The sold-out State of the Chamber luncheon on February 7 presented a glimpse into what's in store for our membership and community this year, as there are a number of new and exciting opportunities bringing greater value and collaboration among all those involved. The event also showcased a group of dynamic individuals who have made an impact in Santa Barbara and beyond. Congratulations to all of the award winners!

As the current Board Chair, I shared what the Chamber has on the horizon for 2013. In response to a 2012 membership survey and input from various focus groups, the Chamber will recognize and implement initiatives based on what the members identified as their top priorities, which were broadly categorized as: promoting business relationships and networking; representing business interests / advocating for business; and informing, educating, and allowing for action. Following are some highlights of our initiatives:

Under the leadership of Steve Amerikaner and Jim Youngson and with the results of the survey and focus groups, the Government Relations Council has redefined itself and established a format to engage members, business groups, elected officials and/or their representatives. In addition to authorizing 25 voting members and an advisory committee of public agency representatives, a policy group, comprised of individuals from different sectors of business and industry, has been created. This group will be charged with preparing objective and fact-based White Papers on key public policy issues. With a renewed focus and energy through this initiative, the Chamber of Commerce hopes that it will be a credible and effective voice for the business community.

Joanne Funari and Michael Holiday have taken the lead in the new Business Development area. They will continue to conduct focus groups with members and business groups to determine the path the Chamber can and should take to promote economic vitality on a regional level.

Renee Grubb continues as the chair of the membership team who will be working closely with the Ambassadors, under the leadership of Bonnie Zappacosta and Cameron Porter, to welcome new members, promote member businesses and enhance business connections through networking events, programs and workshops.

The new communications team, under the leadership of Lisa Rivas and John Longbrake, is putting together a communications plan that will include a new website for the Chamber and will work to improve the tactics, tools and timing of Chamber communication with appropriate audiences about appropriate topics.

The Visitor's Center, under the guidance of Executive Director Annmarie Rogers, the staff and volunteers, continues to enhance and improve opportunities and outreach to the nearly 200,000 visitors each year.

On behalf of the Chamber staff and board of directors, we are enthusiastic and dedicated to providing heightened opportunity for our members and to being the voice of the business community.  

I look forward to a very positive and productive 2013.

Scott Hadley

Chair,   

Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce

Nathan Sigler, Cottage Health System

Nathan Sigler is the Director of Transition Planning at Cottage Health System. He has served on the Ambassador Council since 2009. As the 2012 Chair for the council he has led an effort to strategically grow the Ambassador council, which resulted in a 45% increase in membership to the council. He has also served on the Board's Strategic Planning Committee and has helped to launch successful networking events including an annual mixer with the Santa Barbara Young Professionals Club and the Coffee & Connections Breakfast.  

Miguel Portugal, Santa Barbara High School 

Miguel Portugal is a Santa Barbara High School student and volunteer at the Ty Warner Sea Center. Miguel has dedicated 500 hours of community service to the Sea Center over the past year. The Sea Center Volunteer Manager, Stephanie Sanchez, says that he is their most dedicated and reliable volunteer. Miguel is also the founder/creator of SB Underground, a teen run magazine, which informs the teen community on important youth issues and features up and coming sports teams, writers, artists, poets and musicians from the Santa Barbara region.