Mission:
The mission of the American Canyon Chamber of Commerce is to promote, preserve and strengthen the prosperity of our membership and the community.
About Us:
Unlike the other Chambers in the County, the American Canyon Chamber is only 12 years old. The chamber was run in its early years by a dedicated group of volunteers. The first Executive Director came on board in 1998 with a total of 60 members. The chamber grew larger and stronger. The chamber changed leadership in April of 2007. Today we boast a solid membership of 340. Our Chamber office has relocated and doubled its size adding meeting space and a brighter future. It seems our Chamber is keeping up with the growth of our city!
The American Canyon Chamber subscribes to the following core competencies as defined by the western states professional association:
- Creating a strong local economy
- Promoting the community
- Providing networking opportunities
- Representing the interests of business with government through political action
In February 2008, in order to help create a stronger local economy, the chamber formed a "Member 2 Member" program that when used, grants a stated discount for services to fellow chamber members. Our program also emphasizes a "shop local whenever possible" mantra. The Napa Junction Project brought us our first big box retail, a Wal*Mart Superstore. As a result of that project, it's much easier for the people of our community to stay in American Canyon for goods and services.
As recently as September 27, 2008 the Chamber, along with eight other American Canyon Non-Profits joined forces to orchestrate the "First Annual Music Festival" as a collaborative community outreach program. The purpose of the festival was to provide a safe place for families to enjoy themselves, enjoy great food, drinks and the arts with neighbors, and to educate our community as to the purpose of each of the participating organizations involved. The festival was host to five local bands featuring everything from a 40 piece Big Band to Western style music, our American Canyon Middle School Band, the "First Ladies Hula Dancers", an eight year old rapper and so much more.
Our membership makes the most of networking opportunities! Member businesses volunteer their office space and, with the help of a strong Ambassador Program, the chamber provides 12 monthly networking mixers a year. These mixers continue to attract more attendees each month; just when you think the last one was a show-stopper, the next month rolls around and everyone is amazed once again!
As of November of 2007, our chamber is building a Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC). The ultimate focus of our GAC is to influence governmental policies, programs and regulations to enhance the business climate in our community. Our strategy is to analyze proposed local, state and federal legislation, regulations and ordinances. We will research and advocate for new or revised programs or legislation to improve, not burden, local business. Although new, we have studied and taken positions on measures, sent questionnaires to candidates and posted the results, hosted forums and interviews and through various mediums advised the public of the outcome. With the help and support of the business community and our community at large, the American Canyon Chamber of Commerce is becoming a quality resource that can be counted on. We measure our success by our growing membership and community support.