| |
August 30, 2012
|
|
|
|
| First America’s Cup Races Draw Thousands – The America’s Cup World Series races held for the first time on the San Francisco Bay last Wednesday to Sunday drew an estimated 150,000 people to the city’s waterfront, far exceeding attendance at the same events held previously in San Diego and Newport, R.I. “It was a scene; it was packed; there was really big demand,” said Chamber member Jens Weiden of Giants Enterprises, the official spectator experience partner for America’s Cup events in San Francisco. The Chamber-supported series of regattas is expected to attract thousands more spectators and create a significant economic boost across the region. The next exhibition races are October 2-7 during Fleet Week. The Chamber is working with the America’s Cup to connect local businesses with race-related contracting opportunities. To learn more, contact Justin Roja at jroja@sfchamber.com or 415.992.7810, or visit us in the America’s Cup One-Stop Shop Monday- Friday, 10am-2pm, in the America’s Cup offices at Pier 23. Read more. |
| |
| Movement on State Pension Reform – Governor Jerry Brown and Democratic lawmakers announced a pension reform package Tuesday that would restrict pension benefits for new public employees by limiting annual payouts, raise the retirement age and force workers to split the cost of retirement benefits with taxpayers. The package does not create a hybrid system of traditional defined benefits and 401(k)-style savings plans or address state retiree health care vesting. “This plan is an important first step in reforming the state’s underfunded public pension systems but will not solve California’s looming pension crisis,” said Chamber President & CEO Steve Falk. “However, these reforms are needed and will open the door for further changes to ensure a sustainable system in the future.” The Legislature must act by Friday to place the measure on the November ballot. Read more. |
| |
| Chief Suhr at the Chamber – Chamber members heard from San Francisco Police Department Chief of Police Greg Suhr Tuesday at the August Public Policy Forum. Chief Suhr gave an update on crime in San Francisco and discussed both new initiatives and challenges facing the department. “We are down about 300 officers,” said Chief Suhr about officer attrition due to retirement. Thanks to the recently-approved city budget, SFPD will soon implement six police academy classes over the next two years, followed by three more classes in four years to reach the city charter mandate of 1,971 officers by June 2018. The Chief also discussed new technology being used by the department and thanked Chamber members for hiring local youth during the summer months through the Chamber-supported Summer Jobs+ program and the department’s Future Graduates initiative. The next Public Policy Forum will be held September 11 with SF Travel President & CEO Joe D'Alessandro to discuss the expansion of Moscone Center. Read more and register. |
| |
| Contracting Opportunities for SF Businesses – The San Francisco Department of Public Works (DPW) launched a new website portal to make it easier for contractors to search for contracts, bid on projects, and find project information for DPW’s construction projects and professional services. “We want to take the guess work out of getting a contract with DPW,” said DWP Director Mohammed Nuru. DPW offers contracts for the construction, repair, and improvement of public buildings, streets, parks and playgrounds; professional services contracts with engineers, architects, auditors, and consultants; and contracts for equipment and supplies necessary for the maintenance or repair of the city’s infrastructure. Click here to visit the portal and view contracts and bid opportunities. |
| |
| Economic Development: August Update – Employment in San Francisco is showing improvement, declining to 7.6 percent since last year according to the most recent data from the Chamber’s foundation partner the San Francisco Center for Economic Development (SFCED). Demand from the tech sector continues to drive San Francisco office lease transactions, with the city’s four largest technology tenants leasing almost 250,000 square feet, expanding their current premises by more than 200 percent. The Bay Area also continues to receive the largest share of U.S. venture capital investment with 46 percent invested in the region, up from 36 percent in the prior quarter. The Bay Area housing market continues its upward trend, with home sales rising on a year-over-year basis for the 13th month in a row. Read more. |
| |
| Last Chance to Advertise in the 2013 Chamber Directory –Thousands of people rely on the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce each year for referrals to local businesses. One of the best ways to capitalize on these referrals is to advertise in San Francisco Business, the Chamber’s Annual Member Directory and Resource Guide. The Chamber is now in the final stages of producing the 2013 edition and we invite all our members to participate before we close the publication tomorrow, Friday, August 31. Reasonable ad rates with free ad copy and design preparation available. Contact, Tommy Stroup at directory@sfchamber.com or 408.858.5418. |
|
|
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
|
|
| |
| MEMBER MAKING NEWS |
| |
| Bank of America is donating 1,000 properties to injured veterans and first responders. Charles Schwab announced a sponsorship to become the official investment firm for 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco. DavidsTea opened a new store on Russian Hill at 2123 Polk Street. Microsoft unveiled a new logo in advance of one of the most significant waves of product launches in the company’s history. Redwood Credit Union (RCU) and Shred-It hosted their 6th annual community Shred-A-Thon attended by fifteen hundred people shredding approximately 22.5 tons of sensitive documents and recycling a truckload of e-waste items. Click here to submit your company's news. |
| |
| THIS WEEK IN PUBLIC POLICY |
| |
| The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) announced the seventh parking-rate adjustment in its experimental SFpark program increasing the rates of some meters to $5.25. A 16-member Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) has been formed to provide community input for the Chamber-supported Warriors arena on Piers 30- 32. Harlan L. Kelly, Jr. was selected as the new General Manager for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) replacing retiring General Manager Ed Harrington. The state legislature approved a bill prohibiting voters from restricting or limiting the importation of solid waste into a privately owned landfill and shelved Chamber-supported SB 317 to enact responsible CEQA reform. The California Assembly is considering a ban on foam food containers made out of polystyrene. A federal appeals court ordered additional judicial review for San Francisco’s permit requirements for tow trucks. The Obama administration issued new fuel economy rules requiring auto manufacturers to increase the average efficiency of new cars and trucks to 54.5 mpg by 2025. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
COMING UP AT THE CHAMBER...
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
September 5, 12 – 1:30 pm [Bay Room]
|
|
| |
The New 401(k) Fee Disclosure Rules
|
|
| |
Join MassMutual Retirement Services Northern California Managing Director Molly Knapp for an educational briefing about the Department of Labor’s final rules covering enhanced retirement plan fee disclosures at both the fiduciary and participant level. Learn about the disclosure obligation and how to comply at the September Small Business Issues Forum. Read more and register.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
September 11, 12 – 1 pm [Chamber Boardroom] |
|
| |
Moscone Center Expansion Project |
|
| |
Join San Francisco Travel President & CEO Joe D'Alessandro for an informative presentation on the city’s tourism industry and the $56 million Moscone Center expansion project. Light lunch provided by Safeway. Read more and register. |
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
September 11, 6 – 8 pm [Union Bank] |
|
| |
Business After Hours |
|
| |
Join the San Francisco Chamber and GGBA (Golden Gate Business Association) for a special networking event at Union Bank. Save the date to enjoy appetizers, wine and live music while making connections with members of both organizations. Hosted by Union Bank. Read more and register. |
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
September 12, 8:30 – 10 am [Chamber Boardroom] |
|
| |
Promote Your Business Online with Google |
|
| |
Join Jennifer King, manager of Google's Small and Medium Business team, for an informative presentation on how a small business can use the web to succeed. The presentation will cover online marketing tools like Google AdWords and Google+. Learn how to focus your marketing efforts and budget for your target audience at the September Small Business Program. Read more and register. |
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
Click here to view more upcoming events from the Chamber and our members. Subscribe to EventFlash and get a weekly listing of San Francisco business programs and events delivered to your inbox. |
|
|
