Annual Report | San Clemente Chamber of Commerce

San Clemente Chamber is a 5-Star Accredited Member

Annual Report

Your Chamber Works for You - 2009 Annual Report

Representing the Interests of Businesses with Government; Political Action, such as electing candidates to office; Promoting the Community; Providing Networking Opportunities & Business Contacts and Creating a Strong Local Economy.

The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic and commercial progress of the community.

The area's economic well being is related directly to the caliber of work that is done by the Chamber. That is why the San Clemente Chamber has a major impact on business, income and future growth of the area.

Below is just a sample of the program of work carried out in the 2009 year that exemplifies what a Chamber can and does do for you and your business.

Representing the Interests of Business with Government

The Chamber Legislative Council works diligently to alert members to potential bad business issues as well as takes position on legislative bills, approving those that will help business and opposing others that will have a negative impact on business.

In 2009, the Chamber worked closely with our area legislators to discuss the concerns of our member businesses. Points conveyed included: Health Care, Litigation Reform, Workforce Skills & Education and Medical Liability Reform. As well as, Infrastructure Issues such as, Transportation and Water Quality.

Litigation Reform
The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce will continue to vigorously support reforms that repair California's civil liability climate.

This includes restoration of California's legal system as a justice center rather than a profiteering center. California businesses continue to suffer from predatory lawsuits by plaintiffs and their attorneys looking for the opportunity to recover monetary awards for the most technical of violations. Although passage of Proposition 64 in 2004 made significant strides to reduce such "shakedown" lawsuits, much work remains to be done, especially in the area of access lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related state laws.

Common-sense reforms also are needed to bring balance to California's class action system and punitive damages awards. Additionally, lawmakers must ensure that businesses maintain their right to use arbitration and other reasonable tools to protect against high litigation costs.

The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce will continue to vigorously support reforms that repair California's civil liability climate.This includes restoration of California's legal system as a justice center rather than a profiteering center. California businesses continue to suffer from predatory lawsuits by plaintiffs and their attorneys looking for the opportunity to recover monetary awards for the most technical of violations. Although passage of Proposition 64 in 2004 made significant strides to reduce such "shakedown" lawsuits, much work remains to be done, especially in the area of access lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related state laws.Common-sense reforms also are needed to bring balance to California's class action system and punitive damages awards. Additionally, lawmakers must ensure that businesses maintain their right to use arbitration and other reasonable tools to protect against high litigation costs.

The San Clemente Chamber will continue to alert members in respect to potential "job killer" & "bad business" bills. Your Chamber is committed to keeping you informed regarding the potential impact on your business.

In addition, the San Clemente Chamber gives members the opportunity to meet with area legislators one on one regarding issues which are important to them and their business.

The Business Council of the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce reviews and makes recommendation on local issues of concern including Legislation, Guidelines & Regulations, which may affect the prosperity of the business community of San Clemente.

In October, the Business Council submitted a report to the City Manager regarding issues and concerns in the City Community Development Department Building Permitting Process.

The City hired a consultant and is in the process of reviewing the Building Division. Therefore, the Chamber report provided constructive and timely input toward this endeavor.

The San Clemente Chamber Business Council made the problems of the Community Development Department one of its top priorities because the majority of its members heard, and experienced years of problems and complaints with the Department.

The Chamber has requested that changes be made to the Department to address the issues and to implement the recommendations of the consultant and the Business Council.

In addition, the Chamber has requested that the City Council and City Manager provide the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce with a response as to actions the City has taken to rectify this situation.

The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce looks forward to serving our members as the #1 business advocacy organization in San Clemente. We will remain steadfast in our efforts to shape a business community in which companies of all sizes will prosper.

Political Action, such as electing candidates to office.

The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce is concerned about making sure that we elect to office those candidates who understand issues from a business point of view.

Business for a Better San Clemente Political Action Committee - The Chamber positions itself "in the heart" of political action. From endorsing City Council candidates and taking positions on state and local ballot measures, to lobbying in Sacramento, these activities are some of the most important jobs the Chamber of Commerce pursues. Many business owners do not have the time to analyze the "rhetoric" often accompanying new legislative issues, but are concerned about their effects and want to have a collective voice. It is the Chamber's job to analyze and determine the impact to business, long and short term, on each issue. Through the Chamber's Business for a Better San Clemente Political Action Committee (BBSC), the Chamber also coordinates direct mail pieces, raises money and actively promotes its positions on the issues.

Chamber Promotes the Community and Markets Your Businesses
The South Coast Area Directory. The area Directory, which completed its 61st year, was once again the area phone book of choice. Chamber members received a Free Red Line Listing in this phone book as well as a $25% discount on display ads. Distribution is 55,000. This year the Directory went on-line and advertisers receive a free listing on the internet.

The Chamber Visitors Guide. This Guide included information pertinent to visitors and featured member businesses, for free, which are relevant to the tourism market.

The Chamber Dining Guide. This Guide highlights Chamber member restaurants and includes restaurant pictures, menu highlights, a location map and more.

The Membership Directory. Included members in both alphabetical order and by business category. Sent to all members.

Community Event Calendar. Listed all Chamber events as well as all non-profit events throughout the year.

The Chamber's Website includes a listing of all Chamber member businesses. Visitors to the business listings are able to connect to the members own websites and are able to click on the members e-mail address to receive additional business information. Listings also include icons for map and directions to member businesses. The Chamber's Web Site received over 50,000 hits this year.

Member Advantage Program - Chamber members offer certain discounts on goods and services, which are then utilized by other Chamber members. The Member Advantage Program includes a Member to Member Discounts Booklet, which is distributed to all new Chamber members. In addition, businesses involved in the program, along with their particular discount being offered, are listed in the Chamber's Newsletter quarterly and on the Chamber's website at www.scchamber.com. This Chamber benefit is free to Chamber members; there is no cost to participate.

Chamber & city promote our community via the San Clemente Visitor & Tourism Center and showcase the Spanish Village by the Sea through the implementation of the beautiful El Camino Real "Live it, Love it" Banner program as well as the beautiful holiday banners.

Chamber Provides Networking Opportunities
In 2009, the Chamber held the 1st Annual State of the City. This was an excellent opportunity to hear the thoughts and vision of the City's Mayor as well as a chance for attendees to network with local business owners, legislators, City Council Members and residents of San Clemente. The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce now offers members an opportunity to market and promote their businesses on the Professional Networking site LinkedIn.

Members will utilize this benefit to market and promote their business to other Chamber members. In addition, this resource will be valuable when looking for local sources for products and services.

Chamber hosted a Business Exposition, available as a member benefit - Guest attendance was over 5,000.

The Ambassadors Council - Sponsored the Sunset Networking functions and New Member Orientations. Ambassadors served as the communication link between all councils and encourage participation in all events. Ambassadors established plans for development and retention of membership.

Sunset Networking Mixers - Member Business were showcased while business professionals made connections at monthly Networking Forum.

Annual Meeting - Annual Meeting of the Members and Awards Ceremony, with over 200 business guests. All area legislators and community leaders attended.

Charity Golf Tournament - Charity Golf Tournament benefited youth in the community.

Chamber Builds Strong Local Economy
The San Clemente Chamber works daily to create a strong local economy. The Chamber is committed keeping members informed in respect to proposed legislation and issues, which affect the economic and business climate of San Clemente and the surrounding area.

This year your Chamber addressed the City Community Development Department Building Permitting Process, Water Quality, Litigation Reform, Health Care and Transportation.

In 2009 the Chamber partnered with SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business. SCORE offers Chamber members free and confidential advice to small business owners through face-to-face counseling.

Your Chamber and the City of San Clemente teamed up to create a Shop and Dine Local Campaign designed to market and promote our members, thus creating business growth and prosperity.

The "Keep San Clemente Green" Campaign main goal is to inspire both locals and visitors by emphasizing the unique shopping, dining and amenities San Clemente has to offer.

SPENDING YOUR DOLLARS IN YOUR OWN CITY HELPS CREATE A STRONG LOCAL ECONOMY!

Keeping JOBS in your city
Keeping Sheriff, Fire & Emergency Services STRONG
Maintaining local roads
And you will keep the environment clean by SAVING on gas!

Chamber Business Referrals - The Chamber has a full staff that receives over 50,000 inquiries a year from people needing business referral. The Chamber only refers members.

The Chamber maintaining the Visitor & Tourism Center - Thousand of visitors enter our office each year. The Chamber refers them to your businesses.

The Chamber and the City of San Clemente produces an area Visitor and Dining Guide. The Guides are mailed to tourists, available at the Chamber's Visitor & Tourism Center and on-line. In addition, the Guides are distributed, via Certified Folder Display, Inc., to John Wayne International Airport, the CA Welcome Center Santa Ana and the CA Welcome Center Oceanside.

The Chamber Further Strengthens our Economy by Producing:

The Taste of San Clemente - A Food & wine tasting. Event marketed member restaurants with over 300 guests attending.

San Clemente Seafest - Chowder Cook-off - Business Expo, Arts & Crafts Show & Surf Contest. Attendance was over 10,000.

Fiesta Street Festival - over 35, 000 people attended this event featuring Non-profit food & game booths, three stages of continuous live music, contests, exhibits, Arts & Crafts Show and more.

These are just some of the things your Chamber did to promote your business in 2009.

Your Chamber Works for You!

Current San Clemente Chamber Members: