Weekly Headlines-------------------------------- --- - Week of March 22, 2021
|
|
The Search is Over
WALNUT CREEK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES
NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO
|
|
Please join the Chamber Staff and Board of Directors in welcoming Bob Linscheid!
~*~
Robert “Bob” Linscheid was named President/CEO of the Walnut Creek Commerce & Visitors Bureau, by Board Chair Matthew Guichard effective
May 1, 2021.
Linscheid will replace President/CEO, Jay Hoyer who announced his retirement from the position after 30-years in November 2020.
“After an extensive search for a new President & CEO, we are pleased to have selected Bob Linscheid,” said Matthew Guichard, Board Chair of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. “Bob’s impressive resume and leadership style, combined with experience in chamber, non-profit, and for-profit management positions, makes Bob uniquely qualified to lead the Walnut Creek Chamber. We are excited for Bob to bring his experience and ideas to the Chamber.”
In 2013 Linscheid returned to the Bay Area to serve as the President and CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.
|
|
In his three years with the SF Chamber Linscheid was dedicated to advocating for issues related to equitable housing, economic development, business advocacy, and workforce development.
In 2016 Linscheid stepped down from his position with the SF Chamber after his wife, Pam Montana, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. He stepped back into working as a consultant via the Linscheid Enterprises, Inc. and into advocating for Alzheimer’s research alongside Montana as well as serving as Senior Advisor for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo President Jeffrey Armstrong.
In 2005 Linscheid was appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees. He served a 9-year term, with the last 2 years as Chair of the Board spanning a period of time when the CSU system faced some of its most difficult financial challenges. In his time he helped oversee the efficient management of funds, property, facilities and investments; participated in selection committees for the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, and various campus Presidents; and advocated for student engagement at all levels of the CSU system earning the Trustee of the Year award from the California State Student Association in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010. Linscheid is a four-time Paul Harris Fellow Recipient in Rotary International. He has 36 years of service with Rotary International.
Most recently Linscheid jumped headfirst into rehabilitating the Silicon Valley organization’s reputation as interim President and CEO. It’s safe to say that Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce has successfully found the candidate demonstrating “inexhaustible energy and infectious charismatic capacity” according to Board Chair Guichard.
|
|
Back to Business is Back!
At the March 16 program Matt Guichard, Chair of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, led an informative fireside chat with Lewis T. Broschard III, Fire Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. Hear what the fire chief had to say about the fire season (it’s sooner than you think); Covid-19 protocols and implications, on-street business openings/closing, and more. To view the video recording, Click here.
Save the Date | The next Back to Business webinar will be on Tuesday, April 13, at 9:00AM. Details and registration coming soon.
|
|
The Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce presents:
Sicily
October 19 - 27, 2021
Palermo. Siracusa. Catania. Taormina - Discover Sicily through its glorious architecture, ancient ruins, breathtaking villages, and sumptuous cuisine. Learn more about this fabulous travel opportunity in one of two trip orientations presented by travel expert and Jet Vacations owner Carl Monticelli. Questions? Call Lynn Pauline, (925) 934-2007 x100. Click Here to View Brochure
Trip Orientations held via zoom.
|
|
Walnut Creek’s East Bay Women’s Conference ‘reimagined’ for 2021 - Standard one-day event this year a five-part virtual speakers series this month through July 6 - By LOU FANCHER | Correspondent | March 12, 2021
Risking a relevant but possibly overused sentiment — what a difference a year makes! — the words ring inexorably true when applied to the 2021 East Bay Women’s Conference’s five-part virtual speakers series. In early March 2020, more than 600 people gathered in the San Ramon Marriott’s ballroom for the event presented annually (“The Wonder of Women” was last year’s theme) by the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau in conjunction with John Muir Health and Stanford Children’s Health.
In hallways and small conference rooms, attendees heard about management skills and concepts including “loosening the grip,” “fidelity to self” and “grit.” Most amazing to recall is that attendees and presenters stood within inches of each other, shaking hands and sharing hugs, eating, laughing or hollering “hello” to friends and associates — unaware of what would in mere days become a full year of socially distanced sheltering in place and constant disputes about face masks. Reconfigured this year as a multiepisode virtual conference that kicked off March 2 and continues the first Tuesday of each month through July, the event in 2021 earns its title: “EBWC Reimagined.” To read the article in its entirety, click here.
|
|
"Wait, was that event virtual? Couldn't tell, it was THAT good!"
Melinda Solomon, Diablo magazine
EAST BAY WOMEN'S CONFERENCE, REIMAGINED
presented by
Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
in conjunction with
John Muir Health and Stanford Children's Health
|
|
Get in on the Conversations
$195/per person includes all four speakers plus a bonus!
Dr. Jennifer Aston, Isha Sesay, Amaryllis Fox, Tina Tchen
|
|
Dr. Jennifer Ashton, M.D., M.S., F.A.C.O.G., Ob-Gyn, ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent, and author
|
|
Exciting Speaker Series continues on Tuesday, April 6, 2021
with another All Live Fireside Chat!
Dr. Jennifer Ashton
EVP and President, Hospital Operations -
Walnut Creek & Concord Campuses and John Muir Behavioral Health
|
|
Thank You to Our 2021 Series Sponsors
We Couldn't Do It Without You!
Marcia Gerg "Great program - thank you EBWC sponsors
and team for putting this together."
Veronica Navarro "Thank you sponsors!"
|
|
Getting Stronger Every Day
Thank you for strengthing our Chamber during the pandemic. We send a special thank you to our newest Walnut Creek Chamber members.
To learn more about these member businesses, visit their websites.
Haleh Amiri
Jeremy Fisch
Wilson Stephens
Nonprofit Executive Search
Bob Fisher
Jing Chen
Niveditha Jain
Catherine Myers
|
|
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
Wednesday, March 24
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Virtual event. Zoom link will be sent via email the day before orientation
Join us at our orientation for new members, existing members and prospective members. This Zoom meeting offers an overview of the Chamber, programs and events, public policy initiatives and activities, sponsorship opportunities, networking, and ways to get involved.
Our Chamber of Commerce’s primary objective is to strengthen local businesses of all sizes. The best way is to use the services of chamber member businesses and organizations.
|
|
March Happy Hour Virtual BASH
Thursday, March 25
4 - 5.30 P.M.
Zoom link will be sent the day before
Join us for our March Virtual Happy Hour BASH. We will welcome the staff of Renaissance Bay Club for a virtual tour of their beautiful property. Chamber and community members are all welcomed. Always a great group and always a fun time.
|
|
One-On-One
Monthly Virtual Speed Networking
Thursday, April 8 | Time: 5-6 p.m.
First time Blitzr users, please set up a profile
Join the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce for our monthly virtual speed networking series. Say hello to friends in the business community and build new business contacts. All members & non-members are welcome at this FREE event. Help us spread the word by inviting business owners and professionals you know. Contact Linda Vesneski for help - 925-934-2007 x 105 or lvesneski@walnut-creek.com.
Thank you to The Light Digital for spearheading this official Chamber event.
|
|
EAT FREE FOR A YEAR!
Pacific Catch
Golden Ticket Giveaway!
To celebrate our 18th birthday, we’re offering
10 lucky guests the chance to
‘eat free for a year’ at Pacific Catch!
Winners will be announced on our birthday, April 2nd 2021.
Paid advertisement
|
|
Now Accepting New and
Re-Applications!
Apply now for this first come/first served grant program for restaurants. Grant has been extended through March 31, 2021.
The City of Walnut Creek’s Restaurant Grant Program is created to help the restaurant community with expenses related to business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants in Walnut Creek attract people to eat and shop at retail stores, and the success of restaurants helps maintain the economic vitality of our community. Click here.
|
|
Important New Updates
& Business Requirements
From the Walnut Creek Assistant City Manager's Office
|
|
California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant - Round 5
Round 5 of the California Relief Grant opens on March 25. The package provides an additional $2 billion – a four-fold increase over the $500 million currently being distributed – for grants up to $25,000 for small businesses impacted by the pandemic, and allocates $50 million of this total for non-profit cultural institutions. To register for a free webinar, click here.
What’s next for PPP?
House lawmakers announced a bipartisan deal to extend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for two months from the current March 31 deadline. The House is expected to vote on the bill next week—stay tuned for updates.
|
|
Paycheck Protection Program
An SBA-backed loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis. For up-to-date information, click here.
New Round of PPP targets aid for smallest businesses during the pandemic
The White House recently announced changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to better focus federal relief funds and aid struggling small businesses that may have been left behind during the first rounds of funding. On March 3, the SBA released the following rules regarding the special window of applications, click here.
|
|
MCE Bill Relief for Small Businesses
Beginning in April 2021, small business customers are eligible for a $22/month MCE Cares Credit, available for up to 9 months. For details, click here.
COVID-19 Relief for Local Employees and Households, click here.
COVID-19 Relief for Our Local Small Businesses - MCE has pulled together a list of state and local resources for small businesses in our service area who have been impacted by COVID-19, click here.
|
|
Together, we can all make a difference.
The Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau urges all healthy, eligible individuals who are feeling well to give the gift of life by giving blood.
|
|
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE!
BASS Urgent Care and American Red Cross team up on Tuesday, March 23, from 9am to 3pm, for a community blood drive, a truly life-changing partnership since each donation of one pint of blood can impact up to three lives. The public is invited to help BASS and American Red Cross help others so desperately in need.
To schedule a donation time, visit:
Blood Drive
TODAY - Tuesday, March 23, 2021
9am–3pm
2637 Shadelands Drive
Entrance E
BASS Multipurpose Room
Walnut Creek
925.526.7553
|
|
COVID-19 may have changed our collective day-to-day in many ways, but it has not changed our resolve to make the world a better place.
The pandemic has resulted in heavy impacts to Vitalant’s mobile blood drive operations and thousands of blood drive cancellations. The Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau urges all healthy, eligible individuals who are feeling well to participate in their virtual blood drive .For details, click here.
|
|
March 22, 2021: Thanks to an increase in supply of COVID-19 vaccines, Contra Costa County today is extending vaccine to people who are 50 and older who live or work in the county*, regardless of whether they have an underlying health condition.
Up-To-Date COVID Information for Contra Costa
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Phases For more information, click here.
Official California State
|
|
What's Happening?
Speed Networking to Wine Tasting to EBWC Speaker Series!
Think there's nothing to do? You just might be surprised what's happening; click here.
Chamber member benefit: List your upcoming events, webinars, workshops to the calendar. If you need assistance, contact Tani at tdhana@walnut-creek.com or Linda at lvesneski@walnut-creek.com.
|
|
Help Wanted
Perfect Star Heating and Air Conditioning have openings to join their teams. Click here
Chamber member benefit: List your job opportunities on the Chamber website. If you need assistance, contact Tani at tdhana@walnut-creek.com or Linda at lvesneski@walnut-creek.com.
|
|
What's Not to Like?
Join us on Facebook Live TODAY- March 23 at 11am to celebrate the opening of Contra Costa Loaves & Fishes New Dining Room at Trinity Center in
downtown Walnut Creek.
Follow Us
|
|
Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
1280 Civic Drive | Suite 100 | Walnut Creek | CA | 94596
t.925.934.2007 f.925.934.2404
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
