ARTICLE
Last week, the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce went to Lake Tahoe to listen, learn, and create new partnerships with our friends at the Lake. What an amazing experience traveling with such a great group of people. During our three day immersion into all things Lake Tahoe, we made 16 site visits, listened to 28 speakers and enjoyed dinner and lunch with dozens of Lake Tahoe community leaders. Our hosts were very gracious with their time and knowledge of Lake Tahoe. The similarities between our two communities was striking; as we talked with Tahoe leaders over the three days, we arrived at the same conclusion — that a collaborative partnership can create a lasting and sustainable future for both of our communities. The CLV is designed to accomplish three goals: Travel to another community where they face similar challenges that we do in Santa Cruz, exchange ideas with our hosts (and gain new friends in the process), and to enjoy the informal networking opportunities with your CLV colleagues. We checked the box on all three. Each member of our delegation has a memorable story to tell about their own personal experience so if you know someone who was on this trip, reach out and ask about how it meant to be on the visit. We left early Wednesday morning debarking from the Cabrillo College parking Lot K. The mood on the motor coach was relaxed and casual — many of the travelers have participated on several CLV trips before so their experience was just about to take shape. For the new comers, they were curious and uncertain as to what they would see and experience and wondering why one would go to Lake Tahoe except to see the beauty of this magical place. The visit to Inspiration Point at Emerald Bay provided the backdrop for our CLV travelers’ annual group photo. There would be many more ‘photo opportunities’ over the course of three days, but the view from the point is photo book ready. The beauty of looking at Emerald Bay, the cobalt blue lake and breathing in the fresh mountain air was awesome. After a long first travel day we arrived at the hotel with just enough time ‘to freshen up’ before visiting with 28 Lake Tahoe community leaders. I have the good fortune to know most of the Lake Tahoe folks because of my role on the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency board. As we did short introductions I noted to all in attendance that we are here to create a new partnership with Lake Tahoe. What struck me was the natural engagement between the Santa Cruz and Lake Tahoe leaders. In no time wasted you could hear the chatter and laughter as we shared stories about our work and our personal relationships with the lake or Santa Cruz. By evening’s end, a bond of partnership was formed. Thursday morning started with a briefing from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency staff and the Executives of three outstanding community organizations — the Tahoe Fund, the League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Lake Tahoe Prosperity Center. We visited the Edgewood Resort and listened to the history of the Park Family who have for five generations been stewards of the Lake. In the early days the family would herd their cattle from the Carson Valley up to the Lake for summer grazing on the meadows aside the Lake. That day we had the pleasure of walking the grounds of the Edgewood Resort and Golf Course and viewing a stunning 21st century Resort hotel that is a LEED Gold certified development. And finally, we took a trip up to Heavenly's Epic Discovery Center where we enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities. Where else can you go to learn so much about a mountain community and have fun doing it? The 2018 Community Leadership Visit was a stimulating experience and it empowered us to think outside our own community to find solutions that work in Lake Tahoe that can be implemented here. It also made us want to work harder to improve the quality of life we cherish in Santa Cruz County. Take a minute and enjoy the photos of the Lake Tahoe trip on our Facebook page here. If you have an interest to learn more about the annual CLV - don’t hesitate to connect with your Chamber staff.
Last week, the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce went to Lake Tahoe to listen, learn, and create new partnerships with our friends at the Lake. What an amazing experience traveling with such a great group of people.
During our three day immersion into all things Lake Tahoe, we made 16 site visits, listened to 28 speakers and enjoyed dinner and lunch with dozens of Lake Tahoe community leaders. Our hosts were very gracious with their time and knowledge of Lake Tahoe. The similarities between our two communities was striking; as we talked with Tahoe leaders over the three days, we arrived at the same conclusion — that a collaborative partnership can create a lasting and sustainable future for both of our communities.
The CLV is designed to accomplish three goals: Travel to another community where they face similar challenges that we do in Santa Cruz, exchange ideas with our hosts (and gain new friends in the process), and to enjoy the informal networking opportunities with your CLV colleagues. We checked the box on all three.
Each member of our delegation has a memorable story to tell about their own personal experience so if you know someone who was on this trip, reach out and ask about how it meant to be on the visit.
We left early Wednesday morning debarking from the Cabrillo College parking Lot K. The mood on the motor coach was relaxed and casual — many of the travelers have participated on several CLV trips before so their experience was just about to take shape. For the new comers, they were curious and uncertain as to what they would see and experience and wondering why one would go to Lake Tahoe except to see the beauty of this magical place.
The visit to Inspiration Point at Emerald Bay provided the backdrop for our CLV travelers’ annual group photo. There would be many more ‘photo opportunities’ over the course of three days, but the view from the point is photo book ready. The beauty of looking at Emerald Bay, the cobalt blue lake and breathing in the fresh mountain air was awesome.
After a long first travel day we arrived at the hotel with just enough time ‘to freshen up’ before visiting with 28 Lake Tahoe community leaders. I have the good fortune to know most of the Lake Tahoe folks because of my role on the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency board. As we did short introductions I noted to all in attendance that we are here to create a new partnership with Lake Tahoe.
What struck me was the natural engagement between the Santa Cruz and Lake Tahoe leaders. In no time wasted you could hear the chatter and laughter as we shared stories about our work and our personal relationships with the lake or Santa Cruz. By evening’s end, a bond of partnership was formed.
Thursday morning started with a briefing from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency staff and the Executives of three outstanding community organizations — the Tahoe Fund, the League to Save Lake Tahoe and the Lake Tahoe Prosperity Center.
We visited the Edgewood Resort and listened to the history of the Park Family who have for five generations been stewards of the Lake. In the early days the family would herd their cattle from the Carson Valley up to the Lake for summer grazing on the meadows aside the Lake. That day we had the pleasure of walking the grounds of the Edgewood Resort and Golf Course and viewing a stunning 21st century Resort hotel that is a LEED Gold certified development. And finally, we took a trip up to Heavenly's Epic Discovery Center where we enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities. Where else can you go to learn so much about a mountain community and have fun doing it?
The 2018 Community Leadership Visit was a stimulating experience and it empowered us to think outside our own community to find solutions that work in Lake Tahoe that can be implemented here. It also made us want to work harder to improve the quality of life we cherish in Santa Cruz County. Take a minute and enjoy the photos of the Lake Tahoe trip on our Facebook page here.
If you have an interest to learn more about the annual CLV - don’t hesitate to connect with your Chamber staff.