AmCan's Business Circle

by the webmaster

Introduction:

For local businesses in American Canyon, the Chamber Of Commerce, independent from the city and founded in 1994,  serves on the frontline leading the way for new entrepreneurs who flawlessly decided to make our city part of their financial dream.  They battle to create an atmosphere where businesses can be voiced, defended, and expanded with little resistance.  The organization provides local companies with valuable resources such as local events, social gatherings, promotions, and connections.  Members are entitled to much more including advertisements, and a host of other incentives which far outweigh the negligible cost.  However, the chamber's reach isn't only limited to businesses, they also provide current and future residents considerable insight into the community.

About The Chamber:

Beautification of Highway 29, creating more affordable retail space, securing a site for our new High School, helping with city events, helping to get our very own zip code, finding a place for our first City Entrance Sign, and making sure important local projects are funded; the list is almost endless!  Believe it or not, these are only a few of the important aspects the chamber, members, and volunteers provide for our community.  Upon signing up, you get a free yearly subscription to the Napa Valley Register, free advertisements, and invitations to such events such as the annual dinner, casino night, fundraisers, and golf.  The Napa Valley Economic Development Corporation (NVEDC) also works with the Chamber to provide financial assistance for certain types of companies.  Volunteers try their best to staff the official Chamber office each day for a few hours to answer calls that citizens, future residents, and potential companies have.  Companies can even contact the Chamber to find a suitable hall for their meetings.  It is not uncommon to hear the phone ringing off the hook.  An unusual fact and uniqueness of our chamber is that only about 50% of its members are from AmCan.  In addition, almost all businesses in AmCan are members, and the renewal rate is 98%.  To those who know this line of work, these numbers are extremely uncommon.  There are many reasons that could account for these astonishing numbers, first and probably the best answer is that AmCan has a greater sense of community and the public support is great.  Business want to get involved with the chamber and so do the residents.  A second answer is that the chamber gives businesses one of the best incentive packages for the price.  Thirdly, a minor but reasonable answer could be that AmCan does have a lot of retired residents who are involved within the Chamber for something to do. 

About The CEO And Staff:

For part time and first CEO,  Dale Osmond, the chamber's 250+ members are just the tip of the iceberg.  When the chamber hired Dale in 1998, it was going nowhere, under-funded, and was practically a complete mess.  It was run out of a mailbox from a video store, only had sixty members, and didn't even have enough funds to even hire a CEO!  For Dale, the challenge was nothing new.  Through his 28 years experience working with Chamber Of Commerces around the state, including Vallejo, San Bruno, and Santa Clara, he has been highly praised for his work and efforts and even helped get Willie Brown and Ronald Regan to speak at events before they became famous politicians.  He is also quick to mention that his work could not be done without his wife of 47 years, Kathleen, and he wont let you forget it.  She does almost all of the computer work, and handles the web page and layouts for all their publications.  Although the jobs varied, they were nonetheless, the worked he loved, and being our Chamber's first CEO fit him perfectly.  Today the Chamber has an official office in the Canyon Plaza off of highway 29, although most of the work is still done at home.  All positions except for the CEO and the executive assistant, head by Kathleen, are volunteered or voted for, including the President.  While the CEO oversees that day by day activities are completed, a lot of the core work is done strictly by volunteers such as open houses, publishing handouts, and keeping track of legislation that may affect the business community.  However it should be noted that although the Chamber could not function without its volunteers, that they do have an incentive, and that is they own a company in AmCan.

A Look Into The Future:

Today, the chamber continues to be the voice for local businesses and pushes hard to sell American Canyon as a place to set up a business.  There is still plenty of work to do for those who want to get involved, and volunteers are greatly needed throughout all levels of the chamber.  Available positions include an Ambassador, which has the primary goal of being the social arm of the Chamber, selling tickets to and assisting with events, and summoning new members.  The Ambassador, like many other, require you be a member of the Chamber.  For the future, the Chamber will continue to push for more affordable space, growth, and services for new companies.  Finally, they don't plan to be moving the office anytime soon but will be expanding the amount of paid staff.

To contact the Chamber dial:  (707) - 552 - 3650  or visit www.amcanchamber.org

Photos:

- Chamber Office & CEO -