In This Issue:





Upcoming Events
February "We Love Our Members" B2B Breakfast
WEDNESDAY, February 6th
7:30 a.m.
Come be our Valentine as we share our love for our members and enjoy a heart-warming presentation by the American Heart Association. Don't miss our special February B2B breakfast happening on the first WEDNESDAY (please note the day change for February and be sure to mark your calendar!)  

Issue and Policy Roundtable: Meet New Leaders
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Noon-1:30 p.m.
Glen Annie Golf Club
For questions, contact [email protected]
Announcing 2019 Goleta Chamber Event Dates
 
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara
Save the date! The 12th Annual State of the City presented by the Goleta Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the City of Goleta. The event will feature presentations by Mayor Paula Perotte and City Manager, Michelle Greene. 

For sponsorship information, contact [email protected]
 
TechTopia
Thursday, July 11, 2019
3:00-6:00 p.m.
Deckers Brands

 
2019 Goleta Lemon Festival
September 28 & 29, 2019
Girsh Park, Goleta


70th Annual Goleta's Finest Community Awards Celebration
Saturday, November 23, 2019
6:00-10:00 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara

Ribbon Cuttings

On January 10th, we cut the ribbon at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices' new location in Fairview Center!
Chamber Works in Old Town 
Last year the Goleta Chamber of Commerce's Strategic Plan identified Old Town Goleta as one of the four initiatives that the organization would focus on in the next five years. 
 
Subsequently the City of Goleta's community survey Community Survey identified Old Town as a priority for 85% of respondents. 

Early work on this included eight old town walks where ambassadors, staff and some city officials walked door to door to Old Town businesses gathering their feedback.
 
An Old Town Business committee was formed; made up of businesses, property owners, non-profits and city officials. This group has identified the goal of working toward restoring Old Town to its former position as the downtown in Goleta.
 
The next step is for the City of Goleta to review plans for forming a Property Business Improvement District (PBID) that would raise funds to do projects in Old Town that benefit the district. Business Improvement Districts are a common tool in the United States and a popular method for enhancing a neighborhood. The Goleta version would include an assessment on the property owner, not the business store-front. The reason for this is that the property owners have a longer-term horizon for return on their investment and should realize a long-term benefit from the improvements. Some ideas for PBID projects include landscaping, employee parking, beautification and community grants. 
 
The topic of the PBID will be going before city council on February 5thand the Chamber staff will be walking Old Town Goleta on Tuesday, January 29thto discuss the potential PBID with businesses.

Chamber to Welcome Eight Business Leaders to Board of Directors at 2019 Annual Membership Meeting

The 2019 Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 23rd at Direct Relief's new headquarters. Join us as we celebrate 2018 Board Chair Hallie Avolio, who completes her term, and induct William Macfadyen as 2019 Board Chair. We will thank our retiring Board Members and welcome the new ones. The Ambassadors of the Year award and Chairman's Award will be given.
 
  We hope you can join us for this great event. Click here to register online....


On February 27th we will gather at Glen Annie Golf Club for a roundtable discussion with our elected leaders. Join us for our Issue and Policy Roundtable: Meet New Leaders featuring Goleta's first directly-elected Mayor, Paula Perotte, new Councilmember James Kyriaco and new Second District Supervisor, Gregg Hart. Don't miss this opportunity to meet our new leaders and hear their plans and priorities for 2019.
 
Click here to register...
Barry Dorsey Joins the Kimpton Family as General Manager of The Goodland
A seasoned hospitality professional, Barry Dorsey brings over 25 years of  experience to the Goodland. Most recently, Dorsey served as General Manager at Hotel Milo, a 122-room beachfront property in Santa Barbara, where he consistently controlled costs, generated profit and created outstanding guest relations.

"Barry's work ethic and positive attitude make him the perfect fit within the Goodland family," said Drew Parker, area director of sales and marketing at Kimpton Goodland. "He has already made significant improvements at the property through creative direction and a motivating spirit. We look forward to watching him help our staff grow!"

"I was immediately drawn to the Goodland for its laid-back vibe and inviting atmosphere," said Dorsey. "I'm looking forward to connecting the Goodland more to the Goleta community." orsey will be joining the Goleta Chamber Board of Directors, which leads the organization's tourism and visitor services' programs of work.
 
When he is not bringing a positive attitude and superior leadership to the Goodland, Dorsey enjoys having fun with friends and family, including his two kids.


Workforce Housing Loan Program Starting Strong in Goleta
Program addresses Goleta Chamber members' top barrier to business: housing our workforce
Thanks to the Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County's down payment assistance loans, three households are greeting 2019 from new homes.  The nonprofit organization's  South Coast Workforce Homebuyer Program , which started in early 2018, was designed to help firs t-time homebuyers get into an expensive market.
 
Chamber President Kristen Miller, a longtime Housing Trust Fund board member, said that the 20 percent down payment is one of the biggest barriers to the housing market, and while the $100,000 loan may not get people into a large home, it could help them purchase a condo or townhouse.
 
Local businesses struggle with getting access to a qualified workforce, as well as housing for that workforce, Miller said. "Obviously, we're seeing good success, and high-tech companies are hiring and finding people and progressing," she said. "I do think it's harder here. You use more of your resources and time doing that.
 
"The results are clearly that you still have a large portion of people commuting. The rule of thumb is, anybody who's been here 20 or 25 years is local, anyone hired in the last 15 is probably commuting." Miller, who has been on the Housing Trust Fund board for about 10 years, said she remembers the years it took to establish the down payment assistance loan program. 
 
New Members
We welcomed one new member at January's "Kick off the New Year" themed B2B Breakfast, Hallie Avolio from Sassy Healthy Fit. Learn more about her business at sassyhealthy.fit  
 
Goleta's Volunteer of the Year, Tony Vallejo, Announced as Board President of the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County

Help Grant Six Wishes for Children Through Make-A-Wish® and Vitalant
Help children with critical illnesses receive their wish during National Blood Donor Month in January. Blood donors can double their impact by giving blood at Vitalant while also helping to grant wishes for children through Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties at the same time.

Visit Santa Barbara Workshop: Google My Business
Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. 
Visit Santa Barbara is thrilled to partner with Google and Miles for a free educational workshop on working with Google My Business. 

Please join NAWBO-SB for an interactive demonstration with Teri Coffee-McDuffie, owner of Santa Barbara Women's Self-Defense. Be ready to participate and wear your action clothes! Enjoy good conversation, appetizers, a complementary glass of wine, and a memorable experience!
 
Hospitality Santa Barbara Annual General Meeting
January 31, 2019 - 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Come join us as we celebrate a year of hospitality and honor the Stars of our industry for a gourmet lunch at the Four Seasons Biltmore! Programming to include the State of Hospitality, Hospitality Star Awards and Presentation of the 2019 Romasanta Hospitality Student Scholarships.
 
2019 Santa Barbara Go Red For Women Luncheon
Friday, February 8, 2019
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
The Go Red for Women luncheon continues to serve as the cornerstone event of the Go Red For Women movement in local communities. This empowering event focuses on preventing heart disease and stroke by promoting healthy lifestyles, building awareness and raising critically-needed funds to support research and education initiatives.
Click here for more information...

Green Business Program Annual Luncheon
Wednesday, March 19, 2019
Please mark your calendar for the Green Business Program Annual Luncheon at  Hotel Corque in Solvang. We will be honoring over two dozen new local Certified Green Businesses. Our Keynote Speaker is Seth Streeter, Founder of  Sustainable Future.