Network with business and community leaders and get a sneak peek of our new programs at the Visalia Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 Annual Meeting happening May 15th at the Lamp Liter Inn.  Please join us as we reinstate this annual meeting (otherwise known as the “state of the Chamber”) and recognize the stars of the community and business arena.  Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. and the cost is $20 for members and $50 for future members.

During March and April the Governmental Affairs Council (GAC) debated whether or not to recommend to the Chamber Board that it support or oppose the propositions that were recently placed on the May 19, 2009 Special  Election ballot.  These measures were part of the “budget deal” that was worked out by the Governor and the Legislature.

Houses are starting to sell again, businesses are posting “help wanted” signs, and the Visalia Rawhide have started their season with a 10 game winning streak.   Temperatures are rising, schools are busy testing students, and the Chamber is busy preparing for our twin annual rites of spring – the annual Membership Meeting and the Chamber’s Annual Awards Celebration featuring our Man and Woman of the Year selections along with a number of business of the year honors.   All of the signs are in place … it must be spring!

The new Visalia Map is just the marketing tool member businesses can profit from, as the Map reaches newcomers and visitors every day throughout the year.  In full-color this year, thousands of colorful Maps will be given out by the Visalia Chamber of Commerce.

Have you ever asked yourself “Do I have what it takes to be a business owner?”  Many of us dream of being our own boss, and can easily imagine creating something that says “This is my vision for a small business, and the tangible evidence of my goals fulfilled.”  What you may not know is that many successful entrepreneurs have similar traits and characteristics.

Complexities in a family firm result from the conflict that is generated from the intersection of the family firm’s three domains, namely: Family, Ownership and Management.

Forbes.com list ranks U.S. cities for job growth and business climate.

Everywhere we turn today we hear the word “crisis”... we have an economic crisis, an energy crisis, a housing crisis.  We also toss around the “billion” dollar figure like it is pennies.  Our state and national economy is short billions of dollars, a billion here, a billion there.

On the morning of March 18, the members of SRL boarded a train in Hanford for a busy trip to Sacramento.  After discussing Local/State Government, we arrived in Sacramento.  With less than 48 hours to visit the State’s Capitol, the class had to follow a tight agenda.

Finally!  Full-blown construction efforts have resumed on Mooney Boulevard with work in Stage 1C (Sunnyside to Packwood) expected to be completed in the next couple of weeks, at which time work will begin on the north side of the street.