Working Hard on Your Behalf: Chamber Month in Review

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is here for business. We are a catalyst for business growth, convener of leaders and influencers, and a champion for a stronger Santa Maria Valley. We continue to work hard to serve our members, local businesses and the Santa Maria Valley community. Here’s a glimpse at what we’ve been up to lately.

Catalyst for Business Growth

Plantel Nurseries was featured in the Chamber's "Local Business Spotlight" series, done in partnership with the Santa Maria Valley Times.

• The Chamber continues to partner with the Santa Maria Times on their monthly “Local Business Spotlight” video series. This month we featured Plantel Nurseries. You can view the video at santamaria.com/local-business-spotlight.

• The Chamber continues to partner with the City of Santa Maria on their “Monthly Featured Businesses” recognition program. For September, Gina's Piece of Cake was recognized as the women-owned business, and Hans Duus Blacksmith was recognized as the manufacturing business. Additional information is available on p.4.

• Chamber staff attended a webinar on “Your Message Matters” put on by the Western Association of Chamber Executives.

• The Chamber continued its Hispanic Business outreach efforts with visits to the Orcutt Farmers Market and various businesses throughout Santa Maria Valley.

• The Chamber’s Hispanic Business Outreach Committee held a mixer at Toyota of Santa Maria. Over 70 people attended to network and hear from local organizations about resources available to support their business.

• The Chamber’s Economic Development Commission assisted businesses with various questions concerning zoning issues, obtaining a business license, and first steps to starting a business.

Convener of Leaders and Influencers

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber held their 2022 Annual Awards Gala, where they recognized a number of local individuals, businesses and nonprofits for their leadership and local contributions to the community.

• Leadership Santa Maria Valley kicked off the year with their retreat at Camp Allegre.

• Leadership Santa Maria Valley had their first Topic Day at Vandenberg Space Force Base, where they learned more about the businesses out on base, jobs available and the future of the space and air force industry.

• The Chamber held their 2022 Annual Awards Gala, where they recognized a number or individuals, local businesses and organizations for their leadership and service.

• The Chamber attended the Pacific Coast Business Time’s “Spirit of Small Business” awards event.

• The Chamber met with representatives in Guadalupe to discuss how to expand Hispanic Business outreach and assistance efforts to their community.

• The Chamber’s Economic Development Commission connected Bob Nelson and Tesla together to coordinate potential charging station in Orcutt.

• The Chamber’s Economic Development Commission attended a number of Planning Commission meetings & study sessions.

• The Chamber’s weekly Build Your Business (BYB) networking group continues to meet every Friday morning at 8am at Cubanissimo Cuban Café in Orcutt.

Champion for a Stronger Santa Maria Valley

Chamber Staff & their families participated in 2022 Santa Barbara County Farm Day, and learned about local agriculture.

• The Chamber’s Visitors Bureau worked with Visit California to host writer Hannah Stephenson.

• The Chamber’s Visitors Bureau continued ongoing efforts with the Events & Festival strategies discussions with local event facilities and organizers.

• The Chamber’s Visitors Bureau presented the Tourism Marketing District Year in Review to the Chamber board of directors.

• The Chamber hosted a Beer & Wine Garden at the first annual Day in the Park event.

• Chamber staff attended Santa Barbara County Farm Day to learn more about the local agriculture industry in the Santa Maria Valley.

• The Chamber assisted City with find replacement sites for tenants vacating city owned buildings

• Worked on Solar project & city delays.