November 2012 e-Newsletter
Your business
news source
|
 Message from the President
Fellow member:
As we enter November, I am sure that many of you are stocking your shelves and checking your inventory to assure a prosperous Holiday selling season. As you know, the Chamber of Commerce has recently completed a survey of Laguna Business (you can find the results on line at www.lagunabeachchamber.org - Business tab, Business Resources). A few things stood out in that survey, and I want to call them to your attention:
1) More than 75% of businesses in Laguna identify themselves as having a steady to rapid growth in sales, with 45% saying their growth was moderate or rapid. The big exception was in the Gallery area of Laguna Beach.
2) Display restrictions and restrictions on signage are a problem for 17 percent of businesses. The Chamber is working with the city on possible changes to these policies. We'll see if we can make headway on this issue.
3) 31 percent of all businesses surveyed said they had no issues with regulation in Laguna Beach.
4) Nearly 40 percent of our business customers come from Laguna Beach, while only 21 percent come from the rest of Southern California. It is clear that attention to "locals" should be an important part of most business strategies.
This survey was presented to Chamber members and to City officials at a meeting at the Surf and Sand Hotel, whose facilities were very appreciated by all in attendance. They did a bang up job-Thank You.
I have a couple of postponements to announce. To my chagrin, we ran out of time to get all of the approvals necessary for the Christmas lighting contest I had hoped to have for 2012. Look for it in 2013-and if you plan an outstanding 2012 light display, please let me know so I can highlight it in my next President's letter.
We have also rescheduled the First Chamber Golf Tournament to a more golfer-friendly spring date. Watch for details.
As always, if you have questions please email me or a member of the Board. And remember, if you like what the Chamber is doing, get your neighboring businesses to join-our membership is at a multi-year high right now, and we are taking our place as an organization that gets things done in Laguna.
|
|
Visit our Premier Partners
| |
|
|
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
|
CLICK HERE TO SEE LISTING OF AVAILABLE PROPERTIES
Searching for Office Retail or Commercial space in Laguna Beach? Check out Cary Glenn's listing of available properties! |
|
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE
Local/Regional
Supervisor Pat Bates (County of Orange)
Report Highlights:
OCTA Board Considers Bus Fare Increase
On Monday, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors held a public hearing regarding the proposed implementation of a 25 percent bus fare increase. The increase is being proposed in order to address rising costs and service levels and to comply with regulations. Nearly half of the $267 million bus operations budget is funded by the state. To remain eligible for those dollars, OCTA is required to maintain a 20 percent farebox recovery ratio. This means OCTA must collect from passengers a minimum of 20 cents for every dollar spent on operating the service. If bus fares are not increased, OCTA could fall below this mark, which could jeopardize funding.
If the increase is approved, it is scheduled to go into effect in February. Based on results from the 2005 and 2009 adjustments, the 25 percent increase would provide $6.4 million in additional fare revenue. The OCTA Board is scheduled to vote on the increase at our November 26 meeting.
OCTA, Caltrans Plan I-5 South County Improvements Update
Carpool lanes on Interstate 5 (I-5) that currently end in San Juan Capistrano will extend south of Avenida Pico in San Clemente, as part of a $275 million project by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
The congested Avenida Pico interchange in San Clemente will also be rebuilt as part of the project, which is funded by Measure M, a half-cent sales tax approved by Orange County voters for transportation projects. Construction to build the carpool lanes in both directions will begin in fall 2013. One new soundwall is planned, along Shorecliffs Golf Course on the west side of the freeway north of Avenida Vaquero. The final phase
of the project, rebuilding the interchange, is expected to begin in 2014 and finish in spring 2017.
When finished, the portion of Avenida Pico under the freeway will expand to nine lanes. The lanes include two through lanes headed west and three through lanes headed east, as well as two left turn lanes to enter the northbound freeway and two left turn lanes to enter the southbound freeway. New bicycle lanes will also be added to Avenida Pico in both directions beneath the freeway and through the project area.
|
|
|
Real Value of the Chamber
A national study reveals that membership in the Chamber of Commerce can significantly boost a business' image among consumers
Join Us!
FREE Ad in Business eNews when you join
| |
JOIN THE CHAMBER! CLICK HERE
|
|
PHOTO CORNER
Guess which Ribbon Cutting????
 | |
|
|
|
|
Executive Director's Report
|
| |
It's hard to believe we are approaching the holiday season and another year has passed. Plans are in the works for Hospitality night and I'm proud to announce Laguna's own FM radio station KX 93.5 will be broadcasting live that night. Trees will be lit, Santa's house will be decorated and a tree lighting ceremony will launch the holiday season! Do you know of someone who truly exemplifies the spirit of Laguna? The prestigious "Spirit of Laguna Awards will be presented at the Board Installation ceremony on January 25, 2013. Submit your nominations for any of the categories. Submissions are due by December 21, 2012. The next Member Showcase and New Member reception will take place on Wednesday, November 14 at Caduceus Medical on Thalia/Glenneyre from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. New members are free, members are $10 and non-members $25. Year end is also the time when we send out renewal notices for membership. Along with the notice, you will receive our new Premier Partnership sponsorship program that is now available for 2013. The values have been enhanced and we hope to increase the number of partners by 100% in 2013. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM Regardless of what you choose, please know that we value and sincerely appreciate your membership. Your Chamber of Commerce is only as strong as its membership! Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Kristine Thalman,
Executive Director
|
|
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
| | |
Acclaim Merchant Services
Alliance Francaise
Allstate Insurance - Jolliff Agency
Artique
Asada-Laguna Beach
Avran Art & Design - PREMIER PARTNER!Dolce Gelato, Inc. - WELCOME BACK!
Green Tree Boutique
Healing Grove Naturopathic Medicine
Innovative Partners in HR & Leadership
Instant Court Reporting
J.Group Inc.
Jack Thomas at Home
Jeanine Marie Luke
Keary Gregg & Associates
KX 93.5 Radio
LagunaBeach.com
Laguna Food Pantry Laguna Bamboo Laguna Window Washing Mackinac Partners Mecum Auction - PREMIER PARTNER!Moore Media - WELCOME BACK!
Neapolitan Pizzeria&birreria
NPRP Outdoor Media
Orange Inn Panache Laguna - PREMIER PARTNER
Peony Healthy Chinese Cuisine, Inc. Romeo Cucina - WELCOME BACK
Sundance- PREMIER PARTNER
Tangible Investments, LLC- PREMIER PARTNER!!
TheresaCordova.com
Tres Sietes Tequila
U.S. Bank
Wine Gallery - PREMIER PARTNER!!!
Work*Body*Life BalanceX and OH
Our Membership is GROWING!!!!
WE ARE OVER 310 MEMBERS STRONG!
Thank You for Joining!
|
|
New Business Directory & Map
Advertising Opportunities
|
| |
|
|
City Square
|
| |
This section of the Business E-News is designed to keep our members informed about upcoming city initiatives, business development and changes in city policies or regulations.
* * *
The City has expanded its business license renewal to incorporate all business types (renewals only). Visit the website at www.lagunabeachcity.net.
Upcoming Meetings:
- City Council Meeting - Tuesday, November 13, 6pm 505 Forest Avenue
- Design Review Meeting - Thursday, November 15 - 6pm , 505 Forest Avenue.
- City Manager Weekly Updates
- Upcoming City Commission Meetings/Events:
Click here for City of Laguna Beach Calendar
ALERT OC - BUSINESSES URGED TO REGISTER!
Emergencies can happen at any time. A wildfire could spread or an unexpected flood closes roads. Be prepared and in the "know" by registering your business and/or resident contact information with AlertOC so that the City can notify you of potential disasters and timely methods of disaster preparedness. You can register by logging onto www.AlertOC.com. For further information, please contact Jordan Villwock At (949) 497-0701 or email jvillwock@lagunabeachcity.net.
|
|
Advertising Discounts!
| | 
|
|
SCORE - FREE CONSULTATION for Small Business Start-ups!
| | 
Starting a Business?? Not sure where to start? Overwhelmed by government paperwork? Free consultations given at the Chamber office.
Call Jack Curtis at (714) 550-7369 or Jack.Curtis@SCORE114.org
|
|
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS!
| |
Conde Nast Traveler Magazine
honors Montage Laguna Beach as "Doing it All"!
The September 2012 issue of Condé Nast Traveler announced that Montage Laguna Beach was recognized as making a difference in six areas of social responsibility and awarded in the "Doing it all" category for their World Savers Awards.
After receiving a record 111 applicants, an independent panel of judges chose 15 visionary companies; Montage Laguna Beach being the only hotel in the United States to receive this recognition.
Todd Orlich, General Manager stated "Needless to say, our team was ecstatic. Thank you for your support of Montage Laguna Beach and our efforts in sustainability."
You may view this honor by visiting the Condé Nast Traveler webpage at: http://www.cntraveler.com/world-savers/2012/montage-laguna-beach-world-savers-awards#slide=1.
You may also visit the following link to view all 15 winners: http://www.cntraveler.com/world-savers/2012?MBID=social
|
|
NEApolitan pizzeria & birreria Open November 3rd!
| |
Stay tuned for a ribbon cutting in November celebrating the opening!
|
|
Laguna Beach Chamber Supports 3/50 Project to Encourage Residents to SHOP LOCAL!!!!
| |  The "3/50 Project" is a campaign to save the brick and mortar small businesses our nation was built on. This national effort is encouraging local spending to help save your local economy.
The web site declares that for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures.
To read more about the "3/50 Project" click here! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
