eNewMexican

CHAMBER

ACHIEVEMENTS

The mission of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce is

“to grow the local economy and serve as the voice of business.”

It is an important influence in the growth and prosperity of the Santa Fe community.

The Chamber Board of Directors identifies priorities that support the Chamber’s mission and create clear collaborations with other organizations. Chief among these are job creation, increasing the supply of income-appropriate housing, workforce development and business advocacy. Chamber programs and activities can be divided into four core competencies:

LOBBYING AS THE VOICE OF BUSINESS

Support the mission of Los Alamos National Laboratory and the resulting regional economic development;

Support, as a founding member, the Santa Fe Housing Action Coalition, “a broad-based community coalition dedicated to expanding the accessibility and affordability of quality housing options in Santa Fe through systemic change that benefits all residents. The coalition has come together to address the many issues currently impeding the accessibility of housing for all who want to live and work in Santa Fe by organizing, convening, educating, and mobilizing stakeholders to advocate for more community-responsive housing and land use policy.”

Support for additional flights and improvements, and lobbying successfully for the funding of Santa Fe Airport through the ‘Fly Santa Fe’ campaign;

Lobby for consistent local and state tourism-marketing funding;

Host conversations with municipal candidates, merchants’ meetings, legislative previews and other events to inform the electorate about candidates and legislative issues;

Host monthly breakfast events that draw dozens of business and community leaders;

Lobby to reduce unnecessary rules and regulations and to support common-sense business licensing;

Host a biweekly virtual Chamber Chat — conversations featuring a range of topics to keep businesses informed, engaged and connected.

GROWING THE LOCAL ECONOMY

Work with local merchant groups to address issues and to advocate for an improved business environment;

Host foreign trade and other industry groups that have interest in connecting with and investing in Santa Fe;

Connect businesses with government agencies, resources, partners and potential collaborators;

Celebrate new local businesses through ribbon cuttings and other ceremonies;

Diversify the local economy more than ever before, with healthcare, technology, government and creative sectors showing increasing strength;

Work to successfully improve broadband access, reduce regulations, create regional collaborations and strengthen relations with local and state government;

Create ‘Santa Fe Marketplace’ e-commerce site alongside City of Santa Fe Tourism to provide an online platform for businesses to sell products online;

Host the Business Expo and Career Resource Fair, which brings in hundreds of participants and exhibitors, featuring panels from top industry leaders for conversations about the entering the workforce in different business sectors.

PROMOTING A PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY

Host an annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon, with more than 300 attendees and a panel of successful women leaders from the local community;

Lobby for better public transportation;

Collaborate with administrators and elected officials on numerous programs to improve Santa Fe Public Schools;

Partner effectively with other businesses, community and nonprofit groups who work together to create a more diverse, prosperous, and healthy city economy.

CREATING CONNECTION OPPORTUNITIES

Host regular Chamber events that draw more than 4,000 attendees each year;

Offer membership benefits and member-to-member discounts;

Speed networking events to connect community members in a fast paced, one-on-one setting.

ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS

Increase community sponsorships for Chamber programs and events;

Create the Member of the Month program;

Send thousands of referrals, links, page views and online mentions to members’ businesses.

FRONT PAGE

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2022-03-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-03-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://enewmexican.com/article/281578064162063

Santa Fe New Mexican