The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce has been actively monitoring the discussion and decision making process around the proposed Westside Subway over a period of many years. In July 2009, the Chamber adopted a resolution supporting a Westside Subway to Beverly Hills and beyond, with two subway portals in Beverly Hills, one to be located on Wilshire Boulevard at or near Beverly Drive and one on Wilshire Boulevard at or near La Cienaga Boulevard.

The Rodeo Drive Committee, an organization of the retailers and stores on Rodeo Drive, recently voted to support a subway station on Wilshire Boulevard near Rodeo Drive (view RDC statement), noting that “[the Rodeo Drive merchants] believe a subway station near Rodeo Drive will have a positive economic impact. Once completed, we envision the subway will increase tourism and shopping with less traffic in the area, increased additional parking availability for our customers and much needed public transportation for visitors, management and employees.”

While recognizing that construction of Westside subway portals in Beverly Hills may present short term challenges for some nearby merchants and offices, the Chamber’s previous position of support for the Westside subway was an acknowledgement that locating subway portals near important commercial areas of Beverly Hills, including one on Wilshire Boulevard at or near Beverly Drive, will be critical to the long term economic vitality and prosperity of Beverly Hills, allowing shoppers, tourists and employees an alternative mode of transportation to Beverly Hills while bypassing increasingly difficult street traffic and parking frustrations.

Metro has currently proposed two subway portals in Beverly Hills, one on Wilshire Boulevard at or near La Cienaga Boulevard and one on Wilshire Boulevard at or near Beverly Drive. Due to planning, logistical and financial issues, no alternative Beverly Hills locations may be considered at this time – so if the Wilshire Boulevard/Beverly Drive location is dropped from the proposal, there will be no “alternative” location to replace the loss of this station. The Executive Committee of the Chamber favors both locations for the portals in Beverly Hills and will recommend that the Board of Directors at its August 30 meeting adopt a resolution reaffirming the Chamber’s position in support of portal at these two locations.

We want to hear from our members. If you have a comment or position on the proposed portals, Please respond by August 26.

The Chamber engaged in lengthy discussions and advocacy with the City of Beverly Hills over the past year regarding a proposal to extend parking meter operations. The City incorporated some of the Chamber’s suggestions but did ultimately decide to lengthen the hours of parking meter operations in most of the commercial areas of the City. Most of the surrounding cities such as Los Angeles have already extended their parking meter hours of operation and have raised meter rates. The City of Beverly Hills will not be raising meter rates but will extend hours so that most meters will be in operation 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. The changes to meter operational hours is effective September 19, 2011.

Meter rates of $2 per hour will not change. Areas affected include the commercial Triangle and South Beverly Drive. Areas not affected include the meter lots behind Little Santa Monica Boulevard, Robertson Boulevard, La Cienaga Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard west of Wilshire, and streets adjacent to public parks and religious institutions. The City is planning to make changes to meter operational hours on Robertson and La Cienaga in the future and we will continue to keep you informed.

In order to accommodate evening employee parking in the commercial Triangle, the City will be lowering rates in the City’s parking structure at 221 Crescent from a $5 “flat fee” after 6 p.m. to $2 “flat fee” after 6 p.m. If you wish to purchase monthly parking for your employees in a City owned parking structure, please contact Beverly Hills Parking Director Chad Lynn at (310) 288-2807 or clynn@beverlyhills.org.

Fines for expired meters start at $58.00. In order to help you inform your customers and staff of the changes to meter operations, we have produced a flyer that can be downloaded and posted. Please contact May Soth at soth@beverlyhillschamber.com for more information.

Running a small business is a big challenge. Chances are you spend too much time on managing logistics and too little time focusing on marketing and developing your business. In order to stay on top in the competitive world of business, it’s important to save time, improve communications, reduce costs and maximize your resources. Check out these 10 Business Applications for your smart phone.

1. Hashable
   An efficient way to network and maintain connections with other business people by exchanging business cards and tracking meetings and calls.
   Available on: iPhone and Android
   
   
2. Salesforce
   An efficient CRM app that enables you to monitor your online footprint, connect with social channels, receive new leads, promote your brand and analyze your impact.
   Available on: iPhone, iPad, Android, and BlackBerry
   
   
3. Fuze Meeting
   Fuze Meeting is a conference calling tool that gives you the ability to schedule and run a meeting and set up multi-party HD video conferencing.
   Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android and Blackberry
   
   
4. Splashtop Remote Desktop
   Access your desktop wherever you are via your mobile phone or device. Use it to access emails, and documents, including Power Point presentations and Excel spreadsheets.
   Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android and Palm Pre
   
   
5. Omnifocus
   A user-friendly task and project management app that allows to capture ideas, create tasks and share them quickly with the rest of your team.
   Available on: iPhone and iPad
   
   
6. Scan2PDF Mobile
   Use your mobile phone to scan documents using the camera and convert them to PDF files, which can be emailed.
   Available on: Android, iPhone and Windows Mobile.
   
   
7. Mariner Calc
   Transfer and edit Excel spreadsheets from your computer to your phone or set up your own spreadsheets, using one of the many Mariner Calc templates.
   Available on: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android
   
   
8. Bump
   There’s no need to carry business cards when you have Bump. Simply bump your phone together with someone else’s and you can instantly share your contact information, files or photos.
   Available on: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android
   
   
9. textPlus
   textPlus offers free, unlimited texting among groups rather than individuals. Set up groups as you wish and invite people to join groups.
   Available on: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad and Android
   
   
10. Expensify
    Use Expensify to keep on top of expenses, log hours and mileage, save hotel and restaurant reservations and create business reports. It also allows you to reimburse expenses online totally paper free.
    Available on: iPhone, iPad, Android, WebOs /Palm and BlackBerry

Promote Your Business with this 3-for-1 opportunity in the Chamber's 2012 Beverly Hills: The Guide

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new 2012 edition of “Beverly Hills: The Guide.” This comprehensive publication combines relocation, community information and 625 business listings. It’s the must-have reference for anyone living, visiting, relocating and doing business in the Beverly Hills area — and the perfect opportunity for you to market your products and services.

Your display ad provides a full year of TRIPLE exposure for your business:

1. IN PRINT: Get the benefit of the full year distribution of 20,000 printed copies to select homes in Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills and Bel Air, Beverly Hills hotels, Beverly Hills car rental locations, Department Store Row, Two Rodeo and Chamber businesses.
   
   
2. DIGITAL EDITION: The interactive digital edition is fully searchable and available to download on the Chamber’s website for the current year to a national and global audience. A click on your ad takes viewers to your website.
   
   
3. ONLINE MAP: The Chamber’s online map provides members with two business listings (alphabetical and by category), locator pinpoint, driving directions to your business from anywhere in the U.S., and a link to your website.

Don't Miss This Opportunity! Contact Karen Belle, 310-297-6940 x304, karen.belle@atlantic4us.com.

Chamber Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Angeles Vista Hospice


On Wednesday, July 13, 2011, an official ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony was held for Angeles Vista Hospice. Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce helped celebrate the grand opening of Angeles Vista Hospice with attended guests. The ceremony was celebrated with Chamber Staff, Ambassadors, City Commissioner, Angeles Vista Hospice owner, Catherine Trotter and Staff. Angeles Vista Hospice is located on 8501 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 336, Beverly Hills.

Angeles Vista Hospice offers physical, emotional, social and spiritual support for its patients and family members. Offering Hospice care for patients when curative treatment is not longer available and Palliative care for long-term patients, to improve the quality of life.

Angeles Vista Hospice has a wonderful, caring team involving: Nurse's Aides; Volunteers; Chaplains; Social Workers; Therapists; Doctor; Pain Management Specialists; LVNs and RNs. Angeles Vista Hospice offers medical equipment, home delivery of medications, medical care and 24-7 medical assistance. Angeles Vista Hospice’s team of nurses will come to meet you and your family to discuss your wants and needs.

The Chamber is pleased to celebrate Angeles Vista Hospice's success in Beverly Hills. To hold a Chamber sponsored ribbon cutting event at your business, please contact Kim Ruggles, Program & Events Manager, at 310-248-1000 x113 or ruggles@beverlyhillschamber.com.


Strategies for Success in Today's Economy Seminar


Join Senator Fran Pavley, California State Board of Equalization Chair Jerome Horton, Assemblymember Mike Feuer for a free Small Business Seminar, "Strategies for Success in Today's Economy." Seminar topics will include: avoiding sales and use tax problems, navigating the IRS for small businesses, business marketing, and loan programs and services.

This is a wonderful opportunity for new business owners, entrepreneurs considering starting a business, professionals currently operating a business who have questions about state or federal tax laws, and individuals who want to improve their business know-how. This seminar will provide guidance on best practices for your business. To view the seminar flyer click here.

Strategies for Success in Today's Economy
Location: Plummer Park Fiesta Hall Community Room 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
Date: Friday, August 19, 2011
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (check-in at 12:30 p.m.)

Parking/Access: Free Parking. The location is accessible to people with disabilities.

RSVP REQUIRED
Register Online or call 888-847-9652


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