/24-7PressRelease/ - SANTA MONICA, CA, July 02, 2008 - Coming together as more of an old-fashioned "town meeting" - City, Chamber and community leaders will join up on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica for State of the City Part II. A VIP reception will be held prior to the luncheon with a welcome from the Mayor, Herb Katz. On the agenda for the luncheon (12 - 2 pm) is an in-depth discussion on the most pressing economic issues affecting the City in 2008 and 2009 by panelists Mayor Herb Katz, City Manager P. Lamont Ewell, Chamber President/CEO Laurel Rosen, Bayside District Corporation Executive Director Kathleen Rawson, Santa Monica Pier Restoration Executive Director, Past Santa Monica Chamber Chairman Tom Larmore, Ben Franz-Knight and Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau President/CEO Misti Kerns. City Manager P. Lamont Ewell will also present the 2009 budget overview.
"Because State of the City part one was so effective, most all in attendance requested another forum for this year hence part two," said Chamber President/CEO Laurel Rosen. "This time we will be focusing on the economic state for 2009 giving residents and business owners a chance to ask questions of their community leaders."
State of the City Part I was held in January of this year and had a more formal setting where panelists discussed their goals for 2008, including the projected effects of our changing economy, new construction projects and general plan update on local businesses and residents. Part II is designed to create a conversational format where panelists will sit in club chairs. More than 200 business and community leaders, including Chamber members, past Chamber chairs and emerging business leaders will write down their questions that will be read off to the designated panelist to answer. Each panelist will address such issues like how does the state of our economy affect our city budget? How does it affect our tourism? How does it affect our local businesses?
"Macerich is very pleased to be the title sponsor for State of the City. As a company headquartered in Santa Monica, we believe wholeheartedly in taking an active role in the community - and we do, from our involvement in the LUCE process to ongoing Chamber of Commerce initiatives to the Bayside board, light rail community meetings, and especially the volunteer commitments of our employees," said Randy Brant, Executive Vice President of Macerich Real Estate. "We know it's important to be involved and realize the well-being of the local community is integral to our work wherever we do business. This is particularly true in Santa Monica."
The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in the Santa Monica Community. The Chamber's Business Roundtable is made up of 30 local leaders who meet regularly with city officials. The Government Affairs Committee, open to all Chamber members, tracks important issues affecting the business community and advocates for solutions that improve the local business climate. Recent issues the Chamber has played a role in shaping local policy on include: changes to the no-smoking ordinance, General Plan Update planning and upcoming construction projects. The Government Affairs Committee meets on the first Monday of each month.
For State of the City II tickets or sponsorship information please call (310) 393-9825 or visit online at http://www.smchamber.com. Presale tickets for chamber members $60, non-members $65. At the door $65 chamber members, $70 non-members.
About Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce advocates and represents businesses' interests and issues affecting the community. We provide the environment to help our members prosper and succeed through a proactive working partnership with all levels of government and community organizations to achieve a healthy local economy and quality of life. The Chamber provides a wide range of community and member services, including community events The Taste of Santa Monica, Non-Profit Festival, Business Expo and Health Festival. Get involved: http://www.smchamber.com.
Chamber Contact: Samantha O'Neil
Santa Monica Chamber / 310-393-9825
Media Contact: Maria Losch
maria@loschpr.com
Losch PR / 310-450-7320
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