Winter 2013 - Camarillo Chamber of Commerce

CEOs Message
Looking forward
Jennifer Wells
President/CEO
to a successful
New Year in 2013
As another year ends and a new
one begins, the Camarillo Chamber of
Commerce is looking forward to another
exciting and prosperous year. 2012
has certainly had some challenges, especially
with the loss of our Past Chair
Michael Lavenant. But there have been
many successes and progress
as well. The Chamber is looking
to build upon the successes
of 2012 and I am confident
that the only direction to go is
up in 2013. By continuing to
be committed to the success
of our members and the business
community of Camarillo,
the Chamber will work to provide
new and improved programs and
benefits in order to assure a healthy and
strong economy for 2013. I am excited
about the many possibilities for the New
Year!
There are so many good things happening
in our business community, and
I would like to remind our existing and
potential members of all of the benefits
of Chamber membership. Joining and
being part of the Chamber is one of the
best ways to truly be involved in and support
what is happening in the Camarillo
business community. By being part of
the Chamber, you are part of a community
of like-minded business professionals
that all work for the common goal of
making Camarillo the best place to live,
work and play.
I would like to take this opportunity
to share some of the plans for the upcoming
year.
• Our Tourism Program will be
We cannot do what we do
without the support of our
great members...
launched with the new website VisitCamarillo.com.
We have a new Tourism
Marketing Director coming on board,
Anthony McDemas, and in 2013 we
have plans to promote Camarillo with a
Visitors Guide, brochure, and new map –
all using our new tag line of So Much, So
Close.
• Our Business Advocacy Program
will set up several notches with
the addition of Sean Paroski to our staff.
Sean was previously with State Senators
Tony Strickland’s office, and he will be
working to make sure that our Chamber
continues to be a strong advocate for
businesses with government. We will
continue to find ways to connect our
members with our legislators and made
sure that government is business friendly.
• This past year we introduced
new programs such as our Office
Depot discount program,
Chamber trips, and Shred
Day. We will add more ways
to help you save money, run
your business, get value from
your membership. Remember
– you don’t have to come to
events to find value with your
Chamber membership.
• We will continue to provide
ways for you to promote your business.
Last year we changed our newsletters,
introducing The Journal quarterly, the
monthly Acorn and the VC Star inserts.
This year we will step up our online promotion
of our members. We will help
you toot your horn and get your message
out there.
Once again, thanks for your support,
we cannot do what we do without
the support of our great members, and
on behalf of the Camarillo Chamber of
Commerce, I wish everyone a healthy,
happy and prosperous New Year!
The Journal Winter 2013
4
Long addresses pension reform at Chamber event
November’s Business @ Breakfast featured
the annual State of the County address
given by District 3 County Supervisor Kathy
Long. Long reported on numerous County
Government issues from budget and pension
reform to development and County agencies.
“This is definitely one of our most popular
breakfasts,” said CEO Jennifer Wells.
“People want to know what’s going on at all
levels of government, and Kathy Long is always
very frank, honest and easy to follow.”
Long described the County pension plan
as a highly sustainable program, governed by
the County Employees Retirement Act of 1937
and not CalPERS, giving the County more control
over pensions and benefits. However they
are still working to improve the plan.
“We’re looking to see what we can
change in the benefit package and have started
bargaining,” Long said. “Employees will eventually
contribute a bigger piece, and the total
savings will be significant.”