As we reflect on our work from 2020 we see a year in which the Chamber was able to focus on our essential “mission-based” work like never before in recent history. With the absence of major events and the streamlining of our meetings, forums and webinars, more time was made available for the critical work of advocating for our business community. The vast majority of our time and resources were focused on the key functions of Convening Leaders and Influencers, serving as a Champion for a Strong Community and being a Catalyst for Business Growth. As we work toward economic recovery in the coming year, these will remain critical areas of focus for the chamber.
Advancing Oceanside by… CONVENING LEADERS AND INFLUENCERS
The Oceanside Chamber works tirelessly to develop and maintain strong relationships through the various sectors of our community. This includes our small business owners, corporate leaders, the non-profit community, government employees and elected leaders. Through these relationships, we are uniquely positioned to bring people together to work on our City’s most important issues. Here’s a quick overview of some of our work in the area of Convening Leaders and Influencers during the past year…
The Oceanside Chamber works tirelessly to develop and maintain strong relationships through the various sectors of our community. This includes our small business owners, corporate leaders, the non-profit community, government employees and elected leaders. Through these relationships, we are uniquely positioned to bring people together to work on our City’s most important issues. Here’s a quick overview of some of our work in the area of Convening Leaders and Influencers during the past year…
PROVIDING ACCESS TO COMMUNITY LEADERS
- Annual Meet the City Reception – Before large “in-person” events became a distant memory, the Chamber’s Annual Meet the City Reception produced one of its largest audiences ever. The purpose of the event is to provide our business leaders with face to face access to our City staff and elected leaders and to allow our smaller businesses the ability to make new connections with our corporate leaders.
- Emerging Issues Forums – The interruption of in-person events brought on the acceleration of our use of technology. The transition of our Emerging Issues Forum from our conference room to cyberspace was actually a blessing in disguise making it easier for the Chamber to bring our elected officials into the same “room” as our business leaders on multiple occasions throughout the year. This allowed our members to access real-time COVID-19 updates with our Congressman, State Senator and Assemblymember, County Supervisor and Oceanside Mayor.
A STRONG AND CONSISTENT VOICE FOR YOUR BUSINESS
- Save Small Business Coalition - Through its partnership with The Save Small Business Coalition, the Chamber continued advocacy efforts for a “Phase 4” COVID-19 relief bill that would include
- Paycheck Protection Program Extension and Enhancement
- Workforce Development
- Business Liability Protection
- State and Local Aid
- Paycheck Protection Program Extension and Enhancement
- Fighting for the Rights of Small Businesses – The Chamber supported City and County efforts to get local businesses back up and running safely. We participated with neighboring Chambers and business/community leaders in the Re-Opening Rally to encourage fair treatment of Small Businesses. Chamber staff wrote letters and gave testimony at several County Board meetings to ensure the voice of business was represented.
- Regional Pro-Business Coalitions – Numerous Chambers and business organizations throughout San Diego County shared the common goal of fair treatment for our small businesses. On many occasions we banded together to provide a cohesive voice for our respective business communities. A highlight included the Oceanside Chamber’s efforts to organize a coalition of 20 San Diego County Business Organizations to push back against San Diego County Health officials’ decision to add additional re-opening requirements on our local businesses.
- Your Voice on City Issues – T be the voice for our businesses on City issues remained a key priority. As an example, Chamber leaders participated in the City of Oceanside’s focus groups related to the General Plan Update to ensure that the business community has a voice in the process. We supported several successful mixed-used projects that will bring much needed housing to the downtown area.
A PLATFORM FOR BUSINESSES TO SPEAK OUT
- Digital Advocacy Through OneClickPolitics - The Oceanside Chamber partnered with the Carlsbad and Vista Chambers to take business advocacy work to the next level by purchasing subscriptions to OneClick Advocacy. The platform includes innovative communication tools such as photo and video messaging, integrated text messaging, and direct social media posts to legislators’ profiles to provide several avenues for business owners to connect with elected officials on important issues.
HELPING ELECT BUSINESS FRIENDLY CANDIDATES
- Endorsement Victories for Oceanside City Council - In August, The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsements for the 2020 City of Oceanside Elections. The Chamber Board of Directors voted to support Ryan Keim for District 3 and Peter Weiss for District 4. Both candidates won their respective district races.
2020 BALLOT MEASURES
- The Defeat of Prop 15 - The Chamber made recommendations on several key ballot measures in the November 2020 Elections and participated in some successful coalitions including the defeat of Proposition 15 that would have ushered in the largest property tax increase in state history and the passage of Proposition 22 that protected app-based drivers and rideshare services.
- The Oceanside Chamber, in partnership with the Carlsbad and Vista Chambers held two candidate forums to provide voters with critical information. These forums included the 49th Congressional District and the Tri-City Healthcare District.
Advancing Oceanside as a … CHAMPION FOR A STRONGER COMMUNITY
The Oceanside Chamber takes great pride in playing a role in promoting our City as a great place to live, work and play. We take seriously the role of contributing to the incredible quality of life our businesses and residents enjoy in Oceanside. In 2020, the Chamber launched its “Advancing Oceanside” brand to better reflect the work that the Chamber, the Oceanside Chamber Foundation and the Chamber’s Political Action Committee do in moving our community forward. Here’s a quick overview of some of our work in the area of a Champion for a Stronger Community during the past year…
The Oceanside Chamber takes great pride in playing a role in promoting our City as a great place to live, work and play. We take seriously the role of contributing to the incredible quality of life our businesses and residents enjoy in Oceanside. In 2020, the Chamber launched its “Advancing Oceanside” brand to better reflect the work that the Chamber, the Oceanside Chamber Foundation and the Chamber’s Political Action Committee do in moving our community forward. Here’s a quick overview of some of our work in the area of a Champion for a Stronger Community during the past year…
ADVANCING OCEANSIDE PODCAST
- In 2020, we launched our Advancing Oceanside Podcast to provide a platform for our local non-profits and small businesses to share their message to our community. We started the show with interviews of several community and non-profit leaders and plan to expand into other areas in the coming year.
- North County Cares, a program designed by the Oceanside and Vista Chambers of Commerce along with the San Diego North Economic Development Council, brought much needed relief to our community. The program supported both families in need and locally owned restaurants who have borne the brunt of the impacts of mandatory closures and social distancing orders. Over $60,000 in donations (with Genentech being the primary funder) went toward purchasing gift cards at participating Oceanside and Vista Chamber member restaurants. The gift cards were distributed to the Oceanside and Vista Unified School Districts to provide meals for families in need in our community.
- The Chamber recognized local nonprofits’ consistent need for supplies and dedicated a portion of their promotional efforts to support these organizations. VANC’s food drives and Tri-City Medical Center Foundation’s annual Wigs for Hope fundraiser were both promoted heavily on our digital platforms. The Chamber partnered with the North County Food Bank to host a Virtual Food Drive supporting North County’s families and Solutions for Change to host a Bedding Drive supporting the influx of families entering Solution’s program.
- Virtual Awards Luncheon - In August, the Chamber held its 1st Annual Heroes of Oceanside and Camp Pendleton Event virtually. We were pleased to recognize representatives from the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oceanside Police Department, Oceanside Fire Department, Healthcare Workers and Teachers/Staff from the Oceanside Unified School District for their outstanding contributions to the well-being and advancement of our City.
- Best of Oceanside Quarterly Journal – Throughout the year, we highlighted some of Oceanside’s best with our Stories of Unity and Resilience and features such as Future Talent, Game Changers and Healthcare Heroes. The publication was primarily distributed by direct mail to residents and businesses.
- North County Health Fair – One of the few in-person events for 2020 was the Chamber’s annual Health and Wellness Fair. The event provided a much-needed opportunity for healthcare providers to connect with community members.
Advancing Oceanside by service as a … CATALYST FOR BUSINESS GROWTH
The Oceanside Chamber believes that “pro-business” is “pro-community”. Our small businesses play a key role in the character of Oceanside and the tremendous quality of life we enjoy every day. The pandemic brought about new challenges in how the Chamber would approach its role as a Catalyst for Business Growth…
The Oceanside Chamber believes that “pro-business” is “pro-community”. Our small businesses play a key role in the character of Oceanside and the tremendous quality of life we enjoy every day. The pandemic brought about new challenges in how the Chamber would approach its role as a Catalyst for Business Growth…
MASSIVE OUTREACH CAMPAIGN
ACCESS TO TIMELY INFORMATION
Our outreach to businesses, as well as incoming phone calls and emails, made it clear that a top priority of the Chamber would be to provide timely information for our business community. Some actions that the Chamber took early on in the COVID -19 Crisis were…
VIRTUAL NETWORKING EVENTS
SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Through its partnership with the City of Oceanside, the Chamber played a large role in the distribution of CARES Act funding to our small business community through two programs…
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
BEST OF OCEANSIDE PUBLICATIONS
WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION
- The Oceanside Chamber mobilized its staff to conduct a massive outreach campaign to the Oceanside business community at the beginning of the mandatory lockdowns and closures of our small businesses. Hundreds of businesses, both Chamber members and non-members were contacted so we could learn what their needs were and how we could best serve them in the coming weeks and months.
ACCESS TO TIMELY INFORMATION
Our outreach to businesses, as well as incoming phone calls and emails, made it clear that a top priority of the Chamber would be to provide timely information for our business community. Some actions that the Chamber took early on in the COVID -19 Crisis were…
- Development of a COVID-19 Website – Within just a few days of the lockdowns our COVID-19 website was up and running with multiple informational updates daily. We soon added “Shop Local” and “Restaurants Guides”.
- Conduit for Communication – Chamber leaders facilitated “two-way” communication between government and businesses, most notably at the county level as Supervisors sought the input of businesses on safe reopening plans. At the City level, Chamber staff represented the business community on the City’s Economic Recovery Task Force.
- Creation of a COVID -19 Enewsletter – Chamber staff launched a weekly “COVID-19 specific” email to make sure our subscribers had access to the most timely information on emergency loan programs, small business grants, relief legislation, reopening guidelines, child care resources and more.
- Informational Webinars – It quickly became clear that “business as usual” would not work in 2020. Through a wide variety of partners, the Chamber launched a series of free informational webinars on a wide variety of topics.
- Small Business Loan Sources – Oceanside-based Frontwave Credit Union stepped up to serve our businesses by becoming an SBA Lender and offering PPP Loans to small businesses. The Chamber helped connect small businesses to this program and many were able to receive these critical loans.
- Serving our Restaurant Community – As restaurants were among some of the hardest hit industries, Chamber staff made it a point to stay in close contact with restaurant owners and managers to keep them informed of the latest information and opportunities related to the food service industry.
VIRTUAL NETWORKING EVENTS
- Oceanside Chamber Events –While making business connections remained a top priority for many Chamber members especially during the pandemic, the Chamber shifted from in-person events to virtual networking events on Zoom. Our monthly First Tuesday Coffee went virtual and attendance remained strong. The Chamber’s Business Mixers and Business After Hours also shifted to Zoom. The Virtual Business After Hours served as a casual event for individuals to make business connections. The Virtual Business Mixers were hosted with a specific partner who had the ability to discuss their business and/or give attendees a tour of their location. The Chamber partnered with several other Chambers in North County to host joint Zoom mixers and networking events.
SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Through its partnership with the City of Oceanside, the Chamber played a large role in the distribution of CARES Act funding to our small business community through two programs…
- Small Business Grants - The Chamber administered the “city-wide” portion of the Small Business Grant Program, while partnering with MainStreet Oceanside who handled grant distribution in the downtown district. Chamber staff oversaw program promotion and outreach and the review of grant applications and distribution of the grant awards. In total, 77 businesses received over $155,000 in grant funding.
- Shop Local - Shop Local Oceanside is an ongoing effort to revitalize Oceanside’s economy through various avenues and to create overall awareness for residents and tourists to support local businesses. The Chamber purchased $8500 in gift cards from small businesses and distributed the gift cards to local residents who participated in Shop Local social media contests.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
- The Chamber’s Workforce Development Task forged a partnership with the Oceanside Unified School District’s Career Technical Education team to develop plans for video tours of local businesses. The program will be designed to provide OUSD Students with exposure to emerging industries in Oceanside and potential career paths to explore. Our team is working toward developing partnerships with the Carlsbad and Vista Chambers in order to expand the reach of our programming.
BEST OF OCEANSIDE PUBLICATIONS
- The Chamber continued to provide strong avenues for local businesses to connect with prospective customers. The “Best of Oceanside” series of publications include an Annual Community Guide, Quarterly Journal and City Map, providing businesses with a variety of options for reaching visitors, locals, other businesses and more.
WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION
- As the pandemic directly affected a majority of our small businesses, the Chamber immediately began social media and website promotions for our members. Using platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, the Chamber shared various updates and offerings from businesses. After the first shutdown, the Chamber immediately put together a list of restaurants and retail shops open and offering their services.
