The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce closed out a challenging year with a 20-member increase over 2008 and a 28 percent increase in the number of services and opportunities it offered its members.
As with most chambers in California, the Carlsbad Chamber lost some members. But unlike most, the Carlsbad Chamber welcomed more than it lost.
While last year's economy was tough on everyone, the chamber was able to increase its member benefits. To help its members thrive in 2009, the chamber hosted more than 300 meetings, workshops and events.
“When business is good, the chamber is busy. When businesses are struggling, that is when the chamber GETS busy, doing even more to create opportunities for success for our members and the community,” said Toni Padron, executive vice president and COO of the chamber.
That figure breaks down to 25 happenings each month. Considering each month had an average of 22 working days, the chamber staff rose to the challenge, providing these services as additional member benefits.
These figures do not include the two days each week the chamber offered free SCORE counseling through its Small Business Success Center. An average of 10 counseling sessions took place each week last year, assisting close to 300 businesspeople.
The numbers also don't reflect the three subcommittees that met once a month at the chamber or the four ribbon cuttings the chamber averaged each month.
On a regular basis, the chamber also attended City Council, Planning Commission, County Board of Supervisors and state meetings to advocate for public policy that was beneficial to business and the community. Those meetings were often lengthy and some required hours of travel time to Sacramento.
In addition, the chamber published a 60-page “Small Business Sucess Guide” for the first time. The chamber also publised a glossy magazine commemorating McClellan-Palomar Airport's 50th Anniversary.
That piece received an Excellence in Journalism Award from the San Diego Press Club, as did the chamber's monthly newspaper, the Carlsbad Business Journal. Also last year, the chamber redesigned its annual 160-page “Business Resource Guide,” revamped its Web site, redesigned the Carlsbad Business Journal and began using Facebook and Twitter to promote its events and services.
“We're a busy staff, but we get our inspiration from the industriosness and determination of our members” said Ted Owen, president and CEO of the chamber. “It's a pleasure to work hard on their behalf toward a prosperous 2010.”
Check out the lists below for a snapshot of last year's chamber happenings.
Major 2009 events (12 total):
• Annual Business Awards Dinner, Feb. 20.
• Business is Green Showcase, March 17.
• An Evening with Martin Garrick, April 30.
• Carlsbad Village Street Faire, May 3.
• Outstanding Educational Program Awards Dinner, May 8.
• Chamber of Commerce Day at Camp Pendleton, May 15.
• McClellan-Palomar Airport 50th Anniversary Event, June 27.
• State of the City, Aug. 28.
• Chamber Board of Directors Retreat Weekend, October.
• Carlsbad Village Street Faire, Nov. 1.
• Job Fair & Business Expo, Nov. 12.
• Welcome Home World Famous Vipers HMLA169 From Afghanistan, Dec. 12.
Some of 2009's other events, workshops and seminars included:
• 5 Minute Networking, 2.
• CEO Roundtable, 2.
• Chamber 101 (new member orientation), 2.
• Committee Meetings, 95.
• Disaster Planning Workshops, 2.
• Eco Bus Tour, 1
• First Friday Breakfasts, 11.
• Industry Roundtables, 3.
• Lunch Bytes, 12
• Meet the Chamber, 2.
• Networking to Netweaving, 4
• North County Young Professionals, 10 planning meetings and 8 events.
• Pathways to Success, 20.
• Netforce 1 (referral group), 45.
• Small Business Roundtable, 4.
• Social Media Workshops, 9.
• Sundowners, 12
• Sustainability Workshops, 10.
• Technology Workshops, 10.
As with most chambers in California, the Carlsbad Chamber lost some members. But unlike most, the Carlsbad Chamber welcomed more than it lost.
While last year's economy was tough on everyone, the chamber was able to increase its member benefits. To help its members thrive in 2009, the chamber hosted more than 300 meetings, workshops and events.
“When business is good, the chamber is busy. When businesses are struggling, that is when the chamber GETS busy, doing even more to create opportunities for success for our members and the community,” said Toni Padron, executive vice president and COO of the chamber.
That figure breaks down to 25 happenings each month. Considering each month had an average of 22 working days, the chamber staff rose to the challenge, providing these services as additional member benefits.
These figures do not include the two days each week the chamber offered free SCORE counseling through its Small Business Success Center. An average of 10 counseling sessions took place each week last year, assisting close to 300 businesspeople.
The numbers also don't reflect the three subcommittees that met once a month at the chamber or the four ribbon cuttings the chamber averaged each month.
On a regular basis, the chamber also attended City Council, Planning Commission, County Board of Supervisors and state meetings to advocate for public policy that was beneficial to business and the community. Those meetings were often lengthy and some required hours of travel time to Sacramento.
In addition, the chamber published a 60-page “Small Business Sucess Guide” for the first time. The chamber also publised a glossy magazine commemorating McClellan-Palomar Airport's 50th Anniversary.
That piece received an Excellence in Journalism Award from the San Diego Press Club, as did the chamber's monthly newspaper, the Carlsbad Business Journal. Also last year, the chamber redesigned its annual 160-page “Business Resource Guide,” revamped its Web site, redesigned the Carlsbad Business Journal and began using Facebook and Twitter to promote its events and services.
“We're a busy staff, but we get our inspiration from the industriosness and determination of our members” said Ted Owen, president and CEO of the chamber. “It's a pleasure to work hard on their behalf toward a prosperous 2010.”
Check out the lists below for a snapshot of last year's chamber happenings.
Major 2009 events (12 total):
• Annual Business Awards Dinner, Feb. 20.
• Business is Green Showcase, March 17.
• An Evening with Martin Garrick, April 30.
• Carlsbad Village Street Faire, May 3.
• Outstanding Educational Program Awards Dinner, May 8.
• Chamber of Commerce Day at Camp Pendleton, May 15.
• McClellan-Palomar Airport 50th Anniversary Event, June 27.
• State of the City, Aug. 28.
• Chamber Board of Directors Retreat Weekend, October.
• Carlsbad Village Street Faire, Nov. 1.
• Job Fair & Business Expo, Nov. 12.
• Welcome Home World Famous Vipers HMLA169 From Afghanistan, Dec. 12.
Some of 2009's other events, workshops and seminars included:
• 5 Minute Networking, 2.
• CEO Roundtable, 2.
• Chamber 101 (new member orientation), 2.
• Committee Meetings, 95.
• Disaster Planning Workshops, 2.
• Eco Bus Tour, 1
• First Friday Breakfasts, 11.
• Industry Roundtables, 3.
• Lunch Bytes, 12
• Meet the Chamber, 2.
• Networking to Netweaving, 4
• North County Young Professionals, 10 planning meetings and 8 events.
• Pathways to Success, 20.
• Netforce 1 (referral group), 45.
• Small Business Roundtable, 4.
• Social Media Workshops, 9.
• Sundowners, 12
• Sustainability Workshops, 10.
• Technology Workshops, 10.