CHAMBER CONNECTION
CELEBRATE NATIONAL TOURISM MONTH WITH A SANTA MARIA VALLEY STAYCATION
Get ready to fall in love with the Santa Maria Valley all over again! This May, in celebration of National Tourism Month, we’re inviting both visitors and locals to explore the unforgettable experiences waiting right in our own backyard. From the dramatic vistas of the Guadalupe-Nipomo
Dunes to the peaceful charm of Oso Flaco Lake, there’s no better time to rediscover the natural beauty, rich culture, and mouthwatering flavors that make our region so special.
Whether you’re just passing through or you’ve lived here your whole life, May is the perfect moment to slow down and savor what makes Santa Maria Valley truly shine. Take a scenic hike, sip your way through a local tasting room, or finally try that family-owned restaurant you’ve been meaning to visit. And of course, no local adventure is complete without indulging in our legendary Santa Maria Style barbecue—a Central Coast
Continued on p. 2
SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
CONTINUED - SANTA MARIA VALLEY STAYCATION AND TOURISM MONTH CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee
Chairman: Emily Kitts, Naughty Oak Brewing Company
Chairman-Elect: Sandra Dickerson, Your People Professionals
Vice Chairman: Shannon Seifert, Santa Maria Valley YMCA
Vice Chairman: Gina Gluyas, BHGRE Haven Properties
Past Chairman: Paul Cook,
Board Members
Sue Andersen, Marian Regional Medical Center
Dominick Barry, Quintron Systems, Inc.
Micaela Buchanan, Lark + Sparrow LLC
Jason Buchanan, HUB International Insurance Services
Jeff Buckingham, Astound Business Solutions Powered by Digital West
Nancy Crawford, Care Connection Transport + Home Care - Santa Maria
Donna Denham
Kelsi Fitzgerald, Veritas Innovative Pest & Termite Solutions
Karen Gjerdrum, Fothergill Andre, Morris & Buttery
Antonio Garcia, Santa Maria Joint High School District
Dave Merlo, Glenn Burdette, Inc.
Sylvia Palacios, Santa Maria Town Center
Terè Paredes, Maya Restaurant
Joshua Beau Flores Sahagun, Luttrell Staffing Group
Dr. Eric Sauers, A.T. Still University / College for Healthy Communities
Ryan Swack, Best Western Plus Big America
Dr. Kevin Walthers, Allan Hancock College
Interested in Chamber volunteer leadership opportunities? Contact Molly Schiff, VP of Chamber Operations & Membership, at molly@santamaria.com to learn more about open positions on our committees.
Continued from p.1
tradition that never goes out of style.
To make your local getaway even sweeter, we’re launching the “Show Us Your Key Card” promotion, a special campaign designed to reward overnight guests—yes, even locals doing a staycation!
Book a night at a participating Santa Maria Valley hotel, and your room key becomes your ticket to exclusive perks. Flash your key card at wineries, breweries, restaurants, and attractions to receive complimentary tastings, special discounts, and unique offers you won’t find anywhere else. It’s our way of saying thank you for supporting local businesses and embracing the spirit of discovery right here at home.
Planning your adventure is easier than ever with our digital California Central Coast Road Trip Guide, which highlights can’t-miss experiences, hidden gems, and local accommodations. And don’t forget to check out our May events calendar, featuring everything from cultural celebrations and outdoor concerts to artisan markets and more. There’s something happening around every corner this month—so why not make a weekend (or two!) of it?
Santa Maria Valley is more than a travel destination—it’s a community full of flavor, adventure, and heart. National Tourism Month is a great reminder that you don’t have to travel far to find something new. Whether you’re
reconnecting with familiar favorites or uncovering local treasures for the first time, a staycation is the perfect way to enjoy the best of our region—without ever leaving town.
So go ahead—treat yourself. Book a night, bring a friend, explore a trail, toast with local wine, and show us your key card. We’ll show you just how unforgettable a Santa Maria Valley getaway can be—even if it’s just down the road.
For more information on Santa Maria Valley, tourism month or the ways that our community is celebrating across hotels, wineries, restaurants and more, visit www.SantaMariaValley. com.
KEEP UP WITH OUR OTHER RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Take a look at some of our other recent Chamber publications including our new Local Business Spotlight and editorials.
Business, #SantaMariaStyle is the Chamber’s quarterly digital magazine publication. The magazine is another way we highlight local businesses, see what’s going on in the community, celebrate our members and more!
Check out our newest edition, featuring various locations focused on arts, culture and theater in Santa Maria Valley!
Check out features on PCPA, Santa Maria Civic Theatre, and the Dana Adobe Cultural Center.
Scan to read the Spring 2025 Magazine! or go to:
https://chambervu.com/ santamariaspring25/
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: HIGHCRAFT BUILDERS, INC.
In this month’s local business spotlight, HighCraft Builders, Inc. discusses how HighCraft specializes in a wide range of construction options including new commercial building, commercial tenant improvements as well as the construction of new custom residential homes, restorations and building ADUs.
Pictured: TIm Seifert of HighCraft Builders, Inc. shares their work can be found in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, with Seifert pointing to the company’s work remodeling Santa Maria’s Old Valley Hospital into a residential development, doctors offices in Arroyo Grande as well as commercial work at the Santa Maria Airport and for VTC Enterprises
LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT SERIES!
For more information or if you are interested in being featured, please reach out to Romina Montemurro, Communications Coordinator via email at romina@santamaria.com
Scan to view this month’s spotlight.
The Health & Human Services day provided an insightful and enriching experience, offering a closer look at the vital services offered to the Santa Maria community. The day was filled with presentations, tours, and discussions that highlighted the impact of various organizations working tirelessly to support individuals in need.
The morning began with breakfast provided by the Santa Maria Town Center, followed by personal life stories shared by Alicia and Zahra.. Each shared the unique challenges they faced, how they navigated their journeys, and how their experiences have shaped their work in the community.
Next, Vance Rodgers, President of SLO for Home, delivered a leadership talk, emphasizing the significance of understanding different leadership styles. This was followed by a DISC personality presentation by Cary Gray, which provided valuable tools for improving communication and collaboration within teams.
We then traveled to the Wisdom Center, where we took a tour of the
LEADERSHIP SANTA MARIA VALLEY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DAY
facility. Eugenio Venegas provided an insightful presentation on the center’s programs, demonstrating how they empower and support individuals in the community. The Wisdom Center’s work is a reminder of the importance of providing comprehensive resources for those in need.
Following this, we visited VTC Enterprises, where we were given a tour of their campus by Polly Huffer, a Board member of VTC, and received a presentation from Executive Director Jason Telander. Polly, along with Jason, provided an in-depth overview of VTC’s focus on vocational training and support for individuals with disabilities. Their work highlights the positive impact of such programs in helping people gain independence and contribute meaningfully to society.
Lunch was provided by Honda Santa Maria in their conference room, during which we had the opportunity to hear from Rachael Steidl, Executive Director of Youth Well. She focused on the importance of mental health services for youth, emphasizing the critical need for early intervention and support for young people facing challenges.
The afternoon included a tour of Marian Hospital, where Dr. Merrill, Chief Medical Officer, offered an overview of the hospital’s services. This tour provided an understanding of the hospital’s role in delivering comprehensive medical care to the community, showcasing its commitment to improving public health.
Our final stop of the day was a presentation from Selene Lariba from Child Welfare Services (CWS). Her presentation highlighted the department’s crucial role in protecting vulnerable children and supporting families. The discussion emphasized the challenges CWS faces and the importance of community collaboration in addressing these issues.
The day concluded with an update on the legacy project and a discussion on tracking progress.
To wrap up the day, everyone participated in a survey to gather feedback on the experience. The survey provided valuable insights into what participants found most impactful during the day, as well as areas for improvement. The responses will help in refining future programs and ensuring that we continue to meet the needs and expectations of everyone involved.
The day was educational and thought-provoking, shedding light on the critical role these organizations play in the community. The insights gained will undoubtedly influence our approach to supporting and collaborating with these services moving forward.
CHAMBER IN ACTION
Here’s a look at what our Chamber & our member businesses have been up to this past month. 1 3 5 2 4
1. The annual State of Vandenberg was hosted jointly by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber and Lompoc Chamber of Commerce, providing important base updates to the community regarding innovation, business and security.
2. The Chamber hosted its annual Business EXPO & Job Fair with the theme of “I heart Santa Maria!” Thank you to all who participated and made this year such a success. We showed lots of love to our business community!
3. The 2025 Craft Cocktail Contest has concluded! The People’s Choice honor went to Maya Mexican Restaurant for its version of the classic Michelada.
4. Gator Juice cocktail from Huckleberry’s Breakfast and Lunch took the Judge’s Choice award.
5. The Chamber hosted the 2025 Santa Maria Valley Housing Summit, engaging a diverse group of professionals, from developers to local officials, real estate experts, and local businesses, on topics ranging from the current state of housing inventory to future market trends and the impacts of state mandates. Thank you to the featured speakers for being part of the event; the Chamber hopes it was an educational and informative summit regarding the housing issue in our community.
GROWING MEMBERSHIP: CHAMBER WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
As champions for a stronger Santa Maria Valley, the Chamber is excited to welcome more businesses to our growing organization. Please join us in welcoming the following new Chamber members, who joined in the month of March 2025!
Investor:
Avila Lighthouse Suites (805) 627-1900
www.avilalighthousesuites.com
Pismo Lighthouse Suites (805) 773-2411
www.pismolighthousesuites.com
Shore Cliff Hotel (805) 773-4671 www.shorecliff.com
Investor:
Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach (805) 773-1011
www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sbpakvespera-resort-on-pismo-beach-autographcollection/overview
Member: Allure Ballroom (845) 326-7917
www.allureballroom.com
Corazón Latino (805) 720-6091 www.corazonlatinocc.org
Empire Real Estate Group - Maressa Martinez, Realtor (805) 944-0323
Off Broadway Mini Storage (805) 928-6116
http://offbroadwaymini-storage.com
Member: Snapit360 (805) 406-8447
www.instagram.com/snapit.360
Restoration Masters LLC (805) 242-1108
www.restorationmasters.co
RowCal Property Management (805) 715-4460
Join the Chamber today by contacting Membership Manager, Cara Martinez at (805) 925-2403 ext. 852 or email cara@santamaria.com.
CELEBRATING LOCAL BUSINESS: CHAMBER RIBBON CUTTINGS
These Chamber member businesses recently celebrated joining the Chamber or a major business milestone with a ribbon cutting. Join us in congratulating them!
Apricot Lane Boutique 530 E. Betteravia Rd Ste B2 Santa Maria CA 93454 (805) 348-2100 www.apricotlaneboutique.com/store/ santamaria
Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara 1862 S. Broadway, Suite 203 Santa Maria CA 93454 (805) 687-6065 www.sbscholarship.org
WE LOVE CELEBRATING OUR MEMBERS!
If you are a new member or celebrating a business milestone (anniversary, grand opening, etc.), let us know and schedule a ribbon cutting by emailing patricia@santamaria.com.
CALIFORNIA PAID FAMILY LEAVE GRANT - GET GRANTS OF UP TO $2,000 PER EMPLOYEE OUT ON PAID FAMILY LEAVE
DO YOU HAVE EMPLOYEES OUT ON CALIFORNIA PAID FAMILY LEAVE?
The California Paid Familiy Leave Grant (CPFLG) allows eligible small businesses with at least one (1) employee utilizing California’s Paid Family Leave program to apply for grants up to $2,000 per employee to offset the increased costs associated with the employee out on leave.
Businesses impacted by California’s Paid Family Leave program will have increased costs such as training and upskilling existing staff to cover the duties of the employee on California’s Paid Family Leave; hiring and training additional staff to cover the duties of the employee on California’s Paid Family Leave; and marketing, recruitment, and other reasonably foreseeable training costs.
For more information, eligibility details, and to apply, visit CaliforniaPFL.com. Scan to
email romina@santamaria.com.
