Business eNews from Laguna Beach Chamber

Message from the President
The Holidays are upon us with the launch of Hospitality night last Friday. The festive display and community comradery always puts us in the holiday spirit.

As a precaution, I want to remind you of the downtown floodproofing measures in the municipal code, in the event of anticipated heavy rainfall. Hopefully, we will have milder weather than last year. Just in case, the precautionary measures are outlined in Municipal Code 25.38.055 on the City of Laguna Beach web site. Click here for a link to the site.

SAVE THE DATE for January 27, 2012 for the Spirit of Laguna Awards and Installation banquet. Twelve awards will be given in the following categories:
Board Member, Business, Volunteer, Citizen, Green Enterprise, Building Industry, Non-Profit, Restaurant, Government Official, Retail, Gallery and Professional Service.

If you would like to nominate an individual/business for one or more of the above categories, please submit your nomination and a brief reason why this individual/business should receive this award to lagunabeachchamber@gmail.com by no later than Tuesday, December 13
at 5 PM.

Seasons Greetings to you all!
Chris Keller, President
Casa Resorts

Visit our Partner Sponsors

Visit Mission Hospital

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Visit Montage
Laguna Beach

Visit brilliant blue

Visit Tommy Bahama

Visit The Retreat

Visit Ganahl Lumber

Visit Waste Management

Visit Bank of America

Visit CBB

VISIT CASA RESORTS

Visit CVN

Visit Townzilla

Visit Coast to Coast

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CITY UPDATES

Business License Renewals On-line

Contractors and businesses that pay a flat rate can now renew their business license on-line through the City's website.

Click link to renew

Flat Rate Business

Contractor

Visit French 75

Mixer & Event CALENDAR

2012 CALENDAR UNDER

CONSTRUCTION

Real Value of the Chamber

A national study reveals that membership in the Chamber of Commerce can significantly boost a business' image among consumers

When consumers know that a business is a member of the local chamber, they are 44% more likely to think favorably about it.
Consumers who are told that a business is a chamber member are 51%
more likely to be highly aware of it and 57% more likely to think positively
of its local reputation.
Consumers are 63% more likely to buy goods and services in the future from a company that they believe is a member of the local chamber of commerce.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT

I'm looking forward to meeting so many of you at our final 2011 mixer and Holiday celebration at Las Brisas Restaurant, Wednesday, December 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We have some fabulous raffle prizes and of course the excellent cuisine at one of Laguna's finest!

The 2012 Mixer Calendar is filled except for 2 final slots. Those slots will be primarily for "targeted mixers" that congregate like-minded businesses together for lead generation, best practices sharing and marketing or partnering opportunities. For example, a targeted mixer inviting our restaurants to meet with our galleries or our business professions to meet with new members and so on. We're excited about the possibilities and look forward to innovative networking ideas!

For those of you interested in marketing strategies and the latest and greatest in marketing tools, come to our reinstated Marketing Committee slated for January 4 at 4pm graciously hosted by Lisa Goodwin of Accelerated Marketing services, 465 Forest Avenue, Studio I, in Laguna Beach. If you are interested in attending, call the Chamber at (949) 494-1018!

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season!

Kristine Thalman, Executive Director

Legislative Update

- State UI Fund Debt Leads to Higher Federal Tax on Employers

Absent an act of Congress, California employers will be paying higher taxes starting January 1, 2012 because the state has not repaid money it borrowed from the federal government to pay unemployment insurance benefits.

- Proposed initiative Undoes Prop. 13 Protections for Businesses. An initiative has been filed that will undo Proposition 13 protections for business in California, brining back an unpredictable method of assessing property taxes. If enacted, this "split roll" initiative could cost California taxpayers billions of dollars annually. The measure has been dubbed by its proponents as the "protect Homeowners and Close Corporate Tax Loopholes Act."

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Save the Date for our Holiday Mixer at Las Brisas!!!!!

DECEMBER 14, 2011
Las Brisas

361 Cliff Drive
5:30 - 7:30 PM
$10/Members
$20/Non-Members

Fabulous Raffle Prizes!!!
Don't miss one of the best attended mixers of the year! Come join your fellow Chamber Members and meet our Board of Directors and Ambassadors!

RSVP BY TUESDAY, DEC 13 TO:
karen.lagunabeachchamber@gmail.com
or call: (949) 494-1018

Chamber Board Members in the News!!!!

Board Member Todd Orlich was featured in the Orange County Register Business section on being an effective leader! See the full article

HERE

Our own Gregg Abel was featured in the Laguna Independent on his family's legacy in Laguna Beach.
See the entire article
HERE.

Article Headline

NEW MARKETING TOOL FOR LAGUNA BEACH CHAMBER MEMBERS!!!

The Chamber of Commerce has partnered with QR Interactive Solutions to launch a mobile business directory that features Laguna Beach businesses! Designed exclusively for Laguna Beach Chamber members, the QR code seen above is embedded into a new shop window sticker and will be delivered to you in the coming months.

LEARN MORE: CONTACT
ETHAN GROMET AT (949) 322-4318
OR ethan@grinso.com

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Peppertree Lane, Katy Moss Broadway, by Amar Santana Anders Lasater Architects (welcome back!) Accellerated Marketing - Lisa Goodwin, CEO

Article Headline
Starting a Business?? Not sure where to start? Overwhelmed by government paperwork? Contact the Chamber of Commerce ! We can help! Call (949) 494-1018

Mission Statement:

"The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, recognizing the traits that make Laguna Beach unique, will promote and enhance the economic environment for Laguna Beach businesses by providing programs and services of value to its members and the community."

~ Service Since 1917 ~

Check Our Chamber Year In Review On You Tube .