News & Updates

Community Partner of the Month: American Heart Association

Community Partners

February 19, 2015

02 American Heart Association
The Chamber is proud to announce its newest Community Partner, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association! The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Our 2020 Impact Goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20%. Our efforts start right here in San Diego. Last year, the American Heart Association funded over $10 million in research at San Diego based facilities. This research is providing new, science-based methods to help us meet our impact goal – to help us save lives.

February is National Heart Month and focused on the Go Red For Women Movement. The movement raises awareness of heart disease in women. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, killing more women than all forms of cancer combined. Stroke is the No. 5 killer and leading cause of disability in the U.S. This month is a great time to reflect on why it is important to keep your heart healthy. Life is Why. What is your why? Watch the video below to learn more about WHY.

On Saturday, May 2, the American Heart Association invites you to join us at the American Heart Association Heart Ball, celebrating the work and mission of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. The event is taking place at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa from 5pm-10pm. During the event, the American Heart Association/American Heart Association will be honoring Dr. John Lamberti with Rady Children’s Hospital and Jerry Sanders, CEO of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce.

To learn more of what this organization is doing in San Diego and how you can get involved by following the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association on Facebook and Twitter.

Webpass – Simple Urban Internet

Member Stories

January 22, 2015

WebpassFounded in 2003, Webpass Inc., is a San Francisco based building specific Internet Service provider. Today, Webpass has over 10,000 residential and business customers in the major urban markets of San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, Miami and Chicago. We own and operate our own Ethernet network, eliminating modems and dependence on phone and cable companies.

Webpass delivers a very simple Internet service designed around the needs of our customers. We offer business Internet connections from 10 – 1000 Mbps and residential Internet connections at 100, 200 and 500 Mbps.

In January 2013 Webpass expanded its residential and business services into the San Diego market. Since then, Webpass has brought service to over 70 buildings. Webpass sets the bar in business Internet services by offering scalable and symmetrical bandwidth, no contracts, IPv6 addresses and local support.

Our Standard Internet package is ideal for small to medium sized businesses while our Premium Internet package is designed for businesses requiring dedicated bandwidth and unlimited data transfers. Amazon, Netflix, Instagram and Zappos are just a few of the business customers for whom we’ve been able to provide Internet solutions. Webpass business customers are free to upgrade, downgrade or cancel service at any time with no fee or penalty. We retain our clients by providing excellent customer service and support.

Whether operating a business or hosting an event Webpass can provide the business connection you need for success.

SeaWorld Returns a Rescued Fur Seal to the Ocean – with an HSWRI Transmitter Along for the Ride!

Member StoriesSan Diego

January 22, 2015

SeaWorld
A female Guadalupe fur seal rescued off a seawall at Carlsbad State Beach was returned to the ocean this morning with a satellite transmitter attached. SeaWorld animal rescuers came to the aid of the seal that was found thin with lacerations on her right side and in need of urgent medical care December 12, 2014.

Upon arrival at SeaWorld’s Animal Rescue Center, the adult weighed in at 80 pounds. SeaWorld animal caretakers and medical teams treated the seal with fluids, antibiotics and supportive care, which included a nutrient-rich diet of capelin, sardines and herring. The seal, whose weight has increased nearly 20 pounds while in SeaWorld’s care, was returned to the ocean at a healthy 98 pounds, able to forage for food on its own.

January 8, HSWRI Senior Research Scientist Dr. Brent Stewart outfitted the seal with a satellite transmitter. Dr. Stewart and fellow Senior Research Scientist Dr. Pam Yochem hope to track the seal’s movements at sea to learn more about where the species travels along with perhaps why. The transmitter will likely dislodge from the seal when she molts within the next six months or so. An adult male fur seal can grow to 6 feet and weigh up to 350 pounds. Females reach 4½ feet and weigh up to 100 pounds.

Donate Now

SeaWorld2
Every day in local laboratories and outposts in far away lands, the scientists at Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute work toward ensuring that human and animal populations may share a vibrant and healthy environment. Our vision is a world that can sustain its rich biodiversity to ensure a lasting prosperity for future generations. But we need your help. Please help us in our quest to leave behind a world that is a little better than we found it by making a tax-deductible online contribution today by clicking on the Make a Donation button below. Or if you prefer, you may mail or fax your contribution to us by clicking here for a printable Donor Intent Form.

Whatever amount you can give and whatever area of HSWRI science you choose to support, your gift will truly make a difference. If you would like more information please E-mail solutions@hswri.org or call Eileen Sigler at 619-226-3881. Thank you. Together we will continue “to return to the sea some measure of the benefits derived from it.”

Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity.

Explore That Store – Build Your Online Presence

Member Stories

January 15, 2015

01 Explore StoreExplore That Store is a marketing agency that specializes in building the online presence of all types of businesses, organizations and individuals. At the core of our business, we help businesses to connect with customers. We do this by improving visibility online to send more traffic to their place of business online and in the real world.

With an increasing number of people using cell phones and tablets as their primary internet source, having an internet presence that looks good on the mobile device is crucial. We help our customers with this by providing mobile-friendly websites, hosting and online marketing services ranging from directory optimization to social media marketing and on-site SEO.

Explore That Store optimizes information presented to the digital and vastly mobile world. We stay ahead of the latest changes in technology and pass that knowledge on to you.

Our clients range from franchises to shops, restaurants, nonprofits, cultural centers, real estate professionals, private bankers and entrepreneurs of all kinds and we work collaboratively with clients because no one knows their business as well as the business owner.

We are located in the North Park neighborhood central to all San Diego areas. We are accessible, responsive and dedicated; our number one service is to always provide outstanding customer service.

The Explore That Store team loves to enjoy great live music, comedy, food and the local craft beer scene in our spare time.

Berman Travel

Member Spotlight

January 15, 2015

01 BermanTravel
Celia Tryzbiak has been in the travel business for 10 years and specializes in making dream vacations come true. Whether the journey is large or small, we have you covered from air, land and sea! Travel is her passion.

Celia got her start in the travel business as a reservations specialist with American Express Vacations and worked her way up the corporate ladder. She specialized in many departments within the travel field such as groups, product management and finance. Celia is also trained in managing corporate travel, and can even help plan special events and wedding groups.

Celia currently specializes in luxury and leisure travel along with large and small business groups and would be honored to plan an incentive trip for your business.

Her customer service far exceeds expectations and will work day and night until she books the perfect vacation for your family or for any business travel needs!

Celia Tryzbiak
Berman Travel LLC
Luxury & Leisure Travel Specialist
Office: 619-458-9098
Direct: 610-751-4366
Email: celia@bermantravel.com
Website: www.bermantravel.com
** Specializing in the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Tahiti, Disney, Europe & Cruises **

Introducing: The Business Risk Review by Bellatrix PC

Member Spotlight

January 15, 2015

Comprehensive Risk Analysis for Your Business… At a Price You Can Live With!
01 BellatrixPC
Bellatrix PC is pleased to announce the launch of their new Business Risk Review service just in time for the New Year.

It’s no secret that every business faces potential legal issues. It’s simply a part of being in business. But if you’re like most business owners, you don’t really take the time to take inventory of your legal risks until after a problem arises. At that point, though… it’s too late to take steps to protect yourself and your business… and to minimize your exposure. As a business owner, it’s not a good position for you to be in. It can be enormously costly when a legal problem rears its ugly head… plus, it takes your time and attention away from what you should really be doing – running and growing your business!

At Bellatrix PC, we understand that small businesses are the backbone of our community. And we work hard to make sure that legal problems don’t strip away everything they’ve worked so hard to build. We’d rather see you invest in your company, your management, and the employees who count on you every day than pay for legal problems. So we’ve made it both easy and affordable to get a full business risk analysis, so that you can avoid unnecessary expenses and ensure the longevity of your company.

Bellatrix PC is a law firm that exists to help businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals thrive. We partner with our clients to solve their complex legal problems, resolve their lawsuits, ensure their ongoing legal compliance, mitigate their risks, protect them from predatory litigants and negotiate and close their deals.

The name Bellatrix comes from the third brightest star in Orion. At 8.4 times the Sun’s mass, this giant blue-white star is the standard for luminary measure. “Bellatrix” is also Latin for “Female Warrior,” referring to the firm’s status as 100% woman-owned.

Visit bellatrixlaw.com to learn more about our new Business Risk Review service.

Community Partner of the Month: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Team In Training

Community Partners

January 15, 2015

01 Team In Training
The Chamber is proud to announce its newest Community Partner of the year, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and its Team in Training Program!

About Team in Training
Team In Training (TNT) is the largest fundraising campaign of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and is the world’s leading sports charity training program. TNT participants have raised over $1.3 Billion for life saving cancer research therapies that are saving lives today. Individuals and teams commit to raising funds for blood cancer research and in exchange are provided with professional training to complete a marathon, half marathon, century cycle ride, triathlon or hike event.

Team in Training athletes have walked away with new friends, amazing accomplishments and the sense that they did something even more important than getting in good shape. In exchange for training and support, you help raise money towards cures for blood cancers like leukemia –the No. 1 disease killer of children — lymphoma and myeloma.

The Reason

  • Coaching and training
  • Travel to a major marathon, half marathon, century, hiking adventure or triathlon in exciting locations
  • The opportunity to make your athletic goals a reality (an unbeatable offer with great personal rewards)
  • A connection with an honored patient so you know just who and what you’re doing it all for

Join the thousands of runners, walkers, cyclists hikers, and triathletes who will participate in the world’s major marathons, half marathons, centuries, hiking adventures and triathlons this year. And if you’re looking for a program to fit your busy schedule, now there’s TNT Flex, a flexible, customized, online training option developed by TNT’s renowned coaches. If crossing the finish line after running or walking 26.2 miles or 13.1 miles, cycling 100 miles, completing a triathlon or hiking adventure while helping cure deadly diseases are things you’ve always wanted to accomplish, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training ® will make them happen.

Take the Next Step
Visit www.teamintraining.org/sd to learn more or contact Rick Rungaitis at (858) 427-6660. For more information on all the local campaigns for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, click here.

Recap: 2014 Legislative Lounge

Policy

November 18, 2014

Laughs at the Lounge

Leg Lounge Jerry Laughing
Thank you to everyone who joined the Chamber for the 2nd Annual Legislative Lounge event!

About 250 guests at the Hard Rock enjoyed celebrating our hard-working elected officials and unsung, behind-the-scenes staff. Special thanks to Mayor Kevin Faulconer for joining us, and being a good sport with his unconventional interview by Chamber CEO and President Jerry Sanders.

For a list of the 2014 Legislative Lounge honorees, click here and be sure to check out photos from the event on our Facebook page here.

Recap: Congressional Luncheon

Policy

April 27, 2014

Lunch and a Selfie

Congressional Selfie
The Chamber produced its annual Congressional Luncheon with nearly 600 attendees at the Marriott Marquis & Marina on April 27. Congress members Darrell Issa, Juan Vargas, Scott Peters and Susan Davis led a candid discussion on a variety of issues, including reliable water resources for San Diego, national security threats, presidential candidates, and student loan debt.

The Congress members took questions from the audience and the event received quite the attention on social media, especially on Twitter with the hashtag “DCinSD.” In that spirit, Chamber CEO and President Jerry Sanders took a “selfie” with the Congressional delegation.

If you were not able to attend this year, check out this recap by our moderator Gene Cubbison on NBC’s website and watch our highlight video:

2014 California Mexico Trade Initiative

EventEventsInternationalPolicy

April 24, 2014

1554560_863413467018371_634805797_nIn 2014, the San Diego Chamber led a high-level, bi-national delegation to Mexico City with more than 70 delegates including: California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom; San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer; Tijuana Mayor Dr. Jorge Astiazaran; San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox’ San Diego City Council President Todd Gloria; Imperial Beach Mayor Jim Janney; Mariano Escobedo, Office of Baja California Governor Francisco Vega; Mexico Consul General Remedios Gomez Arnau; US Consul General Andrew Erickson; and San Diego business leaders from varying industries including high tech, education, health care, maritime, energy, financial & legal firms, real estate, and transportation companies.

The trip included several high-level meetings with government officials in Mexico, including:
Dr. Sergio Alcocer, Undersecretary for North American Affairs at the Secretariat of Foreign Relations; U.S. Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne; Mexico’s Senate’s Commission on Border Issues; Queretaro Governor Jose Eduardo Calzada Rovirosa.

Other highlights from the trip included a tour of Bombardier plant in Queretaro; dinner with Luis de la Calle, former Undersecretary of International Business Negotiations at the Ministry of Economy in Mexico; and a visit to National Autonomous University of Mexico UNAM and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Over the course of the trip the delegation successfully advocated for the issues that are so important to the Cali-Baja mega region and pinpointed specific areas for collaboration, including, enhancing trade and commerce, development of educational exchange programs, promoting tourism, and transportation and infrastructure projects in the border region.

For more photos, check out our album on Facebook!

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