In the late afternoon on September 19th, various local business owners gathered to begin setting up their booths for the "Buy Local Showcase". It should be noted that some even spent they entire day their managing the set up of tents, booths, tables, chairs, and keeping the site secure (thanks John Salamy and Doug Zielasko!)

By 4pm, the community (including many Chamber Directors, Ambassadors, Mayor Greg Raths, Councilwoman Wendy Bucknum, City Liaison Larry Longenecker) started visiting the various booths and listening to the business owners share their services. Each visitor was given a "vendor card" to encourage them to visit each booth, enjoy various give-a-ways, and be entered into the main opportunity drawing. Congrats to Bob Meyer of Beacon Sales and Marketing  for winning the $200 prize!

​It was encouraging to watch so many visitors also take in interest in their local Chamber of Commerce and we look forward to having those businesses join us soon!

The Sol Agave food truck was onsite to feed everyone and there was an ice cream truck filled with yummy desserts. The Music Vault Academy arranged for a talented youth group to perform several hit songs from their band. Good times!

As the sun started to set and 7pm (ish) rolled around, the tents, booths, and the whole set-up was taken down by a large group of Chamber, City, and community members. Thank you to all who helped in this effort! Special thanks to the City of Mission Viejo for helping us to promote this event via extra signage and media coverage. 

We look forward to the 2020 "Buy Local Showcase" already!

Chamber Ambassadors, Julie Schmidt (Team IT Logic) and John Rodriguez (iFinance Mortgage) met with prospective member, Allan Bayer, Tax Manager, for Glenn B. Hetzel & Associates, CPA's.

After enjoying coffee and avocado toast together, we discussed the many benefits of becoming a Chamber member with Allan and he confirmed that his firm sees the value in joining at the "Silver Level" ($500/annual).

We look forward to officially welcoming Allan and his firm shortly and scheduling their welcome Ribbon Cutting! 

Today, a small group of Ambassadors and Directors paid visits to local businesses discussing the many benefits of joining the Chamber of Commerce.

The Group consisted of: Donna Lang Stoffel (Director/Ambassador, of Heightened Health), John Rodriguez (Director/Ambassador, of iFinance Mortgage), Cody Abril (Ambassador/Communications, of New Generation Dentistry), and Ashley Brunier (Ambassador, of Waste Management).

The focus was on business owners with little time to participate in networking events and therefore may hesitate to join the Chamber. We demonstrated (with Cody and Ashley, younger representatives of their respective businesses) that business owners might be able to identify another trusted employee to attend and represent their business interests at Chamber-sponsored events and help to build more solid business relationships that could lead to increased referrals and closed business.

Many businesses showed positive interest in becoming Chamber members, some immediately and others in the very near future. The "group" even stopped by to visit fellow Chamber member, Julie Schmidt, of Team Logic IT.  So great seeing you, Julie!

We thank Donna, John, Cody, and Ashley for taking a couple hours of their busy day to participate in this important campaign. #mvchamber #missionviejochamber #missionviejo #wearethefunchamber #communityoutreach #millennialcampaign

Many visitors come to our Chamber Daybreaker's Networking Breakfast on Tuesday's. After visiting twice, our guests generally decide whether or not the Chamber is a good fit for them and their business.

Director and Ambassador Chair, John Rodriguez (iFinance Mortgage) scheduled a one-to-one appointment with guest, Bethany Pryor (Bethany Pryor Photography) to see how she enjoyed her Daybreaker's experience. Bethany truly enjoyed meeting so many professionally-minded business owners who enjoy building long-lasting relationships and referring business to each other.

​Bethany plans on joining the Chamber now! Please enjoy this brief video interview giving us a little more information on Bethany's photography services. #mvchamber #missionviejochamber #missionviejo #powerofvideomarketing #onetoonesarevital