Looking Forward to 2015
Happy New Year
It’s almost here…..2015!
I am amazed at how fast this year has gone by. They used to tell me, “Wait until you’re older, the years will flash by” and I have to say, I am officially “old” because each year seems like it goes by faster and faster!!!
I have spent the last quarter of 2014 planning the new year and I am excited to FINALLY be able to tell you about some of the new programs and events the Chamber will host in the new year. Each new program is intended to add value and promotion to our members and will help us achieve our mission of “Creating a Community Where Business Thrives”
Leadership Tracy
This new program is intended to develop a new community of leaders through a 7 month course dedicated to creating a stronger sense of awareness of the services provided in Tracy. This program will also serve as a networking opportunity for businesses to meet and connect with each other as well as with key leaders in the community. The goal of this program is to expand leadership skills, knowledge, and influence in the community to create a stronger community with great leaders.
Small Business Workshops
The Small Business Workshops will prepare our businesses for success. The Chamber will host business classes every other month starting in February to provide the opportunity to educate, mentor and support small business. The Small Business Workshops will include business topics that will increase skills, knowledge, and profitability for businesses. Examples of classes include social media, accounting/HR, profitability/margins, hiring/retaining employees, and strategic goal setting. Our goal with these workshops are to provide advice and ideas for businesses to improve their processes and strategies as well as obtain better results in their business.
Business Forum & Real Estate Round-Up
This new program is intended to build economic awareness through an informational tour of the City to showcase new commercial/residential development. After the tour, attendees will be shuttled to the Tracy Community for a luncheon. At the luncheon, speakers will provide updates on economic development and major projects in Tracy. Attendees will have access to network with business leaders in several different industries as well as hear a forecast of what to expect in 2015.
Business Walk & Retention/Expansion Visits
In 2015 the Chamber will focus its efforts to understand the business needs of Tracy. We intend to compile information and feedback through several different surveys, visits, and interactions with businesses. We can’t begin to develop solutions or ideas unless we know the issues or problems businesses are facing the most in our community. If your business is sent a survey or visited in 2015, I hope you will take a couple minutes from your busy day to share with us your honest thoughts of the business climate in Tracy. Through these surveys and visits we intend to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement in order to better serve our businesses.
I hope your business will take advantage of some of the new programs the Chamber will launch in the new year. Feedback and input from our members will be critical for us in 2015, so please send our comments, ideas our way!
Cheers, and Best Wishes for a prosperous 2015!
-Sofia Valenzuela, CEO, Tracy Chamber of Commerce, svalenzuela@tracychamber.org