Chamber Blog

World famous gymnast speaks at Rancho Santa Margarita breakfast meeting

Peter Vidmar gives inspirational message to local chamber of commerce members.

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA - An Olympic gold medalist spoke to more than 100 business leaders and city officials today about the importance of putting in just a little extra effort in life, sports and commerce.

The Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce and the city presented the 2008 Economic Development breakfast, which featured the world famous gymnast Peter Vidmar as a keynote speaker this morning.

Vidmar, of Coto de Caza, told attendees about some of his triumphs and failures in the world of gymnastics, with humor and humility.

"I learned it's OK to fail as long as you learn something," Vidmar said at the William Lyon Ballroom in the Bell Tower Regional Community Center.

Vidmar, who won two gold medals and one silver in the 1984 Olympics, said that winning in sports is not about working twice as much as the other athletes, it's about working just a little bit more. He added that business could benefit from this perspective.

"That last client … is just as important, maybe more important to the bottom line, than the first client," Vidmar said. When he finished his speech he did a back flip.

Other speakers included Mayor Neil Blais and David Deweese, incoming Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce president.

Blais listed some programs the city is working on to help local businesses, including beautifying local signs and creating a free business registration program. He said some topics that Rancho businesses are concerned with are marketing and traffic accessibility.

"We've listened to you," Blais said. "We've worked very hard to try to satisfy some of these issues."

Read full story [Orange County Register]

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Video

Opening Video for 50th Anniversary of Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Greater Hall Chamber celebrates 100 years on May 2, 2008

GAINESVILLE - The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 100th Anniversary with the Celebration of the Century at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 2. The event will take place atop the Hall County parking deck overlooking downtown Gainesville.

Entertainment includes a special production by area talent to recap the Chamber's history, special recognition of past leaders and more. A special highlight of the evening will be a laser show cast upon downtown buildings. Food will be provided by Luna's Restaurant.

Click here to read full story [AccessNorthGa.com]

Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Promo Video

A video depicting the successes of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce in 2007

Creation of the Dominican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida.- The Dominican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida (DCCCF) was officially established to help the growing Dominican business owners and the Dominican and Hispanic community of the region.

“We as Dominicans took an important step today. This Chamber is a non-profit, non-political membership organization promoting the trade and business interests of its members and the economic, commercial, and financial growth and social well being of Dominican and Hispanic community of Central Florida” said Mr. Luis P. Puesan, president and founder of the DCCCF, during the ceremony. “Another of our main goals is to influence public policy on business issues and initiatives that impact Hispanics and other ethnic groups’ businesses and the community of Central Florida; and to promote commercial exchange between the Dominican Republic and the State of Florida.”

During the ceremony the Board of Directors signed the Article of Incorporation and Bylaws that established this chamber of commerce.

Read full story [dominican today]

Donor gives D.C. Chamber of Commerce $1M for research center

An anonymous donor has dropped $1 million at the D.C. Chamber of Commerce's doorstep, as part of the chamber's plan to improve economic research in the city. For close to a year, the chamber has been crafting plans for the Center for Smart Business Policy, a think tank that will tackle ways to diversify the city's business sector, encourage entrepreneurship and boost other elements of D.C.'s economy. Barbara Lang, the chamber's president, said the center will need about $4 million when fully operational with five employees, but the recent donation will be enough to get things started. The $1 million will be spread over the next five years, and an initial installment of $175,000 will pay for an executive director's salary, research operations and general costs of running the center.

Read full story [Washington Business Journal]