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Value Added Benefits Program gains More Muscle
San Luis Obispo Stakes Claim in Competitive Tourism Market
California Tops List as Favorite Tourism Destination
Chamber 1999/2000 Buget Nears $1-Million Mark
SOAR Initiative Transfers Power From Elected Officals to Voters
Bill t Keep Farmers' Market Alive Moves to Assembly
Value Added Benefits Program gains More Muscle
Giving members even more bang for their buck, the Chamber has just come out with its newest member-only value added benefit - package policy insurance (fire, theft and liability insurance). Last year, the Chamber introduced its Value-Added Benefits program with discounted workers' compensation insurance for members of the Chamber. Now, a Chamber membership can buy discounted package policy insurance as well. Both insurance policies are available from Golden Eagle Insurance through local agents. Members interested in finding out just how much they can save, should contact their member agent. Local agents are:
Marc and Linda Andreini, Andreini-Parker Insurance Brokers
Joanne Campbell, Campbell-Taylor Insurance
Kevin Dye, Smith, Falck, Caesar & Seider
Linda Euler, Neal-Truesdale Insurance, Inc.
Laurel Fowler, Laurel A. Fowler Insurance
John Hottinger, Morris & Garritano Insurance
Donna Traeger, Golden State Commercial & Ag Insurance Services
For more information on the discounted insurance through the Chamber's Value Added Benefits Program please see the enclosed brochure.
San Luis Obispo Stakes Claim in Competitive Tourism Market
San Luis Obispo is riding high in light of recent statistics released by the State's department of tourism. According to research conducted by the California Division of Tourism, San Luis Obispo captured a significant slice of the state's tourists, making it the 12th most visited County statewide, topping even Monterey County. San Luis Obispo County received 6.3 million person-trips, 5.3 million of which were leisure travelers and 1-million of which were traveling on business, according to the latest statistics. The Chamber's Visitors Center is busy keeping up with the high volume of requests for visitor information generated by the City's successful advertising campaign. Since July 1, the Visitors Center staff has sent out 11,000 visitor information packets to potential tourists - an increase of about 8,500 over this time last year.
California Tops List as Favorite Tourism Destination
San Luis Obispo's healthy tourism industry is being fueled in part by the state's success. California is winning the popularity contest with travelers from across the country and around the world. The state topped the list as the favorite destination among domestic and international travelers. Latest statistics indicate that 259 million person-trips were taken to and within California generating an impressive $64.8 billion dollars annually, which is approximately 6% of the Gross State Product.
Chamber 1999/2000 Buget Nears $1-Million Mark
The Chamber is wrapping up its most successful year ever and, in preparation for the coming fiscal year, recently proposed its 1999/2000 budget to the Board of Directors. This year's budget is close to $1-million dollars, a marked increase over last year's $880,000 budget. Significant changes include the addition of one full-time staff person, beefing up the Chamber staff to 10 full-time and five part-time employees; a vastly expanded presence on the web with the addition of advertising, allowing members to promote themselves on the Chamber's website; a major career/education partnership with local schools; and a major upgrade of the newsletter. More details on all of these programs will be coming soon.
SOAR Initiative Transfers Power From Elected Officals to Voters
The Chamber has begun analysis of an initiative that would give voters more power in deciding zoning changes to agricultural lands and open space in San Luis Obispo County. The initiative, Save Our Agricultural & Open Space Resources (SOAR), is currently in place in Napa and Ventura Counties. In those counties, proponents of SOAR have convinced voters that it would protect open space and prevent urban sprawl. SOAR would put a freeze on the City's General Plan regarding agriculture or open space zoning. Any General Plan amendments to the ag or open space zones, which currently need to be approved by a majority of the Board of Supervisors or City Council, would need voter approval. According to those studying SOAR, in order for it to be effective it would need to be enacted on a countywide basis with each city following the same guidelines.
Bill to Keep Farmers' Market Alive Moves to Assembly
The Chamber's Board of Directors has voiced its support of legislation that would keep a favorite weekly event among locals and visitors in business - at least until the year 2005. Assembly Bill 593 (AB 593), a bill which will allow for the continued operation of certified farmers' markets, such as Thursday Night Farmers' Market and others in San Luis Obispo, will be voted on by the full Assembly within the next two months. In addition to allowing for the continued operation, AB 593 would also improve regulations and accountability of producers and vendors. The existing law that allows farmers to sell directly to the public expires on January 1, 2000. The bill has already cleared one hurdle, with a unanimous vote to pass it by the Assembly Agriculture Committee, thanks to the strong support of Assemblyman Abel Maldonado who led the charge.
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