The Chamber hosts a multitude of events and networking opportunities throughout the year, including:
Build Your Business (BYB) is a weekly networking meeting where you can meet and connect with fellow Chamber member businesses and enjoy a casual and informal setting to market your business, products, and/or services, and increase your referral base! The program is a fun, simple, and easy format. Come and join us for breakfast and network, network, network! BYB is currently held every Friday from 8am to 9am at Roscoe's Kitchen in Santa Maria. BYB is free for Chamber Members to attend and no registration is required.
Held the third Thursday of every other month from 5-7pm at a different Chamber member business, Chamber Mixers are your chance to network and learn more about the local businesses that make up the Santa Maria Valley community. Make new friends, reconnect with colleagues, and promote your business!
Chamber Ribbon Cuttings are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Chamber member businesses with the local community. New Chamber members and those celebrating a location change or significant anniversary are eligible to host a ribbon cutting to celebrate. Ribbon cuttings are open to the public and we encourage all to attend and celebrate local business with us!
The Chamber's Annual Award Gala gives us an opportunity to recognize local individuals, nonprofits, and businesses, as well as reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead. Awards presented each year include the Large and Small Businesses of the Year, Robert P. Hatch Citizen of the Year, and Robert F. Grogan Public Service Award.
The 2024 Annual Awards Gala will be held in September at Allan Hancock College's Fine Arts Center.
Held the first quarter of the year, the Chamber’s Business Expo has provided local businesses the chance to promote business-to-business and other opportunities for more than 20 years. Showcase your products/services, prospect for new customers and employees, and network with fellow Chamber members in a high-energy, exciting environment. This year's Expo will also include a job fair component for those looking to find employers.
Held in early April, the Chamber pays tribute to one of our foundational industries with a special recognition dinner to honor our growers, shippers, coolers, sales associations, and employees. In addition to industry highlights and entertainment, the evening also serves as a fundraiser to support scholarships awarded by the California Strawberry Commission.
The 2023 Strawberry Industry Recognition Dinner will take place in April. Stay tuned for additional details. For sponsorship information, contact Strategic Initiatives Manager Yuliana Nelson at yuliana@santamaria.com.
