The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce announced a new job title for Whitney Diaz, previously the position of director of Internet services and publications. Her new title, director of new media and communications, more accurately reflects her expanding role at the Chamber. 

“In the time she’s been here, Whitney has dramatically increased the Chamber’s implementation of new media and helped us complete the Chamber’s transition to web-based member communications,” said Chamber President/CEO Dave Garth. “She has successfully helped bridge the gap between older and younger members, who expect us to communicate with them in different ways.”

Diaz writes and produces a variety of the Chamber’s quality communications pieces, coordinates the Chamber’s local public relations activities, and engages the Chamber’s audiences (staff, members, the community and media) by utilizing “new media,” which are interactive forms of communication that use the Internet, including video streaming, online surveys, RSS feeds, social networks, text messaging, blogs, wikis and more.

“Whitney has proven to be an incredible asset to our team,” Garth said. “In the past year alone, she has redesigned our e-mail communications to members, implemented our new online advertising program, boosted our presence on social media networks, updated our Online Business Directory to better showcase members, and single-handedly built the Chamber’s mobile sites.”

In recent years, the Chamber made a significant shift from print to web-based communications. In 2008, it ceased production of its 105-year-old printed newsletter and implemented www.slo-business.com in its place – a website Diaz updates and maintains on a daily basis.

Diaz began her work at the Chamber in September 2009 as the Internet services and publications director. She has been responsible for managing and updating the Chamber’s websites, including two of San Luis Obispo County’s most popular sites – www.visitslo.com and www.slochamber.org – while ensuring that communication flows efficiently between Chamber staff, members, volunteers, the community and members of the media. She graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2008 with a degree in journalism.

ABOUT THE CHAMBER
The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce is the oldest and largest voluntary organization in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. As an independent nonprofit corporation (not affiliated with government or any other agency), it uniquely serves the needs of 1,400 members.