// AN AWARD-WINNING WEEKLY PUBLICATION //
In This Issue:
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that local legend Vic Edelbrock will be sharing his story at the March 24th Legendary Luncheon event at Vic's Garage! Here is a photo from yesterday's event meeting at Red Car Brewery with Vic's Corvette. Pictured left to right: Bob Brandt (Red Car Brewery), Christi Edelbrock (Edelbrock Family Foundation), Laurie Brandt (Red Car Brewery), and Vic Edelbrock (Edelbrock).
TACC
MEMBERS
Each week we recognize the new and renewing members of our growing Chamber. Here are the businesses who have joined or renewed their membership in the past week.
NEW

American Youth Soccer Organization

Bakersfield Business Conference

Feng Shui for Your Life

Grand Canyon University

National Commercial Loans
RENEWED

10-19 YEARS


UNDER 5 YEARS

MARCH
Torrance Police Department Awards & Appreciation Luncheon
Thurs, March 10th | 12:00p
Torrance Marriott
3635 Fashion Way, Torrance

Empowered Marketing Exchange
Thurs, March 10th | 12:00p
Torrance Chamber Office
3400 Torrance Blvd, Suite 100
Torrance

Ignite Torrance
Tues, March 15th | 12:00p
Torrance Chamber Office
3400 Torrance Blvd, Suite 100
Torrance

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting // Smart & Final
Tues, March 15th | 12:00p
21035 Hawthorne BlvdTorrance

PROFS
Thurs, March 17th | 12:00p
Torrance Chamber Office
3400 Torrance Blvd, Suite 100
Torrance

State of the State
Thurs, March 24th | 8:30a
Torrance DoubleTree
21333 Hawthorne BlvdTorrance

Legendary Luncheon featuring Vic Edelbrock
Wed, March 30th | 12:00p
Vic's Garage
510 Madrid Street, Torrance

APRIL
Lunch & Learn // You're Social, Now What?
Wed, April 6th | 12:00p
Torrance Chamber Office
3400 Torrance Blvd, Suite 100
Torrance

Torrance City Council Candidates Forum
Thurs, April 7th | 8:00a
Toyota Automobile Museum
19600 Van Ness Ave, Torrance

40th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting // Pregnancy Help Center
Fri, April 8th | 3:30p
1311 Crenshaw Blvd. Suite A 
Torrance

Governmental Affairs Policy (GAP)
Wed, April 13th | 12:00p
Torrance Chamber Office
3400 Torrance Blvd, Suite 100
Torrance

Business at Noon
Thurs, April 14th | 11:45a
Miyako Hybrid Hotel (Ise Shima Restaurant)
21381 S Western AveTorrance
These events are open to everyone. Non-members of the Chamber may attend up to two events prior to joining as a Member.* Contact the Chamber for information on how to reserve your seat for these events: (310) 540-5858.

* Excluding Business at Noon. Business at Noon is a members-only event.
STAY IN COMPLIANCE
Purchase your required 2016 Employment Notices Poster online today.

Out & About
with TACC President & CEO Donna Duperron
Donna visits Two Men and a Truck
Mickey Toth, Two Men and a Truck
Greeted by Micky Toth, I quickly began to learn about Two Men and a Truck, the fastest-growing franchised moving company in the country that offers comprehensive home and business relocation and packing services. Two Men and a Truck all started as an after-school business for two high school boys. With a hand-drawn logo, advertisement in a local paper, and advertising fund stashed in a ceramic dish, the endeavor was never expected to be more than a local moving company.
     Now, 30 years later, Two Men and a Truck has grown both domestically and internationally with more than 320 locations worldwide. In 2015, Two Men and a Truck operated in 39 states with additional growth in the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.


Announcing New Legendary Luncheon Series Event featuring Vic Edelbrock
The Legendary Luncheon series launched last year to bring a new format to the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce's event offerings. These interview-style luncheons give attendees a chance to experience the stories of local and national legends, and gain valuable insight into how others conduct business.
     The series returns this month for another installment on March 30th, featuring local legend Vic Edelbrock. Join Vic over lunch as he shares the story of how Edelbrock, the world-famous  specialty performance automotive and motorcycle aftermarket parts manufacturer, got its start and became the influential company it is today.
     The event will be held at Vic's Garage, where attendees will be surrounded by the Edelbrock family and private car collection. Vic's Garage is located at 510 Madrid Street in Torrance. The event will begin at 12:00 noon.
    Reservations cost $25 for TACC Members and $35 for non-members. Register online now at torrancechamber.com or call the Chamber at (310) 540-5858.
State of the State 2016 is March 24th
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is bringing back last year's dynamic speakers for the upcoming State of the State event. This breakfast event will feature State Senator Benjamin Allen (26th District), State Senator Isadore Hall III (35th District), and Assemblyman David Hadley (66th District), who will present about state issues and the economy as they apply to the South Bay business climate.

State of the State
Thursday, March 24th, 2016
8:00am  registration
8:30am  program, breakfast
DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance - South Bay
21333 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance

$40 TACC members
$50 Non-members

or call (310) 540-5858

Left to right: State Senator Isadore Hall III, State Senator
Benjamin Allen, and Assemblyman David Hadley
How will your business stand out from the crowd?
Every member of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce appears in the business listings in the Torrance Magazine & Resource Guide, but how will you stand out from the crowd? Ad space is still available to give your business the visibility it deserves. Purchasing an ad also gives you space to write an article and share your expertise.
     Contact Jeanne Garrison at (310) 317-9730 or at info@sienapublishing.com to find out more about ad space.
     This year's issue will release in June.

BizFed Annual Survey is Invaluable Feedback Tool for TACC
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) has partnered with the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed) to encourage businesses and nonprofit organizations to complete the 2016 BizFed Pulse Poll. BizFed's annual poll is your chance to communicate what's helping or hurting your business. This year's poll offers a first-of-its-kind feature: if TACC can get at least fifteen members to take the survey, the Chamber will receive customized data based on our members' responses. This data would provide invaluable information and analysis that the Chamber needs to focus its advocacy efforts behind TACC members' priority concerns.
     The survey will be open until March 31. At the end of the survey, please "click" the box next to Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce to let BizFed know you'd like to be counted towards TACC's response-count. Thank you!

CalChamber Takes Positions on Initiatives
The California Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently took positions on the following initiatives proposed for the November 2016 ballot:

California Drug Price Relief Act (OPPOSE)

Minimum Wage. Increases and Future Adjustments. Additional Paid Sick Leave Mandate (OPPOSE)

California Legislature Transparency Act (SUPPORT)

For full details, read the full article.
Pregnancy Disability Leave Amendments Bring Poster Change for April 1
Members who purchased Poster Protect with their 2016 Employment Notices Poster can rejoice. Amendments to California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) regulations have been approved and will take effect on April 1, 2016.
     The amended regulations include clarifications regarding pregnancy disability leave, as well as changes to the mandatory pregnancy disability leave poster requirement - "Your Rights and Obligations as a Pregnant Employee."
     California's pregnancy disability leave laws apply to any employer with five or more full-time or part-time employees and to all California public sector employers.

Keeping Up with Leadership Torrance
Last week, Leadership Torrance visited  Police Chief Mark Matsuda at the Torrance Police Department on Local Government Day! Thank you Domenica Megerdichian (City of Torrance) and David DeWitt (American Honda Motor Co, Inc.) for your leadership as the directors of this year's program.
Congressional Art Competition for High School Students
The Congressional Art Competition with Congressman Ted Lieu recognizes and encourages artistic talent in high school students. The submission deadline for all works of art is April 8th, 2016 at 5pm. The Competition event will be held April 16th at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Santa Monica.

For official entry criteria, addresses, and more,

ContactContact us today for membership information!

Email Kelly, Membership Coordinator, at kelly@torrancechamber.com
or call the Chamber at (310) 540-5858 .

JOIN TODAY!
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