News & Press Room

Monthly Newsletter — February, 2010

The Chamber publishes a monthly Newsletter full of information for and about the business community.

S.B. Region Chamber hands out awards: Business Star Awards — January 30, 2010 6:00 AM

Sentimental favorite is S.B. Bank & Trust VP who donated kidney to an employee

SONIA FERNANDEZ, NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
January 30, 2010 6:00 AM

A who's who of Santa Barbara business converged at the Coral Casino on Friday for the Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce's annual membership meeting and awards lunch. The meeting, the 121st of its kind, was meant to honor members for their exemplary contributions, usher in new leadership and set the tone for the year to come.

"Business is great. Buy local. Give a kid a job," was the message Chamber President Steve Cushman had for the audience Friday.

Despite the worst national economy in generations and the effect it had locally, Santa Barbara continues to be a good place to do business, Mr. Cushman said. Additionally, giving local youth work will not only provide them a means to earn money but also a way to achieve their goals and keep the at-risk ones from making the wrong choices in life, he said.

The well-attended affair also featured several public officials, performances by talented San Marcos High School students, and a running joke on who had the best job.

Luncheon speakers also recapped the Chamber's work over the past year, through fires, economic downturn and a controversial city election. According to outgoing chair Steve Amerikaner, the Chamber still managed to progress in the areas of giving, civil discourse over sticky issues, and politics, with its public opposition of Measure B and the proposed building heights limit charter amendment which was voted down at the polls.

"This is a very important lesson for those of us in the business community who wonder if we should be actively involved in politics," he said, noting the Chamber's influence on local politics.