Dr. Virginia S. Loh joined the Chamber in February 2008. She is a professor, published author, and freelance writer. She is the Vice-President of Girls Think Tank, a local nonprofit organization, and a new member of the Red Shirt Committee. In addition, she will be running for School Board in 2010. You can find out more information about her at: www.virginialoh.com

Think on Your Feet International, Inc. joined the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce in January 2008 and we are so pleased with our immediate success! It's always difficult to walk into a room full of strangers but the Chamber staff and existing members are so welcoming and friendly that we established instant connections and relationships. A wonderful and talented staff coupled with exciting events create the atmosphere for growth, credibility and success for all Chamber members.

Our membership has enabled us to connect with many of San Diego's large companies who would like to enhance the business communication skills of their employees. We are so happy to work with the Chamber and grow within San Diego's business community.

- Rochelle Stern, Manager, Client Support Services.

Think on Your Feet International, Inc. are specialists in communication-skills training. For over 25 years, through a network of partners and affiliates, we have delivered training to over 90,000 participants around the globe. To bring Think on Your Feet ^_® to your company please contact us at: 858-483-7060 or rstern@thinkonyourfeet.com

George Meszaros co-founded Webene, a web solutions and e-commerce consulting firm in Carlsbad, in 2007 after ten years of hands-on experience in the technology arena.  Webene specializes in working with businesses that are frustrated with their ineffective web presence, and joined the Chamber last year to meet with local business leaders.

- George Meszaros, co-founder Webene

Contact Webene at webene@webene.com.

“I have been involved with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce for several years now.  I remember in the beginning how intimidating it was, all those strangers!  Now, having been to countless mixers, breakfasts, BAG meetings and more, all those strangers are my colleagues and friends.  And, with new members coming on board every day, the contacts and experiences are truly endless, especially as a GOLD member!

Folks are always commenting on how many people I know and the number of referrals I give and get, for both business and personal applications.   Some consider me a 'go to' person for questions about the area.

- Keith Woolgar is a real estate agent with Century 21 Award

Keith Woolgar is a real estate agent with Century 21 Award.  For questions regarding office condos, residential properties or for tips from an experienced member on using the Chamber, Keith welcomes your call at (619) 306-3369, or email at kjwoolgar@hotmail.com.

“We joined the Chamber just last year – and won the “Outstanding Community Involvement” award at the Chamber’s Small Business Awards Luncheon. Winning this award catapulted our “Give Back Program” to a higher level.

Chamber membership has broadened our client base, enabling us to tell more people where the real opportunities are in this buyer’s market. Through its extremely well-executed events, the Chamber has offered us many opportunities to cultivate relationships with like-minded business professionals, and with regular updates from Ruben, Bill Holman, Sherman Stocker and the other knowledgeable Chamber associates, we truly feel as though we keep our finger on the pulse of the San Diego business economy. We know that no amount of money could pay for this advantage. For all of the assistance, planning, honor, time and philanthropy the Chamber brings to our area, we are thankful and proud to call ourselves San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce members."

- Krista Bell, Rex Downing & Associates

Rex Downing & Associates is a full-service real estate brokerage specializing in the Metro San Diego neighborhoods for the past 30 years. Contact Krista Bell, Business Development Administrator, via phone at (619) 280-7399 or by e-mail at Krista@rexdowning.com.

“Since becoming a member of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, many wonderful opportunities to meet new and exciting business professionals have come my way. The Chambers’ Get Connected Breakfasts not only serve up great food and networking opportunities, but also provide informative speakers monthly.

Focusing on professional development and developing strategic alliances is where I find the true value in Chamber membership. With regular updates, a ninety-day plan of involvement and helpful business insights from Sherman Stocker at the chamber, I’m getting an excellent grasp on San Diego’s regional business economy."

- Donna Seals, Owner, Donna Seals Realty

Donna Seals, a realtor for over 23 years in the San Diego region, specializes in residential and investment property. You can reach Donna at 619-921-3333 or by email at donnaseals@cox.net.

“As a new member of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, I am very pleased with the exposure to other San Diego Businesses. I feel the Chamber provides a dynamic source in which building strong relationships with other business professionals in our community comes naturally. Since joining I have attended many events and joined a Business Alliance Group, which have both presented opportunities for myself and my company. I am looking forward to the new opportunities and relationships that the Chamber will help me establish."

- Tyrell Muus, Sales Manager, One Source Marketing

One Source Marketing is your one source for logoed items. Contact Tyrell Muus, Sales Manager, at (858) 272-LOGO (5646) or visit One Source Marketing's Web site at www.onesourcemarketing.com.

“Working as a Realtor is tough and Krista Lombardi attributes part of her success to the SD Regional Chamber of Commerce. In the Chamber for her third year, head of a Business Alliance group, recently closing a new deal in June with a fellow Chamber member, and involved in numerous Commercial real estate deals all generated through the Chamber, Krista is one happy member. “Networking is what you make out of it. Many people start off with doubt and carry that with them through the life of their membership. Life and networking means going out and making it happen.” With her eyes on the sky, and hand picked as one of the Century 21 Award agents prepared to begin the prestigious C21 Award Pilot Program created by CEO David Romero, part of her success will always be the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.“

- Krista Lombardi, Realtor, Century 21

Krista is a full time real estate dedicated to making a difference in peoples’ lives, giving sensible counseling on their most valuable assets. You can contact her at: (619) 519-3251 or Krista@realestatedeals4you.com

“As a new business owner and member of the San Diego Regional Chamber, I am extremely delighted and appreciative of the outstanding programs I have been able to participate in with the Chamber. I have made many valuable business contacts and new customers by attending the Get Connected Breakfasts, After-five Mixers, and Business Alliance Group meetings. The Annual Business Expo was a great opportunity to feature my business, Proteus Design- Superior Graphic and Web Creations. This was also a fantastic way of meeting and networking with others in our community. Our Business Development Manager, Efrain Cornejo, has been the most helpful business resource a new business owner could ask for! The entire Chamber staff and board, create a truly professional environment of growth, productivity and partnership. This is a Chamber that really cares about its’ members and the rest of the San Diego Community!"

- Christopher Turnquist, Director of Sales and Marketing

www.proteusdesign.net - We give your company that “Million Dollar Look and Feel” for a fraction of the cost! If you want more people to call you, call us first.

“Membership in the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce isn’t just good for your own business; it supports and sustains the overall vigor of the San Diego community. Through my Chamber membership, I’ve met wonderful colleagues and forged excellent collaborative partnerships. These associations have provided opportunities that we otherwise might have missed out on. Chamber membership is good for San Diego, and it’s good for you.”

- Angelo Esposito, President, ATP Consulting

Angelo Esposito is the president of ATP Consulting and assists firms in implementing the COBIT and Val IT frameworks, which reduce IT costs while significantly improving efficiencies. He can be reached at info@ConsultATP.com, or at (619) 301-9709.

"It has been a pleasure and an honor being a member of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce for the past year. Str8eye is a personal concierge service created to save people money and time and enable them to plan their lives more effectively. Because there is no company quite like ours in the San Diego area, repeat business and business referrals are necessary for the success of Str8eye. We take advantage of the Business Expo and mixers because they put us in contact with vendors from various industries in need of our services. We have promoted and received the most referrals through networking this way with the Chamber of Commerce, so we value and appreciate our membership with them more than any other business or networking groups we are involved with.”

- Tracey Lott, Partner, Str8eye

Tracey Lott is a partner with Str8eye, a personal concierge service that runs errands, does research and plans events, among other services, for people and businesses in San Diego. Contact her at tracey@str8eye.net or (619) 807-9399.

“Stalwart Financial/New England Financial joined the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Circles of Influence in 2004. One of the first things that attracted us to the Chamber is the professionalism and dedication of the staff to its mission, members and community; their marketing skills and technical expertise rival any for-profit business entity. We’ve found from participating in the Chamber’s program how much it has to offer those who avail ourselves of its resources. The hard part is picking and choosing from such an exhaustive menu. The Business After 5 Mixers are not only fun and a great way to meet interesting people, but also a real opportunity to present ourselves as fee financial planners. We have enjoyed the Get Connected breakfasts, which are a great way to network and learn from unique, business-oriented educational speakers. The quarterly Circle of Influence receptions are top drawer, with particularly savvy attendees in our target demographic. The Business Alliance Group has proven to be worthwhile -- a time investment that’s well worth it. We hope you will take the time to take a look at what the Chamber has to offer. It does work.”

- Jerry Strayve, Jr., Financial Planner, Stalwart Financial/New England Financial

Reach Jerry Strayve at (619) 299-2990 ext. 6217 or jstrayve@pfc.nef.com.

“I joined the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce almost two years ago looking for a better way to do business and meet the kind of people I wanted to do business with. Since then, I have not only found a way to meet prospective clients and contacts through mixers and other Chamber events, but also to keep current with issues through the economic outlook events and by getting involved with the Chamber’s Housing Committee. Now, I’m more than an entrepreneur working on his own; I have become a part of the San Diego business community. The speakers at the Get Connected Breakfasts offer insight to various aspects of business, and the Business After Five mixers help me meet people in all business arenas and levels. I‘ve never been much of a networker or enjoyed the ‘cold call’ feeling of meeting new people, but the Chamber’s mixers don’t have the pretentious, “cliquey” setting of other networking groups. Probably my best experience has come from the Business Alliance Group, where I’ve made contacts and personal connections with like-minded business people who have helped my business grow. The Chamber of Commerce has given my small business big business perks.”

- Brian Savala, Calpacific Mortgage Consultants

Find out more about CalPacific Mortgage Consultants by calling Brian at 858-657-1051.

“With our growing success since we launched in 2000, WeKnowBest joined the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce last year. Since then, we have been rewarded with new business relationships leading to new opportunities and sales. The events and expos are both professionally and personally rewarding to attend. WeKnowBest has capitalized on a unique niche market with the aid of the Chamber. As the Business Development Manager, I’m able to use the Chamber’s membership list to offer our services, and our affiliation with the Chamber gives me added confidence because what it says about our integrity. The area's economic growth the last several years has resulted in increased opportunity for the installation of low-voltage electrical systems such as security, data transfer and telecommunications. Using the resources of the Chamber, we are better able to avail ourselves of those opportunities.“

- Cary Schaffner, Business Development Manager, Weknowbest.com

WeKnowBest, a division of Behnke Enterprises Inc., provides voice/data and POS systems design, installation and support in the Southern California region. For more information call (619) 562-6669, ext. 706 or visit www.weknowbest.com.

“Since joining the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce in July, we have seen our sales grow by double digits each month. In November, we participated in the Chamber’s annual Business to Business Expo, where we took orders on the spot and provided more than 60 quotes for new business. The largest contributor to our success in meeting people and developing working relationships has been the monthly Business After Five mixers. These events provide a casual environment for meeting new business professionals who either need our service or know someone who does. TKO Promotional Products has definitely seen results since we became SDRCC members, and we can attribute that to the wonderful Chamber members we’ve met and the relationships that we continue to develop through Chamber activities.””

- Tracy and Karan Osborne, TKO Promotional Products

TKO Promotional Products is a full-service agency offering design, screen printing, pad printing, embroidery and ad specialties merchandise for increasing our clients’ brand awareness. Contact TKO at (619) 741 4221 or visit www.tkopromos.com.

“When I became an active member of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce my business took a direction that astonished me. I had no idea that the Chamber was a wealth of resources. The relationships that developed, the marketing opportunities, the alliances and the business advocacies are all reasons that foster the success of my business. When the Chamber says "Good for San Diego, Good for Business" they mean it!”

-Joanna Herr, President, Herr Photography, Inc.
www.herrphotography.com

Herr Photography offers traditional and digital photographic services.

“I have been a member of a Chamber Business Alliance for 1 1/2 years. I am active in the chamber, attending as many events as I can and without a doubt being a member of the Downtown, first and third Thursday of the month Business Alliance, has been my most rewarding chamber experience; both on a professional and personal level.

It can be difficult to grow your business from single contacts; however as an Alliance member I always have people I know at events with me. With the Alliance group, you see the same people consistently over a long period of time which enables you to develop relationships both on the professional and personal level. My experience is that the personal relationship is actually more important because with all the purchasing options available, people prefer doing business with someone they like and respect.”

- Duane Schummer, First Future Credit Union, San Diego Branch