Don't Miss Your Opportunity to Advertise in this Annual Publication

Published by the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce and distributed at the beginning of 2012, the Bakersfield Guide & Business Directory is a quick-reference community guide and business resource. The Guide contains information on business and industry, education, housing, transportation, arts and culture, as well as fast facts, demographics and economic indicators.

The Chamber is now accepting advertising placements for the 2012 Bakersfield Guide & Business Directory. Spaces fill quickly, place your reservation today! Priority ad placement is given on a first-come, first-served basis, so reserve early! For more information, contact Spencer Schluter at sschluter@bakersfieldchamber.org or call (661) 327-4421.

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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

7:30 - 10:00 a.m.

At the Chamber

 

Katy C. Raytis, Attorney

KDG HR Solutions

 

Free for Chamber Members

(RSVP Required)
$40 for Non-Members

Refreshments will be provided 

 

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Congressman McCarthy to Speak at KCWA's Vision 2061 Event

Bakersfield will be the site of a statewide educational event next month that will help to shape the future of the California State Water Project, and you're invited.

 

Hosted by the Kern County Water Agency, Vision 2061 will bring federal, state and local leaders and stakeholder organizations together to encourage creative thinking and big ideas so California can meet its water needs during the next 50 years.

 

Congressman Kevin McCarthy will be the keynote speaker. The program is set for Friday, October 21 at Bakersfield College from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Registration is free. Register online or call (661) 634-1400.

 

Vision 2061 is sponsored in part by the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce.

 

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Join the Chamber for our next trade mission, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to tour Tuscany, Montecatini, Florence and Pisa, departing March 20, 2012. 

Highlights: 

· Round trip transfers between airports and hotel

· Hotel luggage handling

· Seven nights first class hotel, only unpack once!

· Superb cuisine, daily breakfast and selected dinners
· City tour of Florence, see the Cathedral, Baptistery and the famous Gates of Paradise
· City tour of Siena and Piazza del Campo
· Chianti Wine Festival · Visit San Gimignano

Book now for only $2,649*

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Sponsorship Opportunities Available for Chamber Programs

The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce is seeking sponsors for a number of upcoming events and programs. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the Bakersfield: The Next Five Years Forum, 2012 Beautiful Bakersfield Awards Program, 2012 The Heartland Saloon Spring Social Fundraiser and Youth Leadership Bakersfield's Class of 2012. These programs provide a unique opportunity for your business or organization to support the Chamber's mission of building a strong local economy and provide a unique way for you to promote your business. Sponsors are provided recognition on printed promotional materials, electronic communications, event banners and by speakers during event programs. Sponsorship levels and specific sponsor recognition vary depending on the program.

 

For more information:  

Bakersfield: The Five Years Forum

Download Sponsor Package

Staff Contact: Debbie Moreno, dmoreno@bakersfieldchamber.org

 

2012 Heartland Saloon Spring Social Fundraiser

Download Sponsor Package

Staff Contact: Pauline Bartlett, pbartlett@bakersfieldchamber.org

 

Youth Leadership Bakersfield Class of 2012

Download Sponsor Package

Staff Contact: Tonya Sterling, tsterling@bakersfieldchamber.org

 

You may also reach the aforementioned staff members by phone, call (661) 327-4421.

 

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October 2011 Legislative Update

 

Local Elected Officials Call for Business Input at October 20 Hearing at the Chamber

Governor Brown signed and vetoed the last of the nearly 900 pieces of legislation that he was sent this year. He signed 760 bills, vetoed 128 and allowed one bill to become law without his signature. This puts his veto rate for the year around 14 percent, compared to his rate of 5 percent in his previous term as Governor. Former Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed more than 25 percent of bills that crossed his desk.

 

The Chamber took our efforts to Governor Brown by urging him to veto AB 947, AB 155 and AB 469 before the October 9 deadline. The Chamber is pleased to report that the Governor sided with business in vetoing those pieces of legislation. In addition, the Governor signed Chamber supported AB 1168, which contains Workers' Compensation Costs; lowering costs for employers and insurers by establishing a fee schedule for vocational experts' services. Statutes take effect on January 1, 2012. The legislature will reconvene January 4, 2012.

 

The Chamber has long advocated to our elected officials to pass three long delayed free-trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. On Wednesday, October 12, 2011, they were finally brought before Congress. They are expected to provide tens of thousands of jobs and help US exports by $13 billion and add at least $10 billion to US Gross Domestic Product per year, according to the independent US International Trade Commission.  

 

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed them with bi-partisan support. The deal with South Korea is the biggest US trade deal since the North American Free Trade Agreement, increasing exports by more than $10 billion. The United States has free trade with 17 nations. The last agreement with Peru was finalized in 2007. The agreements will eliminate, or substantially lower, the tariffs on US exports in all areas and create job growth in the United States.

 

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High Speed Rail - Fast Facts

The high speed rail system will create thousands of permanent jobs. In addition to rail stations associated with the project, there are a number of maintenance facilities identified for construction in the central valley. Included among these is a maintenance of way facility that will employ 300 people right here in Kern County. The County also has a proposal in for the Heavy Maintenance Facility, that will employ 1,800 people at full operation. In addition, there is a requirement for the train set manufacturer to locate a manufacturing facility in California, which will provide additional high paying permanent jobs and create a new industry to bolster California's struggling economy.

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Get a pre-Halloween treat by attending Boo-at-the-Zoo at the California Living Museum (CALM) on October 22 - 23, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., each day. No trick to this offer, all children ages 12 and younger and CALM members will be admitted free. This is Kern County's most uniquely safe, child-friendly way of trick-or-treating in an environment where you can visit with animals and see nature at its most colorful time of year. For information, call (661) 872-2256 or visit the Web site, www.calmzoo.org.

 

 

Make a Difference Day is October 22 and Keep Bakersfield Beautiful is celebrating with a recycling, health and education fair hosted by Lassen's Natural Foods & Vitamins (4308 California Ave.) in their main parking lot from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The recycling portion of the event will feature recycling of electronic waste, bulky items, batteries, printer toner, used motor oil filters, tires (max. 4 per vehicle), document shredding, tools and construction materials. This event is sponsored by Chamber Members Houchin Community Blood Bank, Metropolitan Recycling Corporation, The City of Bakersfield, and Bakersfield ARC (BARC). For more information, visit www.keepbakersfieldbeautiful.us.

Bakersfield Rescue Mission would like to invite you to their 2nd Annual Mission Cup Golf Tournament at the Kern River Golf Course, on Rudal Road, on November 4. Shotgun start is at 8:00 a.m. Sponsorship opportuntites are available. $85 entry fee includes green fee, golf cart, token and lunch. Proceeds benefit the Bakersfield Rescue Mission's goals of helping and healing individuals caught in destructive lifestyles of addiction. For more information and registration, call (661) 472-9072.

The Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center cordially invites you to attend the inaugural Golf Classic benefitting United Way of Kern County. The Tournament will be held on Friday, November 4 at the Riverlakes Golf Course, 5201 Riverlakes Dr. with Shotgun start at 11:30 a.m. Sponsorship opportunities are available and attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the discount savings with the early registration. For more information, call (661) 565-9309.

 

Be part of a Bakersfield holiday tradition! Treat yourself, your friends and family, or your clients to a beautiful poinsettia plant this season. By purchasing, you help the American Lung Association in California - Bakersfield continue, and expand, local programs that promote lung health and prevent lung disease. To order, contact the Lung Association before November 16 by calling (661) 847-4700 or email mbarrett@alac.org.

 

San Joaquin Community Hospital (SJCH) is proud to recognize October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by partnering with Links for Life to turn the hospital pink. Through the end of October, nighttime visitors to the hospital will experience the pink glow of the parking lot lights as well as the exterior lights surrounding the hospital, a visual reminder of the awareness campaign.

 

The City of Bakersfield is recruiting for an individual to serve on the Miscellaneous Civil Service Board. Applications are available at the City Clerk's Office, 1600 Truxtun Ave. or at www.bakersfieldcity.us and should be returned by 5:00 p.m., Thursday, November 3, 2011. For more information, call (661) 326-3767.

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