December 18, 2008

Chamber Connection

2008: The Year in Review

By Pat Dando
President and CEO, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
Special to the Times

It is said that the best way to judge where you’re going is to take time occasionally to look back and see where you’ve been. This year has indeed been a year of accomplishments, challenges and change. More than 15,000 members, community builders, guests and elected officials participated in 66 events and networking opportunities offered by three Chamber departments.

Chamber advocates for Silicon Valley businesses at Access Sacramento in May.

From signature events to community meetings to advocating for business rights, some of the highlights include:

Membership

Member Briefings have evolved and grown in popularity. With more than 50 people attending each month, many now refer to it as the “Monthly State of the Chamber.” Created for new members, it has since become a popular refresher course for existing members and a valuable networking opportunity for prospective members, while providing the Chamber with a real-time snapshot of the needs of our business community.

Chamber 101, a new program launched this year, has assisted members with cost-saving techniques and tips on marketing, sales, website design/security, financial reporting and more.

Today’s Young Professionals (TYP) targets 20-40-year-olds and has developed social, educational and mentorship programs that will bridge seasoned leaders with today’s young professionals and college students about to enter the business community. This new program will officially launch in 2009.

Public Policy

Local Issues: In January, we successfully advocated for business—stating that a county proposed 911 emergency services and disaster preparedness “fee” on phone lines was actually a “tax” and therefore subject to voter approval. While our push for a critical per business versus per location cap of $10,000 was approved, the greater victory came later, after the fee was postponed and finally withdrawn, when the courts upheld that similar fees were taxes.

Chamber Coalition: In October, we partnered with the Chambers of Commerce Coalition of Santa Clara County to produce a “Yes on Proposition 11” ad campaign. The effort was successful, finally putting an end to partisan redistricting and hopefully, the legislative deadlock in Sacramento.

City Trip: In October, more than 80 public and elected officials and business leaders became the largest delegation in Chamber history to attend the City Trip. Held in Chicago, attendees brought back lessons learned about green roofs, green building, and how high design in the urban realm creates a city center that attracts world-class businesses and events.

Signage: We are finally starting to gain headway toward improving the city’s out-of-date signage ordinance. After 30 years, the city has taken the first step by allocating $100,000 to review the downtown portion of the ordinance. In our efforts, we appreciate the working relationship we have with local elected officials who understand the importance of being business-friendly and thank them for their leadership in moving such policy forward.

Events

Tri-Chamber Mixer: Just one year after its inception, this successful new program has grown to become a twice-yearly event. Our partnership with the Sunnyvale and Santa Clara Chambers of Commerce to host two Tri-Chamber Mixers drew more than 1,100 attendees. Later, a new twist on these “mega mixers” emerged as mini-expos that enabled members to display and promote their products and services to attendees. This has further expanded the mission of the Chamber to promote additional countywide networking.

Bill Klein, chair of SJSV Chamber (second from left), is joined by San Jose Sharks owner Greg Jamison and players Alexei Semenov (21) and Devin Setoguchi (16) at the Spirit of Santa Clara Valley breakfast in October.

Spirit of Santa Clara Valley, “See What Sharks Eat for Breakfast”: Back for a second year, more than 450 people gathered to rub elbows with the players and welcome the start of the 2008-2009 hockey season. In addition, the Sharks were hailed for their ongoing dedication to the schools and youth of our greater community, while serving as a significant economic engine that drives our local economy through the hundreds of jobs needed to support the arena, and fan support of local hotels and restaurants.

Legends & Leaders: Our signature gala this year featured the wit and leadership insights of Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who joined us in recognizing Excellence in Education and Leadership. Outstanding principals, teachers, students and community leaders received awards and cash grants from the Community Education Foundation. This year’s Excellence in Leadership recipients—Barry Swenson with Barry Swenson Builder and Adobe Systems, Inc—were both praised for their unwavering commitment to the community.

In looking back over 2008 the one thing that stands out and makes this such a strong chamber are our members, those who—regardless of a suffering economy, remain passionate about this city and those helping to shape it. If that weren’t enough, the Chamber now prepares to embark on a huge change in 2009, as we move into our new home at the epicenter of downtown San Jose.

Thanks to the leadership of Chamber Chair Bill Klein and our Real Estate subcommittee; Bill Baron, Jim Eller, Brad Krouskup and Gerry DeYoung, we are looking forward to starting the new year with new programs that will continue our efforts to provide exciting ways to bring our members—small and large—together to grow and thrive in one of the best cities in the country.

Reprinted courtesy of the Chamber.