News & Updates

President’s Task Force on Opioid Epidemic Releases Recommendations

Policy

November 9, 2017

The President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis releases its list of 56 recommendations for the administration to address the ongoing opioid challenge across the country. While the Commission acknowledged the need for federal resources and funds to implement these recommendations, they do not call for an increase in federal funding. Instead, the Commission did recommend that the President review a decades-old rule referred to as the “IMD exclusion,” which effectively prohibits Medicaid patients from receiving long-term addiction treatment from facilities larger than 16 beds. The Chamber and its members in the Healthcare Committee have long advocated for reconsideration of the IMD exclusion as it results in a limited availability of long-term services for those struggling with chronic, acute addiction issues. Given the current homeless crisis that is often connected to addiction and mental health challenges, this could present an opportunity to expand services and access federal funds for those local programs.

Chamber Hosts Veteran Hiring Panel & Releases New Veteran Research

Policy

November 9, 2017

On November 8th, the Chamber hosted a Good Government Speaker Series on veteran hiring to hear from a panel of experts on the topic of veterans entering the workforce, and how companies can leverage these skills as the veterans’ transition into a civilian career. The panel was moderated by Meg Storer of 2-1-1 San Diego and panelists included:

  • Sean Mahoney, Executive Director, zero8hundred
  • John Funk, Director of Operations, Bob Hope Veterans Support Program
  • Harold Elkan, Ombudsman  Director, Marine Corps Reserve Outreach, California Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve
  • Eve Nasby, Veteran Hiring Expert
  • Matt Brogdon, Senior Director of Consulting Services, Pathfinder Consulting

Watch the full panel discussion here.

The Chamber Foundation also released two veteran-focused studies. The first study was an update to the 2013 Chamber study, “Military Employment in San Diego.” The update, called “Veteran Employment in San Diego” examines San Diego’s growing military presence. It looks at veterans in San Diego, veterans in the workforce, and the barriers and resources for San Diego veterans and employers. The second study, “Employers’ Impressions of Veterans” tests the perceived value of veterans in the workforce. For this effort, 300 employers were surveyed by Competitive Edge to identify areas in which employers are undervaluing veterans the most, so we can work to help employers to understand the true value of veterans in the workforce.

Tax Reform

Policy

November 9, 2017

Tax Reform

After campaign rhetoric, platforms, and frameworks on the topic, the House of Representatives has released actual legislation detailing what tax reform would look like.

In October, the Chamber supported the U.S. Chamber Principals for Tax Reform and expressed support for retaining the mortgage interest deduction, the new market tax credits, and the State and Local Tax deduction. The legislation is expected to be changed substantially but currently includes:

Personal Tax Reform

  • Fewer Personal Income Tax Brackets
  • Fewer Tax Deductions
  • Increase in the Standard Deduction resulting in dramatically fewer itemizing households
  • Increase in the Child Tax Credit and introduction of a Parent Tax Credit
  • Repeal of the Alternative Minimum Tax
  • Repeals the Estate Tax

Business Tax Reform

  • Corporate Tax Rate Cut (From 35% to 20%)
  • Effectively reduces “Pass-through” business tax rate (From 39.6% to 25%)
  • Move to a “territorial” tax system eliminating U.S. tax on overseas profits of U.S. companies.

 

10News LEADership Award Recipient Chloe Gubbay

LEAD

November 6, 2017

Chloe Gubbay is honored with the 10News LEADership Award for launching the Teen Giving Club to work with disadvantaged youth locally and globally and inspire youth to discover their passion in volunteering.

Member Spotlight: Holiday Inn Express San Diego Downtown

Member Spotlight

November 3, 2017

The Holiday Inn Express Downtown San Diego just completed a 7 million dollar renovation. The hotel was used in the filming of a now American Classic Film “Almost Famous” starring Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup and Patrick Fugit released in 2000.  Its new features include remodeled guestrooms, lobby, breakfast room, common areas, meeting space and fitness center. The Holiday Inn Express offers contemporary accommodations that provide modern comfort and first-class service for today’s traveler. The property will certainly exceed your expectations because it goes beyond the brand standards of a typical Holiday Inn Express Property with upgraded furnishings.  However, what really sets us apart is our commitment to customer service and connecting with our return guests.

This non-smoking hotel is perfectly situated near the Historic Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park with the famous San Diego Zoo, Little Italy and only 3.2 miles from the airport. Our hotel offers competitive pricing, and the following complimentary amenities: airport shuttle, WIFI internet access, business center, hot breakfast buffet daily, and Happy Hour (complimentary beer, wine, and snacks) Monday – Thursday 5:00pm-6:30pm.

Each room has a refrigerator, Keurig Coffee maker, Black out Shades, Iron/Ironing Board, In Room Safe, In- Room Heating and A/C controls, work desk with lamp, and a flat screen TV.

ABOUT HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS

Holiday Inn Express is a mid-priced hotel chain within the INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP family of brands. As an “express” hotel, their focus is on offering limited services and a reasonable price. Standard amenities lean toward the convenient and practical which cater to business travelers and short-term stays. The Holiday Inn Express concept was intended to target the “upper economy” market segment, offering limited service, low-price lodging. As of September 2016, there were 2,469 Holiday Inn Express hotels featuring over 240,000 rooms worldwide.

 

Holiday Inn Express San Diego Downtown
1430 Seventh. Avenue San Diego, California 92101
(619)-819-1448
Sarah Edwards (Director of Sales)

Member Spotlight: First ARCO Opens in Mexico

Member Spotlight

October 27, 2017

On October 26, 2017 more than 50 representatives from various organizations gathered to mark the grand opening of the first ARCO station in Mexico. Honorable guests included:

  • Pedro Joaquín Coldwell, Secretario de Energía Gobierno Federal
  • Francisco Vega de Lamadrid, Gobernador del Estado de Baja California
  • Guillermo Zuñiga Martínez, Comisión Reguladora de Energía
  • Dr. Aldo Flores-Quiroga, Deputy Minister of Hydrocarbons
  • Juan Manuel Gastélum Buenrostro, Alcalde de Tijuana
  • Greg Goff, Chairman, President, and CEO of Andeavor

This first station marks the beginning of growth to include an anticipated 200 to 400 ARCO® stations in Baja California and Sonora over the next several years. All ARCO® fueling stations in Mexico will offer consumers TOP TIER™ gasoline.

San Diego Young Leaders Board Nomination

News

October 26, 2017

Member Spotlight: Next Level Sales Coaching

Member Spotlight

October 18, 2017

The most vital part of any successful business is sales.  It always has been and it always will be.  Whether you’re a brand-new business owner or you’ve been around for 30 years, you’ve got to know how to effectively sell your product or service in order to generate revenue.  Unfortunately, most people have either never learned how to sell effectively or have been using antiquated and old-school techniques since the 80s.

Sales is fun and when you know how to sell with honesty, integrity, and humility, there’s nothing better.

We started Next Level Sales Coaching because we wanted to teach people that relationships and caring about others is still what works today in business.  We specialize in helping our clients create significant sales results through improving your ability to perform through effective mindset coaching and also your ability to increase results through improving your selling skills. We teach you through what we call Selling with Honesty and give you the necessary tools to help you reach your full potential.

Our ultimate calling is to share with thousands of others what we’ve done and how they can achieve their ultimate dreams and goals in business.  Sales isn’t about manipulating your prospects into buying something from you.  It’s not about learning some “system” of questioning or getting them to say “yes” five times in a row.  Professional Selling is about connecting with people, building trust and engaging with your potential customers, and taking great care of them long after you’ve made the sale.  Stop thinking about “closing” people and start thinking about helping people.

Here’s who we help:

  • Independent salespeople(1099 or W-2)
  • Small business owners/Franchise owners
  • Companies with sales teams

We are proud and honored to be part of such an amazing organization like the SD Chamber of Commerce and we’ll continue to teach people that you can be successful in sales and do it all while being honest, staying humble and acting with integrity.

Steve Heroux
President & Co-Founder
Next Level Sales Coaching
www.nextlevelsalescoaching.com
858.822.9893
Steve.Heroux@nextlevelsalescoaching.com
600 B St., 3rd Floor
San Diego, CA 92101

Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of California Pizza Kitchen Fashion Valley

Ribbon Cuttings

October 16, 2017

The newest California Pizza Kitchen located in Fashion Valley at 7007 Friars Road officially opened on September 18th! Unlike the previous Fashion Valley location, the latest is larger with more amenities. The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce celebrated the official opening with a ribbon cutting. The staff openly welcomed its first lunch rush with eclectic pizzas, pastas, and salads in its modern San Diego style atmosphere! To learn more, please visit www.cpk/fashionvalley. 

Pictured is the regional management, CPK on site managers, front and back of house staff.

10News LEADership Award Recipient Mary Struble

LEAD

October 11, 2017

Mary Struble is honored with the 10News LEADership Award for her leadership of the Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary, which provides children and adults with interactive programs with parrots and brings education programs into schools.