Remembering my very first Chamber of Commerce event that I attended over a decade ago, I was terrified. I didn’t
know anyone, I wasn’t used to speaking in public, and I wasn’t very good at just walking up to someone and introducing
myself. Because everyone was so welcoming, I ended up having a really great time and met a lot of amazing people. It is
because of the professional, friendly, and genuine Chamber members and staff that I can now call all of those “strangers”
in the Chamber my family.
MESSAGE FROM
THE BOARD CHAIR
The Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce has been proudly serving our local businesses for over a century.
What we do is two-fold: we are here to support local businesses and help them grow and thrive. And we are also here
for the residents of the communities we serve as a resource for them to easily find the services they need, and to keep it
local. We know the challenges small businesses face, and it is our pleasure and our duty to help them flourish, and keep
the economy in our communities flourishing as well.
The Chamber does a fantastic job of giving local businesspeople the opportunity to network with other local businesses.
Face-to-face contact with your business partners and customers, networking with peers, developing relationships, and
supporting those with whom you do business is what doing business is all about... whether you employ five, or five
thousand. Doing business with a person that you know well, and grow to trust, means everything. Rather than relying on
Yelp reviews or blindly choosing a business from the phone book, the Chamber allows you to meet new people and find
your own personal “rolodex” where you can refer their business to your own network of people with confidence.
As the 2016 Chamber Board Chair, it is my goal to see our local businesses succeed and welcome new businesses into
the Chamber family. You’ve probably heard that “small business is the backbone of this country.” That is never truer than
in the communities we live in. The Chamber created this directory not only to promote our members, but to provide a
tool to the residents in our communities to find the services they need right here in Chatsworth, Porter Ranch and the
neighboring communities. Businesses give back to the communities they are located in, so by using local businesses you
are also helping your community.
The Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber has many events and opportunities for you to promote your business and help
your business grow. You can network, sponsor an event, host a mixer or use one of the Chamber’s many affordable
advertising opportunities. Best of all, you will help the community prosper. These events include our annual Gala, Family
Festival, Unforgettable Educators Award, Legends and Heroes Luncheon, State of the Community Breakfast, our new and
very successful Taste of Chatsworth, and many more. The Chamber also prides itself in the number of networking events
it hosts every month. These include a monthly Connection Breakfast, two Link Lunches, two “Meet and Mingle” Mixers, a
number of ribbon cuttings, and more. Please make sure you visit the Chamber website at www.chatsworthchamber.com
and RSVP for an event.
The Chamber owes its success to the involvement of its members and the sheer number of events to help promote their
member businesses. This involvement includes, but is not limited to, members volunteering as leaders on the Board of
Directors, Ambassadors for the Chamber, and on Committees, or volunteering their time to assist at Chamber events.
I’ve heard so many people say they joined a Chamber but didn’t get anything out of it. I asked them how many events
they’ve attended and their answer is usually one or none. When you join the Chamber, whether you’re shy like I was or
just busy, you need to put in the time and attend at least one event a month. Get
to know your fellow Chamber members, and over time, you will see the benefit,
like I did. Since joining the Chamber so many years ago, those “strangers” that
I met at my first event have become my friends, my resources, and people that I
know I can trust.
Thank you to all past and current members, volunteers, Board of Directors,
employees, executive directors and community leaders for helping to build our
Chamber to the successful resource it is today.
Remember, the Chamber works for you, when you work with the Chamber.
Sincerely and proudly,
Marnie Nemcoff
Board Chair
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