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APRIL 23, 2015 AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
WELCOME
ENTREPRENEUR PANEL Q&A
CHAIRMANS AWARD
AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR
MEMBER ANNIVERSARY RECOGNITION
STATE OF CHAMBER VIDEO DEBUT
BUSINESS EXPO OPENS
ANNUAL REPORT | 3
About the Chamber The Visalia Chamber of Commerce serves as the “voice of business” and provides strategic leadership and engagement in building the future of business and the community through information, services, and advocacy to the employers of our community.
Last year the Visalia Chamber of Commerce reached over 30,000 people through our publications and marketing. We served as the Voice of Business on more than 50 boards, committees and alliances. We grew and developed leaders at over 120 networking and educa-tions opportunities. Proudly, we helped raise nearly a quarter of a million dollars for local non profits. While these numbers are impres-sive, they are only the beginning of a much bigger story happening with your Visalia Chamber of Com-merce.
The Visalia Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organiza-tion in Tulare County. Its members include small businesses, corpora-tions, associations, and individual professionals. Since 1899, the Chamber has worked diligently with local government, education, private industry and a host of oth-er agencies and organizations to improve the business environment and promote Visalia as premier community in which to live, work and do business.
The Chamber organizes and directs the efforts of those who share
the desire to improve the condi-tions under which business is conducted. Through participation in the Chamber, members are able to accomplish collectively what they could not do individually. This spirit of collective action, partner-ship and collaboration has driven our 2014 year to new successes. Together, we have done remark-able things.
The Visalia Chamber of Commerce believes it is important we:
• Continually educate our com-munity to understand that business success is essential to overall community success and our community’s quality of living correlates directly with the economic well-being of our businesses.
• Actively consider and respect the priorities of our member businesses and work to sup-port them.
• Regularly evaluate the ef-fectiveness and impact of our programs and offerings to en-sure a measurable value to our members and investors that exceeds their investment.
• Serve as a resource for our members with information on best practices, new business trends, successful ideas, or new partners.
• Be trustworthy in our motives, visionary and open to possibil-ities, and inclusive of various viewpoints in decision making.
The Visalia Chamber of Commerce serves as the “voice of business” and provides strategic
leadership and engagement in building the future of business and the community through
information, services and advocacy to employers of our community.
4| ANNUAL REPORT
Chamber StaffGail Zurek is President and CEO of your Visalia Chamber of Commerce. Although she only moved to Visalia two years ago this June, her love of our community makes it seem like she’s been here for
decades. Raised in Southern California and most recently spending over a decade working with businesses in the Chi-cagoland area, Gail knows what makes communities thrive. While Gail loves Visalia and her work with the Chamber, her heart belongs to her husband Michael and two boys Sam (11) and Joe (6).
Gail ZurekPresident/CEO
Nicola has been with the Chamber for 3 years and has many years of experience in marketing and event coordi-
nation. Nicola graduated from Northern Arizona Univer-sity with a degree in Political Science then lived in the Bay Area for almost a decade. Nicola enjoys spending time with her husband Danny and their two boys Noah (7) and Gavin (5).
Nicola WisslerCommunications & Special Projects Coordinator
Sue has been with the Chamber of Commerce for an impressive 8 years. She brings organization to the Chambers finances along with a great smile and gra-
cious heart. Sue loves her job, gummy bears and her grand kids.
Sue SummersVice President of Operations
Anna has been with the Chamber of Commerce for an amazing 7 years. Anna is a powerhouse of knowl-edge for the Chamber and works hard to make ensure
each of our members are well cared for. Anna is a busy mom of 5 and enjoys her time off.
Anna Uriarte Membership Services Coordinator
Scott is the most recent staff member to join the Cham-ber. Although he is new to the Chamber he is local to the valley and brings years of business experience. He
has a contagious laugh and is a wonderful addition to the Chamber Staff. Scott enjoys spending time with his new baby boy and being outdoors.
Scott Smith Director of Partnership Development Stephanie is newer to the
Chamber staff, coming on in November 2014 as the only part time employee. Stephanie has many years of administrative experi-ence and brings a graphic
design skill set which has been a great addition to her po-sition. Stephanie is a busy mom of Daylen (11), Nathanael (9) Kassia (4) and enjoys doing anything and everything with her husband Chris.
Stephanie Kinser Information Specialist
ANNUAL REPORT | 5
Board of DirectorsBOARD CHAIR PAST CHAIR CHAIR ELECT VICE CHAIR VICE CHAIR VICE CHAIR VICE CHAIR
Judy FusselBuckman Mitchell
Financial & Insurance Services
Kerry HydashFamily HealthCare
Network
Norris McElroy Kawneer Company
Lynn Conley Lynn Conley, CPA
William Martin Martin Enterprises
Stacy Morris BEN-E-LECT
B.J. Perch B.J. Perch
Construction, Inc.
Stan Carrizosa College of the
Sequoias
Karen Gross State Farm Insurance
Patrick Salazar State Farm Insurance
Dena Cochran Kaweah Delta
Health Care District
Nathan Halls Suncrest Bank
Vincent Salinas Financial Advisor
Associate
Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner
CSET
Todd Mackey Tropics by Design
Karen Tellalian DMI Agency
Richard Feder Visalia Mall
Skip Nugent Best Buy Markets
George Vasquez Bank of Sierra
Carlos Garcia R&F Disposal
Colby Wells The Gas Company
Amy Pack Pack Track Marketing Consultant
Mike Olmos City of Visalia
Ex Officio
6| ANNUAL REPORT
Chamber AmbassadorsAbigail Sipes Crescent Valley Public CharterAdriana LazcanoAlterra Homes Loans Al BenoyAl Benoy Insurance ServicesAlicia Miline Ronald McDonald House Alicia Reynolds BEN-E-LECT FoundationAmber Smith Office Pride April Martin Grace Note Music StudioApril Vasquez Linwood Meadows CareArmondo ApodacaTulare Kings Hispanics Chamber Arnulfo Gonzalez Magnolia Park Assisted LivingArt Flores Wal-Mart Store #5956Ashley DeGree Wish Upon a StarBarbara HoodSuncrest BankBenjamin Davenport Haulaway Storage Beth BruegmanRobert Half International DBA Officeteam/Accountemps Bob Croft Spirit 88.9Brandon McCarterSequoia/Wuksachi Village Brett TaylorLanteri Bookkeeping & TaxBrice YocumFresno Pacific UniversityCandice WeaverPacific Employers Carrie MargosianCourt Appointed Special Advocates of Tulare County Cary Schein Cary Schein Design
Catherine Doss 2 Market Visuals Cathy Parker Central Valley Business Forms Chaundra OlsenCentral Valley Community BankChelsea Stemkoski Visalia Rescue MissionCheryl CairnsOrthopaedic Medical Clinic Ind. Cheryl Christman Imagine U Children’s Museum Christie Long Union Bank Christina Correll Integrity Credit Chuck GunnerudWal-mart Neighborhood MarketCindi Summers Tucoemas Federal Credit Union Cindy Carter Redwood Springs Healthcare Claire James SeaPort Airlines Clayton Biewer LegalShield-Independent Assoc.Cynthia Benson The Greyson Group Cynthia Walsh Tri Counties Bank D’Ann Reimer Packwood Creek Dental Group Dan Hackey Tule River Economic Develop. Dante RoshFamily HealthCare NetworkDarice VieiraBank of Commerce MortgageDarlene Mayfield Saint Anthony’s Retreat/Santa Teresita Conference Center David Moos Assisted Senior TransitionsDavid Scott Electric Motor Shop & Supply
Deanna Saldana Habitat for Humanity Debbie Gullord ServiceMaster by Benevento Deborah Towle Cacciatore Fine Wines Denise Nelson NAMI Tulare County Dominique Chamberlain SinglePoint Outsourcing, Inc.Elaine Carrasco Tulare-Kings Dental Society Elizabeth Gomez WM/ Waste Management Elizabeth Lamar Sequoia Natural HistoryEric Ueland KSEE 24 Erin Olm-Shipman Arts Consortium Fran HerrSHRM of Tulare/Kings County Gary Giraudi Miller Memorial Chapel Gary Krisler 3 Day Blinds Greg Price Visalia Unified Teachers Hanna KimGuarantee Real Estate Hector Avila Wells Fargo CommercialJack Petty Giant Chevrolet Cadillac Jaclyn Weedin Wells Fargo Home MortgageJana Meyerstein Success Learning Center & Visalia Music School Jeff Gooding IDEA! Printing & Graphics Jennifer Alvarado Office Depot Jessica CavaleVisalia Rescue Mission
Joe Boone WSS Inc. Jon Hoskins Wells Fargo Advisors Jonathan BrayFamily HealthCare NetworkJoseph OldenbourgThe Valley VoiceJuan VasquezEmployment Development Department Judi Pirnstill Judi Pirnstill/Keller Williams Realty June Amaral Miss Tulare County ScholarshipKaren Gross Karen Gross / State Farm Insurance Kat Serna ServiceMaster by Benevento Kathleen Remillard Delta Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Kathryn Bogan Milan Institute Kathy DoddWathen Castanos HomesKathy Fraga Visalia Convention Center Kelsey JonesEducational Employees Credit UnionKevin BurfordCarroll’s Tire WarehouseKimberly Hager Redwood Springs Healthcare Kimberly Jensen Quail Park Retirement VillageKP Basra Port of Subs Store #65Kristen Infante La Quinta Inn Lance Newton Bank of America
ANNUAL REPORT | 7
Larry Johnson Visalia Unified Teachers Association Larry Stoneburner KTIP AM 1450 Laura Florez-McCusker Kaweah Delta Health Care District Lee Serjak Peninsula Messenger ServiceLela Dancil Tucoemas Federal Credit Union Linda Patino Tulare County Office of Education Lisa Franks Educational Employees Credit Union Lisa Laxson California Business Machines Lisa Nunes Citizens Business Bank Logan Johnson Valley Advanced Security Loni Bean Visalia Rawhide Baseball Club Lorena Landry Rabobank-Mooney Blvd. Loretta Miller Miller Memorial Chapel Lydia Zabricki Quad Knopf, Inc. Mandeep Basra Edward Jones/Mandy Basra Financial Advisor Maribel Perez-LopezTri Counties BankMarie Labbee True Legacy Consulting Marquisa Pickering CSET-Community Services & Employment Training
Melerie VasquezValley Oak Credit Union
Melissa Kaminski ServiceMaster by Benevento Melissa MartinezCline’s Business EquipmentMellissa Ramirez Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino Melva Dixon Century 21 Jordan-Link &Company Michelle Corral Boretti, Inc.Mihai Petrascu Pine, Pedroncelli & Aguilar Mike Broida Freestyle Event Services Nakia Happli Integrity Credit Nathan Halls Suncrest Bank Nicole Centofanti M. Green & Company, LLC Nicole Luna Sports Clips Gateway Plaza Pauline Medrano NAMI Tulare County Peggy Furnas Peggy Furnas Insurance Phil Luna Joshua Ray Smallwood Foundation Ralph Nelson, Jr. MD NAMI Tulare County Raquel Garcia Fresno Pacific University Rebecca Zylstra Zylstra Automotive Renee Garcia Tule River-Eagle Mountain Casino Renee Nuanes Community Food BankRick Remillard Pepsico
Rita Crandall Valley PBS
Robert Rodriguez Hiliti, Inc Ryan PurkissRyan Purkiss-Thiesen-Dueker Financial Consulting GroupSandra CloydCity of VisaliaSandy BergmanAccess Capital Services, Inc.Shannon Frost Access Capital Services, Inc. Sharon Allison-Crook Amvets Sharon Turner On3design Shayna Fabre Westgate Gardens Care Ctr. Shelly Williams Korsgaden & Jansma Insurance Stacy HeatonFarmers Insurance Stefanie Olson Milan Institute Stephanie CortezITC Steve Smith Office Pride Steven McCarthaTrue Legacy ConsultingSue Sa Sue Sa’s Creative Catering Susan Mathews Susan Mathews Properties Tammy SpoelstraChapa Korsgaden & Jansma Insurance Agency Tara Boyd Visalia ATV & Motorcycle Teri BymerCalifornia Business MachinesTheresa Polich Visalia Unified School DistrictThomas Forbes Park Visalia
Timberly McDarment Union Bank of CaliforniaTom Norton Sierra Mini StorageTom ZarateJackson&Associates InsuranceTony Baffo BEN-E-LECT Tony Carrillo CSETTonya Pollard 3 Day Blinds Vickie Goudreau Innovation Commercial FlooringWendy AndersonFinancial Credit Network Inc.William Hoover Wells Fargo Commercial Bank Zach Green Zach Green Films
Chamber Ambassadors
8| ANNUAL REPORT
CommitteesThe Visalia Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our Committee members. Without your time and dedication we would not be able to make these events such a huge success for our community. We value and appreciate each of you!
Oktoberfest Committee Todd Mackey - Chair Tropics by DesignArmondo Apodaca Tulare -Kings Hispanic ChamberNicole Centofanti M Green & CompanyStacy Chastain Proteus, Inc.Elizabeth Contreras Visalia Unified School DistrictCrystal Elliott Sousa and CompanyAaron Gomes Sound N Vision FoundationJeff Gooding IDEA! Printing & GraphicsJerry Hallberg Citi Personal Wealth Mgmt.Brian Lancaster Holiday Inn & Conference CenterRobert Menchaca Central Valley Community BankManny Mendoza Sequoia BeverageMarie Morrison RetiredSkip Nugent Best Buy MarketsLinda Patino Tulare County Office of EducationWendy Anderson Financial Credit NetworkJazmin Rodriques Volt Temp Services
Joel Rosales Office of Assemblyman Devin MathisAlex Rosh Ashoori & Co. JewelersJason Vasquez Central Valley Community BankJuan Vasquez Employment Development DepartmentKirk Vossler Vossler FarmsKris Vossler Vossler Farms Annual Awards Committee Stacy Morris- Chair BEN-E-LECTArmondo Apodaca Tulare-Kings Hispanic ChamberSarah Ashoori Ashoori & Co. JewelersMarilyn Barr CASA of Tulare CountyJessica Cavale Visalia Rescue MissionNina Clancy Greenhouse Montessori SchoolStacy Correia American Ambulance of VisaliaRita Crandall Valley Public TelevisionRuss Desch Visalia Medical CenterKaren Gross Karen Gross/State Farm Insurance
Barbara Hood Suncrest BankPhilip Hornburg Houk & Hornburg AttorneysRyan Lansdowne J.C. Lansdowne, IncTom Lewis Lewis & Assoc.Tom Link RetiredPatrick Lozano Accelerated Receivables GroupTodd Mackey Tropics by DesignWilliam Martin Martin EnterprisesMarilynn Mitchell JostensMarie Morrison RetiredJennifer Pendergraft Visalia Rawhide BallclubKathleen Remillard Delta Nursing & RehabilitationMark Reynolds BEN-E-LECTDonn Ritter SJVCCarolyn Rose RetiredSue Sa Sue Sa’s Creative CateringGerald Schneider Gerald Schneider, DDSEric Shannon CRS Farms
ANNUAL REPORT | 9
CommitteesLarry Stoneburner KTIP AM-1450George Vasquez Bank of the SierraRick Wehmueller Valley Business Bank Christmas Tree Auction Committee Barbara Mayeda - ChairKaweah Delta Health Care DistrictKaren Tellalian - Co-Chair DMI AgencyArmondo Apodaca Tulare-Kings Hispanic ChamberCynthia Benson The Greyson GroupPeggy Furnas Peggy Furnas InsuranceLydia Gargan Kaweah PumpJuly Hong Keller Williams RealtyKathy Ishimoto Kaweah Delta Health Care DistrictMarie Labbee True Legacy Consulting Renee Lansdowne Kings MortgageMelissa Martinez Cline’s Business MachinesMarie Morrison RetiredJosh Nauman Christ Lutheran Church Kathleen Remillard Delta Nursing & RehabilitationSue Sa Sue Sa’s Creative CateringDeanna Saldana Habitat for Humanity Tulare County
Barbara Strong Kaweah Delta Health Care DistrictGeorge Vasquez Bank of the Sierra
Government Affairs Committee William Martin - Chair Martin EnterprisesMary Beatie Provost & PritchardPhil Bourdette Bourdette & PartnersStan Carrizosa College of the SequoiasLynn Conley Lynn Conley, CPARichard Feder Visalia MallKerry Hydash Family HealthCare NetworkElaine Martell Downtown Visalians AssociationBill Maze EcoStar USA LLC, Water ConsultantSteven Reid Hydrite ChemicalVincent Salinas Financial ConsultantMatt Seals Seals/Biehle General ContractorDon Sharp Buckman-Mitchell InsuranceBrett Taylor Realty Stars Real EstatePhil Walker Morgan Stanley Smith BarneyColby Wells The Gas CompanyCraig Wheaton Visalia Unified School DistrictRobert AinleyDowling aaron Attorneys at Law
Leadership Visalia Steering Committee Matt Seals - ChairSeals/Biehle ContractorsCrystal Williams-Jordan - Facilitator Armstrong Property ManagementDebbie Barton Visalia Ceramic TileDavid Bruce City of VisaliaGerrit DeJong City of Visalia Police DeptLaura Florez-McCusker Kaweah Delta Health Care DistrictJeff Forbes CSETCarlos Garcia R&F DisposalBarbara Hood Suncrest BankBill Maze EcoStar USA LLC, Water ConsultantDoug McBee Visalia Fire DepartmentKaren Olivares Family Healthcare NetworkRyan Purkiss Theisen-Dueker FinancialDante Rosh Family Healthcare NetworkPatrick Salazar State Farm InsuranceVincent Salinas Financial ConsultantJason Vasquez Central Valley Community BankRoberta Wagner JoAnn’s Distribution CenterRuth Medlin Ruth Medlin Consulting
10 | ANNUAL REPORT
New Members210Advanced Micro SystemsAshley Furniture HomestoreBay Alarm CompanyBEN-E-LECT FoundationBling Queen BoutiqueBoretti, IncBrett Taylor Realtor with Realty StarsBulldog RV StorageCaglia EnvironmentalCentral California SolarComcast Business ServicesCommunity Food BankCrime Victim Advocacy Center of Tulare CountyDickeys Barbecue PitDiscount TireDowling Aaron IncorporatedElectric Motor Shop & SupplyFarmer’s Fury WineryFirestone/Expert TireFresno CDFI Fresno Community Development Financial InstitutionFriends of Mike BoudreauxGiant Chevrolet CadillacGolden Touch LimousineGrace Note Music StudioGuarantee Real EstateHiliti, IncIndependent TowingInnovation Commercial FlooringIntegrity CreditITCJ & J Quality Apps LLCJavita dba Veiga Business HoldingsJuly Hong- Keller Williams Lanteri Bookkeeping & Tax ServicesLegalShield - Clayton Biewer /Independent AssociateLittler MendelsonM. V. TransportationMagnolia Park Assisted Living
MauricesMax’s Cookie Company, IncMcDonald & AssociatesMcKellar Agricultural GroupMichael T. Bodensteiner, DDSMiss Tulare County ScholarshipOn3designOnyx InTire Auto HouseOrchard Supply HardwareOrthopaedic Associates MedicalPack Track Marketing Consultant Packwood Creek Dental GroupPepsicoRabobank-Mooney BlvdRead for LifeRonald McDonald House Charities of the Central Valley, Inc.Ruth Medlin ConsultingSmith PromotionsSmokin Barrel FirearmsSports Clips Gateway PlazaStor ItSuccess Learning Center & Visalia Music School Sun FreshSutton Hague Law CorporationThe Greyson GroupToastmastersTulare County FairTule River Economic Development CorporationTule River Eagle Mountain CasinoU.S. ArmyValley Life FoundationValley Oak S.P.C.A.Visalia ATV & MotorcycleVisalia Farmers Market AssociationVisalia Unified Teachers AssociationVolt Workforce SolutionsVossler FarmsWSS Inc. Zylstra Automotive
4 Creeks, IncAmerican Medical Response Amvets Department of CaliforniaArmstrong Property ManagementBANC HOME LOANSBank of Commerce Mortgage Bank of the SierraBerkshire Hathaway Home Services Best Buy MarketBrandman UniversityBuckman-Mitchell, Inc.Butler Manufacturing CompanyCalifornia Water Service CompanyCentral Valley Business FormsCentury 21 Jordan-Link & CompanyChicago TitleCIGNACity of VisaliaCollege of the SequoiasConAgra Foods Crescent Valley Public CharterCSET-Community Services Dan Freitas Electric, Inc.Family Builders Foster Family AgencyFraney’s Carpet One Floor & Design Ctr.Fresno Pacific University Visalia CenterGroppetti AutomotiveHabitat for Humanity of Tulare CountyHoliday Inn Hotel & Conference CenterHousing Authority of Tulare CountyHyde Commercial Real EstateHydrite Chemical CoJo-Ann Stores Distribution CenterJostens Printing and PublishingKaren Gross / State Farm InsuranceKaweah Delta Health Care DistrictKaweah Park ResortKawneer Company, Inc.La Quinta InnMarriott HotelMartin & Martin Properties LLCMilan InstituteNational UniversityPeninsula Messenger ServicePro-Youth/HEART After-School ProgramQuality Paint & Body, IncRabobank-Main StreetResources for IndependenceRyan Purkiss - Thiesen-Dueker Financial Consulting GroupSalser & Dillard Funeral ChapelSan Joaquin Valley College, Inc.Save Mart SupermarketsSequoia/Wuksachi Vil lage & LodgeSerpa Packaging SolutionsSinglePoint Outsourcing, Inc.Smith Auto PartsSuncrest BankSunset Waste PaperTahoe Joe’sThe Creative CenterThe Yokohl Ranch Company LLC Tri-Mag, Inc.Tulare County Office of Education Tulare County Symphony Union Bank of CaliforniaUnited Way of Tulare CountyUnited Wholesale Lumber CompanyUniversity Preparatory High SchoolValley Advanced Security Valley Business BankValley Oak Credit UnionVisalia Ceramic Tile, Inc.Visalia Mall Visalia Medical ClinicVisalia Times-DeltaWill itts PumpWM/ Waste Management
110% Club
ANNUAL REPORT | 11
Member AnniversariesA thriving community starts here
70 years Visalia Citrus Packaging 60 years Financial Credit Network J.C Lansdowne
55 years Visalia Times-Delta
45 years Valley Pacific PetroleumThe DepotLawrence Tractor CompanyConsolidated Electrical, Inc.Las Palmas RestaurantGroppetti Automotive
40 years Screw Conveyor Tulare-Kings Counties Builder’s Exchange
35 years Williams, Brodersen & Pritchett LLPGilman, Harris & Travioli
30 years CIGNAAT&TCasa Grande Senior Care HomeMilan InstituteServiceMaster by Benevento
Mill Creek Management, IncBill Maze Wonder Valley Ranch Resort & Conference CenterVisalia PlumbingEye Surgical & Medical AssociatesKFSN-TV Channel 30California Wire Cloth, IncMission Linen Supply
25 years Costco WholesalePotter’s Porta Potties
20 years Pacific Southwest ContainerFred RuizPacific Capital Strategies, IncUniversity of Phoenix-Riverpark Learning CenterVisalia Family PracticeTulare Outlet CenterDG Insurance Agency, Inc
15 years Miracle-Ear Walton Family Moving & StorageSt. Paul’s SchoolVisalia Electric Motor ServiceCountry Club MortgageThe BarnSecurity Self Stoage Jo-Ann Stores Distribution CenterElaine Rider/State Farm Insurance United Signs International, incValley Oaks Golf CourseTucoemas Federal Credit Union
Red Carpet Car WashFresno Pacific University Fairfield Inn Visalia/Sequoia GatewayVisalia Lions Band Review
10 years Patrick Salazar State Farm Insurance AgencyPeggy Wilson/ Century 21 Jordan LinkSmith Auto PartsBryson Cancer Care, IncDMI AgencyAdventure Park of Visalia Roy Dressel PhotographyVisalia Sunset Rotary Tommy’s Restaurant & LoungeLagomarsino Group
5 years Berkshire Hathaway Home Svc.Summit Homebuilders Inc.Select Business SystemsKeith Williams DDSWM/Waste ManagementAguirre Printing & EmbroideryPerine & Dicken Interim Health Care/Central ValleyVeteran’s Memorial DistrictCulligan Water ConditioningJoshua Ray Smallwood FoundationArts ConsortiumGoodies, Cookies & Specialty CakesKZPO ‘Kings Radio’ 103.3 FMRedwood Springs Healthcare Ctr.Soroptimist International of Visalia
94% Retention Rate
12 | ANNUAL REPORT
Major Events Leadership Visalia Golf Tournament
- 86 Golfers participated
- Continued financial support of Leadership Visalia program
1st Annual State of Business Expo & State of Business Meeting- More than 40 vendors and 180 meeting attendees
- Outgrew the current location
Annual Awards Celebration- 10 local businesses and individuals recognized for their contributions to the community
- Sold out event
Oktoberfest- 128% more money raised over previous year
- New location at Vossler Farms
Christmas Tree Auction- Raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars for local non-profits
- Sold out event
ANNUAL REPORT | 13
Leadership, Entrepreneurship Training
The Visalia Chamber of Commerce strives to strengthen the local economy through leadership training, and supporting entrepreneurship. To fulfill this responsibility, the Visalia Chamber is hosts the Leadership Visalia class. The Young Entrepreneurs Academy, the Young Professionals Network and the Visalia Chamber Business Academy. Leadership VisaliaSince 1986 Leadership Visalia has been the premier leadership training program in Visalia. The program is offered as a service to our members and broader Visalia com-munity as an investment to ensure effective leadership in our workplaces, commu-nity organizations, and civic institutions The Young Entrepreneurs AcademyThe Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a yearlong academic program that teaches core entrepreneurial skills to middle and high school students. Any student with a passion and drive can learn to develop and launch their own business with the help of local business leaders, mentors and hands on learning experiences. The Visalia Young Professionals NetworkThe Visalia Young Professionals Network (YPN) unites the young, motivated, driven, passionate and community minded business leaders of Visalia for one purpose and building relationships. Through involvement with the YPN, young professionals have opportunities to network and learn from each other, while forming lasting relation-ships which will help them to succeed. The YPN strives to connect young profession-als with local non-profits and encourages members to be active in the community. Visalia Chamber Business AcademyThe Visalia Business Academy (VBA) offers a wide range of seminars and other train-ing programs designed to provide our members with the latest business best practic-es. Seminars are designed to provide practical information that can be implemented right away to help members grow their businesses or improve operations.
“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world
to live more amply, with greater
vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich
the world, and you impoverish yourself it you
forget the errand”
Woodrow Wilson