FUTURE OF BENICIA RECAP


Last month’s Future of Benicia event was a full house with more than 150 attendees joining us to hear insights and updates from Steve Young, City Manager Mario Giuliani, and our guest speaker Lance Hastings. It was an inspiring and informative afternoon focused on the vision and opportunities ahead for our community.

A special thank you to Got Plate for an amazing lunch and Two Tarts Catering for the delicious Benicia Chamber of Commerce cookies that made the day even sweeter!

THANK YOU TO OUR FUTURE OF BENICIA SPONSORS


CAPITOL SPONSORS

  • AMPORTS
  • CALIFORNIA FOREVER
  • NORTHBAY HEALTH
  • REPUBLIC SERVICES

CLOCK TOWER SPONSORS

  • LINK LOGISTICS
  • ROTARY OF BENICIA
  • TRAVIS CREDIT UNION
  • VALERO

ARSENAL SPONSORS

  • BUDGET BLINDS OF SOLANO
  • RIX INDUSTRIES

CHAMBER NEWS

The Great Benicia Run: Strait to the Finish


Registration is open now!


Sunday April 12th Don't miss the first year of our Great Benicia Run put on by the Benicia Chamber's Wellness Alliance and the Rotary Club of Benicia.


We currently have almost 400 racers! Help us keep the numbers growing share the race with your network today! Click to download the

Sponsorship Opportunities

We’re excited to announce sponsorship opportunities for the first-ever Great Benicia Run—a new community tradition celebrating fitness, fun, and local pride. This inaugural event is expected to draw runners, families, and spectators from across the region, offering sponsors high-visibility exposure and meaningful community impact.

Whether you’re a local business or a regional brand, we offer sponsorship levels designed to fit a range of goals and budgets.


Join us in making history and helping launch an unforgettable first year of The Great Benicia Race.


For sponsorship details, please contact us at greatbeniciarun@gmail.com


GROUP TRAINING

Every Week on Saturday morning we will have group training as we lead up to the run.

Saturday February 21st Schedule:

6:45am meet at The Elevate Company

7am Run

8am-8:45am Yoga

WE NEED YOU!

CAN YOU SPARE 1-2 HOURS ON APRIL 12TH TO HELP US MAKE THIS EVENT GREAT!

WE HAVE A LOT OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. GRAB A FRIEND AND SIGN UP TODAY!

Click here to find out volunteer positions and sign up!

Upcoming Chamber Events

MARCH 5TH- Young Benicia Mixer

5:30-7:30PM

131 First Street | Benicia, CA

Our Young Professionals Group Mixer is back. Join us next Thursday, March 5th at 5:30 PM at Cullen's Tannery & Pub on their outdoor back patio.

Do you have staff that are over 21 and looking to connect with others here in Benicia? Please share our event happening Thursday March 5th!


March 11th - Lunch Mob at Venticellos

12-1pm

Join us for lunch at Venticellos on March 11th. We will do some light networking over lunch.

"You buy your lunch and we will provide the conversation"

Let's support a local business together!


March 18th - Mixer at Cross Country Mortgage

5:30-7pm

Get ready for an amazing mixer! Cross Country Mortgage is hosting this month and we can't wait to mix and mingle with you! If you would like to donate a raffle prize for the drawing, please attach your business card so that we can recognize you.

Come make new connections and enjoy a great night out!


Event Recap

MIXER at Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific


We filled the office at our mixer hosted by Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific! Thank you to everyone that attended.


Chamber Yoga Class at The Elevate Company


Thank you to Laura Mary for hosting these amazing Chamber members through a yoga class. We had a great workout and a fun time learning more about each other afterward.

Benicia/Vallejo residents you too can try classes at The Elevate Company. They offer a free week of classes with proof of residency. I promise you will love it!

Benicia Women's Business Group meeting

We had a great turnout out for our Benicia Women's Business Group this month. Thank you to Claudine Wong of KTVU for sharing her story with us.

NEW MEMBERs

Welcome New Chamber Members!

Another Hammett Snoop

Voena

Benicia Grad Night

Zoe's Cruises & Tours

The Golden Horse Shoe Antiques

Silver Star Senior Services

Simplee Vending


MEMBER NEWS

Brave Alpaca LLC Launches Benicia.guide

A Next-Generation, AI-Powered Community Hub for California’s Historic Waterfront City

Brave Alpaca LLC is proud to announce the official launch of Benicia.guide, a comprehensive digital platform designed to serve as the definitive community calendar and local resource for residents and visitors of Benicia.

Benicia.guide goes beyond traditional local directories by integrating artificial intelligence with community-driven content. Built by Benicia-based Brave Alpaca LLC, and community partners from The Benicia Chamber of Commerce, Benicia Main Street, Benicia Magazine, and the Benicia Yacht Club, the site aims to connect residents and visitors with the city’s rich history, vibrant arts scene, unique waterfront culture, and burgeoning food scene. 

Bridging Heritage and Technology

As the former state capital, Benicia is steeped in heritage, from the historic Arsenal to the bustling First Street corridor. Benicia.guide honors this legacy while providing modern tools for navigation and discovery. The platform’s centerpiece is a custom AI Itinerary Builder, which allows users to generate personalized day-trip plans based on their specific interests and food preferences including:

  • Outdoors & Waterfront: Tailored routes for the State Recreation Area and Marina.
  • Arts & Culture: Curated paths through local galleries and studios.
  • Foodie Experiences: Deep dives into Benicia’s diverse culinary landscape.
  • Family & Date Night: Activity-specific recommendations for every occasion.

A Resource for Local Growth

In addition to its tourism features, Benicia.guide serves as a centralized "Official Community Calendar," aggregating local events, service provider listings, and business directories into a single, user-friendly interface. By providing a high-visibility platform for local businesses and organizations, Brave Alpaca LLC intends for the site to be a primary driver of local economic engagement.


“Benicia is a town with an incredible spirit and a deep sense of community,” says the founder of Brave Alpaca LLC. “With Benicia.guide, we wanted to build a tool that captures that spirit and showcases the high tech potential of the city, making it easier than ever for a local to find a weekend event or for a visitor to experience the perfect day by the bay.”


About Brave Alpaca LLC

Brave Alpaca LLC is a Benicia-based technology and consulting firm specializing in AI services and community-focused digital products. The company is dedicated to leveraging professional-grade engineering to solve local challenges and enhance community connectivity.

Business owners you can be a part of the 2026 NorCal Career Fair.

This is a no cost hiring event. Reserve your booth today!

Vallejo Symphony is looking for Board Members

I’m reaching out to you personally because your proven commitment to our community is exactly what helps organizations like the Vallejo Symphony thrive. We’re at an important moment, and I believe you could be a great fit to help ensure the Symphony’s continued success for the people we serve.

For ten decades, the Vallejo Symphony has served Vallejo and the wider communities of Solano, Napa, and Contra Costa counties by bringing professional music to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. We’ve seen again and again how the arts strengthen communities, spark connection, and help create positive change.

Over the past three years, I have had the honor of serving as President. During that time, we navigated a period of transition, including unexpected board and leadership changes and a temporary lack of administrative staff. With steady work and a lot of collaboration, we have kept concerts going, supported our patrons, and brought the organization back up to date.

Today, our board is down to a few deeply committed members who have carried the organization forward because they care deeply about the Symphony’s future—and because the Symphony matters to this region. As we look ahead, we’re focused on thoughtful succession planning: bringing in community-minded leaders now so responsibilities can be shared, mentorship can happen, and future transitions are smooth. That’s why I’m reaching out to you—I’d love your help building the next generation of board leadership and ensuring the Symphony continues to thrive for years to come.

We are now focused on recruiting new board members who are community-minded, collaborative, and excited about the power of the arts. Board service is meaningful civic work – it is governance, stewardship, and advocacy. We are looking for people who can help set direction, strengthen community connections, and support fundraising so that professional music remains accessible in our varied communities.

I want to be clear: this is not about losing heart for the mission—quite the opposite. It’s about making sure the Symphony has a strong, sustainable governing team for its next chapter. With some important family priorities ahead, I will be stepping down from my role as Board President in the near term, and I’m committed to supporting a smooth transition to new leadership.

Would you be open to a brief phone call or a face-to-face meeting to talk about the board and what the role actually looks like? If serving isn’t right for you, I would be grateful for your help identifying one or two individuals who might be a great fit.

Thank you for considering this request and for everything you do to support the arts in our community. I’d love to connect at your convenience.


Warmly,

Suzie Peterson

Suzie94534@gmail.com


Carquinez Village event Wisdom & Wonder is seeking donations and sponsorships for their spring fundraiser.


This is a great opportunity for small businesses to support older adults in our community, and every donation counts

https://forms.gle/VSvuPoyrxbQN4VG26

Community News

Char Wilkinson the owner and stylist of Changes Hair Studio in downtown Benicia suffered a serious broken arm in an unexpected accident. She is unable to work because of the injury. Her husband Scott is the owner of Teak Man downtown. They could use support and help to get them through the injury until she is able to go back to work.

If you are able to help here is the information below:

Community Events

Session: Breathe Better: Body, Breath & Mind

Format: In-person group breath training

Length: 60 minutes

When: Friday, March 6 @ 6:30 PM

Location: The Vortex

619 First St, Benicia, CA 94510

Cost: $55

Reserve your spot → Breathe Better: Body, Breath & Mind

Benicia Chamber of Commerce

601 First Street Suite 100

www.beniciachamber.com

info@beniciachamber.com

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