Taekwon“Geremy” - The Spectrum Magazine - Redwood City's ...

As I Was
Saying… Publisher
| Steve Penna
As with most organizations and groups, the
Redwood City–San Mateo County Chamber of
Commerce is going through some major changes
and, considering those changes will affect our
business community and even our political
makeup, I want to take some time to inform you
of some of the issues facing the organization.
After 30 years as the president and CEO,
Larry Buckmaster announced his retirement
effective Jan. 31. His daughter Amy Buckmaster,
the chamber’s vice president of marketing and
programs, has been named interim president.
They have currently begun a search for candidates
to fill the spot, which Amy is interested in
applying for and continuing on with.
First, let’s start with where the organization
is. As CEO, Larry really found his niche, and
what he did, he did very well. He took direction
from the board of directors, implemented the
things they wanted and moved the chamber into
the direction they wanted while focusing on the
items he thought were important for the business
community. At one point the chamber was the
third largest in the Bay Area, with over 1,400
members.
He also started the chamber’s 26-year-old
Leadership Redwood City/Belmont/San Carlos
program. The program has produced close to 800
graduates, filling our communities with informed
and engaged leaders. Many of whom have gone on
to be elected officials. He also started the Kainos
Benefit Golf Tournament, which, over the course
of its history, has raised more than $750,000 for
Kainos. Amazing, if you ask me.
Needless to say, Larry had a very successful
run, and the chamber is still considered one of
the strongest and most influential chambers in the
Bay Area. But, as in all races, having the same
coaching and the same strategy each year without
change can stifle and stall even the greatest of
organizations. Having an active and involved
board of directors is essential to keeping any
organization going strong.
I have been a member of the chamber for
several years and have seen a wide range of
directors. Most are hardworking, involved,
dedicated and serve well. Then there are the ones
whom I have never met or seen at any event.
They seem to be active only to get their name out
there and make it seem like they’re part of the
organization for political reasons or to expand
their own business agendas. Which may be fine;
we all are involved to ultimately support our
businesses. But if that is the sole reason, why
serve as a board member? Let your seat be filled
by someone who will be active and involved and
encourage the membership to do the same.
The board has term limits, but the same types
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of members always appear to be chosen to be
on the board. Members from big organizations/
companies or who have what is considered to be a
“big name” are generally the case. Unfortunately,
they don’t always have the time to dedicate and
fulfill their obligations. Maybe there should be an
honorary board they could sit on.
Some of the special events hosted by the
chamber have been considered successful over
the years but might need a little refreshing,
considering the business climate change in
Redwood City.
As a member, you are encouraged to attend
the monthly business “mixers.” It is a great
opportunity for members to interact with each
other and promote the business-to-business
philosophy. I consider this one of the most, if not
the most valuable incentive for membership, and
that alone justifies membership fees, which for a
small business like mine is only $275. A different
local business hosts the event each month,
which is another way to get people through
your business’s doors. They even offer potential
members the opportunity to attend these events
twice before joining.
The chamber could do some strong outreach
to the smaller businesses in our community.
The idea to have a small-business committee of
the chamber has been brought up a few times,
and it is now time to do so. It might even be
beneficial for the chamber to have discussions
with the Downtown Business Group on how they
can work together and benefit each other. Both
groups currently have paid membership dues,
and most downtown businesses that get involved
join both. Imagine the advocacy the two groups
could do together on behalf of the small-business
community.
The chamber’s annual dinner is held each
year at Hotel Sofitel in the Redwood Shores
neighborhood. It usually sells out and is a fun
event. But it could be even more so if the venue
or format were changed and a keynote speaker
brought in to make it all less repetitive for
those who attend every year and to attract new
attendees.
This year I was a proud recipient of one of the
awards given at the event, and I can tell you it
is a complete honor to be recognized because it
is a really big deal in the business community.
On a side note, it was also not too shabby being
labeled “Mr. Redwood City” by a California state
senator! It was downright exhilarating and I was
completely humbled from all the accolades given
by so many.
Now on to the Progress Seminar. The annual
event has grown from a small, local event to a Bay
Area–wide event that now regularly attracts more
than 300 attendees each year from San Mateo
County and surrounding Peninsula communities.
Sixty percent represent business and the other 40
percent government and community leaders.
Having all those different types of attendees
gives credibility to the event’s concept of lending
itself to an environment of informal discussions
about regional issues and the opportunities to
meet those issues. There are informative “break
out” sessions. This year some of those sessions
are: 1) Roundtable Dialogue With Your Elected
State Officials, 2) Healthcare Reform 2013 —
Here, now, deal with it, and 3) OMG! They r here!
Engaging Generation X, Y & Z.
The first two topics I have no interest in
whatsoever. In fact, it would be more interesting
to have the elected officials’ discussion with
all local media present so it would not just be
continuous campaign speeches and pats on the
back for all. There is another topic: 4) Why is it
so outrageously difficult to build anything here?
Now that is an interesting topic that deals with
our community directly and in one way or another
affects each of us.
There is also the social aspect of the seminar,
which is also an important component. There
are hosted networking receptions and private,
invitation-only gatherings. Are they fun? Let’s
just say those are my favorite part of attending
when I have. These relaxed settings give people
the opportunity to get to know each other in a
different manner and also create new bonds and
relationships (also called networking). Priceless.
So basically, this event is the type that gives our
chamber exposure, prominence and exclusivity.
“The Progress Seminar has always been the
ultimate networking experience. I can get access
to so many of the people I need to interact with in
my business, and all during one pleasurable yet
informative weekend, that through the years it’s
just proven to be invaluable!” says Alyn Beals,
president and CEO of Beals Martin Inc.
The biggest concern I and others have with this
event is that it is held in Monterey and thus takes
sales and hotel tax dollars that could be spent
here somewhere else. The chamber justifies the
location by stating that if the event were held here
and attendees did not have to lodge, they might
not attend all sessions and events and just pass
them up for convenience. I see that point, but
more importantly I wish the chamber could point
to successes of the seminar in bringing business
opportunities and companies to Redwood City,
thus creating commerce and/or tax dollars. That is
showing success and really justifies not holding it
in our community or county.
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