CHAMBER EXEC’S MESSAGE As we begin a new fiscal year with our Chairman’s theme, “Business Motivated. Community Focused.”, we set our sights on the needs of our businesses and working together to create a vibrant community. The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce has incredible business representatives who have taken on leadership roles as board members, program chairs, and ambassadors to provide outstanding programs, resources, and benefits to our members. By taking advantage of your Chamber membership, you can find new business prospects, locate competitive suppliers, and promote your company both in the City and in the metropolitan area. Visibility, marketing, networking, and advertising are at your fingertips as you read this column, glance through your Chamber Membership Directory, or visit our website www.TorranceChamber.com The chamber has actively pursued several partnerships and other organizations to provide you with opportunities to showcase your business. We would like to highlight a few of the events that have recently taken place. This past August, American Honda Motor Company, hosted the 24th Annual Gourmet Food and Wine Festival “An Evening Under the Stars”, in partnership with the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce. This spectacular event raised an incredible $75,000 for the Torrance Memorial Medical Center. Steve Morikawa, Assistant VicePresident, along with his Corporate Community Relations Department and many other American Honda employees, provided a night to be remembered. Sherry Kramer, Vice Chair of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is collaborating with Dr. George Mannon, Superintendent of Schools in Torrance, to coordinate a strong Adopt-A-School program. This brings all elements of the community together, and in so doing, provides role models for students, enhances public relations for businesses, assists the educators in expanding and making curriculum relevant to the world of
work, and generally establishes a reciprocal exchange among people in schools and community at large. With the support of the Chamber of Commerce Education Affairs Committee, Adopt-A-School began in 1983, with the adoption of South High School by Excellon Automation. Today, 28 of the 32 TUSD schools have business partners. TACC Chairman, Mark Waronek, Heidi Cunningham, Vice Chair of Programs, and Linda Amato, Vice Chair of Community Affairs, are partnering with Fran Fulton of the City of Torrance Economic Development Department and other organizations to provide a ‘Job Fair’ for residents and employers in the South Bay, on November 4th, at the Toyota Meeting Hall. Karin Baker, Vice Chair of Special Projects, worked along side representatives of Heal the Bay, City of Torrance, and American Honda Motor Co. Inc., to assist in planning the Coastal Cleanup that took place on Saturday, September 25th, at Torrance Beach. The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau in providing “After Hours Mixers.” The past three mixers held at the Doubletree Hotel, Seaside Lagoon, and Lucky Strike have averaged 125 attendees each. This past September, TACC, in collaboration with the Redondo Chamber, helped sponsor a Senior Dance at the Doubletree Hotel. Music was provided by the Beach Cities Swing Band. It was a huge success and very much appreciated by the seniors of the area. We hope this may be an example to other communities as well. This past September, TACC, in collaboration with the Redondo Chamber, helped sponsor a Senior Dance at the Doubletree Hotel. Music was provided by the Beach Cities Swing Band. It was a huge success and very much appreciated by the senior citizens of the area. It is our hope that doing this will convince other communities to provide this event as well.
DONNA DUPERRON President and CEO Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce
Now, more than ever, and especially in California, a Chamber of Commerce can ‘make a difference’ in their community. The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce sends a message that “we are a leading business organization in the South Bay, and we will be an aggressive, independent advocate of business interests exercising its influence with government, business, and the community to ensure economic growth and vitality.”
CO N TAC T I N F O R M AT I O N Tech Pros Technology Professionals of Torrance Dan Thomas - danthomas@telepacific.com
PROFS Professional Round Table of Financial Services Jeff Wolfe - jwolfe4000@yahoo.com
Young Professionals For the young entrepreneur getting started Josh Thomas Joshua.thomas@homeinstead.com or Eric Takaki - eric@pelican-signs.com
HR Professionals Human Resources Professionals of Torrance Heidi Cunningham cunniha@kellyservices.com
Ambassadors Mentoring new chamber members Theresa Stanberry stanberrylaundry@yahoo.com
Networking at Noon Our most popular networking lunches TACC - info@torrancechamber.com
GAP Government Affairs Policy Group Charles Gale Jr. - cgalej@mwdh2o.com
To maximize your exposure in the community, or, to request more information, Green Torrance Committee call the Chamber at (310)540-5858. We will personally meet with you to create a Pat Sandt - Pat@GreenInkMarketing.com customized plan to help your business train for success. We want you to succeed and we are able to provide the tools to help you do just that! TO R R A N C E M A G A Z I N E O C TO B E R 2 0 1 0
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