News & Events from the Lafayette Chamber |
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Tuesday, February 27, 2023 |
Sara Regan, Executive Director
251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150, Lafayette, CA
Typical Office Hours
Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
Closed Monday-Thursday 12:30pm-1pm for lunch.
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Did you know?
Last week's Lafayette Chamber member email blast had a 58% open rate. Don't miss a thing, we know it's long, but every word is important and we have a lot going on! Read all the way through today's email blast. To view it in your browser, click the "View as Webpage" link at the very top. Questions? Simply reply to this email!
Here is our “short list” of Lafayette Chamber events, hope to see you!
No time to register? Simply reply to this email for the events you would like to attend, and we will register you!
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2023 Lafayette Citizen of the Year, Mike Anderson
Learn more about Mike Anderson’s contributions to our community and the Citizen of the Year program in the Press Release HERE.
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Lafayette Young Professionals
Register now for:
Lafayette Yo Pros is designed for the younger crowd ranging in age from 21-39 years old, with "young at heart" always welcome. This is a place where young professionals can tap into our local business community and really develop relationships that will be with us for the rest of our lives.
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TODAY'S EMAIL BLAST IS SPONSORED BY
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Our 1200 square foot space is versatile, intimate, and perfect for workshops/classes, showers, micro wedding receptions, performance shows, corporate events and meetings, dinner parties, pop-up shops, product launches, photography/videography space and more. Reach out today to set up a site visit.
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Welcome to our NEWEST Lafayette Chamber Members!
The following businesses/organizations recently joined the Lafayette Chamber! We encourage you to visit their website to learn more.
1210 Rossmoor Pkwy, Walnut Creek
Paul Chopra, 925-933-1210
As a Primary Care clinic, we provide comprehensive quality medical care. We also specialize in several medical aesthetic treatments to address common skin and anti-aging concerns. All our physicians are Board certified.
Categories: Physicians / Surgeons, Physicians / Surgeons
978 Second St., Ste 100, Lafayette
Faranak (Frankie) Fiedler, MD, 925-403-4610
Concierge family practice treating variety of conditions for men, women, and children.
Category: Health Care / Wellness
PO Box 6472, Moraga
Peter Dewey, 925-360-4229
Residential and Commercial Painting Contractor in the Bay Area.
Category: Contractor / Construction
3468 Mount Diablo Blvd., Suite 240, Lafayette
Patricia Bouie Hinds, 925-299-5390
We provide Residential Financing 1-4 units along with Small Commercial. We can provide Refinance, Sale and Home Improvement options.
Categories: Real Estate Services, Financial Services & Planning
955 Moraga Road, Lafayette
Sherri Hansell and Ella Levine, 510-488-5665
Math Enrichment for Kids K-11, Summer Camps, Year-Round Classes, and Private Tutoring
Categories: Educational Services, Camp - Day / Summer
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Lafayette Chamber RENEWING Members
A huge thank you to the following members for renewing their membership.
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Lafayette’s Favorite Dinner Party – The “Taste of Lafayette” Restaurant Stroll!
EVENT DATE – Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Tickets to go on sale Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
Current confirmed participating restaurants:
Downtown Lafayette restaurants are encouraged to participate. Sign up here.
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Don't forget your business cards! |
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Lafayette Business Women
A women-led business group. Shared experiences, contributed knowledge and skills, networking and collaboration opportunities. Empowering female entrepreneurs to build successful businesses.
Meeting once a month, typically the third Wednesday of the month, the group plans to meet at member locations throughout Lafayette at varying times from breakfast, bunch/lunch to happy hour and evening hours.
Join us:
And save the date for upcoming events:
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Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings!
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Lafayette Art & Wine Festival 2023
The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce is proud to present our 26th annual premier community event showcasing the downtown business corridor. Funds raised from this event enable the Chamber to provide our businesses and community at large with a variety of important services, program offerings, engagement, and resources throughout the year. We are also able to give back to our festival beneficiaries like Lafayette Partners in Education, many of the local school organizations and other participating non-profits. Get involved and be a part of the excitement.
Thank you and welcome back to the following sponsors/vendors:
Artemis Rowing Club
Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District
Interested in opportunities related to the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival? Click here.
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Meet Your Lafayette Chamber Ambassadors!
Chair, Kyle Sumner, Chambers & Chambers
📷 Photo from our first 2023 Ambassadors meeting at the Chamber office!
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Acalanes Student Job Fair
Wednesday, March 15 12:45-1:30PM, Main Quad (front of campus by Flag Pole)
Acalanes is sponsoring a student Job Fair aimed at bringing our local business partners and services onto campus to connect students with employment opportunities.
Event Details
Noon: Check In & table set up
12:45-1:30pm: Student Job Fair
1:30-2:00pm: Clean Up
Sign Ups
Check In
There will be a welcome table for businesses to sign up at the front of the Main Quad beginning at noon.
Table Set Up
Tables will be provided for each business attending the fair. It is suggested that you bring one or two representatives from your organization to share with students the employment opportunities. Brochures, signage, and applications are welcome.
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Are you promoting a nonprofit event?
The Lafayette Chamber's next Nonprofit email blast will go out Friday, March 3. Please send any submissions supporting a local nonprofit by Wednesday, March 1 to holly@lafayettechamber.org.
In case you missed it ...
View archive of email blasts HERE>
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Business Resources & Opportunities |
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Thursday, March 9, 2023, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Members $30, Guests $35
Our March 9 meeting follows right on the heels of International Women's Day. What better way to keep the momentum going than to showcase a panel of our amazing members? Hear from women in different businesses, at different career stages, with unique perspectives on the professional and personal issues that all of us share.
You'll also enjoy our traditional 5-Minute Member Speaker, raffle prizes, and the warm camaraderie that Mt. Diablo Business Women is known for. Plus the opportunity to introduce yourself and your business to everyone at the meeting, with lots of time for networking! Register here.
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Contra Costa County to hold 5 Community Visioning Sessions for Arts and Culture Planning
(Martinez, CA) – Artists, arts and cultural leaders, and the community are getting together to share their vision for the future of Contra Costa County’s arts and cultural landscape.
During the week of March 14, five Arts & Culture Community Visioning Sessions will be held throughout the County. The events are free, and all are welcome.
The County is developing an “Arts & Culture Strategic Plan” as part of its effort to identify an organization that will serve as a new countywide arts council. The County has contracted with Arts Orange County, the nonprofit arts council in that community, to lead the planning process as the project manager and to facilitate the visioning sessions.
The goal is to guide an arts and cultural planning effort through an inclusive community engagement process that recognizes and respects the geographic and demographic diversity of the County. It will also inventory the County’s arts and cultural assets, including organizations, venues, and public art.
The Arts & Culture Community Visioning Sessions will be held in various locations around the county in Danville, Oakley, Pittsburg, Richmond, and Walnut Creek. Each session is approximately 90 minutes in duration, and light refreshments will be provided. Registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. A Spanish-speaking interpreter will be available at each session to assist.
The following are the dates, locations, and registration links for each Visioning Session:
Tuesday, March 14 – 5:00 PM Heather Farm Community Center 301 North San Carlos Drive Walnut Creek
Welcome remarks by District 4 County Supervisor Ken Carlson
Wednesday, March 15 – 5:00 PM Oakley Recreation Center – 1250 O’Hara Avenue, Oakley
Welcome remarks by District 3 County Supervisor Diane Burgis
Thursday, March 16 – 5:30 PM Pittsburg Senior Center – 300 Presidio Lane, Pittsburg
Welcome remarks by District 5 County Supervisor Federal D. Glover
Friday, March 17 – 5:00 PM Danville Veterans Memorial Building – 400 Hartz Avenue, Danville
Welcome remarks by District 4 County Supervisor Candace Andersen
Saturday, March 18 – 10:00 AM Richmond Art Center – 2540 Barrett Ave, Richmond, CA 94804
Welcome remarks by District 1 County Supervisor John M. Gioia
Masks required at this venue
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East Bay SBDC Presents – eCommerce Workshop Series I, II and III in March, April and May 2023
Interested in setting up a digital storefront on Amazon or Shopify and selling online successfully? Interested in setting up your own eCommerce Website and selling online successfully? Interested in learning best eCommerce practices and using AI to enhance profitability?
East Bay SBDC presents 3 eCommerce Workshop Series to help small business in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties to sell your products or services online successfully.
eCommerce Workshop Series I – 4 Workshops, Tuesday 10 am – 12 pm, March 21 to April 11: Selling on eCommerce Marketplace
- Set up storefronts on Amazon and Shopify
- Benefits and limitations of selling on marketplaces.
- Decision making using eCommerce Analytics
eCommerce Workshop Series- II – 4 Workshops, Tuesday 10 am – 12 pm, April 18 to May 9: Set up an Independent eCommerce Website
- Create/Improve eCommerce website
- Implement eCommerce functionalities and features
- Securing eCommerce websites.
eCommerce Workshop Series – III – 2 Workshops, Tuesday 10 am – 12 pm, May 16 and 23: Enhancing eCommerce Profitability
- Learn best eCommerce practices
- Use AI to enhance profitability
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Leadership Contra Costa℠
Leadership Contra Costa℠ is a nine-month program organized by the Walnut Creek Chamber that brings together community members asking them to step out of their everyday lives, participate in monthly topics in a wide-range of subjects, and imagine a better Contra Costa region – and their role in creating it. The monthly day-long sessions include in-depth looks at arts and education, business and economic development, sustainability, health and human services, and government and political processes. Each day of this program gives participants the opportunity to learn what makes a truly vibrant civic life.
Leadership Contra Costa℠ was created to identify and promote the skills as a current or future leader, enhance the participant’s knowledge of the Contra Costa region, expand involvement in community affairs and increase communication among the most active and involved members of this community.
Lafayette Chamber staff member, Holly Sonne, is currently enrolled in the class or 2023. Happy to discuss with you! Simply reply to this email!
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Acalanes High School Video Productions Program for Local Businesses
The Acalanes High School Video Productions program is now offering opportunities for any business to request a video to be made for their business by the high school program. Video topics are up to the business or can be made up to the decision of students if you'd like...the following video types are being offered:
- Commercial: This would be a 30s spot in helping to sell either a service and/or set of products.
- Feature Story: This would be a 2-3min video that tells the story of the business focusing on the HOW/WHY of the company/business.
- Promo: Have an upcoming event you'd like to promote? Our students can design a 1min video that promotes an opportunity, upcoming special, or event!
Our students are knowledgeable, but ultimately we would love for them to gain valuable, on the job, experience producing content for local businesses, no matter how big or small. There is no cost to have a video made, but the program is asking for a donation that your business is comfortable making ONLY after you have received the content created for your business.
If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity or coordinating a video that our students can do for you, please contact me at via email: Eric Morford, emorford@auhsdschools.org. |
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Small Business Help Office Hours - Hosted by SCORE
SCORE has the largest network of free volunteer small business mentors in the nation. No matter what stage your business is at SCORE can be a valuable resource.
The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce has been partnering with SCORE for over 15 years.
We welcome our chamber members and community members to schedule a complementary meeting with a SCORE representative on Tuesdays between the hours of 1:30pm-4:00pm in our Chamber office at 251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150.
Mike Harris is our in-house SCORE counselor. Mike earned a BS with an emphasis on electronics from Stevens Institute of Technology and an MBA from Santa Clara University. After a few years in engineering, Mike spent most of his career in high tech marketing and operations management. While continuing to work in electronics he helped manage his family retail business. After retiring from his career in electronics, Mike began working with small businesses helping them obtain working capital loans. Besides mentoring, Mike helps present SCORE business plans and financial planning workshops.
To schedule your appointment, please call the Lafayette Chamber at (925) 284-7404 or book your appointment online here. Enter your desired time frame. In person meetings at the Lafayette Chamber office are by appointment only and are scheduled every 30 minutes.
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Call for New Marketing Materials
It's the new year and the Chamber wants to make sure our community is up to date on what your business offers! If you've recently updated your promotional materials or business cards, and would like to provide copies to the Chamber office to display, or to replace/update what we already have, please feel free to stop by with any brochures, flyers, menus, cards, etc. and we are happy to place them on our display wall!
Contact AJ with any questions.
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Local Mixers and Business Opportunities
Lafayette Chamber Ambassador David Benet of Mobility Matters maintains an online calendar of upcoming mixers, ribbon cuttings and events presented by local Chambers of Commerce and other organizations. There are a lot of mixers and events coming up! If you have a networking event that you would like to share or you would like to receive a notification of upcoming events, please email David. Follow this link for the calendar: https://www.mobilitymatterscc.com/upcoming-mixers-and-events/. |
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Wallet & Purse Collection for Bay Area Rescue Mission
When their clients are starting their programs to transition off the streets they start with teaching them they need to carry a wallet / purse with identification and their necessary paperwork.
MVPC has a collection bin at the Chamber office. Items can be dropped off during regular Chamber office hours, Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm; Closed Monday-Thursday 12:30pm-1pm for lunch.
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The Weekly Roundup, February 24, 2023
EIDL Loans Are No Longer Idle: Businesses and non-profits that received a Covid-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) from the Small Business Administration had a 30-month deferment period from the original note; So for most borrowers, payments are now due on these loans. Learn how to use the MySBA Loan Portal to make loan payments and check your account balance and due date at www.sba.gov/pay. For customers, this is also a good reminder that many businesses are still feeling the effects of the pandemic and continue to need your support!
Disaster Recovery Assistance for Residents and Businesses Impacted by the Winter Storms: If you experienced damages or losses to your home or business as a result of the 2023 Winter storms you may be eligible for assistance. If you have insurance, you should file a claim with your insurance company immediately. FEMA assistance cannot aid with losses already covered by insurance. The in-person Disaster Recovery Center is Danville will close on March 1. The deadline to apply for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for physical property damage is March 16. For Storm Recovery information, visit https://www.lovelafayette.org/stormrecovery
➡ City Returns to In-Person Public Meetings on March 1
➡ Lafayette City Council Meeting on Monday
➡ Roundabout Modifications
➡ Volunteer to Serve on a Commission or Committee
➡ City Meetings & Events
➡ Family Dance Night at the Lafayette Community Center on March 17
➡ Double Your Impact! Purchase your tickets for Tell Me More: Musings and Music with Kelly Corrigan and Matt Nathanson on March 23
➡ Orinda: Photographs by Jeff Heyman
➡ Consider Renting Our Facilities for Your Upcoming Event
➡ Lafayette Planning Applications and Major Development Projects
➡ Report Public Works Maintenance Concerns and Code Enforcement Complaints Via the “My Lafayette” App
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Supervisor Candace Andersen's February 24 Weekly Update
➡ Contra Costa County to hold 5 Community Visioning Sessions for Arts and Culture Planning
➡ Disaster Recovery Center Open in Danville to Assist Residents Impacted by December Winter Storms
➡ Contra Costa County Looking for New Members for the Civil Grand Jury
➡ Grants For Microbusinesses and Non-Profits
➡ Join the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse
➡ Contra Costa County Fire Seeks Applicants for Advisory Fire Commission
➡ Community Advisory Board Looking for Members
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Show Your Membership!
Would you like to include a Lafayette Chamber membership emblem on your website or other marketing materials?
The Lafayette Chamber would be happy to provide you with the appropriate logos. Simply email your request to holly@lafayettechamber.org.
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Sign up for Text Notifications!
Please note: to signup via text you will be asked for your birthdate. This information is not stored, it is only used for verify you are over 21 years of age.
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