The Ambassadors of The Chamber

"Business is great in Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara is great for business"

The Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce is a California non-profit corporation. The organization was founded in 1878 and incorporated in 1899. The Chamber is a business association representing some 2,000 local businesses. Governed by a 20 person volunteer board of directors and managed by a professional staff, the chamber operates a visitor center and a resource center. The Chamber's mission is to foster a vibrant economy and improve the quality of life for all who live and work in the region. Through it’s programs the Chamber generates more than $80 million in annual local business referrals. The chamber visitor center hosts 300,000 annual customers. The chamber website generates 14,000 hits per day. The Santa Barbara Chamber is the oldest and largest business organization in the Tri-County Region. In 2008, the Chamber will sponsor a trade mission to China, a speaker’s conference, an expanded virtual business environment, radio and television programs, a book and author festival and youth mentoring opportunities.

ANNUAL AWARDS

SANTA BARBARA REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE QUARTERLY AWARDS COMMITTEE SELECTION CRITERIA

DRAFT September 4, 2008

 

The Board has formed a sub-committee that will be composed of board members, ambassadors and staff that will solicit and select quarterly award winners for our four STAR awards. The committee will meet as needed to select the award winners. Current committee members are Steve Byrd, Steve Cushman, Joanne Funari, Marcia Reed, Mike Holliday.

 

Award winners will be announced in March, June, September and December.

 

Award winners will be invited to attend a board and business leaders meeting for recognition. They will be recognized in our newsletter, on our web site, on our radio programs, in print ads and at the annual dinner. They will be presented with an engraved, symbolic star. They will be invited to our annual dinner for recognition.

 

The board will select annual winners in each of the four categories, from the quarterly winners, for recognition at the annual dinner.

 

1. Business Innovation Star. This award is traditionally presented to an individual who has made a significant innovative contribution to positively impacting our world. Past winners include university chancellors, Nobel laureates, architects, researchers and inventors. This award was originally created to link the work at UCSB to the Chamber.

 

2. Community Collaboration Star. This award is made to a chamber business making a significant contribution to the quality of life and economic vitality of the Region. Past winners have been: Montecito Bank and Trust, Venoco, Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, Yardi Systems, and 50 others.

 

3. Businessman Star. This award is made to a chamber businessman, who through his actions is a role model for the local community. Past winners have been: Peter MacDougall, John Romo, John Davies and Michael Towbes.

 

4. Businesswoman Star

(Betty Hatch Award). This award is made to a chamber businesswoman, who through he actions is a role model for the local community. Past winners have been: Renee Grubb, Karen Chakel, and Phyllis DePichoto