ARTICLE
On behalf of the Chamber board, our members and staff, thank you for making 2018 a rewarding year for the greater Santa Cruz County business community. And in 2019, the Chamber will be hitting a milestone anniversary as we kick off our 130th year as the voice of the Santa Cruz County business community. As we close out 2018, it is time for reflection on the past and a reminder to enjoy family, friends and our community during the holiday season. This year’s highlights included some spectacular events! We started the year with a sold-out Annual Member’s meeting with a keynote speech from Dan Schnur. Our 28th annual county-wide Business Expo in March was well attended, and we look forward to making the 29th annual event the best ever. “The Leadership in a Changing World” forum series brought us closer together as we listened and learned how others lead by example. It was humbling to be in the presence of these outstanding individuals. 2018 came in like a winter storm, fast and furious, as January brought us a new board chair, Mark Mesiti-Miller, whose passion and work ethic increased our public policy activities on issues that impact our region. A special thank you to Mark and our entire board for their contributions to the Chamber. Our 129th year was a year of change for the Chamber, as we stripped away old internal operational traditions and embraced new ideas. Yet, we still remained focused on the Chamber’s core issues - economic vitality, housing, transportation, employee recruitment and retention, and a clean and sustainable water supply. The spring and summer months flew by as we celebrated new business openings, special anniversaries and expanding operations around the county. From the opening of Five55 Pacific, 85th Anniversary of Shoppers’ Corner w/ Allterra Solar partnership, Totlcom opening in Watsonville, celebrating David Lyng’s new office building, to the trifecta celebrations of Lighthouse Bank, Bay Federal Credit Union and last week’s annual holiday party at Santa Cruz County Bank. These "Business After Hours" and ribbon cutting events were entertaining and fun. Our 100th Annual Gala Dinner this past October was a very special night where we celebrated the achievements of our community leaders and the energy in the Cocoanut Grove Ballroom was electric with the community coming together to celebrate each other. I'd like to close with a saying I was taught years ago that I feel is profoundly appropriate in today’s turbulent world: “Don’t take yourself too seriously. There is laughter in every voice, there is potential for joy in every predicament. Just imagine what your employer was like when they first started out. What about that executive who has it all figured out. They too were once in your shoes. Walk through life with a light step. Smile a lot, and let your smile shine through - it shows that you care, and you will be surprised what joy it will bring.” Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season and a prosperous new year.
On behalf of the Chamber board, our members and staff, thank you for making 2018 a rewarding year for the greater Santa Cruz County business community. And in 2019, the Chamber will be hitting a milestone anniversary as we kick off our 130th year as the voice of the Santa Cruz County business community. As we close out 2018, it is time for reflection on the past and a reminder to enjoy family, friends and our community during the holiday season.
This year’s highlights included some spectacular events! We started the year with a sold-out Annual Member’s meeting with a keynote speech from Dan Schnur. Our 28th annual county-wide Business Expo in March was well attended, and we look forward to making the 29th annual event the best ever. “The Leadership in a Changing World” forum series brought us closer together as we listened and learned how others lead by example. It was humbling to be in the presence of these outstanding individuals.
2018 came in like a winter storm, fast and furious, as January brought us a new board chair, Mark Mesiti-Miller, whose passion and work ethic increased our public policy activities on issues that impact our region. A special thank you to Mark and our entire board for their contributions to the Chamber. Our 129th year was a year of change for the Chamber, as we stripped away old internal operational traditions and embraced new ideas. Yet, we still remained focused on the Chamber’s core issues - economic vitality, housing, transportation, employee recruitment and retention, and a clean and sustainable water supply.
The spring and summer months flew by as we celebrated new business openings, special anniversaries and expanding operations around the county. From the opening of Five55 Pacific, 85th Anniversary of Shoppers’ Corner w/ Allterra Solar partnership, Totlcom opening in Watsonville, celebrating David Lyng’s new office building, to the trifecta celebrations of Lighthouse Bank, Bay Federal Credit Union and last week’s annual holiday party at Santa Cruz County Bank. These "Business After Hours" and ribbon cutting events were entertaining and fun.
Our 100th Annual Gala Dinner this past October was a very special night where we celebrated the achievements of our community leaders and the energy in the Cocoanut Grove Ballroom was electric with the community coming together to celebrate each other.
I'd like to close with a saying I was taught years ago that I feel is profoundly appropriate in today’s turbulent world: “Don’t take yourself too seriously. There is laughter in every voice, there is potential for joy in every predicament. Just imagine what your employer was like when they first started out. What about that executive who has it all figured out. They too were once in your shoes. Walk through life with a light step. Smile a lot, and let your smile shine through - it shows that you care, and you will be surprised what joy it will bring.”
Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season and a prosperous new year.