Progress and Opportunities for Change

   Bobby Spiegel

Change has been a key word utilized throughout America these past 14 months. The Corona Chamber of Commerce has embraced change with vigor, commitment and focus. With direction from our annual audit, the Chamber began a competitive bidding process on products and services that we utilize. Through this process, we obtained a variety of bids from many qualified businesses that our committees reviewed and interviewed, and decided it was time for a change. Our first noticeable change is this publication, along with new acting Chair of the Publications Committee, Jason Kimes, and our publisher, BrandLand Marketing. Welcome to our new look!

Our Quarterly, Business Expo, and Student Career Day were all overwhelmingly successful. At our Quarterly Luncheon, the keynote speaker was Assemblyman Jeff Miller – who proudly serves this region – who shared the staggering and somewhat negative outcome in Sacramento. Even though he is a freshman Assemblyman, he has been successful in getting five new bills introduced, three of which were signed into law. Jeff ended his talk by showing the 450 attendees two commercials that were developed by the Las Vegas Economic Development to promote the relocation of California businesses to Nevada.

As I focused on those commercials, it occurred to me: we are better than that! I took a quick visual inventory of our Board of Directors, the many volunteers, and the tremendous businesses – over 900 – that make up the Corona Chamber and realized that we are at the right place at the right time. For months I have touted that we are the base of an economic boom. Our region is the prime location for businesses to relocate, expand and thrive.

As this publication is printed, our new Board of Directors is meeting for a full-day planning session with Steve Snyder of the CAL Chamber and WACE (Western Association of Chamber Executives). Steve’s knowledge and professionalism will enhance our Board’s focus and commitment to serve the business community. Our plans for 2010 will be crystallized with utilizing the recent member survey. We will: develop and expand ways to better serve our members, continue our efforts toward a stronger local economy, and ensure that we represent the interests of business with government.

Our Chamber provides many networking opportunities, including: On November 12 we invite you to join a group of business members as we host the last Mega Mixer at Dos Lagos’ six-story office building where networking is offered free to the attendees!

Updates on Chamber activities, events and legislative matters, visit www.coronachamber.org.

Speaking on behalf of our new Board, I am confident that your Corona Chamber will advance and continue to provide you with many resources for prosperity. Together we seek to bring about necessary change while embracing the challenges as we progress forward. As Thanksgiving wraps up the month of November, we extend to all of you our thanks for believing in and supporting the Corona Chamber.