A publication of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce | July 2012.
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A publication of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce l July 2012 PRSRT/STD US POSTAGE PAID GILROY, CA 95020 PERMIT N. 221 Return Service Requested SOCIAL NETWORK JULY 11 BUSINESS MIXER JULY 12 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS JULY 13 BREAKFAST CLUB JULY 18 Garlic Festival XXXIV readies for a grand event Shop local with Discover Gilroy savings book KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD as a premier food festival, the Gilroy Garlic Festival builds on its iconic theme with a host of new attractions. For the young – and young at heart -- the new Teen Zone, located south of the Amphitheater, will feature an Orbitron gyroscope ride, a mechanical bull, a “Titanic” slide, a quad jump, an inflatable maze and a 250-foot long zip line. This year’s Cook-Off Stage brings back Chef Michael Giletto by popu- lar demand. Chef Giletto will co-host Friday’s cooking competitions, the Garlic Showdown Sunday, and will be giving a few cooking dem- onstrations. The local Master Chef Challenge, “So You Think You Can Cook with Garlic” will unveil culinary talents and bring innovative ways of cooking with garlic. Discount tickets are now avail- able at tickets.gilroygarlicfestival.com or at all Raley’s, Bel Air, and Nob Hill Foods. Discount prices are $15 for adults and $6 for senior 60+ and children 6-12. Also available online only are discount tickets for a Gourmet Alley Combo Plate, regu- larly $12, available for $10 with an online admission ticket. Advance pur- chase discount tickets are only avail- able until noon on Sunday, July 29. The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2012 Discover Gilroy Savings Book in June with special discounts at participating busi- nesses. With 10,000 copies pub- lished, residents and visitors alike are realizing savings. Through a cooperative effort with the Gilroy Welcome Center, the Savings Books are distributed to people looking to explore Gilroy. Other locations include the Chamber lobby, Gilroy Gardens, and local businesses. In addition to the full-color print- ed booklet, the Discover Gilroy Savings Book can be accessed online at www.gilroy.org. For more information, contact the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce at 408.842.6437. Gilroy has come to appreci- ate Local’s Day, so on Friday July 27, guests can purchase up to two $12 General Admission tickets at the gate – good for that date only, but at a $5 savings per ticket! Just show a valid photo ID with a local address in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Martin, Hollister, San Juan Bautista or Aromas to qualify for this special pricing. New this year is a Military Discount offering active members of the US Military a $2 discount off General Admission at the gate by presenting their valid US Military ID. As always, daily cooking dem- onstrations revealing culinary secrets on the Gourmet Alley Demonstration Stage, three stages of musical enter- tainment, quality hand- made arts and crafts, and the Children’s Area complete the Gilroy Garlic Festival experience year after year. Make it a date, and join guests from all over the region when Gilroy celebrates three days with fun, food, entertainment, and garlic – July 27, 28 & 29. See you there! Gourmet Alley flame ups will thrill Festival-goers along with gourmet foods, entertainment, arts and crafts, and fun for the young and young at heart July 27 - 29 at Christmas Hill Park – home of the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
Transcript
A publication of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce l July 2012
PRSRT/STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDGILROY, CA 95020
PERMIT N. 221
Return Service Requested
SOCIAL NETWORK JULY 11
BUSINESS MIXER JULY 12
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS JULY 13
BREAKFAST CLUB JULY 18
Garlic Festival XXXIV readies for a grand event
Shop local with Discover Gilroy savings book
KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD as a premier food festival, the Gilroy Garlic Festival builds on its iconic theme with a host of new attractions. For the young – and young at heart -- the new Teen Zone, located south of the Amphitheater, will feature an Orbitron gyroscope ride, a mechanical bull, a “Titanic” slide, a quad jump, an inflatable maze and a 250-foot long zip line.
This year’s Cook-Off Stage brings back Chef Michael Giletto by popu-lar demand. Chef Giletto will co-host Friday’s cooking competitions, the Garlic Showdown Sunday, and will be giving a few cooking dem-
onstrations. The local Master Chef Challenge, “So You Think You Can Cook with Garlic” will unveil culinary talents and bring innovative ways of cooking with garlic.
Discount tickets are now avail-able at tickets.gilroygarlicfestival.com or at all Raley’s, Bel Air, and Nob Hill Foods. Discount prices are $15 for adults and $6 for senior 60+ and children 6-12. Also available online only are discount tickets for a Gourmet Alley Combo Plate, regu-larly $12, available for $10 with an online admission ticket. Advance pur-chase discount tickets are only avail-able until noon on Sunday, July 29.
The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2012 Discover Gilroy Savings Book in June with special discounts at participating busi-nesses. With 10,000 copies pub-lished, residents and visitors alike are realizing savings.
Through a cooperative effort with the Gilroy Welcome Center, the Savings Books are distributed to people looking to explore Gilroy. Other locations include the Chamber lobby, Gilroy Gardens, and local businesses.
In addition to the full-color print-ed booklet, the Discover Gilroy Savings Book can be accessed online at www.gilroy.org. For more information, contact the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce at 408.842.6437.
Gilroy has come to appreci-ate Local’s Day, so on Friday July 27, guests can purchase up to two $12 General Admission tickets at the gate – good for that date only, but at a $5 savings per ticket! Just show a valid photo ID with a local address in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Martin, Hollister, San Juan Bautista or Aromas to qualify for this special pricing. New this year is a Military Discount offering active members of the US Military a $2 discount off General Admission at the gate by
presenting their valid US Military ID. As always, daily cooking dem-
onstrations revealing culinary secrets on the Gourmet Alley Demonstration Stage, three stages of musical enter-tainment, quality hand- made arts and crafts, and the Children’s Area complete the Gilroy Garlic Festival experience year after year.
Make it a date, and join guests from all over the region when Gilroy celebrates three days with fun, food, entertainment, and garlic – July 27, 28 & 29. See you there!
Gourmet Alley flame ups will thrill Festival-goers along with gourmet foods, entertainment, arts and crafts, and fun for the young and young at heart July 27 - 29 at Christmas Hill Park – home of the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
OFFICERSchair of the board ERIC HOWARD • Bruce’s Tire, Inc.
Past chairman KATHERINE FILICE • Articulate Solutins
chairman of the board-elect ERIC GEBHARDT • Hilton Garden Inn
secretary/treasurer DAVID MATUSZAK, Ed.D. • Santa Clara County R.O.P.
Vc oPerations & deVeloPment JAN PEAT • McDonald’s of Gilroy
Vc Public affairs KRISTINA CHAVEZ WYATT • Meridian Pacific
Vc business Programs & serVices DEBBI SANCHEZ • Fortino Winery
Vc marKeting & communications JULIE ALTER • Recology South Valley
BOARD OF DIRECTORS BRIGITTE NICHOLLS • Santa Barbara Bank & Trust CHAR MARRAZZO • Ellington Financial LLC LISA CASSARA • Coldwell Banker GREG GIUSIANA • Retired Police Chief GREG GALLUP • Cintas Corporation
CHAMBER STAFF Susan Valenta • President/CEO Michelle Garcia • Administrative Assistant Chris Bevilacqua • Administrative Assistant Rosie Vogel • Administrative Assistant Sue Thurman • Business Relationship Manager
WELCOME CENTER STAFF Jane Howard • Executive Director Pam Gimenez • Office Coordinator Tracy Romero • Retail Service Coordinator
focus Production staff EDITOR • Susan Valenta, President/CEO Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
PRODUCTION & DESIGN • J. Chris Mickartz InfoPOWER Communications
PHOTOGRAPHY • Larry Mickartz InfoPOWER Communications
7471 Monterey Street • Gilroy, CA 95020 web: www.gilroy.org e-mail: [email protected] phone: (408) 842-6437
Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
ERIC HOWARD 2012 Chair of the BoardGilroy Chamber ofCommerce
SUSAN VALENTA President/CEOGilroy Chamber ofCommerce
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Page 2 Gilroy Business Focus I July 2012
SUMMER IS HERE! The days are long, warm, and reek of the great smell of garlic. It’s also a reminder of how many people volunteer every year for our hometown event. It continually amazes me how a small town of 49,000 people can be playing adult softball on Sunday afternoon and a few days later, 4,000 volunteers transform our larg-est city park into a world-renown event, welcoming 120,000 people over three days, and then have it ready to play ball again a week later. Amazing indeed!
The Gilroy Chamber plays a large role in this undertaking, pro-viding the sale of ice cold beer to go along with the great food being
It’s Garlic Festival time!served up by Gourmet Alley and other food vendors throughout the park. Each year the Chamber has over 350 volunteers that help with pouring beer, selling tickets, ID checking, and logistics. This effort results in the largest single fundraiser for the Chamber each year support-ing operations, programs, and ser-vices to our members.
For this reason, it is the goal of the board and me, to ask that our Chamber members volunteer to take at least one shift for the Beer Concessions. We ask this, because we believe that our membership have the direct benefits derived from this great event. Therefore, we ask for your help in volunteering for a
IN JUST A FEW WEEKS, Gilroy will host over 100,000 visitors to our community with a signature event – the 34th annual Gilroy Garlic Festival. This is an opportunity for Gilroy to shine and to entice people to come back time and again. Beyond the Gilroy Garlic Festival, Gilroy experiences a tremendous amount of consumer traffic daily. Although the numbers are proprietary – and a big guess on my part -- our Gilroy Outlets alone has got to attract over four million people a year just looking at the sales tax revenue they generate.
Just think of the opportunity for complementary business services: gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, specialty shops, attractions . . .just to name a few. Are we maximizing our consumer’s overall experience
Earn the consumer’s vote
shift, for a day -- or if were lucky, we get you for all three days! It’s fun, too, meeting great new friends, all working for the same goal. A suc-cessful, fun, event!
Come on, make the effort! Give Rosie, Chris, Michelle, Susan, Sue or myself a call down at the Chamber office to sign up for a shift!
See you at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in just a few weeks!
with customer service that exceeds the expectation, shelves that are neat and well-stocked, spotlessly clean exterior and interior areas, and staff that exemplifies a passion for your business?
Think about when you have trav-eled and the things that impressed you the most. What made you want to have a “repeat performance” or tell others about your experience – even worse, what made you, as a consumer, decide not to go back?
From the front door to the cash register, every business has a chance to meet and exceed the consumer experience. Gilroy has an advan-tage of our strong retail draw and effective marketing strategies to drive traffic to our community. Surrounding businesses are prime for capturing a portion of that ready market.
On September 21, our Gilroy Business Resource Center will offer a Customer Service workshop at the Chamber free of charge. In addition, Small Business Development Center counselors are available on Tuesdays at our office for one-on-one counsel-ing. To check out this and other cours-es, go to our website www.gilroy.org and scroll to the bottom of the page for the link.
The consumer votes with their dol-lars – the savvy business understands that the consumer has a multitude of choices and works to earn their vote.
JANE HOWARDExecutive DirectorGilroy Welcome Center
CREATING A STRONG, LOCAL ECONOMY
UPSKILLING, continued on page 7
WELCOME, continued on page 11
July 2012 I Gilroy Business Focus Page 3
COMPANIES NEED reliable busi-ness intelligence more than ever to make strategic decisions, and more than ever, they need leaders. A multi-disciplined skill set is one of today’s most pressing needs for businesses. In addition to technical skills, soft skills are increasingly becoming a trait sought in many employees. This message came through loud and clear at the Business & Education Partnership Summit held last October. Representatives from companies covering a broad range of industries shared a common need for these traits in employees, regardless of business sector. Soft skills such as relationship management, strategic thinking, cross-functional collabora-tion, and decision making are in strong demand.
“Upskilling” Makes Leaders at Gilroy Companies Many companies are investing in
their employees by providing oppor-tunities for on-going training not only in technical areas, but in leader-ship qualities. Companies in Gilroy have the opportunity to work with providers of education and training at Gavilan Community College to help advance the skill sets of existing employees. Currently, the college, through its Contract and Community Education program, is offering train-ing to help advance employees in the area of Water Resources Management. Another program that the college hopes to bring forward will offer a certification for Facilities Maintenance Technician, which will advance employees with addi-tional skills in the areas of electrical systems, hydraulic and pneumatic
JULY 1 MARKS THE START of a new fiscal year for the Gilroy Welcome Center (GWC). Each year the fifteen member GWC board of directors approves an annual budget and the organization’s goals for the upcom-ing year. In this month’s column, I will recap the GWC activities for the year and preview the initiatives board members will be considering for FY 12/13. Following is a partial list of GWC accomplishments this past year:
• Relocate and open Gilroy Welcome Center in the Gilroy Premium Outlets;
• Opened October 1, 2011 serv-ing over 18,500 visitors through the end of May, 2012.
• Committee participation and coor-dination of Phase 2 installation City of Gilroy Wayfinding Signs;
News from the Gilroy Welcome Center
systems, refrigeration and air condi-tioning, plumbing, workplace safety, and programmable logic controller basics.
Local businesses and organi-zations are also “upskilling” their employees by taking advantage of the Leadership Gilroy program, whose mission is to help create lead-ers in our community. Through this program, participants are exposed to an array of topics that may be outside of their day-to-day activities.
— Approximately 20 additional signs have been produced and will be installed this summer; signs approved and locations include a City entry sign on Leavesley Avenue; tall directional sign on Leavesley Avenue Westbound at Monterey and medium directional signs on Monterey Street.
• Complete initiatives identified in Discover Gilroy campaign for FY 11/12;
— Initiatives included creating an ad campaign with ad tracking components for target markets: international visitors, Western US visitors and in-state visitors; launch revised GWC website and mobile site to accommodate visitors as well as local residents; create new GWC seasonal rack card listing annual events for dis-
tribution at 210+ locations in the San Francisco Bay Area and the creation of an on-line version of the GWC Visitor Map.
• Meet or exceed Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT)collection projection listed in City of Gilroy FY 11/12 budget document;
— 8.4% increase over last fiscal year in TOT collected year-to-date through quarter ending 3/31/12.
For the upcoming year the GWC board of directors will be adopting goals and initiatives listed
TERRY FEINBERGGILPAC Executive Committee MemberPrincipal, Moxxy Marketing
REPRESENTING THE INTEREST OF BUSINESS WITH GOVERNMENT
Page 4 Gilroy Business Focus I July 2012
OUR DEMOCRACY has evolved - some would argue devolved - into a system of competing special interests. There’s nothing wrong with like-mind-ed or like-situated people coming together to work within our political system to improve their situation. But when it comes to working the system, some interests have become more special than others.
Take for example the unions that represent public sector employees (especially teachers, prison guards and public safety employees) - they have been very effective at using our political system to represent their members and get increased wages and benefits for them.
How have they been so success-ful? They got people elected who are sympathetic to their issues and think like they do. They did this by pooling their resources into political action committees. They continually raise money from their members and spend it on election campaigns for their endorsed candidates. They organize their members to walk precincts and get out the vote. Is it any surprise that we have a majority of elected officials in California that have been supported by public sec-tor unions?
If you see this as a problem, the answer is not to change our political system to limit participation or politi-cal speech. No, the answer is to
GILPAC means businesshelp elect candidates who see things the way you do.
The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce is a special interest too — we represent the interest of busi-ness, the men and women risking everything they have to create jobs, grow the economy, contribute to their communities and hopefully achieve some success for themselves and their family.
The Gilroy Chamber has been a relatively effective voice for our local business community, but we have not always had a majority of business-friendly elected officials to work with. In recent years the Chamber has interviewed and endorsed local candidates, but we haven’t played a role in actively helping to elect busi-ness friendly candidates...until now.
In May of this year, the Chamber announced the formation of GILPAC, a non-partisan political action com-mittee created by the Chamber to help elect people who will be understanding of, and sympathetic to, issues important to the business community.
GILPAC will interview and evalu-ate local and state candidates whose decisions will affect local businesses. We’ll endorse candidates we believe will make decisions to help grow the local economy, improve the com-munity and foster a positive business climate. Then we’ll put our money
where our mouth is and work to help get our endorsed candidates elected.
Or perhaps I should have said “your money” in that last paragraph, as it is the contributions from the local business community that we will use to help support our endorsed candidates.
We’re off to a great start! Beginning in May, the Chamber added a voluntary $24 to each membership renewal invoice. In the first month, 52.6% of renewing mem-bers contributed to GILPAC.
A major GILPAC fundraiser is being planned for later this summer, and the money raised will immedi-ately be put to use in local races for the November elections. If you want to see more elected officials who understand the critical role busi-ness plays in our community and our economy; if you want to be repre-sented by elected officials who pro-pose job creator legislation, not job killer legislation; if you are tired of being on the menu and want a seat at the table, we urge you to contrib-ute to GILPAC when you renew your Chamber dues, and to join us at the upcoming event.
Chamber President/C.E.O., Susan Valenta, meets with CalChamber staff and gives an update on the Gilroy Chamber. Pictured (l-r): Steve Snyder VP, Local Chamber Relations, Cathy Mesch, Grassroots Coordinator, Susan Valenta, and Dave Kilby, Executive VP, Corporate Affairs.
SUE THURMAN Business RelationshipManager, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
What’s new with Chamber Businesses!
WHAT’S NEW, continued on page 9
July 2012 I Gilroy Business Focus Page 5
Marta Dinsmore, Intero Real Estate Services, just completed training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lend-ers, protect buyers and limit risk and has earned the nationally-recog-nized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. If you need help as a buyer or a seller, navigat-ing the complicated transactions that accompany distressed sales, you can reach her at 408.840.7420 or www.MartaDinsmore.com.
If they could show you a way to earn an extra $500-$1500 month/PT or $2500 per month/FT, would you be interested? The job includes flexible hours, amazing and fun envi-ronment, ALL training provided. Join the Wellness Coach Team, where every day is a BAM-TASTIC one!! Apply online at: Ptihealth.com and they will call you within 24-48 hours for an in-person interview. BAM, 1340 First St., #E, 408.842.2261. www.allaboutbam.com.
AT&T Mobility has created a busi-ness package that will help you quickly and securely communicate with your employees with AT&T Enterprise Paging. Send longer mes-sages, receive delivery confirmation, communicate to multiple employees at the same time, quick-poll your group while you consolidate voice, text, email and paging service into one devise. With 24/7 technical support, help is available when you need it. Right now you can sign up for a 1.800 number, 10,000 min-utes, for a$48 flat fee. Call Andrew
at 408.846.0744 or visit AT&T at 8647 San Ysidro; www.att.com for more information.
The California Rodeo Salinas is revving up their Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign by partner-ing with Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital to raise money. $1 from each ticket sold for the Thursday, July 19 Rodeo performance (be sure to wear your pink shirt) will be donated to the Comprehensive Cancer Center in Salinas which will help provide a complete, local resource for educa-tion, prevention, detection, treatment and support. Visit carodeo.com.
Christi Garcia, Wealth Management Advisor with LPL Financial continuing dedication to her clients and com-munity has earned a seat at this year’s presti-gious LPL Financial National Conference in San Diego as a Patriot Club Advisor. When you are ready for an advisor who is emo-tionally invested in you, your family and your financial future, then give her a call or stop by to see how connected, committed and avail-able she will be as your community Wealth Management Advisor.Her next Coffee Corner will be on August 3 at 8 am. Join for coffee, conver-sation and market conditions. Call 408.842.5200 to rsvp or go to www.LPL.com/Christi.Garcia.
Snap Fitness challenges you to save time and money while you get fit this summer. Vacations, picnics and other hustle bustle of the
season makes it difficult to maintain a regular exercise routine which is why Snap Fitness in Gilroy is offering new members free instruction and a total-body 30-minute workout plan (Basic 8) designed to give you fast, noticeable results. And all members have access to www.mysnapfitness.com and can find a workout to help them reach their goals; build healthy meal plans; engage with other members and join fitness challenges. Download a free 7-day trial pass at www.snapfitness.com/gilroyca or call 408.848.8701.
Chase Bank, 1177 First St., intro-duces their new Branch Manager, Lety Polanco and Business Specialist, Natalie Gorman. Both these dynamic ladies are available to assist with all of your banking needs and are look-ing forward to building strong rela-tionships with local business owners. 408-848-9549; www.chase.com.
South Valley Community Church announces that Upward Flag Football and Cheerleading are now accept-ing registrations for kids 1st -- 8th grades. Practices begin the week of September 4; cost is $95 per child. Contact them at 408.848.2363.
Jaime and Russ Allen, owners of Gilroy’s new, Anytime Fitness, 408-846-4222, are proud that they had one of the top club openings of all time! With about 1700 loca-tions in North America, they are very encouraged and excited on how upbeat and alive the atmosphere is in the fitness center. There will be an official grand opening and ribbon-cutting very soon, but stop by for your tour at 755 First St, www.any-timefitness.com.
Liberty Tax Service, 1245 First Street has an enrolled agent avail-able on Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday and Saturday afternoons to answer tax questions and help you file present and prior year tax returns and amendments. Walk-ins are always welcome, or call Irene Peterson at 408.842.1245 to schedule an appointment.
Did you know that Shop & Stay packages with the Hilton Garden Inn and Best Western Plus Forest Park Inn are available at the Gilroy Premium Outlets? Packages con-tain $25 center-wide gift cards and can be used at any of their 145 stores.
PROVIDING NETWORKING OPPORTUNIT IES
Health InsuranceMedicare SupplementsRx & Advantage PlansLife InsuranceAsset ProtectionLong Term CareDental & VisionDental & Vision
Kai Lai receives the Nob Hill Foods Good Egg award from Chair of the Board, Eric Howard, in recognition of his volunteerism.
SAINT LOUISE REGIONAL HOSPITAL, sponsor of the June 20 Breakfast Club meeting, provided an update of the hospital’s current and future plans to ensure quality health care for the region. On March 16, 2012, Daughters of Charity Health System, which operates Saint Louise Regional Hospital and several other Bay Area hospitals (also known as Local Health Ministry) announced that the Daughters of Charity Health System signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ascension Health Alliance with the intent of DCHS becoming part of Ascension Health.
Saint Louise is enthusiastic about becoming part of Ascension Health, the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system. There is no specific schedule for reaching a definitive agreement, but they anticipate completing the process by year end and will keep our community informed as this process proceeds.
The two systems share the same values and a commitment to “those who are poor and vulnerable,” in the words of Joanne Allen, Saint Louise Regional Hospital president and CEO. Joining Ascension Health will strengthen the Daughters of Charity sys-tem, “while continuing our mission of providing com-prehensive, excellent care,” Allen added.
Ascension Health Alliance, based in St. Louis, Missouri, is the nation’s largest Catholic health sys-tem, with over 80 hospitals, 121,000 associates and 1,400 sites in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Its fiscal 2011 operating revenue topped $15.5 billion.
Saint Louise Regional Hospitalsponsors June Breakfast Club
Kai Lai receives Nob Hill Foods Good Egg AwardThe Gilroy Chamber of Commerce presented the Nob Hill Foods “Good Egg” award to Kai Lai for his volunteerism. The award is presented each month at the Breakfast Club meeting in recognition of individuals, groups, organiza-tions, or businesses which contribute on a volunteer basis to making Gilroy a better place to live and work.
As a super volunteer, over the past couple months, Kai provided transportation to a local resident in need of medi-cal treatments daily in San Jose.
According to Chairman of the Board, Eric Howard, “Kai is always a super volunteer – whether it is helping youth with their math, volunteering for Sister Cities, Garlic Festival, the Chamber, or the many other groups in Gilroy.”
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Joanne Allen, President/C.E.O.Saint Louise Regional Hospital
PROVIDING NETWORKING OPPORTUNIT IES
UPSKILLING continued from page three
The program gives upcoming leaders in our community information and training on topics ranging from government (at both the State and local level), history and culture, eco-nomic development, education, eth-ics, public safety, and environmental issues. In addition to building com-munity awareness, participants will gain skills in team building,
communications, diversity and con-flict resolution.
Businesses in Gilroy should sup-port and take advantage of these programs available in our commu-nity. Enhancing employee skills and leadership training not only impacts a company’s productivity level, it helps our community become more competitive overall by building a
workforce that has the technical and soft skills demanded by top tier employers. For more informa-tion on the Business & Education Partnership, Gavilan’s Contract and Community Education program, or Leadership Gilroy, please contact our office or visit our website at www.gilroyedc.org.
July 2012 I Gilroy Business Focus Page 7
Saint Louise Regional Hospitalsponsors June Breakfast Club
New members
South County Rockery hosts June Mixer
SOUTH COUNTY ROCKERY & BUILDING MATERIALS hosted Chamber members with an outdoor oasis complete with wine, hors d’oeuvres, and an evening of networking. With over 20 years experience in landscape and masonry products, exam-ples of how to turn a backyard into a multi-purpose entertain-ment area were on display throughout the facility – including a walk-through trailer with fountains, fireplaces, and more.
South County Rockery is located at 281 Yamane Drive. With a fleet of trucks, they have the capability of delivering your products to your home or jobsite on time every time. Whether you are looking for pavers, natural stone, boulders, block, bark, mulches, baseball field infield mix, sand and gravel or specialty soil mixes, their professional staff can assist you in selecting products best suited for your project.
If you are a homeowner, contractor, architect or designer contact South County Rockery to find the right materials needed for your project. For information, contact them at 408.842.0022 or go to www.southcountyrockery.com.
Kai Lai receives Nob Hill Foods Good Egg Award
New members receive their membership plaques and announce their business to Breakfast Club in June. Pictured here (l-r); Estefany and Hugo Llama (El Grullense Jal); Jim and Debbie Hoey (The Barn at Hoey Ranch); Monica Lara (Primus Security); Marc Perkel (Junk Email Filter.com); Ana Lelescu (California Passport); and Barbara Douglass, and Monica Skelchy (C-21 M&M Associates) and Cheryl Ellemberg, ADB Promotions, Ambassador Chair, pre-senting plaques on behalf of the Gilroy Chamber.
Page 8 Gilroy Business Focus I July 2012
July 11 l Social Media Network4 p.m. – 5 p.m. l The Chamber
July 12 l Business After Hours5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. l The ChamberHosted by Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, 8000 Santa Teresa
July 13 l Government Relations Committee7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. l The Chamber
July 18 l Breakfast Club6:45 a.m. – 8 a.m. l Hilton Garden InnSponsored by the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association
NEW MEMBERSVistascape Gardening408.529.5556 • Owner: Jose R. Ramirez
Vistascape Gardening states, “Caring for your garden is our purpose and our passion.” Hours: 7 am - 5 pm Monday-Sunday For a flat rate of $100 per month, Vistascape will maintain and care for your yard (restrictions apply – call for details).
Satori Cellars2100 Buena Vista Ave. • 408.848.5823 • Owners: Tom and Sandy Moller
Satori Cellars is a Winery/Vineyard that offers wine tasting and sales; good times; amazing people; great music; relaxed atmosphere and lots of color.Operating every weekend, noon - 5pm or by appointment. Stop by as almost every weekend they have a special of one sort or another. On July 14 they will be hosting a wonderful charity, DreamPower Horsemanship -- helping children and veterans with horsepower!
MLC Insurance408-848-2271 • Michele Campbell
MLC Insurance offers insurance services for health, life, Medicare supplements and prescription plans, Long-term care insurance, funeral expense insurance, etc. Specializing in the senior market, Michele can help you navigate through your Medicare Insurance process. Call for a free consultation. Hours: 9 am – 6 pm Monday through Friday.
Century 21 M&M and Associates Real EstateMonica Skelchy – 408.398.8236Barbara Douglass – 408.465.6639
Barbara Douglass and Monica Skelchy are both licensed, full-time realtors, focusing on residential real estate in Gilroy. They live in Gilroy and are expe-rienced in regular and short sales. Each has over 20 years experience in the “people” business with backgrounds in Human Resources. Barbara and Monica bring the extensive resources in marketing, technology and real estate expertise of their San Jose office to their Gilroy customers.They are committed and dedi-cated to the whole process of getting their clients through the real estate transac-tion with the highest degree of integrity and service.
The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed The Barn at Hoey Ranch with a ribbon cutting ceremony in June. Owners, Debbie and Jim Hoey bring the spirit of fun and hospitality to every guest that enters The Barn at Hoey Ranch. Located at 2480 Hecker Pass Highway, treasures abound throughout – from one-of-a-kind collectibles to antiques. Check them out!
Vince Camuto, located at 8155 Arroyo Circle, Suite A-016 in the Outlets brings a full array of top-of-the-line shoes, purses, accessories and more. Manager, Gabe Betancourt, invited the community to join in the celebration of this store’s one year anniversary in Gilroy.
WHAT’S NEW continued from page five
July 14, 2012 • Noon - 9:00 pmShopping • Raffle • Music • Dancing • Food • Drink
July 2012 I Gilroy Business Focus Page 9
Visit www.premiumoutlets.com/gilroy and visit the Accommodations & Attractions page for more details.
Gilroy’s Le Tip members are excited to see 20 of the Gilroy Dispatch “Best” Awards won by their members. Winners include Gina Lopez, State Farm Insurance; Collett’s Water Heater, Cleaning & Plumbing; Silicon Valley Credit Repair; Station 55; Susie Haddock, Intero Real Estate; Johnny’s Custom Auto Body; Union Bank; and Char Marrazzo, Ellington Financial and Gilroy Health & Wellness Center. If you would like to be part of this award-winning group, join them for lunch Wednesday, 11:30 am at Station 55 or contact membership chair, Jina Carranza, 888.720.9878.
Beginning November 2012, Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E)’s eligible small and medium business electric customers across California will be moving to a Time-Varying Pricing (TVP) plan called time-of-use. This is part of a statewide plan to ensure a better energy future and healthier environment. PG&E is committed to helping business customers like you understand their rate options and ways to conserve electricity, to benefit from Time-Varying Pricing. For more information: pge.com/businesspower/or call 800.468.4723.
“Fun for the Whole Herd” 89th annual San Benito County Fair is slated for September 28-30, 2012 at the San Benito County Fairgrounds/ Bolado Park. A variety of sponsorships are now being solicited. For more information, please email [email protected] or visit www.sanbenitocountyfair.com.
Page 10 Gilroy Business Focus I July 2012
Member RenewalsNew MembersThe Gilroy Chamber of Commerce appreciates the support of our members. Investment dollars are dedicated to our core competencies: creating a strong local economy, representing the interests of business with government, promoting the com-munity, political action, and provid-ing networking opportunities. Our business is your business!
30 YEARS & OVERThe DispatchFortino WineryHanna & BrunettiMcDonald’s of GilroyPacific Diversified Insurance Services, Inc.South County Chrysler-Jeep-DodgeYoung Sign Company
20 YEARS & OVERSouth County HousingFred Wood
10 YEARS & OVERBagoye & King, Inc.Bay SheetsBracco’s Towing & Transport, Inc.Clos LaChance WinesE-Z Clean Car & Doggy WashGilroy Arts AllianceGilroy Health Care & Rehabilitation CenterHeartwood CabinetsMBS Business SystemsNava Fathi, D.D.S.South Valley Civic Theater
5 YEARS & OVERChamberlain’s Mental Health ServiceGreat China GardenKai LaiLana’s Dance StudioMerrill Gardens at GilroyPinnacle BankEhsan Rezvan, DDS MSSuperior Stone, Inc.Westside GrillSouth County Democratic Club
EverBank — Chris Hoch1999 S. Bascom Ave. #700 | Campbell408.840.3264Mortgage Services
Fresh Group, Inc.611 S. Westlake Ave. | Los Angeles213.483.6363Accommodations/Lodging
TelePacific Communications55 Nicholson | San Jose408.613.6189Computer/Internet Services
Thank you Raffle Prizes June 2012:Breakfast:ABD Promotions & Website DesignHeritage Bank of CommerceHilton Garden InnSaint Louise Regional Hospital
Mixer:Gilroy Healthcare & RehabSouth County Rockery & Building MaterialTony’s EmbroideryLPF Team-Intero RealtyAffordable Roofing
FACES OF GILROY BUSINESS
WELCOME continued from page three
in the Discover Gilroy report for year two which also includes a local resident component. In addi-tion the GWC will be moving forward with an initiative to provide additional funding to specifically market Gilroy as an overnight destination. More information about these goals and initiatives will be
discussed in future GWC columns.In summary, this has been a very busy and suc-
cessful year for the GWC. Keep in mind this success contributes directly to more jobs and a more robust economy in our community.
Watch for more to come…..
July 2012 I Gilroy Business Focus Page 11
CODEBRICK engineers websites that are tailored to business needs so that they are functional, easy to read, and efficient. Working in partnership with leading design and branding agencies, they provide the technical muscle to produce great interactive sites for clients. Owner, Tim Whitman has been creating the back-bone of websites for 10 years and offers cutting-edge solutions to businesses.
CodeBrick60 Fourth Street, Suite 204 Gilroy l 408.852.0780www.codebrick.com
Code Brick
Tell us about the new world of technology users expectWebsites gained popularity in the early 2000, and the trend continued to grow for business – both large and small – to have an internet presence. Today, however, peo-ple are using mobile devices and expect to view content easily and navigate sites seamlessly. That is where busi-nesses, such as CodeBrick, come into play because our web projects integrate a total experience for the end user.
As business continues to embrace technology, how does CodeBrick fit their needsCodeBrick provides solutions from the website development to on-going maintenance. Valuable dollars can be saved by working with a professional team to identify the process-es of a business and develop a website that works in sync with the business. Many times there are solutions already available that we can integrate into a website. Once a site is live, businesses have found that CodeBrick is an effective behind-the-scenes webmaster who can take the headache of site maintenance off the business.
What is S.E.O.S.E.O. is “search engine optimization”, a tool to check how effective a website is in driving traffic to that site. What a lot of businesses don’t realize is that Google has done a lot of work to localize searches. Google actu-ally looks at your browsing history and personalizes your search, so two side-by-side computers could bring up different results for the same inquiry. There are some strate-gies that business use today to increase a website’s effec-tiveness, and that is something that CodeBrick provides.
For a total website approach, there are four elements: (1) web design, which is the artistry; (2) Content, which is the words that are well-written; (3) marketing, which is the business-driving role; and (4) technical, which is the back-end part of a site that no one sees but can make the first three elements shine.
What is your recipe for success?It is important to know why you are doing what you do. Spend time and energy on what makes the most sense.
J. Chris Mickartz and her granddaughters, Addison & Isabella Vegh enjoy reading in the backyard.
GCOC_Reading_FocusAd.pdf 1 6/25/12 3:20 PM
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