National Tourism Week Luncheon – May 8, 2015

Please join us on May 8^th to celebrate the economic impact tourism has on Santa Clara and the region. Santa Clara benefits greatly from leisure, business, and convention visitors who eat at city restaurants, shop at city businesses, visit city attractions and stay in city hotels.

Santa Clara visitor attractions include Levi’s Stadium events and tours, California’s Great America theme park, Intel Museum, retail shopping, art museums, Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara University, numerous special events, and much more. The economic impact will be greater than ever in February, 2016 when Super Bowl 50 is played at Levi’s Stadium. See details below for our planned National Tourism Week Luncheon. You can register online at http://goo.gl/CDgxsz

GUEST SPEAKERS:

• Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews
• California’s Great America General Manager Raul Rehnborg
• Special Guest Speaker: Keith Bruce, CEO of San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl Host Committee

Member Referrals – March/April 2015

We would like to recognize and acknowledge member referrals for the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce. The following new members were referred by an existing member of the Chamber, and we would like to recognize and thank them for their support.

Vice Mayor Debi Davis, council committee liaison for Santa Clara Sister Cities Association, referred Peter Kuo of Silicon Valley International Group, Inc.   If you need help with your business, contact Peter at (408) 746-5713 to learn more about the services they offer.  Peter specializes in assisting with marketing to retail and offers an analysis and strategic plan for businesses.  To find out more about the Santa Clara Sister Cities Association, call Debi at (408) 554-9964.

Ravinder Lal with The UPS Store referred Adriana Tayamen with All Pro Janitorial Services.  If you are looking for a cleaning service for your home, contact Adriana to learn about “green cleaning” and experience having your home sparkling clean without harsh chemicals.  You can contact her at (408) 917-9662 to learn more.   For shipping, packaging, creating signs, brochures and more, contact Ravinder at (408) 247-4010.

Want to see your name here?  If someone you know would benefit by joining the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce, please refer them to Carol Zimring at (408) 380-1236.  Every month we publish new member referrals, listing both the new member and the Chamber member who referred them.   When a member has referred a total of three new members, they will receive a $100.00 advertising credit for use in our weekly and monthly publications.

Spotlight on Pyramid of Leaders: UCSC Silicon Valley Extension

Dr. Lynda Rogers, Dean of UCSC Extension

For the past 50 years, UCSC Silicon Valley Extension has provided high-quality career development for working professionals in more than 40 fields. UCSC Extension made Santa Clara its home in 2009, thanks in part to the community support and leadership of the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce.

“As a provider of higher education, we exist to serve the community,” says Dr. Lynda Rogers, Dean of UCSC Extension. “Understanding and connecting with local business leaders is critical, not only to our success, but to the success of the city. The Chamber introduced us to local service organizations and helped anchor us in the community. Over the last five years, we’ve felt very supported, and our staff and students have really thrived.”

As Santa Clara grows, UCSC Extension plans to grow too, expanding its courses and programs to reflect the job skills that the community needs the most. That’s why Extension’s involvement with the Chamber of Commerce is so vital; by learning about the challenges and opportunities facing local professionals, it is able to best serve the needs of the community.

Spotlight On Pyramid Of Leaders: Irvine Company

With roots dating back to 1864, the Irvine Company is one of California’s oldest and most successful real estate companies, best known for the master-planned communities we’ve planned and developed in the state.  For nearly 20 years, we’ve applied our design and planning expertise to the Silicon Valley, with a focus on creating special live and work communities featuring a balanced mix of housing near jobs, stores, restaurants, trails and other community amenities.

Unlike many community planners and builders, we never sell our properties, choosing instead to invest and reinvest in them to ensure they retain the same outstanding quality and appeal as the day they opened.  This unusual commitment to long-term ownership, combined with our proven master-planning approach to each project we undertake, is guiding our efforts in the City of Santa Clara.

Our goal is to build upon the sense of community felt by those who live in Santa Clara, and create great places to live, work, shop and play.  These include communities that:

• Are walkable and attractive
• Provide new housing choices near the City’s growing job base
• Expand residents’ specialty retail and dining options
• Attract both established and up-and-coming companies to Santa Clara and its highly-educated workforce

We are proud to work with the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce as we provide some of our most ambitious master-planned projects locally to date and the benefits they provide to the City. 

Focus on Santa Clara – Outlook 2015

Interested in learning about what’s going on with all the building growth in Santa Clara?  Want to know what Santa Clara will look like 5-10 years from now?  Then plan on attending Focus on Santa Clara – Outlook 2015.  Join members of the region for a no-host reception where you can network and mingle.  The program will include Santa Clara’s Mayor Jamie Matthews state of the city update, letting you know what’s currently happening in the City and where it’s headed. Steve Van Dorn, President & CEO for the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce will host a discussion with Steve Eimer, Executive Vice President of Related Cos. and Joshua Howard, Executive Director of the California Apartment Association, Tri-County Division.  Each will give highlights of what their organization is doing to enhance business and residential growth in our area.

Registration is $30 for Chamber Members and $45 for non-members.

Corporate sponsors include California’s Great America, El Camino Hospital, Graphic Packaging International, Inc., Hilton Santa Clara, Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, Intel Corporation, Irvine Company, Kaiser Permanente, Marvell, M.E. Fox & Company, Inc., Menlo Equities, Oracle, Related California, San Francisco 49ers, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Southwest Airlines, SummerHill Housing Group, and UCSC Silicon Valley Extension.

Member Referrals for February 2015

We would like to recognize and acknowledge member referrals for the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce. The following new members were referred by an existing member of the Chamber, and we would like to recognize and thank them for their support.

Jim Mercurio with San Francisco 49ers referred Walter Wilson with Minority Business Consortium.   If you are or know of a minority business that needs assistance, contact Walter at 408-660-9271 to learn more.  To contact Jim for the latest on the 49ers, call 408-562-4949.  Go Niners!!

Ravinder Lal with The UPS Store #4636 referred Rebecca Wang with Touch to Heal SPA.   For a relaxing way to relieve the stress of everyday life, contact Rebecca at 408-271-8729 and schedule an appointment for a healing massage.  Do you need flyers, business cards, posters or signs for your business?  Did you know the UPS Store #4636 on Homestead does much more than packing and shipping?  Call Ravinder at 408-247-4010 to find out more.

Kam Barn with U-Haul Co. of Southbay referred one of his colleges, Marlon Masongcay with U-Haul Moving & Storage.  If you are moving or need a place to store your belongings until you find that perfect home, contact Kam at 510-224-7608 or Marlon at 408-660-3108.

Sergio Oliveri with Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce & Convention-Visitors Bureau referred Gene Campbell and Kristen Kintner with The Glasshouse SJ, LLC.  Are you looking for a unique and awesome venue to host an event?  Contact Kristen at 408-606-8148 and find out more about this fantastic venue right in downtown San Jose!

Want to see your name here?  If someone you know would benefit by joining the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce, please refer them to Carol Zimring at (408) 380-1236.  Every month we publish new member referrals, listing both the new member and the Chamber member who referred them.  When a member has referred a total of three new members, they will receive a $100.00 advertising credit for use in our weekly and monthly publications.

Spotlight on Pyramid of Leaders: Intel & Kaiser Permanente

Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce & Convention-Visitors Bureau’s Pyramid of Leaders represents the foundation of our membership.   They help sponsor events, support issues, and are the fore runners for the Chamber and the community.

Starting this month, we will be highlighting some of our Pyramid Leaders so that our members can learn more about their businesses and how their relationship with the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce & Convention-Visitors Bureau has benefited their organization. 

We hope you enjoy learning more about our Pyramid Leaders each month and that you will also consider increasing your level of membership to become a Pyramid of Leaders member.  For more information, contact Carol Zimring at carol.zimring@santaclara.org or (408) 380-1236.

INTEL

Santa Clara is home to Intel’s corporate headquarters and the flagship Intel Museum which showcases more than 40 years of Intel’s innovations. As Santa Clara’s largest employer and the world’s largest semiconductor chip maker (based on revenue), Intel develops advanced digital technology products, primarily integrated circuits, to bring smart connected devices to people around the globe. During the last five years, Intel has contributed approximately $65 million to educational institutions and nonprofit organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento region focusing much of its corporate philanthropy on improving math, science and engineering education. In 2014, Intel’s California employees volunteered a record 330,000 hours and donated $8,798,000 in corporate and foundation gifts to our local site communities.

Intel is proud to support the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce, as this organization provides a critical voice for large and small businesses on matters that directly impact the regional economy. Together with the Chamber and its other members, Intel collaboratively works to enhance our community through education, volunteerism, industry leadership and innovation. The Chamber’s leadership and advocacy in supporting all of the region’s businesses and the issues that are important to them is vital to keeping Santa Clara and Silicon Valley the preeminent innovation center in the world.

KAISER PERMANENTE

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 9.5 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. In the Silicon Valley, our Santa Clara and San Jose Medical Centers serve more than half a million people.

Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health.

Realizing our vision of total health means forming meaningful partnerships in the communities we serve. The Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce is an important resource for connecting to Silicon Valley businesses. From the opportunities to give back to the community through Chamber events to the knowledge exchanged from meeting individual members, it’s a great way to identify new partnerships and strengthen the existing relationships we have with our local business community.

Santa Clara’s All New Convention Calendar is Here!

The Santa Clara Convention Center has a new Convention Calendar (conventioncalendar.com/sc) which is now available on your smart phone, tablet, and PC.  Planning your next event at the Santa Clara Convention Center just got easier!

The new calendar is a great way to keep up with featured events at the center.  The new calendar receives thousands of visitors planning for their event in Santa Clara each month.  We also have sponsorship opportunities available for businesses seeking exposure to visitors and exhibitors coming to town for their event.  If you are interested in showcasing your business to this lucrative target market, please contact us to reserve your space.  Also, be sure to visit the new calendar to enter your eMail address to sign up for alerts on featured events.

Hotels on Pace for Best Annual Hotel Occupancy & Average Daily Rate Ever

The eight hotels surrounding the Santa Clara Convention Center and Levi’s Stadium are on pace to record their best annual hotel occupancy and average daily rate ever. Santa Clara full service hotel occupancy is at 81%, up two percent year-over-year. Average daily rate is at $186, up $21.00 compared to previous year.

Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce and Convention-Visitors Bureau President Steve Van Dorn says “the increases are due to a number of factors including hotel upgrades, strong business climate, increased Convention Center bookings, and the opening of Levi’s Stadium.” Van Dorn added “we’re on pace for a record year.” 

In November, 2014, the same hotels averaged 75% occupancy, a 5% year-over-year increase. Average daily rate in November was up to $197, climbing $27 compared to previous year. For a complete listing of these Santa Clara hotels, visit SantaClara.org and/or SiliconValleyMeetings.com.

Hotel Occupancy & Average Daily Rate Soar in 3rd Quarter

The hotel business is booming in Santa Clara. The eight full service hotels surrounding California’s Great America theme park, Levi’s Stadium, and Santa Clara Convention Center averaged 85% occupancy during the 3rd quarter with an average daily rate of $186. Of note, the Santa Clara hotels averaged $200 per night in the month of September.

Year-to-date, the hotels are averaging 82% occupancy with an average daily rate of $184. According to Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce and Convention-Visitors Bureau President & CEO Steve Van Dorn, “The hotel windfall is the result of a strong Silicon Valley economy, the addition of Levi’s Stadium, numerous Santa Clara Convention Center events, and a lot of hard work from the team at the Santa Clara Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).” Van Dorn adds “We’re very much engaged in making sure Levi’s Stadium has what they need to bring new events to the city and in filling our Convention Center.”

The averages compiled by the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce and Convention-Visitors Bureau include the Avatar Hotel, Biltmore Hotel & Suites, Embassy Suites, Hilton Santa Clara, Hyatt  house, Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, Marriott Santa Clara, and the Plaza Suites.