a strong local economy , creating network opportunities , promoting our community , representing local business interests to regional and state government , and political action .”
When it comes to building a strong local economy , Turner said “ It ’ s about getting our community to shift their spending habits by shopping locally , especially those who work outside of Gilroy . Even a 10 percent change makes a huge difference .”
The City of Gilroy provides the Chamber with its RFPs so the Chamber can notify local businesses of opportunities . Chamber members often provide each other with referrals and discounts . This can be a real benefit to small business as well as some of the largest members such as the Gilroy Unified School District .
“ On the politics and policymaking front , we ’ re constantly tracking activity by state lawmakers ,” Turner said . “ Our government relations committee makes recommendations to Chamber members about new legislation coming out of Sacramento .”
“ We meet six times a year with the Silicon Valley Coalition of Chambers . We can make our voices heard louder and stronger together , as we did recently on the issue of the minimum wage increase .”
The Gilroy Chamber sponsored the March 1st State of the City address by Mayor Roland Velasco . On April 20th , it will host the Fifth Annual Legislative Summit at the Hilton Garden Inn . The Summit provides a platform for Q & A with our region ’ s key representatives : Zoe Lofgren , Jimmy Panetta , Bill Monning , Anna Caballero , Mike Wasserman , John Varela , and the Mayors of Gilroy and Morgan Hill . The Chamber will also be hosting a State Assembly Candidates ’ Forum .
As Turner explained it , “ This is how we represent local business interests to government through our elected officials . Through forums that encourage friendly debate and spark productive conversations , person to person .”
Planting Seeds
Gilroy ’ s Economic Development Corporation , led by Tammy Brownlow , and the Gilroy Welcome Center , managed by Jane Howard , are both offspring of the Chamber that spun off years ago . “ Today , we ’ re all strategic partners ,” Turner said .
The Chamber also facilitates a connection between the business and education sectors of Gilroy . “ We liked what John Horner had done with ‘ Rock the Mock ,’ and we adopted it with a few tweaks to fit our community ’ s needs .” The event connects high school students with local business and community leaders in mock job interviews . The kids learn to dress for success , ace a job interview , and establish a good social media presence .
“ At last year ’ s Rock the Mock I gave a talk about the six words to remember in the business world . . . Show Up and Do Your Job . I talked about earning money mowing lawns as a kid . And the time I got a pink slip early in my career and learned to keep going after a setback . The kids enjoyed it . At this year ’ s Rock the Mock , we had a job fair and by the end of it , 35 students had landed summer or part-time jobs with local employers .”
This summer , the Garlic City Car Show will return . The Chamber has been running the event for two years and according to Turner , “ we took it up a notch or two .”
In the fall , the Chamber will support the Gilroy Gardens annual Business Expo , during which the park is open to the public and residents can connect with local business owners . The event typically draws up to 1,000 attendees .
Last year the Chamber also tried a new idea . “ Pumpkin People was a great promotion to get people into the local restaurants through the month of October ,” Turner said . “ Chefs created special dishes that included pumpkin as an ingredient . Restaurant goers got their passports stamped with each sampling of a pumpkin dish at a participating restaurant . Meanwhile , Gilroy residents decorated their yards with Pumpkin People . The community really got into the spirit of the event .”
A Place for Arts & Tourism
Gilroy has a strong heritage as a community that has embraced music , theater , and fine arts .
According to Turner , “ Art is an asset that brings locals and visitors to our downtown . We ’ ve commissioned an Italian artist , Gianni Martino , to create a mural celebrating the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley . In September he ’ ll begin work on an 18x45 foot mural on the CMAP building . Most people don ’ t realize that California ’ s wine industry began right here in South County and it ’ s a growing industry . The mural will help tell that story .”
Knowing that sports events are a big draw in communities like Gilroy that have young families , the Chamber ’ s “ wishlist ” includes a 5K and 10K Fun Run . Its members hope to implement such an event this year .
The Relationship Guy
Eric Howard serves the Chamber as its Business Relationship Manager . Howard is a former retailer and partner in a dealership . He ’ s got some majorly impressive boxing memorabilia on his office wall . For the past two years Eric has been involved with membership , organizing mixers and breakfast meetings , being an ambassador , and helping to run the annual business expo , among other things .
“ Mark is an outstanding leader , even tempered with a good sense of humor and an amazing work ethic ,” Howard said .
“ I love this staff and we have a great board that ’ s focused on helping our membership . As a small business , you have one voice . In the Chamber , you ’ re part of a 700-member organization representing about 15,000 employees . It ’ s easier to make your voice heard .”
The Front Office
The Chamber ’ s Membership Support and Engagement Coordinator is Candace van Sambeek . Her focus is marketing , notably social media and email campaign management . She ’ s also been serving as an administrative assistant to the Gilroy Economic Development Corporation .
“ All my work is very mission driven ,” van Sambeek said . “ The people here are great to work with and there ’ s always a lot going on in Gilroy . We don ’ t have a slow month around here . Everybody
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