HEADLINES APRIL 27, 2021
Cheers To Retirement After 31 Years!
Join us for a SPECIAL VIRTUAL BASH in honor of Jay Hoyer and his long legacy of incredible contributions to our community.
April 29, 4:00-5:30pm
Use this LINK to register
In honor of this momentous occasion, the Chamber staff put together this video as a tribute to Jay and all of the great memories.
A Farewell Letter from Jay Hoyer
"Well it’s time to say farewell after 31 years as the Walnut Creek Chamber’s CEO. Where did the time go? To say it’s been a remarkable privilege is a gross understatement. It’s been an honor. I have had the unique opportunity to meet, work with, learn from, argue with, travel with, and collaborate with exceptionally interesting and talented people."

"For me, retirement is bittersweet as I look forward to spending time with family and friends; I will deeply miss the time I spent with ‘work’ family and friends. The Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is a fantastic organization with limitless opportunities because of the truly exceptional folks that make up the organization and our community. Walnut Creek is a very special place."

"To each member of the staff with whom I have had the honor to work and associate…thank you for your energy and creativity, for always giving 100% regardless of the time of day or day of the week, for laughing at my jokes even when it sounded more like a groan, and especially for allowing me to take credit for successes when you really deserved the kudos. I cherish the time we had together."

"My father worked 40 years on the Milwaukee Railroad in a job he never liked. He told me when my time comes to work, do something you enjoy. I’m glad I took his advice.
Thank you for giving me this extraordinary opportunity! Best wishes moving forward on an exciting new, reimagined Chamber of Commerce." -Jay Hoyer
EAST BAY WOMEN'S CONFERENCE
Virtual Speaker Series
"REGISTRATION REIMAGINED"
Celebrating 16 Years of Excellence
Meet three remarkable women and receive a monthly dose of inspiration.
Purchase three remaining dates, plus a special bonus session for $120 or individually at $45 each. Learn more @ walnut-creek.com.
Stay connected with us on Instagram #ebwc2021
EBWC 2021 is presented by the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau in conjunction with John Muir Health & Stanford Children's Health.
Thank you to all of our sponsors!
May 4
Award-winning Journalist, British News Anchor, Author, Founder Women Everywhere Can Lead
June 1
Bestselling Writer, Activist
CIA Veteran
July 6
American Lawyer, President & CEO of Time’s Up

New Member Orientation
April 28, 4:00-5:00 PM
At this virtual training for new, current, and future Chamber members, learn how to maximize the programs, events, policy forums, marketing, and networking opportunities we provide to build community connections and reach hundreds of new potential customers. To register, click here.

Say Hello to Our New Members!

Amir Jamali MD

Haleh Amiri

Jeremy Fisch

Alex Guzman

Janay McCullough

Virna Zwingle

Wilson Stephens

Bob Fisher

Jing Chen










Your success is our business.
From free directory listings on our website to monthly mixers to business development groups, Chamber membership offers you a wealth of valuable benefits. We kick off your partnership with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by City officials and feature the event in our weekly newsletter. To learn more, contact Linda Visneski at
lvesneski@walnut-creek.com.

Virtual Speed Networking
May 13, 5:00-6:00 PM
Calling all business owners and professionals! Join us at this monthly speed networking event and make new contacts. Everyone is welcome to join us at this free event. Invite your friends and colleagues.
To register: click here


Host A Chamber BASH In 2021!
Are you ready to boost your business? We're looking for members to host a virtual Happy Hour. Reach out to our Membership Sales Director Linda Vesneski: (925) 934-2007
lvesneski@walnut-creek.com
Perspectives on Homelessness:
Successful Strategies and Continued Challenges for Contra Costa County
Register now for our May Zoom Back to Business webinar. We will be joined by Iman Novin Principal of Novin Development, Leslie Gleason Executive Director of Trinity Center, Jaime Jenett Community Engagement Specialist with Contra Costa Health Services, and Lt. Tony Mangini from the WCPD in a panel discussion moderated by Chamber Board Member Matt Guichard.

May 11, 9:00 am-10:00 am, click here to register.
RIBBON CUTTING! Loaves and Fishes Opens At Trinity Center
Last spring in the height of the pandemic, Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa opened its fifth dining room inside the Trinity Center on the ground floor of St. Paul’s Commons. The Chamber made it official with a ribbon-cutting in March celebrating the Walnut Creek dining room where anyone hungry can get a free meal. 

“The event marks a special moment as Trinity Center, Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa, and our community supporters celebrate and expand our partnership of hospitality in Walnut Creek,” said Leslie Gleason, Executive Director of Trinity Center. “Nothing is more foundational for our well-being than food and shelter.”

The dining room is open Monday-Friday, 12:00-1:15 pm, 1888 Trinity Avenue, WC, trinitycenterwc.org.
SHADELANDS SCENE
Once a place for picking walnuts before becoming an office park, today Shadelands is transforming into a community hub where people hangout in the beer garden at Calicraft or grab a quick meal from the row of restaurants at The Orchards. There’s a new Viamonte Walnut Creek Sequoia Living senior community, a state-of-the-art Sports Mall where NBA G League players train and athletes compete on indoor soccer fields.

There's the UC Master Garden, a Saturday farmer's market, the Contra Costa School for the Performing Arts, and so much more. You can stay up to date on the latest happenings in this evolving N. Walnut Creek place by subscribing to The Shadelands Scene monthly newsletter. For more information on businesses in the park, go to shadelands.org.
Travel With Us To Sicily
October 19 - 27, 2021
Discover Sicily through its glorious architecture, ancient ruins, breathtaking villages, and sumptuous cuisine on this fall adventure with the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce.
Questions? Contact Lynn Pauline, (925) 934-2007. (Link to Brochure)
California Small Business Grants
Round Five of the California Relief Grant program provides up to $25,000 for small businesses impacted by the pandemic and allocates $50 million for non-profit cultural institutions. Register for a free webinar, here.

Paycheck Protection Program
This SBA-backed loan helps businesses keep their workforce employed. click here.
SBA Increases Lending Limit 
The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profits can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000. For the press release, click here.
Get Vaccinated!
Governor Gavin Newsom announced last week that at least 50% of Californians are now at least partially vaccinated and 1 in 4 adults are fully vaccinated. With coronavirus cases among the lowest in the nation, it looks like California is on track to leave the color tier system and fully reopen by June 15.

Anyone 16+ who lives or works in Contra Costa County can schedule appointments through Contra Costa County Health Services for a COVID-19 vaccination. Make one today.
COVID-19 Updates For Contra Costa County
Guidelines in the Orange Tier: click here
City of Walnut Creek Update: click here
Restaurant Rebound Program: click here
Welcome Bob Linscheid
We’re excited to introduce our new President & CEO Robert "Bob" Linscheid who replaces Jay Hoyer in the Chamber leadership role on May 1, 2021. Please join us in a warm Walnut Creek welcome for Bob who brings a wealth of economic development, nonprofit, and education experience to our team.
Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
1280 Civic Drive | Suite 100 | Walnut Creek | CA | 94596
t.925.934.2007 f.925.934.2404