OUT & ABOUT WITH DONNA
Donna Visits the Automobile Driving Museum
It has truly been a pleasure to write ‘Out and About’ articles, for the past three years, which focus on our members.  The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is a business organization representing more than 800 businesses of all sizes, sectors and cities.  Our members range from mom-and-pop shops to leading industry associations and large corporations. This past week I was provided the opportunity to visit the Automobile Driving Museum, a true hidden gem in the South Bay.
 
I was very excited about this week’s Out and About.  In fact, driving to the Automobile Driving Museum, I reflected back to high school.  It was during this time I developed a fondness for cars. Attending Buena Park High School, there was a road in front of the school in which students cruised back and forth each morning before classes began. The street was lined with Dodge Chargers, Chevrolet Cameros and Chevelles and Pontiac GTO’s and Firebirds and Ford Mustangs.  My favorite car, though, was my friend Brian’s 1955 Chevy Nomad. Read More

NEWS
From L to R: Councilmembers George K. Chen and Milton S. Herring, Dr. Thomas A. Parham, President, CSUDH, Dr. Dena P. Maloney, Superintendent/President, El Camino College, Dr. George Mannon, Superintendent, Torrance Unified School District, Mayor Patrick J. Furey, City of Torrance, Councilmember Geoff Rizzo, and Fire Chief Martin Serna, Torrance Fire Department.
Workforce and Education Connected at State of Education
Students, educators and business leaders gathered at El Camino College, last Thursday, for the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce annual State of Education Event. Dr. Thomas A. Parham, President, CSUDH, Dr. Dena P. Maloney, Superintendent/President, El Camino College and Dr. George Mannon, Superintendent, Torrance Unified School District, addressed the current state of education within their realm and future plans of growth within their schools, college or university. High school sophomores who participated in the Leadership Exploration And Development (LEAD) program were given the opportunity to express their gratitude to the program's co-chairs, Leslie Cortez, City of Torrance, and Brian Hudson, Torrance Fire Department. Brief yet impactful speeches were given by students Vivian Turnbull, Vi Nguyen, Kennedy Dixon, and Yannen Paez. To learn more about the LEAD program, click here.
Tech Talks: Pelican Products, Inc.
This month's Tech Talks program was held at Pelican Products, Inc., the reigning global leader in the design and manufacture of protective cases, temperature controlled packaging solutions, advanced portable lighting systems and rugged gear for both professionals and outdoor enthusiasts. Those in attendance were given a detailed presentation of the manufacturing processes by Thomas Van Schoor, Director of Worldwide Manufacturing Engineering. Keith Swenson, Senior Marketing and Media Relations Specialist and Van Schoor both took the large group on a tour of the 200,000 square foot corporate headquarters. The Chamber would like to extend thanks to Ellenmary Michel, VP Worldwide Human Resources, for hosting the program and allowing the Chamber members to have an inside look within Pelican Products, Inc. By the end, many were raving about the tour. "This was really incredible!" stated Bill Coffey, Fastest Labs of Torrance. Be on the look out for next month's Tech Talks!
Members Gain Insight from International Trade Experts
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce hosted an International Trade Forum, "Exporting 101", this past Friday. Master of Ceremonies, Jonathan Beutler, Sunrider International, welcomed 46 attendees to the event. Beutler spoke about the longtime involvement of the Chamber in International Trade and stressed the importance of remaining vibrant and active in this area.

Melinda Taylor, Servatius, O’Brien & Fong, LLP, and Sanjay Murti, Aura Seating, Inc., co-chairs of the Chamber's International Business program, welcomed: Maurice Kogon, President, Kogon Trade Consulting, Julie Anne Hennessy, Director, U.S. Commercial Service, West Los Angeles Office,
U.S. Department of Commerce, Martin Selander, Regional Export Finance Manager, Office of Int’l Trade,
U.S. Small Business Administration, and Dan Monnier, Trade Compliance Manager, Empire World Logistics. Appreciation is extended to Norman Arikawa, Port of Los Angeles, for sponsoring event.
Revitalizing Old Torrance:
Why it’s key to attracting businesses & the future of our city
You are invited to a community conversation hosted by Councilmember Tim Goodrich – Revitalizing Old Torrance: Why it’s Key to Attracting Businesses and the Future of our City.  Featured speakers are Jeff Speck, nationally renowned City Planner, author of  Suburban Nation  and Walkable City, Principal of Speck & Associates LLC, and Andy Wilson, Executive Director, Alliance for Southern California Innovation. Join us on Wednesday, May 1st, 2019 at 6:30pm in the Toyota Meeting Hall – 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance 90503. There will be light snacks and drinks provided. RSVP is required so visit www.TimGoodrich.com/OldTorrance to save your spot!

This event is sponsored by: Congressman Ted Lieu, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, State Senator Steven Bradford, State Senator Ben Allen, State Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, County Supervisor Janice Hahn, South Bay Association of Realtors, The Granger Company, California Rental Association and CMTC

NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce!
RENEWING MEMBERS
  The Torrance Area Business Community Wouldn't Be the Same Without You!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Click On Event Name for Complete Info/Tickets/RSVP
International Business Committee: May 2nd @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
May 2nd @ 11:30 am - 2:00 pm | 11:30 am Registration, 12:00 Lunch & Program
Government Affairs Policy (GAP): May 9 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Women In Business: May 10 @ 8:00 am - 9:00 am
The Chamber Helps Businesses Reach Their Full Potential
Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce | (310) 540-5858 | www.TorranceChamber.com