Chamber Connection (September 2023)

SEPTEMBER 2023

CHAMBER CONNECTION

MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER UNVEILS 2023-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN: FOSTERING COMMUNITY PROSPERITY AND RESILIENCE

In a bid to bolster economic prosperity and promote community wellbeing, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber has unveiled its comprehensive strategic plan for 2023-2026. This plan’s five strategic priorities are designed to propel the region towards a more vibrant and sustainable future. The strategic priorities are detailed in the call-out box on P.2.

“Having a strategic plan in place allows our team to assure the work we are doing aligns with the priorities we have set for our organization,” explained Glenn Morris, President and CEO of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber. “Our strategic plan has some set focus areas, but also enough flexibility to navigate change, seize opportunities, and align our efforts with the ever-evolving needs of the local community.”

The Chamber’s strategic planning process included working with a facilitator, Betty “B” Gorman of “B Great Leadership”, who helped lead the organization through the strategic planning process. This process

LEADERSHIP SANTA MARIA VALLEY CLASS RETREAT P.3

NEW HBG GROW YOUR BUSINESS EVENT SERIES P.3

CHAMBER IN ACTION P.4

RECENT CHAMBER PUBLICATIONS P. 5

MEMBERSHIP CORNER P.6

MONTHLY FEATURED

BUSINESSES- AUGUST 2023 P.7

SANTA

SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Above: Santa Maria Valley Chamber staff poses for a group photo during a staff outing earlier this year.

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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 - SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER UNVEILS 2023-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN

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included gather community input through surveys and community stakeholder interviews, and hosting a strategic planning session with the Chamber staff & Board of Directors.

“I was really excited about this years’ strategic planning process, since we invited partners and other community stakeholders. That created a really highly engaged group, and resulted in a very robust plan,” said Sandra J. Dickerson, CEO of Your People Professionals.

The Chamber’s strategic plan reinforces the organization’s commitment to nurturing economic vitality, fostering inclusivity, and enhancing the well-being of all residents in the Santa Maria Valley.

Guided by its mission to connect, inform, and influence, the Chamber looks forward to continuing this important community work, with an added focus provided by their 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.

“The Chamber is instrumental in connecting, informing and influencing the community growth for the business sector,” explained Sue Andersen, CEO of Marian Regional Medical Center & Chamber Board member. “The five key priorities outline in the updated strategic plan are very much what is important to the greater Santa Maria Valley, and I’m excited to see the Chamber’s continued efforts in these areas.”

2023-2026 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

LEADERSHIP SANTA MARIA VALLEY CLASS OF 2024 KICKS-OFF THEIR PROGRAM JOURNEY

The Leadership Santa Maria Valley Class of 2024 recently kicked off their journey through the program with a successful class welcome event and retreat. With 18 members, this year’s class includes individuals representing a range of local businesses and community non-profit organizations. Each year, the class retreat serves as the perfect opportunity for class participants to get to know one another, build connections, and set goals for the upcoming year.

SANTA MARIA VALLEY’S HISPANIC BUSINESS GROUP LAUNCHES NEW GROW YOUR BUSINESS EVENT SERIES

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber’s Hispanic Business Group (HBG) recently launched a new monthly Grow Your Business event series. Each event is designed to help our local business owners and professionals strengthen their community ties consisting of a learning segment, business spotlight and networking time. The HBG invites all members of the community to attend these events.

Upcoming Events

Pictured above: In August, the Leadership Santa Maria Valley(LSMV) Class of 2024 members participated in a weekend-long retreat.

Pictured above: Community members attend first Grow Your Business Event hosted by Flow on the topic of Santa Maria Open Streets.

CHAMBER IN ACTION

1. The Santa Maria Valley Wine Trolley won Best Tasting Transportation again this year in the 23rd Annual Readers Poll for the Best of No. Santa Barbara County.

2. In August, several members of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber team attended the WACE academy in Sacramento.

3. The SMV Chamber Junior CEO program received the 2023 Small Business Advocate award from the Pacific Coast Business Times.

4. The Chamber welcomed out first intern through the Partners in Education Student Internship program.

5. Over 10 new members were celebrated at the recent Chamber mixer event hosed by Santa Maria Town Center, That One Photobooth, and Events by Krissy.

6. Congressman Salud Carbajal was joined by the Santa Maria Valley and Santa Barbara South Coast Chambers of Commerce to show support for the Childcare Investment Act, sponsored by the Congressman. This new legislation was built with input from local businesses, with the intent to increase support for local businesses to offer childcare benefits like subsidized childcare or employer childcare centers.

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.

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

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.

Check out our most recent Local Business Spotlight on Cambria Winery & Vineyard- a beautiful winery and tasting room located in the Santa Maria Valley

Watch now to learn more about the Cambria Estate Winery.

Pictured: The team at Cambria Estate Winery recently joined us for our Local Business Spotlight series with the Santa Maria Times.

One of the oldest vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley, Cambria Estate Winery offers beautiful views and an excellent tasting experience. This spotlight covers the Winery’s history, its womenled team, and their sustainability and philanthropy efforts.

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 August 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 is a Smart City, Safe City

Intern, extern programs win for your business; invest in our future local workforce

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 July 2023.

Investor: Flow (805) 698-3075

www.flowspace.work

Corporate: ForeFront Power (855) 204-5083

www.forefrontpower.com

Member:

All Dry San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County (805) 476-0003

www.myalldry.com

Member:

Angels Foster Care (805) 884-0012

www.angelsfostercare.org

Deep Clean Crew (805) 608-2929

www.thedeepcleancrew.com/santamaria-ca

EconAlliance (805) 268-7595

www.econalliance.org

Guadalupe Social Club (805) 356-6018

www.guadalupesocialclub.com

Santa Maria Valley Small Engine Repair (805) 348-0167

www.santamariavalleysmallengine.com

MONTHLY FEATURED BUSINESSES FOR AUGUST 2023

Each month the Chamber in partnership with the City of Santa Maria recognizes two deserving businesses through the “Monthly Featured Business Program.” We are excited to announce this month’s recipients!

LONG-STANDING HEALTHCARE

CONGRATULATIONS TO

BOTH OF THESE MEMBERS!

If you know a long-standing or healthcare business in the City of Santa Maria who deserves recognition, email isabel@santamaria.com to nominate them for this program.

Kirk & Simas was recognized at City Council as the long-standing featured business of the month for August 2023.

The Joint Chiropractic was recognized at City Council as the Healthcare featured business of the month for August 2023.

Scan to read the full press release.

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!

HAVE AN UPCOMING MILESTONE?

Guaranteed Rate

2400 Professional Parkway, Ste. 206, Santa Maria, CA 93455 (805) 202-9037 www.rate.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.

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber wants to celebrate with you. For more information about ribbon cuttings and how to schedule your own, please contact our Administrative Support Coordinator-Patricia Horta at patricia@santamaria.com or (805) 925-2403 x 812.

CHAMBER MEMBER TESTIMONIAL

“We value our investment in the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce for their continued efforts to grow and support our community. We appreciate the way the Chamber brings everyone together for the sake of bettering our local Santa Maria Valley.”

- Fidelity National Title Santa Maria

“As a Small women owned business in Santa Maria, the Economic Development Department of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce has been a vital part of our growth and success, before and throughout the pandemic and continues being extremely valuable to my business. Whenever I have needed assistance, information and/or connections they are my goto, I can always rely on them for professional service, resourceful accurate information, and reliable connections. When I have asked them for assistance their response is fast, and they bring solutions and options to assist me in my business needs.”

-Petra Hernandez, Shred 2 You, Inc.