CLEARLAKE ? Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce President Joey Luiz delivered the chamber”s quarterly report to the Clearlake City Council Thursday. Luiz highlighted the organization”s achievements as well as its plans for the remainder of the year.
Although the chamber did not take in much money, Luiz said he was pleased to report that organization fulfilled its obligations without deficit.
Luiz said that the chamber saw many positive changes and accomplishments in 2008. “2008 was basically a year where we had all new leaders,” he said. “We used 2008 as a year to build a new foundation for the chamber.”
In the past, financial accountability had been an issue that the city council had questioned in light of the sizeable donation the city contributes to the chamber annually. According to Luiz, the chamber has changed its financial procedures to Quickbooks with an outside agency reconciling the books on a monthly basis. The 2008 Financial Report is available online at www.clearlakechamber.com.
Luiz said that the chamber board surveyed its membership in order to identify the current needs of the business community. Survey results identified a desire for a Web site that features member businesses, an increase in marketing opportunities and a desire for a more visible chamber. “We put a plan together to address these areas,” Luiz said.
The Web site, identified above, has been revamped and now offers discounts and coupons available to members and a message board where members, community and guests can communicate. It also features a rating system in which anyone can rate and comment on a local business.
A shop-local marketing campaign enjoyed huge success last holiday season. Luiz reported 63 participants in the program. The campaign included a $1000 chamber buck giveaway, which was awarded to a local school teacher who reportedly spent her winnings in local businesses.
Chamber visibility was substantially increased Luiz said with participation in the Bay Area Travel Show. “This was a wonderful event,” he said. “It was a great opportunity to get in front of people in the Bay Area.”
Luiz added that as a result of participation in the show, a contact was made with Doug McConnell who hosts a nationally televised travel show. Luiz said that “Open Road” will be filming in Lake County in the coming months in coordination with the Lake County Marketing Committee.
Luiz said that the chamber has established several committees to focus on various needs identified by its membership. A Business Outreach/Community Development Committee has been formed with a primary goal of helping new and existing businesses get established and grow. A tourism advisory committee has been formed to help cultivate the tourist industry and a membership committee has been established to help increase membership. A special events committee has been formed to increase the number of events sponsored and hosted by the chamber to aid tourism as well.
Future plans for the chamber include: City of Flags fundraiser, Luau on the Lake fireworks fundraiser, the 42nd annual International Worm Races, Fourth of July fireworks display in the City of Clearlake, state fair exhibit, participation in the Old Time Bluegrass Festival, holiday marketing campaign and the Christmas Light Parade.
For more information regarding chamber activities and fundraisers, please call the chamber office at 994-3600. The chamber is now located in the Clearlake Senior/Community Center on Bowers Road in Clearlake.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
