|
Dear Valued Members and Supporters,
In our dynamic business landscape, one size certainly does not fit all. The question I often encounter is, “how does X impact business?”. X could be hybrid work, affordability of childcare on our workforce, regulatory processes and so on. The challenge is there is not a straightforward answer due to the inherent diversity in business sizes and types. What influences our largest employers significantly varies from the effects on our smaller counterparts. It’s crucial to recognize that legislation often crafted with large enterprises in mind can inadvertently pose challenges for smaller entities. The discrepancy underlines the necessity of including a broad spectrum of voices in policy-making processes.
Ensuring that policymakers hear and consider the unique perspectives and needs of businesses across the board is essential for crafting well-rounded and effective policies. As we move forward, our commitment remains steadfast in advocating for an inclusive approach where every business, regardless of its size, has a seat at the table.
If you haven’t already, take 5 minutes to complete our Business Health & Needs Assessment survey. Sharing your voice helps us provide that broad-spectrum viewpoint!
Warm regards,
Leah Toeniskoetter
President & CEO
| | |
Network Building & Member Opportunities |
| |
|
Webinar: Workplace Violence Prevention Updated Requirements | |
We encourage HR leaders and experts to participate in an informative webinar on April 17th focusing on navigating the new requirements affecting businesses of all sizes surrounding Workplace Violence Prevention (Senate Bill 553). Presented in plain speak, in an approachable and easy-to-digest way, this important discussion will be held via webinar, so you can grab your lunch at your desk and stay up to date on the new law affecting you as an employer.
Led by Eleno Núñez Gonzalez, associate attorney at Hoge Fenton.
This webinar will be part of a larger series presented by Hoge Fenton monthly on HR issues facing businesses of all sizes. The next webinar will be covering Overtime Exemptions and Independent Contractors, in-person April 25th and online May 1st.
| |
San Jose Chamber New Member Orientation | |
Join us April 22nd at the Chamber offices for your morning caffeine, and discover all the exciting events and opportunities awaiting you as a member. Whether you’ve newly joined, or an existing member looking to delve deeper into your membership benefits, we extend a warm invitation to join us for an informal session of valuable insights about how to make your membership work for you. | |
San Jose Chamber April Mixer: Hosted by Urban Putt | |
The San Jose Chamber of Commerce invites you to join us April 30th for a thrilling evening of networking and fun as we celebrate the grand opening of one of San Jose's newest gems, Urban Putt!
Get ready to tee off into an unforgettable experience at our April Mixer Event hosted by Urban Putt, where we'll drive home the excitement with every swing!
| |
Women in Leadership Book Club | |
We are excited to introduce our latest initiative: the Women in Leadership Speaker Series and Book Club. The book club will be dedicated to exploring themes of growth, grit, and grace! Our first selection is "Worthy" by Jamie Kern Lima. Grab your copy, dive into it throughout April, and we’ll convene on May 1st for a lively discussion! | |
Women in Leadership Series | |
In addition to our Women's Book Club, we're thrilled to unveil our Speaker Series. This dynamic gathering is dedicated to celebrating, empowering, and inspiring the remarkable women in our community. Leading this series is Kai Deering, an accomplished entrepreneur, business coach, and advocate for accessible legal assistance with over two decades of experience and leadership at LegalShield. We invite you to join us on May 24th for the inaugural event of this engaging series. | |
Upcoming Chamber Networking Events & Member Opportunities | |
Leah Toeniskoetter Weighs in on Current Issues and the Future of San Jose | |
|
In March, Chamber CEO Leah Toeniskoetter participated as a panelist in two significant events surrounding current challenges and the prospective trajectory of San Jose.
On March 22nd, Leah contributed to a panel discussion hosted by Joint Venture Silicon Valley, where the topic centered around the childcare crisis and the exploration of collaborative solutions. Additionally, Leah participated alongside San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and Nanci Klein, the Director of Economic Development, at The Future of Downtown San Jose event held on March 28th.
The Silicon Valley Business Journal published a write-up following The Future of Downtown San Jose panel. Click the link below to read the article.
Photo credit: TOMAS OVALLE/ FOR THE TIMES
| |
Mercury News: San Jose Fourth in Quality of Life in US | |
The Mercury News recently published a piece reporting on local reactions to the US News and World Report ranking San Jose fourth in quality of life. Leah Toeniskoetter was interviewed for the article, highlighting the strength of the business community as an economic driver. | |
ChatGPT for Business Success Seminar Recap | |
|
The "Empowering Business Success: Leveraging ChatGPT" event was a resounding success! Led by the esteemed Louis Stewart, Head of Strategic Initiatives at NVIDIA, the seminar was a captivating journey into the world of ChatGPT. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Louis Stewart for his leadership and expertise, which enriched our understanding and provided us with invaluable knowledge throughout the event. We look forward to continuing to explore cutting-edge technologies and strategies to empower the success of our businesses and strengthen our community.
| |
April Coffee & Connections | |
|
We are delighted to share the excitement and success of our April Coffee & Connections event. Held on the first Tuesday of every month, Coffee & Connections has become a staple event where chamber members and guests gather in the chamber lounge for a morning of networking over coffee. This month's Coffee & Connections was particularly special, as we had the honor of welcoming Sameer Shah, Co-Founder of Voyager Coffee, as our special guest for a Q&A panel. Additionally, we would like to express our appreciation to Voyager Coffee for providing the delicious coffee that fueled our networking conversations and energized our morning.
| |
SJ Chamber Team Member Introduction: Ashley Pourroy | |
|
We're excited to welcome Ashley Pourroy to our team as the Director of Member Experience and Office Operations at the San Jose Chamber of Commerce! With our renewed focus on delivering exceptional membership experiences, Ashley will play a crucial role in ensuring that our members consistently enjoy and fully utilize their membership benefits. With over 17 years of industry expertise spanning real estate, construction, community engagement, and nonprofits, Ashley brings invaluable experience to her new role.
| |
|
Know someone who might benefit from added visibility and credibility within the business community?
For all membership inquiries, please contact Ashley Pourroy at AshleyP@SJChamber.com or 408-291-5250.
| |
Not on our mailing list? Subscribe below to receive these updates straight to your inbox. | | | | |
