Learning from other cities is important to our Chamber because it provides valuable insights into the successful practices and innovative solutions that can be adapted to our own community. 

This year our City Study Mission delegation traveled to Los Angeles to learn from elected, government, business and community leaders across a spectrum of topics. To share a few takeaways relevant to San Jose: 

Downtown Los Angeles: 

• Having a mixed-use downtown, with residential, retail and restaurants/cafes in addition to office buildings, helped the downtown fare through COVID 
• Careful thought was put into designing downtown metro stations and surrounding land use to maximize the rider experience and integration with the built environment 
• Grand Central Market is a hub of activity, due in no small part to the intentionality of its ownership to craft a diverse and unique set of local vendors 

Affordable Housing and Homelessness: 

• Well-known for its adaptive re-use process, the city has converted multiple office buildings into residential 
• Mayor Bass set her first Executive Directive to expedite the permit processing of 100% affordable housing and shelter projects 

Sports & Entertainment: 

• Los Angeles has attracted 11 professional sports teams and global sporting events such as LA28 and FIFA World Cup due to long-term visioning and deep investment into the sports industry 
• The Los Angeles Sports Economic Sports & Entertainment Commission stressed the importance of 5-star accommodations, commitment and coordination of local government and private partners and ensuring a broad community benefit as key factors to its regional success 

We look forward to continuing these conversations and expanding on the latest ideas going forward. Join today to be a part of the conversation!  

Chamber's May Mixer Presented by Cirque de Soleil

Get ready for an enchanting mixer celebrating the awe-inspiring show, Zooza, presented by Cirque De Soleil on May 21st! Partnering with the San Jose Capital Club, we're thrilled to bring you an unforgettable event filled with delectable light bites, a vibrant no-host bar, exciting raffles, and an exclusive 25% discount code for Zooza show tickets! Take in the breathtaking views of Silicon Valley, savor gourmet cuisine, and immerse yourself in a fantastic networking experience.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity! Secure your spot today by registering online via the San Jose Chamber website. Space is limited for this event!

For Zooza show tickets, please use the following discount code for 25% off: SG20SJC

Webinar: Navigating California's Remote Work Reimbursement Requirements

Discover how to navigate California's remote work reimbursement requirements in our informative 30-minute webinar on May 28th, from 12:00-12:30 PM. While remote work can be a cost-effective solution, many companies overlook the legal obligation to reimburse employees for job-related expenses. Let us guide you through the ins and outs of this requirement in this fun and easy-to-follow session.

Don't miss out—register today and ensure your company stays compliant while keeping costs in check.

The informative webinar will be led by Sarju A. Naran, Chair of Hoge Fenton's Employment Law Group. Named a “Northern California Super Lawyer” from 2016 – 2023, Sarju regularly litigates and provides advice and counsel to companies on wage and hour issues, trade secret misappropriation, employee mobility, and more.

Help Us Welcome ARC Point Labs to the Community

Join us for the Ribbon Cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of ARC Point Labs on Friday, June 7th at 12:30 PM. ARC Point Labs is a distinguished industry leader specializing in drug, alcohol, DNA, and clinical testing solutions. With over 150 independently owned locations nationwide, ARC Point Labs is dedicated to delivering precise, cost-effective clinical solutions for consumers, businesses, and physicians.

As one of the fastest-growing third-party administrators for testing solutions, ARC Point Labs continually innovates and expands its offerings to meet the evolving needs of our communities. Their services include comprehensive drug and alcohol testing, policy development, and supervisory training, ensuring safe and drug/alcohol-free workplaces.

Additionally, ARC Point Labs provides affordable walk-in wellness solutions and clinical lab screenings, empowering individuals to take control of their overall health and well-being. Chamber members are cordially invited to attend this momentous occasion and witness the unveiling of ARC Point Labs' state-of-the-art facility.

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the arrival of ARC Point Labs and their commitment to fostering healthier communities, register below.

Upcoming Chamber Networking Events & Member Opportunities

MAY

5/21 Webinar: San Jose Chamber New Member Orientation

5/21  Chamber Mixer Presented by Cirque de Soleil

5/24 Women in Leadership Series

5/28 Webinar: Navigate California's Remote Work Reimbursement Requirements

JUNE

6/4 Coffee & Connections

6/7 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: ARC Point Labs

6/18 Webinar: San Jose Chamber New Member Orientation

To sponsor any of our upcoming events, please contact info@sjchamber.com.

Urban Vibrancy Institute Team Carabiner & Block Party May 16th

Join Urban Vibrancy Institute for a day of collaboration, fun, and community on May 16th.

TEAM CARABINER | 3:30-5 PM

UVI is thrilled to unite the Mayor's office, SAP Center, Councilmembers, and local businesses to discuss vibrancy and economic development in the city of San José. Join us for a productive session as we climb to new heights together.

BLOCK PARTY | 5-9 PM

Enjoy live music, food, drinks, and tours of new local businesses. Let's unite and support our community together!

City of San Jose's Small Business Empowerment Day May 20th

Join the San Jose Office of Economic Development & Cultural Affairs on Monday, May 20th for Small Business Empowerment Day. The event will include networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs and City staff, insightful workshops, and a keynote from California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who will share how California is helping to invest in local communities and small businesses.  

Workshops include:  

• Improve your Loan Approval Odds
• Small Business Ally Office Hours
• How to use Marketing Tools to Advertise Your Business

FREE Shark's Draft Party June 28th @ SAP Center

The Future is Teal! For the first time in Sharks history, the #1 pick is coming to San Jose! Join the excitement at the FREE Draft Party on Friday, June 28th at the SAP Center. Claim your tickets below, up to four per person.

Chamber April Mixer Hosted by Urban Putt

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Urban Putt for graciously hosting our April Chamber Mixer. With over 100 chamber guests in attendance, the event was a resounding success, celebrating a remarkable addition to the Downtown San Jose community. Urban Putt's exceptional venue, featuring innovative challenges and captivating designs, provided an ideal backdrop for networking and camaraderie. Attendees enjoyed engaging conversations, guided tours of the course, and valuable networking opportunities.

May Coffee & Connections

We're delighted to announce another successful Coffee & Connections gathering! We extend our sincere gratitude to all who joined us for a morning of productive networking and engaging conversations. A special thank you to Voyager Coffee for providing the delightful brews that kept us energized throughout the event.

Save the date for our next Coffee & Connections on June 4th at 8:30 AM. Registration is now open on the Chamber website. We look forward to welcoming you for another enriching networking experience!

SJ Chamber Welcomes Acrisure to Santana West

Congratulations to Acrisure, the newest addition to the new & beautiful Santana West building! Thank you to everyone who came out to support and celebrate the newest addition to our business community. Acrisure connects ambitious people and entrepreneurs with insurance and business solutions they need for success. To learn more about Acrisure's offerings, please visit www.Acrisure.com.

Poppy Bank Joins the Community

Recognized as the 18-time winner of Best Places to Work in the North Bay and named Best Business Bank by NorthBay Biz Magazine, the San Jose Chamber of Commerce is delighted to commemorate the grand opening of Poppy Bank's new branch in San Jose! 

Poppy Bank specializes in business lending, offering commercial loans, lines of credit, commercial real estate, construction, and SBA/USDA loans. Additionally, they offer a wide range of personal and business banking services, including deposit products, cash management, and ACH processing. 

To learn more, visit Poppy Bank at one of their convenient locations or contact them via www.poppybank.com  

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