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Chamber of Commerce

MISSION STATEMENT

To promote business and enhance the economic and cultural well-being of the people in Fresno County.

OUR ORGANIZATION

We are one of the largest chambers in California, with a membership of nearly 2,000 businesses. As the largest business organization in the region, our membership includes: small businesses, corporations, associations and professionals. Small business represents 80 percent of our membership. One of our central goals is to advocate on behalf of these small businesses; this year we have been the only Chamber in the state to receive an award from the California Chamber of Commerce for our advocacy in the name of business interests.

CORE OBJECTIVES

We work hard to strengthen our community, to encourage growth and to identify needs and opportunities. Our objectives as your Chamber are to:

• Promote a Strong Local Economy
• Provide Opportunities to Network and Build Relationships
• Deliver Programs to Help Businesses Grow
• Represent and Advocate on Behalf of Business
• Enhance Commerce Through Community Stewardship

Chamber Events & Membership Benefits

OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND NETWORK

The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce offers a wide range of events and development programs ranging from seminars and training to executive-level support and networking opportunities. Annual breakfasts, luncheons, monthly mixers as well as our annual trade show, Business After Hours, are just some of the events and programs designed to help you get the most value out of your membership.

Listed below are our annual events:

Ag Awards Luncheon
The Chamber is delighted to present the annual Ag Awards Luncheon. This luncheon is a long-standing Fall Chamber tradition that honors a person from the agricultural community and features the presentation of the Baker, Peterson and Franklin Ag Business Award to an agricultural or farming business. The program will host an array of industry experts who will address important agricultural concerns and provide outstanding information, including The Fresno County Farm Bureau’s President, who discusses the current, “State of Agriculture.”

Annual Membership & Installation Dinner
Each year, in January, we ask the community to come join us for an evening of elegance and recognition as the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Annual Membership & Installation Dinner. This event offers a unique opportunity for our members to celebrate the business accomplishments from the past year and preview the Chamber’s vision for the upcoming year. In addition, this event highlights the “Passing of the Gavel” and features other prestigious awards.

“A Night Under the Tuscan Stars”
This is the premiere event to see and be seen in Fresno. It is set in the beautiful gardens of John and Carolyn Goss every October. "A Night Under the Tuscan Stars" is an unforgettable evening of dinner and music with live and silent auctions benefitting the Chamber. “Tuscan” also offers a magical opportunity to showcase your business.

Business After Hours
This event serves as a prime opportunity to peruse local business’ products and services and is also the perfect time to showcase your own. With numerous booths and attendees, this event is an invaluable resource for networking and making those all important business contacts. Join us for a fun evening of music, food, beer and wine tasting. There are also terrific give-a-ways with business card drawings, providing a little something for everyone! Annually, we have a great turnout from Fresno residents, making this possibly the best opportunity to market your business all year. Admission is free to the public. Chamber members interested in sales and networking opportunities to build their customer base can book exhibit space at the ever-popular Business After Hours. This event takes place two times a year: in August and March.

Business Leadership
Trips Immerse yourself into the culture of India for 10 days! Gaze at the wonders of the Taj Mahal, explore the scenery of India from the back of an elephant, and enjoy the tantalizing cuisine of the land. Join us April 10, 2009 as we embark on an amazing trip into the heart of Persia. This is truly an adventure you won’t want to miss! This expedition is available to all Chamber members and non-members alike. The “Mission to China” provides an exceptional opportunity to learn about Chinese culture, the business environment and to make valuable contacts in the expansive Chinese market. The eight-day trip amenities include round trip international airfare, 4-star or 5-star hotel stays, three full meals each day, Chinese governmental official banquets, deluxe bus tours, English speaking tour guides, admission tickets to all tourist attractions and airport taxes throughout the trip. This experience is available to all Chamber members and non-members alike.

Economic Reporting Breakfast
We invite members of the Fresno area to come participate in a discussion about today’s economic climate at this annual spring event. What top economic issues are affecting your business dollars? The Economic Reporting Breakfast allows members of the business community to engage in a conversation regarding Fresno and the surrounding area. This event outlines a specific topic and promotes discourse on what can be done to better the economic wealth for all businesses, large and small.

Entrepreneur Awards Luncheon
Here at the Fresno Chamber, we take pride in the entrepreneurial spirit of those in our city. Thus, we would like to have you join us as we highlight twelve enterprising individuals and organizations in our community that have successfully implemented the definition of entrepreneurship–“One who organizes, manages and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise.” The Chamber accepts nominations from the community for the following four entrepreneur awards: Harold Zinkin, a business or individual that has been in business for over five years; Rising Star, a business or individual that has been in business for five years or less; College, a college student who has best demonstrated exceptional vision, innovation and leadership in the establishment and development of an owner-led business; and Young High School, a high school or first-year college student who has best demonstrated exceptional vision, innovation and leadership in the establishment and development of an owner-led business. This event occurs in late October.

State of the City Luncheon
The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce and co-hosts, Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hmong Business Association and San Joaquin Valley Black Chamber of Commerce present the annual State of the City Luncheon with the City of Fresno’s Mayor. This event provides a forum for the Mayor to share the City’s accomplishments, opportunities and plans for the future with the community. This event takes place in the summer each year.

State of the County Breakfast
The annual State of the County Breakfast serves as a forum for the Board of Supervisors to highlight the County’s accomplishments and outline a foundation for the future. This event is an excellent networking and marketing opportunity. It takes place in the summer each year.

Valley Business Conference
Each February, the Chamber holds a day-long event for everyone–Chamber members and non-members alike. The speakers provide pertinent information and an excellent networking opportunity for all business people. During the luncheon we honor a businessperson who is considered to have exhibited outstanding leadership during the year. This individual’s devotion of time and talents for the good of the community is recognized with the Leon S. Peters Award.

Throughout the year we continue to provide venues for networking and business education.

Eggs and Issues Breakfast
This event is held at various times during the year with local legislators from throughout our region to provide a forum for Chamber members to interact and share their views on the needs of the business community. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Membership Mixers (Third Thursday of each month)
Membership Mixers are one of the Chamber’s most successful networking events. These are popular get-togethers where current and potential members can meet, exchange information and talk business in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Bring your business cards and interact with other business minded individuals at these informal gatherings. Mixer sponsorship opportunities exist, which provide a great opportunity to promote your business. Members and potential members may attend at no cost. Enjoy prizes, appetizers, beverages, spirits and entertainment at this exciting event. Visit www.fresnochamber.com to locate upcoming dates and locations.

Delivering Programs to Help Business Grow!
As a Chamber, we depend upon volunteers and staff to identify community needs, issues and opportunities in order to improve Fresno. We then work closely to produce programs capable of solving these issues. As a business-centered organization, we also strive to deliver programs to help grow business, such as the following:

• School-to-career activities
• Business start-up support and assistance
• Sponsorship of Leadership Fresno
• Sponsorship of the San Joaquin Political Academy
• Workshops, information exchange and special events on business development
• Grand openings and ribbon cuttings

Recognition of outstanding leadership with our annual Leon S. Peters award, of the agriculture industry with the Agriculturist of the Year award and community entrepreneurship with the Annual four Entrepreneurial awards; Zinkin, Rising Star, College and Young High School.

The Chamber also develops business resource publications to promote our Members and to help continue the growth of our local economy.

• How to do Business in Fresno County (Download it from our website: www.fresnochamber.com
• Guide to Fresno
• Relocation Packets
• Membership Directory and Buyer’s Guide

Represent and Advocate on Behalf of Business
One of the Chamber's main initiatives is to be active on the local, state and federal government levels in order to represent and advocate on behalf of the business community. We believe that government must operate as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible for the economic well-being of the region.

As your advocate before government, we have helped with:
• California’s Workers Compensation Reform; reducing statewide costs from $12 billion to $7 billion a year.
• New freeway construction and road improvements through the Measure C campaign; over $700 million in investments and 14,000 new jobs.
• Advocating on behalf of small businesses in the fight on healthcare reform so the burden is not put on employers.
• Lobbied for redistricting reform statewide
• Fought to reduce frivolous lawsuits on Employers
• Expansion of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport
• The integration of public safety services

Enhance Commerce Through Community Stewardship

The Chamber is the front door of community stewardship and we work in collaboration with many other community organizations to enhance local businesses. These include, but are not limited to:

• Building Industry Association
• California State University, Fresno
• Center for Advanced Research and Technology
• Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Economic Development Corporation Serving Fresno County
• Fresno Business Council
• Fresno Compact
• Fresno Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Fresno County Farm Bureau
• Fresno County Office of Education
• Fresno County Women’s Chamber of Commerce
• Fresno Leading Young Professionals
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Public Agencies
• Regional Jobs Initiative
• San Joaquin Valley Black Chamber of Commerce
• Service Clubs
• State Center Community College District
• State Center Consortium
• The Maddy Institute, CSUF
• Tree Fresno
• Workforce Investment Corporation
• Valley CAN

Get Involved!

Members help us achieve our core objectives when they get involved. If you are a member and would like to get involved with the Chamber, please contact us at (559) 495-4800 or info@fresnochamber.com and let us know what committee you are interested in:

Marketing and Membership Services Division
Ambassadors
Membership/Marketing Committee

Land Use & Environmental Division
Agriculture, Water & Environmental Committee
Image Fresno

Governmental Affairs Division
Governmental Affairs Council

Business Vitality Division
Business Education Committee

Features and Benefits of Membership

• Four 600 Club tickets to a Fresno Grizzlies game, Grizzlies souvenir and name recognition on scoreboard (during baseball season)
• Listing as a new member in Chamber Update
• Listing as a new member in e-News
• Chamber of Commerce membership plaque
• Ribbon cutting/Grand opening ceremony
• Ribbon cutting/Grand opening picture displayed in Chamber Update
• Ribbon cutting/Grand opening event announced on the Chamber’s events calendar/website
• “New” member listing on Chamber website online membership directory for the first 30 days
• Free Business Journal subscription for three months

Member Incentives

• Chamber Update monthly mailing
• Chamber eNews weekly distribution
• Business representation for government advocacy and the community
• Referrals of Chamber members for business inquiries
• Tax deduction on Chamber membership dues
• Opportunity to host the Chamber’s monthly membership mixers for networking opportunities
• Notary services
• Free online job postings on Chamber’s website
• Quarterly development workshops on business issues
• Business development opportunities through several Chamber committees
• Membership database on a computer disk (first time is free)
• Business consulting for small business administration from SCORE
• Business/networking events throughout the year (approx. 15 events annually)
• Semi-monthly membership orientations to keep you up to date with Chamber’s benefits/mission
• Legislative e-Alerts
• Fax blasts on urgent topics

MEMBER DISCOUNTS

• Employee Health/Dental Insurance (Ben-e-lect)
• Rental of the Chamber rooms, facilities & technology
• Office Depot supplies, up to 60%
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• Hertz Rentals
• Wonder Valley Ranch Resort and Conference Center
• Mailing labels of the Chamber’s membership
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Benefits
• Fresno County Federal Credit Union
• 2009 Employment Law Compliance Materials

MARKETING & PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Chamber is proud to offer its members many opportunities to market and promote their businesses. Here are a few of the opportunities your company can take advantage of:

• Coupons on the Chamber website
• Advertising in the Membership Directory and Community Guide
• Advertising in the Chamber Update
• Sponsorship opportunities at Chamber events
• Advertising in the map of Fresno County
• Display of your company’s brochure/information in our lobby
• Your company’s name on the Chamber’s website with a direct link to your site
• Advertising opportunities on the Chamber’s website

The Chamber is Your Meeting Place

The Chamber offers the following meeting facilities for rent to its members:

Gottschalks/Lyles Board Room
• Seating for 72
• Full-size kitchen
• Podium
• Projector and laptop
• Internet access
• TV and VCR
• Local phone service
• Conference call

Caglia Room
• Seating for eight to 10
• Internet access
• Dry erase board
• Chalk board
• Local phone service
• Conference Call

Johanson Room
• Seating for five to eight

Call us today to reserve your date or to find out pricing and other information.

(559) 495-4800 • info@fresnochamber.com www.fresnochamber.com