Chamber Makes Headlines
Surprise Chamber to resume events
Annual Update to restart year at West-MEC
JASON STONE/INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA
PICTURE: The West-MEC Northwest Campus will host the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Chamber Economic Update event on June 18.
Posted Wednesday, May 12, 2021 12:45 pm
IF YOU GO
What: Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Chamber Economic Update
When: 7 a.m. Friday, June 18
Where: West-MEC Northwest Campus, 13201 W. Grand Ave.
Tickets: $15 members, $45 non-members, $750 sponsorship
Information: surpriseregionalchamber.com
The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce is returning to live events for the first time since the COVID-19 shutdown more than 12 months ago.
The chamber said it plans to capitalize on positive news about the economy by opening up the year with its popular Annual Economic Update.
“There is a lot of talk and economic predictions that we could see a very robust recovery,” said Raoul Sada, president and CEO of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Some experts are even predicting our GDP will return to pre-COVID levels this quarter, and by the fourth quarter of the year, the economy will exceed its pre-pandemic trajectory. This is welcomed news for our local business community.”
This year’s economic update will feature two well-known economists, Jim Rounds of Rounds Consulting, and Curtis Dubay, senior economist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Both guests and their reports are frequently cited in business publications, newspaper stories, TV and radio broadcasts and government reports.
“Having both experts address our local business community will be a wonderful way to begin our return to normalcy,” Mr. Sada said.
The Surprise chamber lobbied hard for legislation Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law that provided businesses, nursing homes and others a broad shield from lawsuits related to COVID-19.
Mr. Sada said the bill’s recent passage made the chamber’s decision to meet in person easier. He said it still plans to follow public health protections.
Mr. Dubay of the U.S. Chamber calls the recovery the “great resurgence” and cited the U.S.’s first-quarter economic data showed 6.4% growth for the first three months of the year.
That’s the second-highest quarterly growth in nearly two decades — behind only the 33.4% rate in the third quarter last year as the economy emerged from its large-scale summer lockdown.
In a recent chamber article, Mr. Dubay said: “This could be the beginning of the Great Resurgence — assuming we continue to gain control over the pandemic and that policymakers do not pass harmful legislation that will harm small businesses.”
Mary Orta, vice president of marketing for the chamber, said, “small businesses have been on the front lines when it comes to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the community is very keen to getting the inside scoop on current and prospective economic trends.”
Ms. Orta said interest is high to have the opportunity to connect with peers and start building up community networks.
“There is a lot to be optimistic about right now in our economy,” Mr. Sada said.
The chamber’s Annual Economic Update will give our local businesses community direct access to want the experts are predicting and a chance to meet in person once again.
For information about the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce, go to SurpriseRegionalChamber.com.
Annual Update to restart year at West-MEC
JASON STONE/INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA
PICTURE: The West-MEC Northwest Campus will host the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Chamber Economic Update event on June 18.
Posted Wednesday, May 12, 2021 12:45 pm
IF YOU GO
What: Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Chamber Economic Update
When: 7 a.m. Friday, June 18
Where: West-MEC Northwest Campus, 13201 W. Grand Ave.
Tickets: $15 members, $45 non-members, $750 sponsorship
Information: surpriseregionalchamber.com
The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce is returning to live events for the first time since the COVID-19 shutdown more than 12 months ago.
The chamber said it plans to capitalize on positive news about the economy by opening up the year with its popular Annual Economic Update.
“There is a lot of talk and economic predictions that we could see a very robust recovery,” said Raoul Sada, president and CEO of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Some experts are even predicting our GDP will return to pre-COVID levels this quarter, and by the fourth quarter of the year, the economy will exceed its pre-pandemic trajectory. This is welcomed news for our local business community.”
This year’s economic update will feature two well-known economists, Jim Rounds of Rounds Consulting, and Curtis Dubay, senior economist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Both guests and their reports are frequently cited in business publications, newspaper stories, TV and radio broadcasts and government reports.
“Having both experts address our local business community will be a wonderful way to begin our return to normalcy,” Mr. Sada said.
The Surprise chamber lobbied hard for legislation Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law that provided businesses, nursing homes and others a broad shield from lawsuits related to COVID-19.
Mr. Sada said the bill’s recent passage made the chamber’s decision to meet in person easier. He said it still plans to follow public health protections.
Mr. Dubay of the U.S. Chamber calls the recovery the “great resurgence” and cited the U.S.’s first-quarter economic data showed 6.4% growth for the first three months of the year.
That’s the second-highest quarterly growth in nearly two decades — behind only the 33.4% rate in the third quarter last year as the economy emerged from its large-scale summer lockdown.
In a recent chamber article, Mr. Dubay said: “This could be the beginning of the Great Resurgence — assuming we continue to gain control over the pandemic and that policymakers do not pass harmful legislation that will harm small businesses.”
Mary Orta, vice president of marketing for the chamber, said, “small businesses have been on the front lines when it comes to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the community is very keen to getting the inside scoop on current and prospective economic trends.”
Ms. Orta said interest is high to have the opportunity to connect with peers and start building up community networks.
“There is a lot to be optimistic about right now in our economy,” Mr. Sada said.
The chamber’s Annual Economic Update will give our local businesses community direct access to want the experts are predicting and a chance to meet in person once again.
For information about the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce, go to SurpriseRegionalChamber.com.
Ottawa-Arizona’s campus will host the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce’s business expo on Oct. 9.
Posted Wednesday, April 21, 2021 3:29 pm
The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of its inaugural business event, called “Celebrating Community: Business Expo.”
The free event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 8 on the Ottawa-Arizona campus for the communities of Surprise, El Mirage, Sun City, Sun City West, Waddell and Youngtown.
“We, like our entire business sector, have felt the impact of COVID-19 in our day-to-day businesses, so we want to do something concrete to help kickstart the business community,” said Raoul Sada, president and CEO of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce.
For years, the Surprise chamber, along with five other chambers, have organized an event called the Biz-2-Biz Expo in Glendale each year.
While the chamber still plans to participate in the multi-chamber event, it felt the northwest Valley market has grown sufficiently large enough to support another local event for the six cities in the region.
“We will create a fun day out of the office where the focus is networking, learning opportunities, and engaging members of the community,” said Mary Orta, vice president of marketing and membership for the chamber. “There has been a need for some time for a local show, and now is the right time to push ahead with our plans.”
Mr. Sada said the name for the event and the theme of “celebrating” is very much in order after a year-long crisis.
“The Celebrating Community-Business Expo reflects the Chamber’s fervently held belief that the health of the business community and the health of the larger community in which it lives are inseparable,” Mr. Sada said. “Building stronger communities is what our Chamber of Commerce is all about. The event is natural for the chamber.”
Mr. Sada said having the Ottawa campus with all its new facilities was definitely a “game-changer.”
“Having space, educational resources, and the beautiful campus will allow us the showcase not only Ottawa University, but the entire Civic Center and City Center,” Mr. Sada said.
The Celebrating Community Business Expo will showcase local and regional businesses, tourism assets, restaurants, entertainment venues, educational resources, medical and health, fitness organizations and more.
“We welcome all businesses to get behind this new initiative and take part in what will be a new and exciting marketing and networking venue,” Ms. Orta said. “Unique sponsorship and partnership opportunities will be available, and we will make an effort to have businesses created more interactive experiences for the consumers.”
For information on the event, click here.
Ottawa-Arizona’s campus will host the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce’s business expo on Oct. 9.
Posted Wednesday, April 21, 2021 3:29 pm
The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of its inaugural business event, called “Celebrating Community: Business Expo.”
The free event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 8 on the Ottawa-Arizona campus for the communities of Surprise, El Mirage, Sun City, Sun City West, Waddell and Youngtown.
“We, like our entire business sector, have felt the impact of COVID-19 in our day-to-day businesses, so we want to do something concrete to help kickstart the business community,” said Raoul Sada, president and CEO of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce.
For years, the Surprise chamber, along with five other chambers, have organized an event called the Biz-2-Biz Expo in Glendale each year.
While the chamber still plans to participate in the multi-chamber event, it felt the northwest Valley market has grown sufficiently large enough to support another local event for the six cities in the region.
“We will create a fun day out of the office where the focus is networking, learning opportunities, and engaging members of the community,” said Mary Orta, vice president of marketing and membership for the chamber. “There has been a need for some time for a local show, and now is the right time to push ahead with our plans.”
Mr. Sada said the name for the event and the theme of “celebrating” is very much in order after a year-long crisis.
“The Celebrating Community-Business Expo reflects the Chamber’s fervently held belief that the health of the business community and the health of the larger community in which it lives are inseparable,” Mr. Sada said. “Building stronger communities is what our Chamber of Commerce is all about. The event is natural for the chamber.”
Mr. Sada said having the Ottawa campus with all its new facilities was definitely a “game-changer.”
“Having space, educational resources, and the beautiful campus will allow us the showcase not only Ottawa University, but the entire Civic Center and City Center,” Mr. Sada said.
The Celebrating Community Business Expo will showcase local and regional businesses, tourism assets, restaurants, entertainment venues, educational resources, medical and health, fitness organizations and more.
“We welcome all businesses to get behind this new initiative and take part in what will be a new and exciting marketing and networking venue,” Ms. Orta said. “Unique sponsorship and partnership opportunities will be available, and we will make an effort to have businesses created more interactive experiences for the consumers.”
For information on the event, click here.
Surprise chamber starts new ad campaign
Year-long effort to promote its activities
Posted Wednesday, April 28, 2021 12:00 am
The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce has begun a new ad campaign to promote its activities.
The new year-long campaign is a straightforward approach to answering the question, “What does a chamber do?”
The crafted ads proclaim “The chamber Is…” with ten options of “C” words and accompanying copy to answer that question.
The ten terms include commitment, change, credibility, connection, collaboration, community, current, culture, counsel and courage. The ads appear on social media, Google ads and monthly media ads in newspapers, including the Surprise Independent.
The advertising campaign results from the “Defining the Promise of the Chamber of Commerce in the 21st Century” study that was released by a national marketing and advertising firm called BrandBirth at an annual conference of chamber CEOs.
According to the study, chambers exist to be the catalyst for business growth, the convener for leaders and influencers, and the champion for stronger communities. This was the birth of the 3Cs, and is now a nationwide movement.
“Much like any organization that performs a study, the next question revolved around what to do with the information,” said Raoul Sada, president and CEO of the Surprise chamber.
After a lot of discussions, the chamber organization approved the proposal to move forward with the creation of an ad campaign that would help chambers live the 3C brand and communicate it to their members and local communities. More importantly, the campaign was designed to create a consistent brand for chambers industry-wide.”
The Chamber selected Independent Newsmedia as the primary digital and print provider because it is local and has a far-reaching influence in three major cities in the chamber’s service territory: Surprise, Sun City and Sun City West.
“This is one the most significant effort I’ve seen in our industry to unite all chambers in the country around a common set of core values,” said Raoul Sada, president and CEO of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This is revolutionary for our industry.”
The Chamber has also designed unique ads to reach the Independent Newsmedia’s online audience, said Mary Orta, VP of marketing and memberships for the chamber.
“You do not want to put all your eggs in one basket,” Ms. Orta said.“ Investing all our time and money in only one marketing medium is risky. This balanced, yearlong, multifaceted approach will reach a variety of audiences by including a combination of monthly newspaper print ads, digital ads, and email marketing.”
The timing is excellent as well, Ms. Orta said, since the media launch off coincides with a sharp rise in chamber memberships as businesses are gearing up for the post-COVID recovery.
The mission of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce is to champion economic prosperity, foster a pro-business climate, and improve the quality of life in our region.
For information on the Chamber of Commerce, go to surpriseregionalchamber.com.
Sample Ads
Year-long effort to promote its activities
Posted Wednesday, April 28, 2021 12:00 am
The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce has begun a new ad campaign to promote its activities.
The new year-long campaign is a straightforward approach to answering the question, “What does a chamber do?”
The crafted ads proclaim “The chamber Is…” with ten options of “C” words and accompanying copy to answer that question.
The ten terms include commitment, change, credibility, connection, collaboration, community, current, culture, counsel and courage. The ads appear on social media, Google ads and monthly media ads in newspapers, including the Surprise Independent.
The advertising campaign results from the “Defining the Promise of the Chamber of Commerce in the 21st Century” study that was released by a national marketing and advertising firm called BrandBirth at an annual conference of chamber CEOs.
According to the study, chambers exist to be the catalyst for business growth, the convener for leaders and influencers, and the champion for stronger communities. This was the birth of the 3Cs, and is now a nationwide movement.
“Much like any organization that performs a study, the next question revolved around what to do with the information,” said Raoul Sada, president and CEO of the Surprise chamber.
After a lot of discussions, the chamber organization approved the proposal to move forward with the creation of an ad campaign that would help chambers live the 3C brand and communicate it to their members and local communities. More importantly, the campaign was designed to create a consistent brand for chambers industry-wide.”
The Chamber selected Independent Newsmedia as the primary digital and print provider because it is local and has a far-reaching influence in three major cities in the chamber’s service territory: Surprise, Sun City and Sun City West.
“This is one the most significant effort I’ve seen in our industry to unite all chambers in the country around a common set of core values,” said Raoul Sada, president and CEO of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This is revolutionary for our industry.”
The Chamber has also designed unique ads to reach the Independent Newsmedia’s online audience, said Mary Orta, VP of marketing and memberships for the chamber.
“You do not want to put all your eggs in one basket,” Ms. Orta said.“ Investing all our time and money in only one marketing medium is risky. This balanced, yearlong, multifaceted approach will reach a variety of audiences by including a combination of monthly newspaper print ads, digital ads, and email marketing.”
The timing is excellent as well, Ms. Orta said, since the media launch off coincides with a sharp rise in chamber memberships as businesses are gearing up for the post-COVID recovery.
The mission of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce is to champion economic prosperity, foster a pro-business climate, and improve the quality of life in our region.
For information on the Chamber of Commerce, go to surpriseregionalchamber.com.
Sample Ads
February 17, 2021
BUSINESS
Sada: 2021 brings opportunities for businesses
Posted Wednesday, 12:00 am
This is an open letter to all elected officials at the federal, state and local levels:
This year will represent countless opportunities to support small businesses and entrepreneurs everywhere.
As elected officials, the responsibility that comes with your position can not be understated, and we call on you to be vigilant in protecting free enterprise and our small business community.
The six cities in our region (Surprise, El Mirage, Sun City, Sun City West, Waddell and Youngtown) continue to experience uneven economic recovery, and countless businesses are still struggling to remain open.
The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce and the small business community stand ready to help, we are resilient, and our elected leaders at all levels must take to bold steps to support a pro-business agenda that supports the entire business community.
The means restoring good governance, focusing on things that help businesses and not bring back excessive regulations, ordinances and taxes. Supporting a pro-business climate includes creating jobs, the equitable distribution of transportation tax dollars in Arizona, building our infrastructure, liability protections for businesses related to COVID-19 and fully funding local and state economic development entities/departments as outlined in our legislative agendas.
We look forward to working with you, as well as our 5,000-plus businesses in the northwest Valley. This year will provide new opportunities for the business community, and we need your help to do everything possible to unleash a robust economic recovery.
Your unbridled support of free enterprise fosters competition, which means that more companies open up, more innovation, more jobs, our quality-of-life increases, and our communities get stronger.
Private property, economic freedom, economic incentives, competitive markets, and the government’s limited role are the characteristics that define free enterprise.
We look forward to endorsing candidates based on their commitment to the free enterprise system.
Editor’s Note: Mr. Sada is the president and CEO of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce.
October 20, 2020
Surprise chamber pushes for more advocacy... Mixers have given way to election endorsements
JASON STONE/INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA
Chris Herring is the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce’s public policy chair. The chamber has become more of a community advocate after a change in organizational philosophy last year. This is the first election cycle it has endorsed candidates.
Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2020 12:00 am
By Jason Stone
When the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce switched its focus from mixers to public advocacy last year, President and CEO Raoul Sada said the organization ultimately would have an impact on public policy.
With election season here and a pandemic hurting businesses worldwide, that impact is being felt more than ever.
Just ask state Sen. Rick Gray, who serves District 21, which covers Surprise. After the chamber sent out its first “action alerts” earlier this year, Mr. Gray said he soon received 300 emails about it. He told the chamber, “That got my attention.”
That’s exactly what the chamber, which serves the business communities of Surprise, El Mirage, Sun City, Sun City West, Waddell and Youngtown, was hoping for when it switched its focus last year
The chamber recently unveiled its Legislative Action Center program as a way for businesses to quickly send messages to elected
officials. Chamber alerts are blasted to its members on text and email and usually contain a link to allow stakeholders to let their opinions be known.
“If it’s a local city issue, we can get that message out to the council members and the appropriate staff that is advising,” said Chris Herring, the public policy chair for the chamber. “If it’s a [state] legislative issue, we can get it out to the legislators en masse or targeted for specific districts if that’s more appropriate. If it’s federal, we can get it out to our representative. So, it’s nice and scalable.”
The system is something that larger national or statewide organizations are already using, but Mr. Herring said it’s “pretty unique” for a chamber the size of Surprise’s.
Bill Vensel, the chamber’s board chairman, said the messages to area leaders have had a “lasting impact” on federal, statewide and local matters.“It needs to be close to real time because you know how fast things move at the legislative level,” Mr. Herring said. “They know now that the chamber is involved, the chamber is watching and that their members are definitely watching now, so they do respond.”
The simple matter is elected officials are aware that chamber members are also voters in their districts.
Mr. Gray, who is an ex-officio chamber member, said it makes a difference to him to hear firsthand from businesses about what is important to them.
Election selection
As part of its advocacy push, the chamber changed the way it handles elections, too.
Mr. Sada said this election cycle is the first where the Surprise chamber has made endorsements.
The chamber endorsed three state senators, all Republicans, for the Nov. 3 election: Mr. Gray, David Livingston in District 22 and Sine Kerr in District 13.
For the State House of Representatives, the chamber endorsed five other Republicans in its service area. Those include Tim Dunn (District 13), Joanne Osborne (13), Kevin Payne (21), Frank Carroll (22) and Ben Toma (22).
The chamber stayed out of endorsing candidates in the August primary for the Surprise City Council. Instead, it held a series of forums for each district to give voters a chance to see the candidates “together,” albeit socially distanced from home.
“We want to give the public access to information,” Mr. Herring said. “We thought that was a good service to the community, but we didn’t feel the need on this election cycle to endorse at that level.”
Of the two big propositions on this year’s ballot, 207 and 208, the chamber opposes both, although only one officially.
Prop. 207 is an effort to legalize recreational use of marijuana in Arizona. Mr. Herring said the chamber officially opposes any law to legalize marijuana, especially through the initiative process and not through the state Legislature.
The chamber sent out one of its action alerts Oct. 15 signifying its opposition to the “Smart and Safe Arizona Act.”
It hasn’t officially taken a stance on opposing Prop. 208, the Invest In Ed proposition, but it’s clear business leaders aren’t happy about that one. “A lot of small business owners are not taxed as corporations,” Mr. Herring said.
“You on paper may be making a lot of money, but you may not be taking hardly any of that home.” Mr. Herring said the tax that Prop. 208 would enact would unfairly target the wrong people. “They’re not small business owners there that are living in 5,000-square-foot McMansions,” Mr. Herring said. “They’re small business owners living in 1,500-square-foot houses with two and three kids in school and they’re driving a 10-year-old Hyundai. On paper they make a lot of money, but the majority of that money is actually in their business.”
Mr. Herring said the tax increase would have a negative impact on Surprise small businesses.
“A single mom of three running a small business right now, the last thing that they need is a massive tax increase,” Mr. Herring said. “What’s going to happen is they’re either going to close down or they’re going to lay off staff.”
The chamber’s board voted to support the Dysart Unified School District budget override continuation.
In one of its action alerts, chamber officials said they favor keeping the tax in place to “protect our quality of life, train our future workforce, and attract high-paying jobs.”
Growing pains
Mr. Herring said the change the chamber’s overall philosophy hasn’t been smooth for all of its members.
“I think change is always difficult,” Mr. Herring said. “Often times when you make a change, people need time to adjust. Even internally as a board and an organization we’re taking the time to adjust and to figure out what the right program mix is.”
Mr. Herring called it a “hard pivot” into the new strategy.
“It’s proven to be the right strategy especially, given the nature of how we’re operating in the business world with the pandemic,” Mr. Herring said. “If we were still focused on breakfast mixers once a month, we really wouldn’t be doing much right now. But when you’re focused on policy and action, you can keep going.”
If anything, Mr. Herring believes chambers all over the country are more relevant than ever as businesses try to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Business policy has been at the forefront of everybody’s mind all year,” Mr. Herring said. “Whether it be the PPP loans, whether it be additional stimulus, whether it be emergency orders that shut down businesses. We have been very relevant to our members.”
In place of the mixers and other networking events, the chamber has focused on virtual events to inform the public. That included a business roundtable with Rep. Debbie Lesko earlier this month.
After the George Floyd death in Minnesota sparked civil unrest across the country earlier this year, the Surprise chamber hosted a virtual meeting with Surprise Police Chief Terry Young and El Mirage Police Chief Paul Marzocca. It received 13,000 views.
“We’re still trying to figure out how much of those networking activities are strictly for networking purposes,” Mr Herring said. “I think we’re going to still keep making changes because they want to be responsible members. And I think there are members that still want to see that.”
City story
The relationship between the city of Surprise and the chamber became a little more distant last year when the city council kicked the chamber out of the space it had occupied at City Hall.
The council didn’t like the fact the chamber didn’t keep regular hours to bring people into its offices.
“I would say it’s still changing,” Mr. Herring said about the relationship between the chamber and the city now. “We have changed the nature of the relationship by focusing more on advocacy. So we’ve had to meet with members of council and staff and get them to understand that.
“The chamber and the council have a like mindset that we want to see Surprise, El Mirage, Youngtown and the surrounding areas do well, so we do share a common goal.”
Mr. Herring said it’s easier to advocate for issues now that they’re no longer beholden to the city.
“I think the biggest thing we want to do is find how we can be on the same page,” Mr. Herring said. “We want the city of Surprise to be business-friendly and to be prosperous and growing. And if you ask the city council members, they’ll say the same thing.”
Surprise Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic said her staff still tries to communicate and coordinate with the chamber when it comes to business openings and ribbon-cuttings.
She said she leaves it up the business with what they want and need for the opening.
“There are some businesses that need that [startup] help,” Ms. Jerkovic said. “[Some] feel for whatever reason they want more than just the chamber involved. They want both of us.”
Ms. Jerkovic said she speaks “regularly” with Mr. Sada. The two entities in September teamed with El Mirage and Youngtown to launch the “Be Kind” campaign.
The roundtable group is comprised of Ms. Jerkovic, Mr. Sada, Youngtown Town Manager Jeanne Blackman and El Mirage Economic Development Manager Tom Doyle. “We’re very happy to play a partner role in that,” Ms. Jerkovic said.
Editor’s Note: Jason Stone can be reached at jstone@newszap.com.
May 4, 2020
Surprise Chamber offering services for free during shutdown - Websites among help available to local businesses
JASON STONE/INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA
Posted Monday, May 4, 2020 10:32 am
By Jason Stone
If social distancing has proven anything for small businesses in Surprise, an online presence can make or break them.
Unfortunately, some businesses are learning this the hard way.
The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce, which serves about 400 businesses in Surprise and surrounding areas, is taking the unconventional step of opening up its business service tools to non-Chamber members for free during the time of the coronavirus slowdown.
“These are unprecedented times,” Surprise Chamber CEO and President Raoul Sada said. “We have to pull out all the stops. If it means forgoing some revenue for the time being, so be it.”
Chamber membership dues are typically the lifeblood of chambers all over the country. Mr. Sada said those dues can make up 75% to 80% of the operating budget.
“Businesses are hurting,” Mr. Sada said. “Many have cut back on their marketing budgets. However, they still need a strong Internet presence. Many more businesses simply do not have a large digital footprint, and some simply need a website.
“This is where the Chamber can make available a robust set of easy to use marketing tools, to help businesses get more leads, sales and brand exposure.”
The Chamber has a wide reach, too, with 5,000 people on its mailing list that touches business in Surprise, El Mirage, Youngtown and surrounding areas.
Website world
Bill Vensel, chair of the board of the Surprise Chamber, said the initiative has one goal — helping businesses “reopen, recover and grow.”
Many small businesses without a $200 or $300 budget for web maintenance often resort to social media sites like Facebook and Instagram instead.
While a social media presence is also imperative these days, a basic website usually is the first to be cut from the budget when a couple of hundred of dollars in savings makes a difference.
Unfortunately for those businesses that don’t have an updated one or one at all, a website is still the first place most people go first to find out information about a business.
“If your business is not on the web right now, you’re even worse off,” Mr. Sada said. “We want to remedy that first and foremost.”
Mr. Sada said the chamber software called Chamber Nation can generate a website with a video showroom in as little as 30 minutes.
Mr. Sada said it’s designed to be do-it-yourself. A business owner simply inputs the purpose and mission of the business and other facts such as hours and it populates a website for them.
“We can get them up and running with a digital website that is mobile-ready in the matter of minutes,” he said.
Saving Small Businesses
The Chamber last week also rolled out its “Saving Small Business” initiative, which started with its “Take-Out Tuesday” promotion.
That campaign is using social media and digital text marketing to remind Surprise residents about the food choices that are still available.
“At least one day of the week where people go out and get to-go orders, breakfast, lunch or dinner, or even dessert,” Mr Vensel said. “There’s still lots of restaurants out there trying to make to struggle trying to make it, and Take-Out Tuesday is just a great way to try to recognize them and try to help them.”
The free Shop Local campaign sends deals, news, and information to residents via mobile phones. Residents can sign up at SurpriseRegionalChamber.com.
“We’re using ‘Shop Surprise’ and social media to promote the concept of ‘Take-Out Tuesday,’” Mr. Sada said. “Take out is good every day of the week. We’re just doing a promotional effort on Tuesdays to increase the awareness of the community.”
Changes afoot
Mr. Sada said some of the ways of doing business because of the coronavirus are here to stay. The Chamber, itself, plans to host more webinars now after more than 100 people joined a business town hall it hosted in April.
Most Chambers of Commerce nationally were already moving away from in-person networking functions like ribbon-cuttings and into more political advocacy on behalf of businesses.
“Small businesses are fighting to keep their workers employed and their dreams alive,” Mr. Vensel said. “Amid the pandemic, too many small businesses [nationally] already have shuttered, and thousands more are on the brink of permanent closure. Small businesses need the Chamber of Commerce more than ever.”
Mr. Vensel said the Surprise Chamber has seen a decline in membership renewals because of the struggles businesses are facing.
“This is a bold move on the part of the Chamber, but it is an essential strategy to help get the economy jump-started,” Mr. Vensel said.
Because of its nonprofit status, the Surprise Chamber itself isn’t eligible for PPP funds to pay its employees. Mr. Sada said the group is dipping into its rainy day funds to get through the tough times.
Editor’s Note: Jason Stone can be reached at jstone@newszap.com.
Samples for Digital Ad Campaign
July 29, 2020
Report: PPP helped nearly 1,500 local businesses
Based the Chamber’s latest data, the PPP loans helped to retain 6,879 workers in the region (El Mirage, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Waddell and Youngtown.)
However, several small businesses in Surprise and surrounding areas are still suffering from the COVID-19 slowdown and waiting for Congress to act on additional bailout money.
“When the previous bailout programs were rolled out there was much confusion and turbulence, and small businesses did not initially fair well,” Chamber President and CEO Raoul Sada said. “The Chamber wants to do its part, making sure that does not happen again, and we are lobbying Capitol Hill for a packages that favor small businesses.”
Key Points:
•The SBA has just released a massive trove of data on PPP loans. This was a significant step forward in transparency by the government, prior to this the SBA resisted requests to share the recipients of the funds. This is why it is so important for the Chamber to hold government officials accountable, and for us to demand transparency at all levels of government (local, state and federal!)
•More than 81,000 Arizona businesses and nonprofits have received forgivable loans through the federal government's Paycheck Protection Program totaling $8.6 billion, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
•The Paycheck Protection Program, which was designed to avert mass layoffs during the Covid-19 pandemic.
•PPP loans are not made by SBA. PPP loans are made by lending institutions and then guaranteed by SBA.
•According to the data, 58 businesses in Arizona received between $5 and $10 million, the maximum amount allowed under the program. But the vast majority of loans, approximately 86%, are valued under $150,000.
•Close to 1500 small businesses received PPP loans in the six cities that make up the Chambers service territory. The amount of cash infused into our local economy was over $154 million dollars! Based on application data, the loans help to retain 6,879 workers in our region.
•Approximately 42 businesses were non-profits (2.8% of the recipients)
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2021 Business Climate Census Survey
Many in our business community are experiencing both challenges and successes as our economy grows. As we work to secure the NW Valley's future, it is crucial that the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce understand what issues are most important to businesses. The purpose of the Business Climate Survey is to track trends and issues affecting businesses and to inform elected officials about the issues and concerns of the local business community.
Click Here Now, To Take Our Annual Business Climate Survey
2021 Business Climate Census Survey
Many in our business community are experiencing both challenges and successes as our economy grows. As we work to secure the NW Valley's future, it is crucial that the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce understand what issues are most important to businesses. The purpose of the Business Climate Survey is to track trends and issues affecting businesses and to inform elected officials about the issues and concerns of the local business community.
Click Here Now, To Take Our Annual Business Climate Survey
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