweek for more details about this campaign.

Pictured above: The Leadership Santa Maria Valley Class of 2024 poses for a group photo during their first topic day of the year at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

THE SMV CHAMBER AND THE TOURISM MARKETING DISTRICT INVITE YOU TAKE THE ONLY BREAK THAT PAYS YOU BACK

CHAMBER IN ACTION

1. The Hispanic Business Group hosted its second mixer event of the year in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with dozens of people in attendance.

2. The Junior CEO program recently held its Fall 2023 cohort kick off event with over 20 students participating in this session. Mark your calendars for their Business Launch Day on November 18th at the Santa Maria Town Center Mall!

3. The Chamber recently moved the location of its Friday Morning Build Your Business (BYB) Networking Meeting to Santa Maria Public Market. We thank Roscoe’s Kitchen for their hospitality over the last six months.

4. The Chamber welcomed our new Tourism Coordinator, Nathan Tausch to our team.

5. The Tourism Marketing District’s Advisory Committee met recently to discuss current tourism initiatives including the Midweek campaign. More information on p.3.

6. In partnership with the Santa Barbara County Education Office, the Chamber kicked off this year’s set of teacher tour with the hospitality industry.

Here’s a look at what our Chamber & our member businesses have been up to this past month.

KEEP UP WITH OUR OTHER RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Take a look at some of our other recent Chamber publications including our new Quarterly Magazine and editorials.

Business, #SantaMariaStyle is the Chamber’s quarterly digital magazine publication. The magazine is another way we highlight local businesses, tips from local experts, our membership directory and more!

Check out our Fall 2023 edition which highlights some local leaders who are making our community a premier place to live, work and do business.

Scan to read our new Fall 2023 Magazine.

CHAMBER COMMENTARY | EDITORIALS IN SANTA MARIA TIMES

Each month the Santa Maria Valley Chamber partners with the Santa Maria Times to coordinate guest writers for two editorial columns. Below are the two Chamber Commentary articles released during September 2023.

INTERESTED IN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH THE CHAMBER?

Please reach out to Isabel Guerrero, Marketing & Communications Coordinator: isabel@santamaria.com

Santa Maria’s Downtown Specific Plan highlights the benefits of urban infill

Santa Maria Valley strengthened by power of diverse business connections

Scan to read prior Chamber editorials.

GROWING MEMBERSHIP: CHAMBER WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

As champions for a stronger Santa Maria Valley, the Chamber is excited to welcome more businesses to our growing organization. Please join us in welcoming the following new Chamber members, who joined in August 2023.

Director:

JB’s Jewelers (805) 614-7711

www.jbsjewelers.com

Premium: Branch Street Deli and Pizzeria (805) 489-9099

www.branchstreetdeli.com

Member: Chic Interiors

(805) 287-9610

www.chicinteriorsdesign.com

Gehssa Hope Marketing (805) 478-6046

www.gehssa.com

MexiForno (805) 264-1051

www.mexiforno.com

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: DONNA RANDOLPHSTATE FARM INSURANCE AGENT

Check out our most recent local business spotlight on Donna Radolph- State Farm Insurance Agent.

The “Local Business Spotlight” series is an on-going collaboration between the Santa Maria Valley Chamber and the Santa Maria Times with the goal of showcasing great local businesses.

recent Local Business spotlight

spotlight

learn more about her agency, how mentorship developed

professional ethics, and her passion for fostering the dreams and passions

Scan to learn more Donna and her office.

CELEBRATING LOCAL BUSINESS: CHAMBER RIBBON CUTTINGS

These Chamber member businesses recently celebrated joining the Chamber or a major business milestone with a ribbon cutting. Join us in congratulating them!

Flow 1414 S. Miller Street, Suite P, Santa Maria, CA 93454 (805) 698-3075

www.flow.com

WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM OUR MEMBERS!

How has being a Chamber member supported the growth of your business? Let us know by emailing isabel@santamaria.com.

Atrévete Al Cambio Integral Wellness Center

731 E. Church St., Santa Maria, CA 93458 (805) 554-7106

Santa Maria Public Market 1317 W. McCoy Ln., Santa Maria, CA 93455 (805) 708-5175

www.sm-publicmarket.com

CHAMBER MEMBER TESTIMONIAL

“We appreciate the networking and connection opportunities provided by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber as our work is not possible without the support of our community partners! Together, we continue to create and promote hope, strength, and stability for Santa Barbara County children, families, and seniors.”

- Family Service Agency

Pictured: Donna Randolph and her team pose for a photo during the filming of their

video. Watch this

to

her

of local youth.

“The decision to join the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce was driven by our belief in the importance of being a part of the business community at large. This membership has enabled our organization to acquire a level of credibility that attracts customers and clientele, thereby enhancing the likelihood of securing their patronage in the future. By increasing the reach of our business, we can sustain the employment of our team members, who in turn reinvest back into our local community. JR Bookkeeping values partnering and networking with like-minded chamber members who share our passion for serving others.”

- Sisters Juliana Ramirez, President-CEO and Natalia Ramirez, COO at JR Bookkeeping