September 23, 2024

Small Business Saturday 

Chamber staff has been busy the past few months providing resources to, and connecting with, our partners in the business community. The Chamber held its annual Small Business Saturday event, led by Policy Analyst Jimena Villasenor, to prepare San Diego’s small businesses for the national holiday in November. As part of the Chamber’s efforts to enhance small business resiliency, our recent Small Business Saturday Forum & Expo focused on helping businesses prep for the holiday rush with marketing tips, seasonal operation advice, and how to make the most of public resources. Event speakers included Jamye Pritchett Solorzano from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Sean Karafin from The City of San Diego’s Economic Development Department, Tana Lorah from Snake Oil Cocktail Company, and Bryant Walker from TAVO Media Group, who each shared their expertise and insights for our small businesses to ensure they have a successful Small Business Saturday in November!  

Chamber Business Summit 

Twice a year, the Chamber’s International and Public Affairs team hosts the Chamber Business Summit, where we bring together local Chambers and business organizations to share information and resources to build a better network between the business community and share what each organization is prioritizing and working on for the year. These events are crucial to ensure that our regional binational business community is working together to make the San Diego region the best place to live and work. This month’s agenda included a presentation from SDRCC Executive Director of Public Affairs, Justine Murray, and Chief Executive Officer for the North County Business Chamber, Chris Thorne, who each shared an overview of priorities at the local, state, and federal level for this calendar year. Attendees also heard from the U.S. Small Business administration about federal resources and opportunities for local chambers and local businesses.