By DEBI SCHULTZE United Chambers of Commerce President and CEO While the economy has been struggling, Chambers of Commerce have been very busy providing their members with the services they need to succeed. When times are tough, that’s when you really need your Chamber of Commerce and United Chambers. United Chambers of Commerce, a coalition of 32 business organizations, including 20 Chambers, representing over 21,000 businesses, has had a full agenda since January. We have been very active in our advocacy for business on the local, state, and federal fronts and we have recognized businesses and business leaders for all their efforts to make the business community and their local communities a better place. Highlights of United Chambers’ activities this year include our conference call with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger regarding the May Election Propositions; hosting Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s Budget Town Hall Meeting; having an intimate leadership meeting with Assembly Speaker Karen Bass; holding the first Southern California Constitutional Convention; and receiving the “Political Partner of the Year” award from the California Chamber of Commerce for our work on behalf of businesses. We accepted this award in Sacramento and only four chambers from throughout the state were given this award. Our 2009 Action & Activities Includes: · Supporting AB 333 (Fuentes) Job creating, Land Use Bill · Supporting Boeing’s C-17 project · Hosting with Assemblyman Smyth’s office, the Valley Elected Rep’s monthly meeting · Opposing Federal Card Check Bill · Honoring 15 Small Businesses with our Keynote Speakers, Supervisors Antonovich and Yaroslavsky at our Annual Small Business Awards Breakfast · Advocating for businesses to keep their signage · Participating on the Valley Regional Conference (Neighborhood Councils) Panel on the importance of building relationships and networking · Hosting Annual Sacramento Trip. · Governor’s Conference Call with UC Board of Directors on May Election Propositions · Hosting Mayor’s Budget Town Hall meeting, first stop on the Mayor’s budget tour · Hosting the So. CA Chamber of Commerce Executive’s Board Meeting (SCACCE) · Holding the first So. California Constitutional Convention to begin the discussions on solving our State’s issues · Honoring Businesses and Business Leaders at our Annual Recognition Dinner with Keynote Speaker Assemblymember Cameron Smyth · Hosting an intimate leadership meeting with Assembly Speaker Karen Bass · Opposing Measure B · Hearing update on Burbank Airport Proposed Curfew · Holding Annual Business Mega Mixer at Pickwick Gardens along with Business Expo hosted by The Valley Economic Alliance · Advocating on behalf of businesses being hurt by an increase in parking meter fees by the City of Los Angeles · Supporting Burbank Airport as a Transit Center · Supporting permanent housing for Veterans · Supporting education and the relocation of Our Community School · President & CEO, Debi Schultze elected Chair-Elect for the Los Angeles County Business Federation · Leadership meeting with Assemblymember Cameron Smyth · Leadership meeting with Assemblymember Brownley’s Office · Supporting Energy Industry with the support of the Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Line · President & CEO, Debi Schultze Elected to the Board of the Southern California Association of Chamber Executives (SCACCE) Debi Schultze can be reached at (818) 981-4491 or [email protected]
United Chambers Gives Progress Report on Year’s Projects
