The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 90th Annual Installation Dinner at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows on Wednesday, June 10 at 5:30 pm.
This popular and favorite yearly gathering of 500 business stakeholders, community, and civic leaders begins with a reception to mix and mingle under the historic Fig Tree in the hotel’s Front Walk.
Guests can bid on luxury hotel stays, play packages, and lots more from local businesses. Attendees can purchase a chance to win a raffle prize valued at $3,000.
After the reception, the party moves into the Starlight Ballroom for a four-course dinner crafted by the chef of Fig Restaurant.
Julia Ladd of Santa Monica Place/Macerich and her board will be thanked for their support and efforts during the past year and new chair, Gregory Day, General Manager at Shutters by the Beach, and the new Board will be installed by Mayor Kevin McKeown. The event concludes with honors going to an individual, and a small and large business for their commitment to the community.
The Roy Naylor Award will be presented to retiring Santa Monica College president/CEO Dr. Chui Tsang while the Bob Gabriel Community Service Business Awards will be presented to the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Tegner-Miller Insurance Brokers.
The event’s sponsors include Santa Monica Place and ETC Hotels, Shutters by the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar as well as many of the City’s local businesses.
Tickets are going fast so go to smchamber.com/installation-dinner or email events@smchamber.com. Tickets are $200, $150 for non-profits.
Roy Naylor Award – Dr. Chui Tsang Santa Monica College President/CEO
What are your most memorable moments of working with the Chamber through the years?
I think it was a sense of community that we were able to build throughout the years. I remember when I first came to Santa Monica in 2006; I saw different factions in the community who weren’t working in a harmonious manner. I remember working with the Chamber and sitting down with the leadership team – this was before (current President) Laurel Rosen – and talking about some of the work that we could all do together, and what the college’s role was in all of that. It’s really gratifying to have helped create a sustained effort in making this place better for everyone.
What do you think are the most important accomplishments of the Chamber to date?
From my perspective, the Chamber has done so much in connecting businesses with educational institutions to help to provide a work force for businesses. It has also made the business coming into Santa Monica realize that there is a wealth of assets in this community, and the educational institutions are here to support them, and making us real partners for each other.
What do you think the Chamber needs to do to continue to strengthen the membership and provide support for the community?
The Chamber can build on what it has accomplished, which is create partnerships. I think it can do even more in the future as we are seeing a changing demographic because of the different industries and new companies that are coming in. I think this is really a great opportunity for the Chamber to work as a conduit, to welcome those who are new to Santa Monica.
Bob Gabriel Community Service Business Award (large business) – Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows Matthew Lehman, General Manager
What are your most memorable moments of working with the Chamber through the years?
My most memorable moment was having the opportunity to emcee the Wellbeing Festival featuring the Buy Local Marketplace. I had the pleasure of working with some of the best culinary talent in Santa Monica and celebrating our city’s commitment to wellbeing with community members who attended a terrific event.
What do you think are the most important accomplishments of the Chamber to date?
The Chamber does an exceptional job of uniting businesses and their respective leaders who work together for the benefit of the city we love so dearly.
What do you think the Chamber needs to do to continue to strengthen the membership and provide support for the community?
The Chamber can continue to embrace the growth of Silicon Beach and the emerging technology community.
Bob Gabriel Community Service Business Award (small business) – Tegner-Miller Insurance Brokers Dave Nelson, Principal
What are your most memorable moments of working with the Chamber through the years? I really enjoy my current duties as Chief Financial Officer. I enjoy working with (Chamber president) Laurel Rosen on the monthly financial statements and assisting her and the staff with the budget. I also enjoy the annual State of the City event. This event has truly evolved over the years as the Chamber and the City of Santa Monica have worked together for the betterment of the city.
What do you think are the most important accomplishments of the Chamber to date?
I think the Chamber has been a big help to its replica watches members in working with the City of Santa Monica. Many of our members have been able to wind their way through the City’s permit process much faster with the assistance of the Chamber.
What do you think the Chamber needs to do to continue to strengthen the membership and provide support for the community?
The Chamber needs to continue to reach out to all small businesses in Santa Monica to show these businesses why it is so important to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber needs to reach out especially to the technology sector as this sector is growing tremendously in “Silicon Beach.” Tegner Miller Insurance Brokers has been a member of the Chamber since 1925 when the Chamber was founded. We look forward to the next 90 years with the Chamber and the City of Santa Monica.
