Working Hard on Your Behalf: Chamber Month in Review The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is here for business. We are a catalyst for business growth, convener of leaders and influencers, and a champion for a stronger Santa Maria Valley. We continue to work hard to serve our members, local businesses and the Santa Maria Valley community. Here’s a glimpse at what we’ve been up to lately.
Catalyst for Business Growth • • • • •
The Chamber held a number of ribbon cuttings for local businesses celebrating opening, membership to the Chamber and other significant milestones. A full list of these businesses can be found on page 7. The Chamber’s Leadership Santa Maria Valley program held a “Lunch & Learn” event focusing on the new work culture: How to attract & retain employees. The Chamber hosted a workshop focusing on how to import products from Mexico, and what business opportunities are available. The Chamber’s Economic Development Commission assisted a number of existing businesses with questions regarding hiring, expansion, loans, permitting and other issues. The Chamber’s Economic Development Commission assisted businesses looking to open in Santa Maria, including a restaurant and mobile food truck.
Convener of Leaders and Influencers • •
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The Chamber hosted the 2022 Strawberry Industry Recognition Dinner, where they raised a record amount of over $5000 for the Strawberry Commission Scholarship Fund. The Chamber took a deeper look into the on-goings of the past year at Vandenberg Space Force Base during the State of Vandenberg luncheon. The presentation focused on ways the base is looking to partner with local businesses and communities on in the upcoming year to strengthen our region as a whole. The Chamber continues to hold their weekly “Build Your Business” breakfast meetings, an opportunity for local businesses to network and provide leads and testimonials.
Champion for a Stronger Santa Maria Valley • • • • • •
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The Visitors Bureau attended the Visit Santa Barbara Tourism Summit. The Visitors Bureau met with Visit California to learn about upcoming marketing and PR initiatives. The Visitors Bureau published motorcycle touring itineraries to their website as a way to attract this audience to the Santa Maria Valley. The Visitors Bureau announced the winners of their 2022 craft cocktail winners: The Salty Brigade Kitchen (Lazy Lemon Drop) for Fan Favorite and The Maker’s Son (The Ranchero) as Judges’ Choice. The Chamber highlighted Cnagy wines in their latest Local Business Spotlight video, done in partnership with the Santa Maria Times. The Chamber partnered with the City of Santa Maria on their monthly featured business program, highlighting two local businesses for April 2022: Care Connection Transport Services (Women-Owned Business: ) and Safran Cabin Santa Maria (Manufacturing Business). The Chamber held a kick-off event for their Junior CEO program. The 8-week program gives students the opportunity to learn how to open their own business, with the chance to open shop and see their product to the public at the end of the program. The Chamber continued its Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Speaker Series in partnership with the local high schools. The Chamber’s Economic Development Commission worked on Allan Hancock College on student housing needs
Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce | May 2022
Chamber Board of Directors: 2021-2022 Executive Committee Chairman: Danny Deveraux, CalPortland Chairman-Elect: Sandra Dickerson, Your People Professionals Vice Chairman: Butch Lopez, V Lopez Jr. & Sons General Engineering Contractors Vice Chairman: Laurie Tamura, Urban Planning Concepts Past Chairman: Edgar Gascon, Hacienda Realty Board Members Mark Allen, Marian Regional Medical Center Dominick Barry, Quintron Systems, Inc. Paul Cook, CoastHills Credit Union Ron Cossa, Tolman & Wiker Insurance Donna Denham, Santa Maria Country Club Donna Farrell, Santa Maria Town Center Karen Fothergill, Andre, Morris & Buttery Angelica Gutierrez, L & G Farms Chris Hastert, Santa Maria Public Airport District Doug Janzen, The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center Emily Kitts, Naughty Oak Brewing Company David LeRoy, Toyota of Santa Maria David Merlo, Glenn Burdette Luke Ontiveros, Santa Maria Bonita School District Tere Paredes, Maya Restaurant Era Polly, Era Polly Real Estate Shannon Seifert, Santa Maria Valley YMCA Michelle Shipman, Searchlight Properties Max Tucker, Best Westen Plus Big America Tim Williams, Digital West
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst for business growth, a convener of leaders and influencers, and a champion for a stronger Santa Maria Valley. Learn more about the Chamber by visiting www.santamaria.com.
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