Poway chamber leader sets goals
The Poway Chamber of Commerce will be looking for opportunities to further strengthen local businesses in its 60th year, said the chamber’s new board chairwoman, Linda Goycochea.
“We just hit our 60th year as a chamber, so our focus is ‘celebrating the past, but building the future,’?” said Goycochea, the branch manager for U.S. Bank at 13395 Poway Road, formerly San Diego National Bank.
The Poway Chamber of Commerce is a business association that serves as a resource for businesses in the Poway city limits, Poway Business Park, and surrounding communities. Its focus is on educating and supporting businesses of all sizes. The chamber hosts educational workshops (on topics such as sales and marketing), and offers networking (such as with its business expo and two street fairs every year), and more. The chamber has also worked with city government on economic development projects.
“We’re always looking for ways to assist nonprofits and businesses trying to get a start,” said Goycochea, who was installed as chairwoman last week to head the board beginning July 1, the start of the chamber’s fiscal year. “The chamber is extremely approachable and is always looking for creative ways to assist and help businesses.”
For example, last year the Poway chamber worked creatively with the City of Poway to launch the “Poway Your First Choice” program. Participating merchants display a green “Shop Poway and Save” decal in their store windows and offer customers a discount. The program, which encourages consumers to shop locally, helps sales volume for businesses along with the discount for customers. It’s a program that’s open to both member and non-member businesses, and the chamber is aiming to expand it.
“We’re continuing to expand (the program) and spread the word,” she said.
One of Goycochea’s goals as chairwoman will be to continue to expand the business community’s knowledge of the chamber and how it can assist businesses. Her other goals include continuing to have a balanced budget, and the chamber’s availability to its members. Currently businesses receive monthly outreach calls by board members and committee members, she noted.
“We contact our members on the phone so there’s more of a connection,” Goycochea said. “So if anyone has questions or concerns, it’s certainly a good opportunity to voice them.”
The chamber’s main focus is to sustain local businesses and increase member retention, said Luanne Hulsizer, president and CEO of Poway Chamber of Commerce. During this current economic recession, all chambers have seen decreases in membership. The Poway chamber, however, outperformed the Southern California average for chamber member retention, said Hulsizer, citing statistics by the Western Association of Chamber Executives. Another focus, Hulsizer added, is to continue this past year’s increase in participation in chamber events (which are open to members and non-members).
Goycochea has volunteered with the Poway chamber since 2007, including joining the board two years ago and serving on its Membership and Marketing Committee.
She previously volunteered and worked with San Diego North Chamber of Commerce from 2005 to 2007, and years ago worked with the Escondido Chamber of Commerce. Her community outreach experience includes being involved with the Rotary Club of Poway and the Business Advisory Council for the Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation.
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