News & Events from the Lafayette Chamber | | |
Lafayette Business Women at Pillar Cowork
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 5:15pm-6:30pm
Ribbon Cutting at Gymboree Play & Music, Lafayette
Friday, May 16, 2025, 9am-9:30am
Taste of Lafayette Restaurant Stroll
Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 5pm-7:30pm
Lafayette Chamber Connectors at Creekside Commons
Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 8:15am-9:30am
Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals at Abio Properties
Thursday, May 22, 2025, 5:30pm-7pm
JOINT Nonprofit Network: Lafayette and Concord Chambers at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa
Wednesday, June 4, 8:30am-10am
Rock The Plaza Summer Concert Series
Fridays, June: 6, 13, 20, 27
Lafayette Chamber Mixer and Vendor Fair
Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 5pm-7pm
➡ Lafayette Chamber Events Calendar ⬅
Chamber Member Events Calendar
Nonprofit Email Blast (Current issue May 2025)
Arts Community Blast (Current issue April-May 2025)
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Lafayette Business Women at Pillar Cowork
Lafayette Business Women will meet at Pillar Cowork.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 5:15pm-6:30pm
Special presentation by Alma Glavan, Regional Communications Manager, Better Business Bureau.
Alma Galvan is the Media and Community Engagement Lead at the Better Business Bureau, where she began her career in 2005. With nearly two decades of experience, Alma has been a champion for ethical business practices, small business growth, and consumer protection throughout the Bay Area. A proud graduate of Sacramento State University, she leads initiatives that foster trust in the marketplace and support underrepresented entrepreneurs. Alma is passionate about building community connections and helping businesses thrive through education, outreach, and strategic partnerships.
Register here!
Lafayette Business Women is Co-Chaired by Carine Camara, CARRINNA and Katie Santos, Consulting-Fitness HR. Sponsorship opportunities are available for future events. Fill out the sponsorship opportunities form here.
📷 Holly Sonne, Alma Galvan, and Sara Regan at a Women's Business Center event in January 2025
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Ribbon Cutting at Gymboree Play & Music, Lafayette
Please join us for a Ribbon Cutting at Gymboree Play & Music, Lafayette. We will celebrate their new ownership!
Friday, May 16, 9AM - 10AM
Gymboree Play & Music, 3450 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
We will cut the ribbon at 9:10am SHARP.
Click here for Open Gym during the Ribbon Cutting. Parents must be present.
| | WELCOME OUR NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS | | |
The following businesses/organizations recently joined the Lafayette Chamber! We encourage you to visit their website to learn more.
Debbie's German Delights
Elk Grove, CA
Deborah Shepard, DebbiesGermanDelights.com
Debbie’s German Delights crafts fresh, small-batch candied almonds using an authentic German nut roaster. They bring old-world charm to local markets and festivals with nostalgic flavors, eco-friendly packaging, and an unforgettable, aromatic live-roasting experience.
Category: Restaurants, Food & Beverage
ArtistryMK
Lafayette, CA
Michelle Kim, https://www.vagaro.com/artistrymk1
Founded by Michelle Kim, a passionate artist with a deep love for detail and design, ArtistryMK was born from a desire to help people feel confident, radiant, and authentically themselves. After years of working in the health and beauty industry, she envisioned a space that combined luxury, artistry, and personal connection—a place where clients could feel not only pampered but truly understood.
Category: Health & Wellness, Personal Services & Care
Inbeautybybree
Los Angeles, CA
Bree Granlund, https://www.instagram.com/inbeautybybree
Category: Personal Services & Care
Jagger and Cash
Danville, CA
Christina Chaccour, https://jaggerandcash.com
Apparel and accessory brand for adults, children + babies.
Category: Shopping & Specialty Retail
Tudorka Tots Inc
Moraga, CA
Renata Nagy, www.tudorkatots.com
Tudorka Tots Toddler and Preschool is now open! Tudorka Tots is glad to offer our new Toddler and Preschool center to the Lamorinda communities. We are enrolling for the 2025 September school year. We have openings from 18 months toddler classroom, age 2, and age 3 preschool class. We are located at 1689 School St. Moraga. Our program offers care from 18 month and up until preschool age 5. Our program is a STEAM curriculum.
Category: Youth & Education
Vero Foods
Fairfield, CA
Antonio Solorzano, https://www.truestoryfoods.com
Family-owned local business based out of Fairfield Ca, specializing in Organic & Antibiotic free Deli meats, Sausages, & Bacon. We’re improving the welfare of our land, our animals, our farmers and our families.
Category: Restaurants, Food & Beverage
| | THANK YOU, RENEWING CHAMBER MEMBERS | | |
Taste of Lafayette Restaurant Stroll
Lafayette’s Favorite Dinner Party – The “Taste of Lafayette” Restaurant Stroll! Friends, Food & Entertainment
Tuesday, May 20, 5PM - 7:30PM
Downtown Lafayette - Lafayette Plaza is located at the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Rd., 3535 Plaza Way, Lafayette
Tickets are now sold out. Please join the waitlist here.
All are welcome (ticket or no ticket) to enjoy music in Lafayette Plaza (corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Road) by Generations in Jazz, entertainment and photo booth by New You Dance Center, and fun activities by All Ages Recreation Downtown.
Thank you for all our sponsors, partners and especially our participating restaurants!
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Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals at Abio Properties
Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals will meet at Abio Properties, Thursday, May 22nd, 5:30pm-7pm!
- Please note, due to the June holiday, Young Professionals will not be meeting in June.
Click here to register.
This event is at Abio Properties, hosted by Linnette Edwards, The Linnette Team.
Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals is Co-Chaired Carolyne Charvoz, Mass Mutual of Northern California and Matt Boone, Dan Fitzpatrick Team, Compass.
Join the email list here: https://lafayettechamber.org/e-blast
Participate in the Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lafayetteyopros
Join the LinkedIn Group!
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JOINT Nonprofit Network: Lafayette and Concord Chambers
The Concord Nonprofit Network and Lafayette Chamber Nonprofit Network are sharing knowledge and building community together.
Wednesday, June 4, 8:30AM - 10AM
Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa, 3287 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.
Register here.
We believe that nonprofit organizations play an essential role in building and sustaining thriving communities. Our mission is to foster collaboration, share expertise, and promote best practices among nonprofit professionals and volunteers. Whether you're a seasoned executive or a newcomer to the non-profit sector, we're here to provide you with the resources, connections, and support you need to make a positive impact in the world.
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Resource spotlight for the morning will be “Insights on Corporate Social Responsibility and the Resources available for Non-profits to best leverage" presented by Nichol Carranza, Marathon Renewable Fuels.
FREE and open to Lafayette Chamber AND Concord Chamber member nonprofit executives, staff, board, volunteers.
Please note that we are planning to meet outside in the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa Courtyard, please dress accordingly. The Courtyard is limited to 75 attendees. We encourage early registration to ensure your spot—this event is expected to fill quickly.
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Mix, Mingle & Market Yourself!
Join fellow Lafayette Chamber members for an evening of networking, community connection, and local business discovery. This is your chance to build visibility, make new contacts, and showcase your organization in a casual, social setting.
Lafayette Chamber Mixer & Vendor Fair
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
REGISTER HERE
Hosted at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA.
Free for Chamber Members | $20 Guest Fee (Non-Members)
Featuring local wines by Deer Hill Vineyards, Los Arabis Vineyards and Raisin d'Etre Vineyards at the no-host bar. Complementary non-alcoholic beverages from Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling.
Vendor Opportunities – Members Only:
• 20 Business Tables Available: $100 (ONLY 4 LEFT!)
• 5 Nonprofit Showcase Spots: $50 (CALL FOR WAITLIST!)
Vendor setup begins at 4:00 PM. Vendor-to-Vendor Preview: 4:30pm–5:00pm
Events sponsored by Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County.
Space is limited—register early to reserve your spot! And don’t forget your business cards!
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⚠️ Social Media Scams!
There have been scams through social media messaging asking for your phone number. Do your research, if the messaging seems suspicious, do not respond, or respond via another communication channel to confirm.
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⚠️ Friendly Reminder: Watch Out for Scams Targeting Local Businesses
Lafayette Chamber was alerted of recent scam attempts—via email and phone—targeting local businesses and employees. These messages often appear to come from a supervisor or team member and may request urgent payments, gift cards, or sensitive information.
Scammers do their homework—they might know who’s out of the office or use real names to sound convincing.
Please pause and verify any unusual requests through a trusted method before taking action. When in doubt, check it out!
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All Ages Recreation Downtown Presents Art Market in the Parklet
Artisan Fair, Lawn Games, Food, Treats, Crafts & Activities.
Free admission for all ages.
14 Sundays, May 18 - Aug. 17 11am-5pm, 3501 Golden Gate Way
Artists, Food Trucks, Treats Vendors, please use form on allagesplay.org to participate, or use this link.
This 14 Summer Sundays event series focused on local artisans, fun, food, and funds for downtown parks is made possible thanks to many generous donors, and the support of:
All Ages Recreation Downtown is a 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(2) public benefit nonprofit dedicated to bringing all ages and all abilities parks and recreation programs to downtown Lafayette, CA. TX ID # 93-2021276
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Get Your Free Ad in the Grapevine Coupon Book
Good when you purchase an ad in the July/ August issue of The Grapevine, mailed to 81,000 homes in the same 4 great mailing zones!
Click here to learn more!
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Small Business Help Office Hours - Hosted by SCORE
SCORE has the largest network of free volunteer small business mentors in the nation. No matter what stage your business is at SCORE can be a valuable resource.
The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce has been partnering with SCORE for over 15 years. We welcome our chamber members and community members to schedule a meeting with a SCORE representative on Tuesdays between the hours of 1:30pm-4:00pm in our Chamber office at 251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150.
To schedule your appointment, please call the Lafayette Chamber at (925) 284-7404 or book your appointment online.
| | UPCOMING CHAMBER MEMBER EVENTS | | |
City of Lafayette
You’re Invited!
The City of Lafayette warmly invites you to a special unveiling ceremony honoring the Saclan heritage and recognizing the deep, rich history of this land.
As part of the City’s ongoing commitment to cultural recognition, the Land Acknowledgment Task Force, working with artist Hannah Henry, has designed an educational sign that reflects the Saclan culture’s profound connection to the land. Two of these signs have been created—one will be installed at the Lafayette Community Center, and the other at the First Street Rain Garden.
We are excited to unveil this meaningful project and invite you to join us on:
May 12 at 5:00 PM
Corner of Golden Gate Way and First Street
First Street Rain Garden, Lafayette
Your presence will make this moment even more special as we come together to honor our shared history. Please feel free to share this invitation with others.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Bay Area Bike to Work Day is Thursday, May 15
Dust off your bike, fill the tires, grab a helmet, and hit the road on two wheels. Join thousands of cyclists around the Bay Area on May 15th by using a bike to get to work or wherever you need to go.
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Lafayette’s energizer station: We’ll be at Lafayette Plaza from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Bike to Work/Wherever Day with some snacks, a drink, a tote bag, and some friendly faces
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Bike to a Station – Win a Vacation! On May 15th, pick up free goodies and enter a drawing for a $511 airline gift card at Energizer Stations located throughout Contra Costa. Find your nearest Energizer Station and learn more at 511cc.org/btwd.
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Test your street smarts anytime in May by taking 511 Contra Costa’s short Road Safety Quiz and you could win one of five $20 Starbucks gift cards. Winners will be selected May 30.
Visit 511 Contra Costa’s Bike to Workday page to locate other energizer stations: bayareabiketowork.com
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Harper Greer Assistance League Diablo Valley Shopping Day
Join the Harper Greer Shopping Day to benefit the Assistance League Diablo Valley!
10% of ALL sales at Harper Greer on May 17 will be donated to the chapter!
Fashion Tips (11am) and How to Pack for a Trip (2pm) will be presented by HG staff!
Enjoy coffee and donut holes in the morning and “bubbles” and nibbles later in the day while you shop!
Saturday, May 17, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Harper Greer, 979 Moraga Rd, Lafayette
For More Info: www.harpergreer.com
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Acalanes Senior Rally in the Park!
Acalanes is excited that the City approved blocking off Plaza Way for their new annual event: Senior Rally in the Park!
May 22, 3pm-4:30pm, Lafayette Plaza
Seniors will decorate their cars and then start the celebration with the annual Memory Walk through their respective Lafayette elementary school.
At 3pm, Seniors and families are invited to come together at Lafayette Plaza for live music (an awesome student band), Sideboard food and drink, games, and lots of Dons spirit. It will be a special way for them to celebrate their hometown community of Downtown Lafayette. They hope there will be plenty of cheers and car horns from passersby!
- They encourage families to stay downtown to shop and eat that evening with their seniors.
- Parking - Attendees can park in nearby parking lots (Plaza Center, La Fiesta Square) and in metered spots along Mt. Diablo Blvd and Golden Gate Way.
Thank you for your continued support of our Acalanes grads!
| | Beauty Wellness & Fitness Bash at ArtistryMK | | |
County Connection: Youth Ride Free
Youth Ride Free, Summer Pilot Program
Regional summer travel just got a whole lot better for area youth in central Contra Costa County! County Connection is excited to announce our new Youth Ride Free Summer pilot program—offering fare-free rides on all bus routes for young people up to 18 years of age from June 1 through July 31.
Young riders can hop on any County Connection bus without needing to fill out an application or get a special pass. It’s easy! Just get on and go!
Goals of the Youth Ride Free Program
Throughout June and July 2025, our Youth Ride Free initiative aims to:
- Enhance Mobility: Enable young people to move around freely and confidently.
- Access Vital Resources: Ensure area youth can visit libraries, parks, shopping centers, and explore summer job opportunities.
- Reduce Social Isolation: Foster connections among peers and encourage greater transit literacy.
- Understand Travel Patterns: Help County Connection gain insights into youth travel habits to better serve our community.
While previous programs like the Summer Youth Pass (now discontinued) and Pass2Class have provided incentives for youth to ride transit, our youth ridership trends have not shown much growth, suggesting a need for a change in strategy. The Youth Ride Free pilot program is designed to revitalize youth engagement with public transit.
Remove Barriers, Roll Out the Welcome Mat
The Youth Ride Free pilot encourages County Connection to think outside the box and examine the needs of younger riders. By removing the need for applications and passes–what some may deem as obstacles–they are opening their doors and welcome any youth (18 and under) to give their bus service a try. Fees? Gone. Show an ID? Not necessary. Fill out an application? Nope! No catch. They hope to see you on board this summer! Learn more here.
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John Muir Health
John Muir Health’s Concord Medical Center Ranks First in California and in the Top 10 Nationally for Heart Bypass Surgery Outcomes Based on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Data
(Concord, CA) – The John Muir Health cardiac surgery program is among the best in the nation for survival rates after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery — commonly known as heart bypass surgery. According to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), John Muir Health’s Concord Medical Center has the highest 30-day survival rate in the state of California and is ranked #8 in the country alongside other prestigious hospitals and health systems.
To earn these top rankings, the Concord Medical Center achieved a 30-day survival rate of 98.4532% for CABG procedures, based on data from CMS from their Fiscal Year 2025 Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program. The Hospital VBP program is a financial incentive model aimed at improving the quality of care provided by acute care hospitals. The benchmark survival rate, calculated as the average rate from the top 10% of hospital rates, for CABG patients, is 97.9775%. The nation’s top 10 CABG programs are currently publicized on Becker’s Hospital Review website.
“Our excellent patient outcomes are a reflection of the entire John Muir Health cardiac surgery and recovery teams and their dedication to delivering outstanding patient care,” said Dr. Russell Rodriguez, Chief Medical Officer at John Muir Health. “As a community health system, we are proud to deliver the best heart bypass 30-day survival outcomes in the state as part of the CMS Hospital Value-Based Purchasing program.”
CABG surgery is among the most commonly performed major cardiac surgeries. It is used to treat coronary artery disease by improving blood flow to the heart. During the procedure, a healthy artery or vein from another part of the body is taken and grafted (attached) to the coronary artery above and below the blockage. This new blood vessel creates a bypass, allowing blood to flow around the blockage and reach the heart.
The cardiac surgeons performing procedures at the health system’s Concord Medical Center are Dr. Andreas Kamlot, Dr. Jatinder Dhillon, Dr. Murali Dharan, Dr. Ramesh Veeragandham and Dr. Tanveer Khan. They partner with a team of cardiologists, anesthesiologists, intensivists, hospitalists, physician assistants, nurses, nurse assistants, perfusionists and volunteers as part of the cardiac surgery program.
John Muir Health offers a full spectrum of cardiovascular services at both its Concord and Walnut Creek Medical Centers, with physicians located throughout Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano counties. The health system’s cardiovascular programs and expert medical staff have earned numerous awards and recognitions, demonstrating their commitment to and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart disease. John Muir Health’s Concord and Walnut Creek Medical Centers are also designated as Contra Costa County STEMI Receiving Centers for severe heart attack patients.
| | CAMPS, SCHOOLS & KIDS’ ACTIVITIES! | | Check out opportunities from these fellow Lafayette Chamber members. Have a program to add? Email us at info@lafayettechamber.org. | | |
Give us Your Thoughts: Lafayette Downtown Parking Management Study
Save the date of Wednesday, May 21 to join us for an in-person workshop to provide input on the Lafayette Downtown Parking Management Study. After a series of workshops for downtown business owners in March, we are now hosting a workshop for visitors to our downtown. Visitors, business owners, employees, and residents of our downtown are encouraged to share parking experiences with us and provide feedback on how downtown’s parking supply may or may not meet demands for the wide range of land uses in our downtown.
Public Workshop:
In addition to the community workshop, an online survey will launch soon and that will provide an opportunity to provide input. It is expected that the online survey will launch by mid-May and will be open for 4 weeks.
We launched a Downtown Parking Management Study in Fall 2024 to identify parking management strategies that achieve an efficient balance between existing and future parking supply and demand, an expected increase in new housing, and increased multi-modal travel throughout Lafayette’s downtown area.
This study will update and supplement Lafayette’s 2016 Parking Management Strategy to address current and future parking needs in the Downtown area. It will include recommended parking management strategies to balance on-street and off-street public and private parking availability and uses to support the diverse range of downtown land uses, accommodate the expected rise in housing supply, and anticipate the potential future reduction in commuter parking at BART station lots. Additionally, it will address the community’s desire for expanding safe pedestrian and cycling networks in Downtown Lafayette and enhancing active transportation connections to other parts of the City. Read more about the Downtown Parking Management Study.
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BART MAINTENANCE WORK
BART will be performing rail maintenance work between Orinda and Lafayette Stations. The work each night is scheduled to start at 10pm and continue until BART service begins the next morning. To create safe clearance for our crews, BART will reduce service from two tracks to one while the work is taking place. Riders can anticipate delays of 15-20 minutes on work nights. BART does not anticipate noise levels to exceed the sound of the surrounding freeway.
The work entails destressing the rail to enable it to withstand swings between high and low temperatures. Temperature extremes can introduce extreme stress on the tracks. In cold weather, contraction of the rail can lead to fractures, while hot conditions can induce expansion and cause track buckling. Climate change is expected make these temperature swings more common and significant. Destressing the rail will reduce the risk of derailments and will ensure a more resilient transit system for BART riders.
Dates for this scheduled work include May 22 – 23, 2025.
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City of Lafayette: The Weekly Roundup
The Weekly Roundup, May 9, 2025 | Latest News | City of Lafayette, CA
News From the City Manager’s Corner
This week’s updates from City Manager, Niroop Srivatsa highlight:
- Sign Unveiling Ceremony Honoring Lafayette’s Saclan Heritage on Monday Night
- Update on Capital Improvement Program and Proposed Projects for Next Year
- Crime Prevention Forum is on Thursday Evening
- Artists: Apply to Exhibit in our Downtown Galleries
- Staff Tours New Condo Community, The Woodhaven
- We’re Hiring! Part-Time (Mornings) Administrative Assistant
- May is National Wildfire Awareness Month
- Lafayette Shines on Community Day: A Celebration of Unity and Action
- Police Department Statistics for April
- City Council Meeting Monday Night
- Spring/Summer Roadwork
➡ Sign up to receive City notifications: Sign up for meeting agendas and Lafayette’s publications at bit.ly/LafayetteNotifications. Also, find out how to follow the City of Lafayette on social media at https://www.lovelafayette.org/connect.
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Supervisor Candace Andersen Weekly Update
May 9, 2025, Weekly Update
➡ 3rd Annual AANHPI Celebration, May 13, 2025
➡ Lafayette Artisan Walk on Saturday, May 10, 2025
➡ Traffic Advisory - State Route 24 (SR-24) Caldecott Tunnel Lane Closures near Bore #3
➡ 17th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Council Luncheon
➡ Treasurer-Tax Collector's Unclaimed Money in Contra Costa County
➡ Clerk-Recorder's Office Seeks Volunteers for Mapping Prejudice in Contra Costa County
➡ Canyon Community Clean-Up a Great Success!
➡ Library's Adult Literacy Program - Project Second Chance
➡ Volunteers Needed to Advocate for Children in Foster Care
➡ Know Your Rights Toolkit
➡ Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation Presents "FREE FOR ALL: The Public Library"
➡ Bike to Work/Wherever Day on May 15th
➡ Fraud Prevention - The 10 Common Scams that target Older Adults
➡ Draft Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan Public Comment Period Open!
➡ Wildfire Preparedness and Evacuation
➡ The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District
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Highlight Your Chamber Membership!
Showcase your Lafayette Chamber membership on your website or marketing materials with the official Chamber logo! Simply email your request to info@lafayettechamber.org.
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