November 30, 2015
Wednesday, Chamber staff attended a State of the City address from Tecate, a long-time partner of the Chamber. The Mayor mentioned several binational accomplishments, including those achieved in partnership with the Chamber, such as the Mayor of Tecate’s first visit to the White House during September’s DC delegation trip.
November 20, 2015
The Chamber’s recently launched San Diego Regional Chamber Young Leaders (SDYL) is driving young professional growth in the San Diego-Baja region by providing the relationships, mentoring and community awareness necessary to become an influential business leader.
SDYL is made up of a diverse group of 21 to 40 year-old professionals who are emerging leaders in their field, with a commitment to community involvement and professional growth.
Learn more about this new program and how you can get involved here.
November 19, 2015
Stellar Solar, one of California’s leading commercial and residential solar installers since 1998 has won the prestigious UT San Diego Readers Poll again in 2015, marking the third year in a row. The award, announced August 23 by the San Diego Union Tribune, has become an annual achievement for the highly regarded solar company headquartered in Carlsbad. Their high standing with San Diego home and business owners is also reflected in their five-star reviews on Yelp, A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, significant number of referrals from existing customers, and positive feedback on Angie’s List.
Kent Harle, CEO of Stellar Solar and the driving force behind their no-pressure, educational approach to presenting solar to both home and business owners and San Diego’s only 30-day installation guarantee, had this to say about the award. “Winning three years in a row and four out of the past five years makes me believe we are on to something here with the way we do business. Besides our customer centric approach and the fastest installation times in San Diego, we have also had an influx of energy consultants joining us from both national and local competitors.”
At a time when utility companies are aiming to cut net metering (which means that homeowners and businesses will have paid half as much money for the energy that their solar systems produce), Stellar Solar is fighting with partners such as the Sierra Club to preserve net metering so San Diegans can take advantage of their most abundant natural resource. In the meantime, Stellar Solar is encouraging consumers to lock down fair net metering rates for the next 20 years by going solar now.
Stellar Solar offers no-cost solar site evaluations for home and business owners, 1.99% financing, and lease options.
November 19, 2015
La Jolla Vein Care is a specialty medical clinic dedicated exclusively to the management of vein conditions such as varicose veins, spider veins and venous leg ulcers. The specialty medical center offers the latest technology in the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins and offer duplex ultrasound scanning on-site.
The staff consists of board-certified Vein Specialists, Registered Vascular Sonographers, Nurse, Physician’s Assistant and other friendly staff members. La Jolla Vein Care is unmatched in the number of surgery-free vein treatments performed. Dr. Nisha Bunke and Dr. Helane Fronek are double board-certified and dedicate their practice exclusively to venous and lymphatic medicine. Both doctors have proven their dedication to field of venous and lymphatic medicine by research, numerous publications, including authoring medical textbooks, and teaching other doctors and medical students.
La Jolla Vein Care has been a leader in non-surgical varicose vein removal since its establishment in 2010. The San Diego Chamber of Commerce was present at its 2010 ribbon cutting ceremony. It is located at the Ximed Building on the Scripps Memorial Campus in La Jolla.
Most PPO insurance types are accepted at this facility.
Dr. Nisha Bunke, MD, FACPh
La Jolla Vein Care
Center for Advanced Vein Treatment
www.lajollaveincare.com
nbunke@lajollaveincare.com
November 19, 2015
United Valet Parking, Inc. has been doing business in the Southern California for over 30 years, and is also operating at more than 100 locations in and around the Los Angeles area servicing restaurants, high-end hotels, and commercial buildings. United Valet Parking, Inc. provides prompt, courteous, and professional assistance, knowing that our service is a reflection of your establishment. United Valet Parking, Inc. offers the following services:
Our goal at United Valet Parking, Inc. is to provide the highest quality service while eliminating the time and frustration of finding parking. Our valet team is comprised of experienced and skilled professionals. We strive to perform the best service possible and we open every car door with a smile. Our first priority is to ensure that our clients and their patrons feel comfortable and confident when leaving their cars in our care. Therefore, we place great emphasis on the skill and reliability of our attendants, as well as on their attitude and attire. Our service includes insurance, safe employment practices, customer service and compliance with federal and state laws.
Private events includes all type of parties such as birthdays, corporate, weddings, banquet, fundraisers, anniversaries, and etc. We will set up a secure parking lot, take care of driveway access, and of course offer our quality valet service. Our fully uniformed and well-trained attendants will take care of your guest’s vehicles like one of their own. United Valet Parking, Inc. will provide the most safety for your guest’s vehicles, maximize the parking space and add prestige to your event.
At United Valet Parking, Inc. we know how vital it is for owners of commercial buildings and properties to have proper parking facilities and service to accommodate their clients and visitors. Commercial Parking requires a high level of customer service and the ability to handle multiple methods of parking. Our professionals are experienced in efficiently handling your commercial parking needs.
November 19, 2015
The Urban Discovery Academy, an independent K-8 charter school that promotes project-based learning, community service and Spanish language instruction, at last has a permanent home located in the very appropriate I.D.E.A. (innovation, design, education and the arts) district, an East Village neighborhood. The 36k SF facility combines the renovation of an existing class structure with new construction that is designed to inject a modern, architecturally unique design. KCM Group, a full-service owner’s representative construction management firm, served as project manager, handling all aspects of construction of the $10.5M campus including bond funding, and design and construction management. Governing board president Maelin Levine says, “I highly recommend KCM. If/when we ever do another school, they are our first call. In my opinion they are exceptional, looking out for us at every step of the way. Delightful, smart, knowledgeable, I can’t say enough positive things about them.”
KCM Group, Inc. is a full-service construction management company and construction consulting firm founded in San Diego on 2000 by Gordon Kovtun. Over his 25 years in the industry, Gordon has become known for his versatility and uncompromising representation on behalf of his clients. KCM Group has built a reputation as a results-oriented firm that manages all aspects of the construction process from start to finish – each project receives the full benefit of a strategic, technically-based and multidisciplinary approach. KCM Group is neither a design firm nor a general contractor. Instead, we select and manage those skilled professionals in a manner that ensures teamwork and total focus on delivering what the client desires.
November 19, 2015
San Diego Wine Co. is a San Diego native, family-owned and operated business since 2005. The San Diego Wine Co. is today recognized as one of San Diego’s top wine shops! With our recent summer expansion, we are now also offering highly allocated vintage wines and a fantastic lineup of craft beers, both local San Diego and from around the world.
We offer the “Best Wines & Beers at the Lowest Prices.”
As a San Diego Regional Chamber member for the past 10 years, we are thankful for the opportunity to introduce you to our store!
Cheers,
Matt & Jonette Francke and Team
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Yelp
November 19, 2015
The Chamber’s annual Get Fit San Diego 30-Day Challenge, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, is returning for another round of fitness fun. The friendly fitness competition will begin January 11, 2016 – just in time to help you get a jump start on your healthy New Year’s resolutions.
The Challenge is open to individuals and teams, participation is completely free, and you do not need to be a Chamber member to participate. Prizes will be awarded to the individual and team first place finishers in each division.
Registration will begin November 30 and Challenge details and sign-up information will be sent that day. So start getting your teammates together and planning your course to fitness victory!
November 18, 2015
Bank of America’s 1,300 employees in San Diego have a different take on giving back that’s more than just writing checks. It’s a holistic approach to corporate social responsibility that is critical to making people’s financial lives better.
The bank grows its business responsibly through a combination of policies and practices, services, products, and employee benefits. An important part of that commitment is forming strong partnerships across all sectors, including nonprofit organizations serving community needs, bringing its collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact.
For example, Bank of America works with community leaders and locally-based employees to determine which San Diego issues to address with a combination of philanthropic grant dollars, employee volunteerism and pro bono expertise to leverage greater impact for nonprofits. Last year alone, Bank of America awarded nearly $2 million to San Diego nonprofits and employees donated more than 18,000 hours of their time here in San Diego to a variety of causes throughout the entire community.
Another example of a mindful approach to giving back is the bank’s Neighborhood Builder program, that awards $200,000 in unrestricted funds to high impact nonprofits along with extensive leadership development resources for its executive director and an emerging leader in the organization – a combination intended to help increase the nonprofit’s capacity and impact.
This long-term investment in nonprofit leadership development and capacity building is the largest philanthropic investment of its kind.
This year, Goodwill Industries of San Diego County was named the 2015 Neighborhood Builders winner for its critical work providing job training and placement for veterans and other under-employed community members. The bank has awarded 20 San Diego nonprofits with $3.8 million in Neighborhood Builder grants. Previous recipients include Junior Achievement, ACCION San Diego, Reality Changers, Just In Time For Foster Youth and Community HousingWorks.
“We recognize that nonprofits and their staff are on the frontlines as they tackle tough community issues that are vital to San Diego’s economic growth,” said Rick Bregman, San Diego Market President Bank of America. “Neighborhood Builders is just one example of our broader corporate social responsibility efforts to build vibrant communities and economies. By advancing partnerships with nonprofits addressing needs related to community development, basic human services and workforce development and education, we are working to increase financial stability and help individuals and families find the pathways out of poverty. “
Bank of America is clear that its purpose is to make financial lives better for its customers, clients and communities, recognizing that it only succeeds when others are thriving. So, by helping people live better financial lives, a catalytic effect contributes to stronger communities and stable economies, with business growing responsibly.
Click here for more information on Bank of America’s corporate social responsibility.
November 17, 2015
San Diego County businesses foresee ending the year in a slower lane. This month’s Business Forecast, sponsored by Silvergate Bank, shows the mild economic “breather” first identified in July has gained downward momentum. The current BOI of only 17 is now the least optimistic in 28 months of surveys.
A look at the BOI’s components shows that revenue projections and the outlook for industry conditions have fallen since the previous quarter. While last month half of the county’s business community projected that future revenues would increase, 41 percent feel that way now. Although 48 percent previously said business conditions would be improving for their industry, that has dropped to 40 percent.
Small firms are bearing the brunt of the downturn and have been hit hardest by poor revenue projections. The BOI for large and medium firms is well below the overall historical average of 26.2, but the BOI among one-person firms went from 19 in the previous three months to only five in October.
The one bright spot in revenues is retail. As they look forward to the holidays, retail firms break with the pack, as 62 percent in our sample predict more robust revenues through January.
As another indication that times are changing, 64 percent of county businesses now say they are facing some type of new challenge. In the recent past that figure had been around 55 percent. Issues related to government are the most prominent source of challenges identified by companies. One out of 20 companies specifically cite Obamacare as that issue. Threats from competition have also become more prevalent since the previous quarter.
A challenge for local government is addressing climate issues as each is now required by the State to adopt a Climate Action Plan. Most business people believe detrimental global warming is occurring. When it comes to solutions, most firms (58 percent) want local governments to balance economic considerations with environmental considerations when they craft their plans. Of the remaining 37 percent who have an opinion on these plans, two-thirds want government to side with jobs and the economy. Climate change skeptics, rejecting the premise of global warming entirely, are primarily driving the jobs and economy over environment line of thinking. If global warming gains more acceptance, the desire for balance in Climate Action Plans will increase further.
Silvergate Bank’s San Diego County Business Forecast is a scientific look at where our region’s economy is headed. The survey for this month’s installment was fielded October 14-30, 2015 by Competitive Edge Research & Communication using responses from 211 randomly-selected members of the San Diego, East County, Alpine, Escondido, Lakeside, Vista, Santee, and National City Chambers of Commerce. All Chamber members are invited to complete the survey either online or over the phone.
The Business Outlook IndexTM (BOI) is comprised of four self-reported assessments regarding the next three months: Will a respondent’s business increase or decrease its number of employees, experience an increase or a decrease in revenue, increase or decrease the number of hours its employees work, and experience an improvement or a worsening of business conditions. For each assessment, definite and positive responses are scored 100, probable and positive responses are scored 50, neutral responses are scored 0, probable and negative responses are scored -50 and definite and negative responses are scored -100. The scores are summed and divided by 4 to get a range for the BOI of -100 to +100, with zero being a neutral outlook. Visit sdchamber.org/news-stories/business-forecast to see past Business Forecasts.