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 2011 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 2011, the Chamber worked closely with our area
legislators to discuss the concerns of our member
businesses. Points conveyed included:
Class Action Lawsuits, ADA Reform, Workforce Skills
& Education, Medical Liability Reform & Legal
Reform.
Chamber Members Gain Access to their
Government Officials through Chamber Website VoiceofSanClemente.
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 2011, the Chamber Business Council
worked with the City of San Clemente
regarding the current City Business License
Fee structure in respect to inequities in
the fee formula. The City is working
diligently to revamp the license fee
formula. This issue will go before City
Council in 2012. Your Chamber will keep you
updated.
In addition, the Chamber & the City hosted a
Seminar - "How to Protect your Business from
an ADA Lawsuit" - Over forty SC businesses
attended and learned valuable information in
respect to avoiding shakedown claims.
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 - Businesses for a Better San
Clemente (BBSCPAC) is the sponsored PAC
of the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce.
The PAC acts pursuant to authority
granted by the Chamber and shall make
endorsement and contribution
recommendations to support State and
local candidates on behalf of the
Chamber. PAC funds are a voluntary membership
contribution.
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, complimentary, which are relevant to
the tourism market.
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.
In addition, the Chamber and City promoted
the Surf Community through "Surfers Row".
Twenty-One new Street Banners along South El Camino
Real, officially designates the area as Surfer's
Row.
Twenty-one surfing legends were chosen to represent
San Clemente's surfing community. The honorees had
their images and names placed on a series of street
banners titled "Surfer's Row", which have been
placed along El Camino Real between the freeway
crossing and Christianitos.
Chamber Provides Networking Opportunities
In 2011, the Chamber held the 3rd 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. In addition, the
Chamber spotlights members on Twitter and Facebook.
Members will utilize these benefits to market and
promote their business to other Chamber members. In
addition, these resources will be valuable when
looking for local sources for products and services.
The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce presented the
annual State of the City. The mayor
addressed significant City matters, such as the
economy, development and infrastructure issues.
Chamber hosted three Business Expositions
this year. This was an opportunity for San
Clemente Businesses to network and market their
Business to a broad audience with maximum visibility
to thousands of potential clients.
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.
Golf Tournament - Businesses
networked at the Chamber Annual Golf Tournament.
Business Seminars - The Chamber held various Business Seminars featuring
"Coastal Chamber's Coalition Education Seminar",
"Learning to Thrive in this Recession" and a
workshop regarding the prevention of "ADA Shakedown
Lawsuits".
San Clemente Micro-Brew Fest,
Presented by Left Coast Brewing Co., this exciting
event featured Micro-Brews from all over Southern
California - Guests enjoyed Micro-Brew sampling,
homemade food provided by various non-profit
organizations and live entertainment.
Chamber Builds Strong Local Economy
The San Clemente Chamber works daily to create a
strong local economy. The Chamber is committed
to
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
Business License Fee Structure, ADA Reform,
Workforce Skills & Education, Medical Liability &
Legal Reform.
The Coastal Chamber's Legislative Coalition
produced the "Coastal Economic Coalition Summit"
featuring top economist Ed Leamer, Director and Head
Economist for the UCLA/Anderson Forecast.
The Chamber has a vital partnership 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 continue the Shop and Dine Local Campaign,
designed to market and promote our members, thus
creating business growth and prosperity.
The "Keep San Clemente Green" Campaigns 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
- Thousands 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 Guide. The Guides are
mailed to tourists, available at the Chamber's
Visitor & Tourism Center and on-line.
The Chamber Further Strengthens our Economy by
Producing:
The Taste of San Clemente - A Food & wine tasting
event.
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, Business
Exposition and more.
Military Welcome Home Events - The
San Clemente Chamber of Commerce and the City of San
Clemente hosted events for the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines
and Marine Aircraft Group 39, Camp
Pendleton.
These are just some of the things your Chamber did
to promote your business in 2011.
