November 5, 2024

Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) Reform FAQs Published

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently published Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and its recent reforms, providing an overview of how those reforms modify PAGA claims and procedures. The PAGA FAQs include who can bring PAGA claims, what can be recovered in a lawsuit, claim procedures, the cure process and settlements. Read More...

New Data Shows Just How Big an Impact California’s Insurance Crisis Is Having on Home Sales

About 1 in 7 California Realtors had a home sale fall through due to difficulty finding insurance in the past year, nearly double the figure from 2023, according to a new survey. The California Association of Realtors is California’s largest industry group, with about 200,000 members.

Join Us This Thursday for the 2024 Sports-Themed Business Expo and Showcase!

The community is invited to attend the 2024 Business Expo & Showcase on Thursday, November 7th, from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach. This exciting event will bring together local businesses, offering an opportunity for the public to experience the best of Torrance and beyond.

With a fun sports theme, attendees can enjoy giveaways, samples and learn about the wide variety of products and services local businesses have to offer. For the first time, 6th-grade students from the Jr. CEO program will be showcasing their entrepreneurial creations. These young entrepreneurs have developed their own products over a 5-week course, where they learned the fundamentals of starting a business. Read More...

Young Professionals Group Food Drive & Mixer – November 14th

In a unique blend of professional networking and community impact, the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group (YPG) will host an exclusive Food Drive & Mixer on November 14th, 2024, at 5:00 PM. In partnership with The Volunteer Center South Bay – Harbor – Long Beach, this event offers Torrance Chamber members the chance to build connections while supporting the essential Food for Kids program, an initiative providing weekend meals to children in need.

Attendees are encouraged to bring food donations, including items like canned goods, shelf-stable fruits, and meal components, listed on the event flyer. Each donation ensures that children in under-resourced schools receive nutritious weekend meals during times when school-provided meals are unavailable. Read More...

Boost Business: The Importance of Networking!

In today’s fast-paced business environment, networking is more crucial than ever. For local business owners, building relationships within the community can lead to valuable connections, opportunities, and growth. At the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, we believe that fostering these relationships is essential for both individual success and the overall vitality of our business community. Read More...

Sixth-grade students from Madrona Middle School participating in the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Jr. CEO Program took an exciting step toward launching their businesses by visiting the City of Torrance, where Mayor George Chen presented them with certificates.

Jr. CEO Program Wraps Up at Madrona Middle School as Students Prepare for the 2024 Business Expo & Showcase

Sixth-grade students at Madrona Middle School have completed their five-week journey in the Jr. CEO program, an initiative by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation that introduces young students to essential business concepts. Throughout the program, students developed ideas, created products, and gained insights into the real-world dynamics of entrepreneurship. Read More...

Torrance Small Business Week Co-Chairs from left to right: Ryan Halvorsen, Redondo Van and Storage; Claudine Garcia, The Promotions Dept.; and Sanjay Murty, Aura Seating.

Small Business Week Kickoff Celebration

The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for an exciting Small Business Week Kickoff Celebration on November 20th. This exclusive event is a heartfelt thank you to business owners who actively participate in “Torrance Small Business Week” by offering discounts for their businesses during the week of Saturday, November 30th to Saturday, December 7th.

Starting at 8:30 am, the event will kick off with a warm welcome from our co-chairs, Ryan Halvorsen, Claudine Garcia, and Sanjay Murti, who will introduce the Torrance Small Business Week Kickoff Celebration. Read More...

Power Hour: Speed Networking with the Torrance Chamber

Get ready to supercharge your connections at the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce’s fast-paced speed networking event, designed to make every minute count. In partnership with Farmers and Merchants Bank, this event is the perfect space for meeting local professionals, sparking fresh ideas, and uncovering new growth paths—all in record time.

Mark your calendar for November 13 at the Farmers and Merchants Bank Torrance Office. Registration starts at 7:30 AM, with the networking session running from 8:00 to 9:00 AM. Tickets are $10, exclusively for Chamber members—reserve your spot and don’t miss out on this powerful networking hour!

Member Moment

"We are grateful to the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce for their incredible support during our recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating a new location. The event was a huge success, and we appreciated the attendance of community members and leaders to participate in the festivities. The planning process was smooth and efficient, thanks to the chamber's open communication and dedication, making it a truly memorable day for our entire community.

The Chamber’s commitment to fostering respectful relationships and valuable partnerships aligns perfectly with our mission at Atlantis Physical and Occupational Therapy. For over 35 years, we have proudly served Torrance and the South Bay as a trusted healthcare partner, and we believe that strong community ties are essential to our success.

Thank you, Torrance Chamber, for helping us make this day so special."   

Ann Victor, Clinical Coordinator/Brain Health Trainer

Atlantis Physical and Occupational Therapy

Join the Conversation on Key Business Policies at GAP

The upcoming Government Affairs Policy (GAP) meeting on November 14, 2024, will provide Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce members with an opportunity to discuss legislative issues impacting local businesses. Chaired by Charles Gale Jr. of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, this meeting focuses on policies that affect the Torrance area economy. Members are encouraged to attend and participate in shaping advocacy efforts that strengthen the business community. Registration is required.

Thursday, November 7th | 4:30 PM - 2024 Business Expo and Showcase

Wednesday, November 13th | 8:00 AM - Speed Networking

Wednesday, November 13th | 11:00 AM - Ribbon Cutting: Freeway Insurance Services

Thursday, November 14th | 12:00 PM - Government Affairs Policy (GAP)

Thursday, November 14th | 4:00 PM - Ribbon Cutting: Future Generation Artistry FGA

Thursday, November 14th | 5:00 PM - Young Professionals Group (YPG) Food Drive & Mixer

Saturday, November 16th | 12:30 PM - Ribbon Cutting: Destination: Art

Freeway Insurance Services | Indoor Gold Unlimited DBA Goldshac | Powell Development Group | Adam Harrison | EV Realty | Ms. Courier Logistics LLC | ZenBusiness | Lucid Motors Torrance | CTBC Bank | Caring Heart Home Care | Insperity | Kintone Corporation | SLEA Therapies | Trang Trinh-Byrd State Farm | Wellness TMS | Sen's Tea House | Mercedes Benz of South Bay | Sam's Club | Beach Cities Gateway - Young Adult Life Skills | CATALO Natural Health Sciences, Inc.

1 - 10 Years

Sunrise Senior Living of Hermosa Beach

Jack's Pizza

Arosa

V-Max Plumbing & Construction

Transformations Care

Shade Hotel Redondo Beach

Rose Equities

Preferred Networking Solutions, Inc.

Payroll Management Solutions, Inc.

Hermosa Brewing company

DivergeIT

Cohen Veterans Network-Los Angeles

CareOnSite by Tang & Company

1 Touch Office Technology

Whole Foods Market Torrance

Brenda Hidalgo Agency State Farm

Advanced Fresh Concepts Franchise Group

Somoda Management, Inc.

Optium Seismic, Inc.

The Brews Hall

Silverado Rolling Hills

M & M Consulting

Cali Smile Family Dentistry

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Fastsigns of Torrance

Criminal Defense Heroes, P.C.

Apex Commercial Real Estate Inc

Los Angeles Harbor College Foundation

Shin Sen Gumi Restaurant

Aura Seating

11 - 20 Years

Republic Services

Septentrio Inc.

Miyako Hybrid Hotel

Western Museum of Flight

Kaiser Permanente

21 - 30 Years

Parker, Milliken, Clark, O'Hara & Samuelian, ACP

Empire Transport & Forwarding

Mark E. Applegate Insurance Agency, Inc.

Redondo Van & Storage

Bayco Financial Group

31 - 40 Years

Lifewireless

Green Hills Memorial Park

Servatius, O'Brien & Fong, LLP

Torrance Bakery / Sandwich Shop

41 - 50 Years

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Torrance - South Bay YMCA

AT&T

Torrance Memorial Medical Center

51 - 60 Years

Roadium Open Air Market