// AN AWARD-WINNING WEEKLY PUBLICATION //
In This Issue:

Big thank you to (left to right):
Sherry Kramer (Continental Development Corporation), Heidi Cunningham (Express Employment Professionals), Jac Folkert (UCLA Health), and Kandee Anderson (Torrance Marriott)!

Sherry, Heidi, and Kandee's terms on the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has come to a close. Jac's year as Chairwoman of the Board is coming to a close, but she will remain on the board.

Thank you all for your leadership and service to the Torrance area business community!
TACC MEMBERS
Each week the Chamber recognize the new and renewing members of the TACC's tight-knit business community. Here are the businesses who have joined or renewed their membership in the past week.
NEW
Karen Writes

Los Angeles Harbor College Foundation

Bravo! Music School

Fit4Mom Torrance
RENEWING

71 YEARS



33 YEARS



10 YEARS



UNDER 5 YEARS

Action Point

The Center for Learning Unlimited
JUNE
2016 Business Awards Celebration
Thurs, June 9th | 12:00pm
DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance
21333 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance

Business at Noon
Tues, June 14th | 11:45am
Hey 19
4525 Calle Mayor, Torrance, CA

PROFS // Networking Exchange
Thurs, June 16th | 12:00pm
Torrance Area Chamber Office
3400 Torrance Blvd, Suite 100
Torrance, CA 90503

Ribbon Cutting // HMart
Wed, June 22nd | 10:00am
4340 Pacific Coast Highway
Torrance CA 90505

Ribbon Cutting // Flexogenix
Wed, June 22nd | 4:00pm
21250 Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 110
Torrance CA 90503

Tech Talks // Virtual Reality: A Look Inside
Tues, June 28th | 12:00pm
3400 Torrance Blvd, Suite 100
Torrance, CA 90503
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 Portofino Hotel and Marina
As I approached the entrance of the Portofino Hotel and Marina, I noticed the gorgeous landscaping, the waterfall, and the charming boats in the harbor. It was a picturesque day at the beach. Yvette Antoniou, Director of Sales, warmly welcomed me upon my arrival.
     As we walked into the lobby of the Portofino, it felt as if we'd entered a vast living room. This space offers a beautiful ocean view, crackling fireplace, soothing plants, and comfy furniture. The overall design of the Portofino is casual, yet it maintains an elegant ambiance.


Business at Noon comes to Hey 19
Next Tuesday's Business at Noon at Hey 19 can accommodate 50 people, and seats are still available. This wonderful networking exchange just won't be the same without you, so register now to join in the camaraderie!

Business at Noon ... where business partnerships happen.
Griffiths, Herring and Rizzo elected to Torrance City Council
Congratulations is extended to Milton Herring, Geoff Rizzo and Mike Griffiths for being elected to the Torrance City Council yesterday. Rizzo and Griffiths were incumbents; Herring has previously served on the planning commission.
Torrance Area Chamber Releases Economic Development Resources
A new Economic Development Plan developed by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce was released last week alongside a new Economic Development page on the Chamber's website. This page provides resources to start and grow a business in Torrance.

TACC Helps Stop a Job Killer
One of the Chamber's priority advocacy efforts in 2016 has been to prevent SB 878 from passing into law. TACC is happy to announce that the bill was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee last week and will not be moving forward.  SB 878 would have eliminated worker flexibility and exposed employers to costly penalties, litigation, and government enforcement, by mandating employers in the retail, grocery, or restaurant workplace, to provide a 21-day work schedule and then face penalties and litigation if the employer changes the schedule with less than 7 days notice, even when the change is at the request of the employee. TACC advocated against the bill as part of a broad coalition that was led by the CalChamber.
Take Action! Oppose Problematic Bill for Businesses in the SCAQMD
A TACC-opposed bill (SB 1387) has passed out of the State Senate and is heading to the Assembly. The legislation creates uncertainty for businesses in the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) by allowing the California Air Resources Board to modify local market-based incentive programs. In addition, the bill shifts local control by adding three additional state-appointed positions to the SCAQMD.
 
Help us to advocate against SB 1387 here.
Keeping up with Leadership Torrance
Leadership Torrance held the final 2016 program day with Torrance Unified School District at Madrona Middle School.
     On 'Education Day,' the cohort had the opportunity to speak about the state of education with Principal Chris Lipsey and Board Member Martha Deutsch, as well as TUSD Curriculum Director Dr. Ramona Chang.
     Participants were able to visit and interact with students in Nancy Ton's and Heather Rocha's science elective classes focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The students' current projects include designing and building rollercoaster models, robots that pop balloons and pick up items off the ground, and a machine that uses a controller and a 'claw' arm to dispense candy.
     Our future leaders are bright, full of energy and great ideas. Thank you to Tammy Khan, Public Information Officer at TUSD and LT alumni, for organizing an awesome day for Leadership Torrance.
     Go Wildcats!


The Leadership Torrance 2016 cohort will be graduating from the program on Thursday, June 16.
SBACC Extends Appreciation to U.S. Air Force Col. Donna Turner
In the photo below, U.S. Air Force Colonel, Donna Turner (center, front), is surrounded by members of the South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce (SBACC). Col. Turner is the 61st Air Base Group commander of Los Angeles Air Force Base and has represented the LA AFB at SBACC meetings.
     The SBACC is a regional association of chambers of commerce dedicated to regional issue advocacy in the South Bay. The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is an active participate in the organization.

The Evolution of Tech Pros
Under its new leadership, the Tech Pros program is evolving in exciting ways, with a  laser-focus on addressing interesting and relevant topics that are accessible to more than just technology professionals. Torrance Area Chamber members, meet Tech Talks.

"We want to bring new and emerging technology discussions to Chamber members, because it's important for all business owners to know what the future will bring," says Tech Talks chair Krista Magidson, Boutique Marketing Group. "It helps that the topics are quite exciting."
     Upcoming Tech Talks will delve into areas such as Virtual Reality (VR), 3D Printing, digital marketing, and more. Tech Talks debuted last month; shown right, Steve Taylor (Digital Spatula) gave an insightful presentation on commercial-use drones.
     "The plan is also to bring Tech Talks beyond the walls of the Chamber," says co-chair Rebecca Reese, Digital Spatula. "We plan to mobilize the program by bringing it to businesses in the Torrance area that have unique spaces or new in-house technologies for us to explore."
     The June Tech Talk on VR will take place June 28th.



ContactContact the Chamber today for membership information!

Call (310) 540-5858
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