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A publication of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce | July 2014
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Gilroy Chamber of CommerceOFFICERSCHAIR OF THE BOARD DEBBI SANCHEZ • Fortino Winery
PAST CHAIR ERIC GEBHARDT • Hilton Garden Inn
CHAIR OF THE BOARD-ELECT LISA T. FARIA • Coldwell Banker
SECRETARY/TREASURER DAVID MATUSZAK, Ed.D.
VC OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT JAN PEAT • McDonald’s of Gilroy
VC PUBLIC AFFAIRS ERIC GEBHARDT • Hilton Garden Inn
VC BUSINESS PROGRAMS & SERVICES JAY MENCHACA • Menchaca Law Offices
VC MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS LISA T. FARIA • Coldwell Banker
BOARD OF DIRECTORS BRIGITTE NICHOLLS • Union Bank CHERYL ELLEMBERG • ABD Promotions LLOYD LOWREY • Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss TERRY FEINBERG • Moxxy Marketing PAM GARCIA • Affordable Solar Roofs GINA LOPEZ • State Farm Insurance
CHAMBER STAFF Mark Turner • President/CEO Michelle Garcia • Administrative Assistant Chris Bevilacqua • Administrative Assistant Rosie Vogel • Administrative Assistant Sue Thurman • Business Relationship Manager
WELCOME CENTER STAFF Jane Howard • Executive Director Pam Gimenez • Office Manager
EDC STAFF Tammy Brownlow • President/CEO Candace Van Sambeek, Administrative Assistant
FOCUS PRODUCTION STAFF EDITOR • Mark Turner, President/CEO Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
PRODUCTION & DESIGN • J. Chris Mickartz InfoPOWER Communications
PHOTOGRAPHY • Larry Mickartz InfoPOWER Communication
7471 Monterey Street • Gilroy, CA 95020 web: www.gilroy.org e-mail: [email protected]
Page 2 Gilroy Business Focus I July 2014
MARK TURNERPresident/CEOGilroy Chamber ofCommerce
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD
SIGNS ADVERTISING local businesses go back further than the founding of our nation. Just as our forefathers of the business community worked to attract customers with clever and unique signage, today’s business owners attempt the same thing. Sign innovation and technology may have changed over the centuries but the desired outcome of helping customers locate and frequent a business establishment have not. Signage is an important aspect of a business’s ability to attract clientele, compete with other businesses and increase profitability.
In her article, “The Economic Context of Signs,” Marya Morris aptly writes, “The primary function of a sign is to provide identification for a business. By helping consumers recognize that they have arrived at their intended destination or by triggering an impulse to make a purchase, signs help facilitate consumer transactions that allow businesses to be success-
Signs of the Timeful. Successful businesses make for vital local economies and a stable tax base. Using color, light, and visually interesting symbols, letters, logos, and other information, signs can enliven commercial areas and make them attractive places to shop. Signs also function as cost- effective advertising by making potential customers aware of the business and the products or services offered. As advertising mechanisms, signs facilitate competition among businesses, which, in turn, can benefit consumers by providing more information about products and services, which can lead to lower prices. Finally, signs function as a way-finding device. They help people find their way to a specific business, trigger their ability to recall the location of a business, and function as a marker, telling people where they are in relation to where they are going.”
The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to see the City Council
What good is a Chamber of Commerce anyway?OCCASIONALLY I AM ASKED to explain what I “get” out of my involvement with the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce. Sometimes I’m asked, “What good is a Chamber of Commerce anyway?” I thought I’d use my article this month to answer those questions.
My involvement has allowed me to re-connect with old friends, meet new ones, and get to know more local business owners and their representatives. “Growing up Gilroy,” I am always running into longtime friends who pop up at Chamber events, functions, or volunteer to serve on Chamber committees. It’s always great to see those familiar smiling faces and equally great to see new ones.
While the business I represent enjoys increased visibility and sales, being involved also allows me to give back to my community. Volunteering alongside amazing people, I get to play a part in helping all local
businesses in our community. We all share our time, abilities and talents by serving on the Chamber Board and various committees to “steer this ship” as best we can.
Do we always get it right? Nope. That’s unrealistic. Do we work from the core principles of integrity and fairness, with the best interests of local businesses in mind? Yep - without exception. This is not a self-serving group. I wouldn’t be involved if that were the case. On the contrary, our Chamber is filled with the most unselfish, community-minded people I know. Our members volunteer to host fundraisers, mixers, breakfasts, create marketing campaigns, and teach small business resource classes. They serve on government relations committees and in other ways help create value for members.
Everyone is busy working in their own business or job, yet, they serve countless hours to make our Chamber an effective voice in the
reconsider the restrictive sign ordinance recently passed as it will negatively affect the local business community, its ability to thrive and how people considering locating a business in Gilroy will perceive our city.
The efforts of business owners and operators such as John and Barbara Rubio, Fiesta Insurance; Elsa LeDon, Queen of Hearts Boutique; Patty Tartaglia, Patty’s Perfect Pantry; the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, along with others have proven to be successful in convincing the Council to work with the business community in developing a friendlier approach to signage while avoiding legitimate concerns of sign clutter.
DEBBI SANCHEZ2014 Chair of the BoardGilroy Chamber ofCommerce
community and a great resource for local businesses. I am proud to be associated with the volunteers and staff who make up the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce.
What I “get” out of the Chamber is this - a huge return on my investment of time and effort. I have grown personally and professionally. I have seen an increase in business derived from my involvement. I have worked alongside, and networked with great people. “What good is a Chamber anyway?” Lots!
Consider giving a little of yourself to the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce. You’ll get plenty in return.
In all things life and business, here’s to your success!
SUE THURMAN Business RelationshipManager, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
What’s new with Chamber Businesses!
July 2014 I Gilroy Business Focus Page 5
Garlic City Computer and Network is the area’s leading Managed IT Support provider offering Corporate level IT support for small to medium size businesses. From simple “Break/Fix” issues all the way to network design and implementation, they do it all, quickly and affordably. Their pricing structure can be designed to fit into even the tightest budget. With a staff of over 30 years combined experience, they can handle all desktop, server, and infrastructure needs. GCCAN will assist with a project specialist if you are moving to a new location. They also provide residential support with free pickup and delivery. You can reach them on the web at www.gccan.net, email at [email protected], or simply call 408 465-6200.
Your breakfast favorites are now available at Panera Bread: all-natural eggs and applewood-smoked bacon on freshly baked bread; a warm bowl of steel cut oatmeal topped with fresh fruit and cinnamon crunch or a freshly brewed coffee. So many great-tasting reasons to love mornings at Panera. Open Mon-Sat, 6am-10pm; Sunday 7am-9pm stop by their convenient location at 6865 Camino Arroyo.
SuperGreen Solutions is join-ing efforts to help conserve water. According to the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) website, we use over one half of our water on landscaping, so the biggest water savings is in the landscape! The SCVWD provides a Graywater Laundry to Landscape rebate of $200 per residential site for properly connecting a clothes washer to a graywater irrigation system based on meeting their program requirements. This rebate increase is temporary, and is currently available through September 30, 2014. SuperGreen Solutions of Stevens Creek, a Gilroy Chamber of Commerce Member, will soon begin carrying kits to simplify the process of installing one of these Graywater Laundry to Landscape systems. Call 408-244-2887 for more information on the kits and when they will be available, or
visit the showroom at 5155 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 100, Santa Clara, CA. To schedule a pre-inspection and receive a Graywater Laundry to Landscape Rebate Program Application, email [email protected] or call the Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 630-2554.
Are you not sure WHY you should implement Social Media into your marketing plan and budget? Do you have questions on the ROI of spending your valuable time, energy and money on learning and executing Social Media strategies into your business? JennBen and Theresa with iBrand Your Business have started a webinar series on all things Social Media. Please visit their webpage at ibrandyourbusi-ness.com for the schedule of upcom-ing webinars and registration form. If you would like to receive emails from iBrand Your Business on social media news, strategies and cutting edge technology updates, please send a blank email to [email protected] Remember, they are always available for FREE consultations at 408-667-0620.
NTime Events USA is proud to intro-duce a new addition to the team, Lilly Cakes who specializes in Brazilian Catering for a total authentic Brazilian experience. Lilly Gillies, also a Brazilian native, has been entertaining with Brazilian dishes for many years. She will provide an authentic, elegant Brazilian menu for your next event. Menu samples can be provided upon request at www.ntimeeventsusa.com
Life is full of uncertainties. Have you and your spouse talked about the future if one of you should pass away unexpectedly? Jeffrey M. Orth, ChFC, CASL owner of Integrated Financial Benefits is always available to help make sure your financial future is on track no matter what may lie ahead. Call Jeff at 408-842-2716.
Located in Gilroy, ABD Promotions proudly provides face-to-face services in San Jose, Morgan Hill, Gilroy and Hollister areas and they manage
numerous national and international accounts. They can build a brand new website that fits your budget but their expert knowledge in designing websites also translates well into supporting those created by others and can make simple or complex changes to existing sites. If you are having trouble motivating or even getting a hold of your current website developer then let ABD help you as their customer centered service will put your mind at ease while they keep your website updated and running smoothly. The ABD team is well versed in many different website content management systems. Email [email protected], call (408)634-007 or request a quote through their website at www.abdpromotions.com.
Thank you Gilroy for voting YoghArt “Best Frozen Yogurt/Ice Cream” in the Dispatch’s “Best Of” Contest. They were also runner up for Best Dessert! Come by and judge for yourself. YoghArt offers the creamiest flavors with over 50 of the freshest toppings. They are all about art, family and community. Fundraising for the schools and Gilroy community projects like the Demonstration Garden and the Gilroy Arts Alliance have become a passion for YoghArt. Conveniently located at 1230 1st Street in Hecker Pass Plaza and open at noon every day.
River Cruising is the hottest venue in travel right now. Be it European rivers, United States or Asia, a river cruise is your best bet for seeing scenery without having to worry about motion sickness. Other advantages are the proximity to the docking city, the all-inclusive benefits and the casual atmosphere on board. All meals, excursions, lectures and wine or beer with meals are included. You also have free time to explore each port and you can walk right off of the ship to the city center. The choices of destinations and companies are expanding each year and booking early suggested the small ships (100 passengers). Remember, it costs no more to use a Travel Agent, and we do all the work for you…call Nancy Diaz, Grande Destinations 650-483-2720 or [email protected]
It’s been a season of giving at the Gilroy Foundation, thanks to the generosity of donors, board members, volunteers and community partners. The Foundation has awarded grants to 69 community programs and scholarships to 67 students at Christopher, Gilroy, and Mount Madonna High Schools along with Gilroy Early College Academy and Gavilan College this spring. At the April 16 Annual Meeting at Union Bank, community groups, schools and other organizations stepped forward to receive $334,972 in grant money for their projects. Scholarships totaling $355,500 were awarded during recent high school and Gavilan col-lege awards nights. With assets in excess of $14 million, the Gilroy Foundation donors are believers in the “Give Where You Live” motto. For more information about the Gilroy Foundation and its funds and scholarships, contact Executive Director Donna Pray at 408.842.2737 or [email protected]
Two-time Professional Bull Rider (PBR) World Champion Bull, Bushwacker, has added an appearance at the PBR Salinas Touring Pro Division event in Salinas this summer. This will be part of his farewell tour. The event takes place at the Salinas Sports Complex on Wednesday, July 16, and kicks off the California Rodeo Salinas. The 1,765-pound athlete has been perfect in 2014, making short work of the men he’s faced to date, including reigning PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney and current PBR world standings leader and 2008 PBR World Champion Guilherme Marchi. PBR fans will have a rare opportunity to see the living legend and fans around the world will be able to watch all the action live on Wednesday, July 16 at 10 pm (eastern time) on PBR LIVE.
