CLEARLAKE ? A quarterly report was recently presented to the Clearlake City Council by Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce President Joey Luiz. Luiz highlighted past endeavors, ongoing efforts and future plans of the organization.
“This chamber has a great group of people behind it,” Luiz said. “We”ve hit the hardest economic times in decades and we”re still moving forward.”
The chamber serves to promote the economical and recreational interests of the city as well as the county. Endeavors aim to provide for area residents while attracting visitors in effort to stimulate tourism. Annual events include the City of Clearlake”s Fourth of July fireworks display and dinner fundraiser; Christmas Lights Parade and holiday season shop-local campaign; and partnership endeavors for events such as the Old Time Bluegrass Festival and Friday Night Farmers” Market.
Luiz said the chamber is currently promoting a new event that will take place in May 2010. The “Cruise-In and Car Show,” he said is expected to draw hundreds to the area for a special Mother”s Day celebration. The chamber is also looking forward to a fishing tournament the first week of October that will draw 250 anglers to the community.
The chamber acts as an information center for residents and tourists. The organization operates a Web site at www.clearlakechamber.com that provides a multitude of information such as a visitors” guide, business directory, events calendar, photo gallery, message board, virtual maps, discount offers and more.
“We have a wonderful photo gallery of the area showing the natural splendor and beauty,” Lori Peter, chamber executive director said.
The chamber also fields phone calls, e-mails and other correspondences for people seeking information about the area. “Our phone call volume is still going up daily, monthly,” Luiz said. “However, the type of call has changed dramatically. They have been more about what”s going on in the lake and the (Dinius) trial.”
Peters introduced the council to an exciting new endeavor on the horizon for the chamber. She said that National Geographic is launching a new Web site showcasing geo-tourism opportunities in the north coast area. She said www.northcoastgoetoursim.com will launch Thanksgiving weekend and will include a Lake County section. The chamber will serve as editor of the section and will receive compensation for the work staff provides. According to Peters the Web site was restricted to areas with land touching the Pacific Ocean but because Lake County”s waters and tributaries flow to the Pacific, inclusion was granted.
“It”s going to beautiful and certainly something we can be proud of,” Peters said.
For more information regarding chamber activities, opportunities and membership, visit the office located on Bowers Road in the Clearlake Senior/Community Center or call 994-3600.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
