Monday, November 16
5:30-8:30 pm
The Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St., Union Square

Join the Chamber and our sponsors for one of the largest networking events of the year - Business After Hours Fall Expo. This exciting event features more than 140 exhibitors including Chamber members, non-profits, small business resource partners, as well as catered hors d'oeuvres from several exceptional local restaurants and caterers, complimentary tastings from 15 wineries, and live music. For businesses large and small, the Fall Expo is a must-attend networking event!

Online registration is now closed. Please register at the door on Monday, November 16. For information, contact Nadia Chan at nchan@sfchamber.com.

Discounted dental insurance available for Chamber members!
The Chamber Health Advantage Membership Plan brings Chamber members - particularly medium to small businesses - the expertise, access to providers and highly individualized, personal service that you can trust and that can add savings to the bottom line. A new dental offering has been added to the plan in 2009. Members can expect to receive discounted rates with these new dental and vision offerings.

The Chamber Health Advantage bundles services and offers the expertise needed to negotiate the often-bewildering health plan marketplace. CHAMP is making it easier to find the best option for your business at the best price. Chamber members enrolled in the plan will have access to free, premium-only Section 125 plans, custom employee enrollment and education materials and an exclusive website. Members will be able to choose between fully-insured PPO, HMO, high-deductible and self-funded medical, dental and vision plans offered by California's major carriers. For immediate assistance, call (415) 273-2212.

There are a few meetings left in 2009 for members to attend and learn more about the hottest leads club in town, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce's Business Alliance groups. Business Alliance is a structured leads-exchange program designed for networking and profession and personal development. Members of Business Alliance develop skills and tools to grow their business, dramatically expand their network of contacts, exchange leads and increase revenue. The 2010 Business Alliance has three groups that meet twice a month on a five month basis with twenty-five members in each group. The cost is $150 per semester to participate. Interested in learning more? Contact Maya Lewis at mlewis@sfchamber.com or 415-352-8840 or click here for more information.

Wednesday, November 18
8:30-10 am
SFCC Boardroom

More important now than ever, negotiating skills are one of the most valuable skills a business person can have. Attend this presentation to learn how to fine-tune those persuasion skills. In this course, attendees can expect to: cover Aristotle's 3 appeals: logos, ethos & pathos; learn the Six Steps to Sway; understand and analyze your audience to make the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time; prepare for obstacles and tough questions; identify the role that evidence plays in supporting strong arguments and explanations and learn how to recognize deceptive reasoning tactics.

Register Online

Presentation by:

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Wednesday, December 2
12-1:30 pm
SFCC Bay Room

The Small Business Issues Forum provides a monthly venue for small business owners to meet, share information and educate one another in an informal environment. The central focus of this program is on issues pertinent to operating, maintaining and growing a small business in San Francisco. This noon meeting is a brown bag lunch session held at the Chamber. Attendees must be Chamber members.

Register Online

Thursday, December 3
5-7 pm
Google Office, San Francisco

Please join other local business owners at Google's San Francisco office to learn to use simple, yet effective online tools to accelerate your business and generate a greater return for less. Google team members and product specialists who work with small- and medium-sized businesses like yours will be present to share their knowledge and expertise.

Register Online

Tuesday, December 8
8:30-10:30 am
SFCC Boardroom

Join this informative panel to discuss the latest developments and trends in electronic payments, privacy and data protection regulations with attorneys from global law firm Pillsbury. Experts Deborah Thoren-Peden, Catherine Meyer and Tara Desautels will cover an overview of electronic payment systems, a regulatory update and a security breach update. Thanks to a Pillsbury sponsorship, this is a free event for Chamber members; $25 for prospective members. A light breakfast will be provided. A session not to be missed!

Register Online

Tuesday, December 8
5:30-7:30 pm
Cigar Bar, 850 Montgomery Street

The Bay Area's premier leads-exchange program invites you to their end-of-semester bash. Join participants of the three Business Alliance groups to learn about the program and celebrate their latest successful semester. Enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres, festivities and networking at Cigar Bar. This event is free for current Business Alliance members; $20 for Chamber members. Space is limited. You must register in advance to attend. Cancellations must occur 48 hours prior to the event to receive a refund. For more information contact nchan@sfchamber.com.

Register Online

Wednesday, December 9
3:30-5 pm
SFCC Boardroom

Current, new and prospective members are encouraged to attend this program to learn how to get involved and make the most of Chamber membership. Fruit provided by The FruitGuys.

Register Online

April 20-28, 2010

Join the Chamber and our partner tour company for an exceptional nine-day trip to China, April 20-28, 2010. Visit Tian An Men Square, the largest square in the world, in Beijing; take a bus excursion to the Great Wall; visit the centuries old Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou and many more memorable and historical sights. This all inclusive trip is only $1,849 per person (based on dbl. occupancy) if paid by Nov. 18!

Register Online

Click here for New Members. Click here for Members on the Move. Click here for Member's Anniversaries.

Wednesdays
6:30-8:30 pm

A free service at the Chamber to provide ideas, advice, counsel and encouragement to those seeking a job or career change in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Contact Janet Beach at 415-433-3565.

There will be no Job Forum on:

Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Recology, the city's refuse collection company, and the Department of Environment gave an outreach presentation on how businesses can comply with the San Francisco's Universal Recycling and Composting Ordinance. Businesses were encouraged to think about the benefits of recycling and composting versus the impact of trash. Stefanie Pavis Medious from Recology stated that ”only 1/3 of what is thrown away is garbage and 2/3 is recyclable and/or compostable.”

Recology offers a commercial tour available to businesses - a sales representative walks each business through the process and the change of signs and labels, etc. to visibly highlight the compost and recycle program within the business.

For more information about this program, please visit: www.recologysf.com or
sfgov.org/site/frame.asp?u=http://www.sfenvironment.com.

Mark Herman, Principal, Cannon Design, moderates a forum at the SF Chamber on Public/Private Partnerships. Presenters from the left to right were: Steve Gressel-SVP Skanska; Ron McIntyre, Principal, Cannon Design; Doug Schmitt; and Tim Pearson, Director, Innisfree, Ltd.

The Public/Private Partnerships (P3) discussion focused on the design/construction and operation of facilities and how state, federal and city governments are relying upon these new cooperative alliances to deliver the necessary infrastructure required to meet the needs of the public. Presenters referenced case studies from the UK, Canada and Europe as a way to highlight best practices and lessons learned from these partnerships.

For more information, please contact Mark Herman at mherman@cannondesign.com or visit www.cannondesign.com.

Click here for details.

Monday, November 16
InterContinental Hotel San Francisco

Vietnam has aggressive goals for economic growth and development. To help meet these goals, Deputy Prime Minister Trương Vĩnh Trọng is leading a high level delegation of Vietnamese officials and business leaders to meet with California organizations interested in doing business with Vietnam. Discussions will take place at the MEET VIETNAM Investment Forum on Monday, November 16, 2009. Delegates also include high ranking officials from the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Information and Communications, senior officials from CanTho, DaNang and Ho Chi Minh City and representatives from the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Vietnam Software Association. U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Michael Michalak, will also accompany the Deputy Prime Minister to the U.S. and participate in the forum.

Register Online

Wednesday, November 18
11:30 am-12:30 pm
SFCC Boardroom

Join in on this conversation with District 2 Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier. Supervisor Alioto-Pier's district includes the Presidio, Cow Hollow, Marina, Pacific Heights as well as part of the Richmond neighborhood. She serves as a member of the San Francisco Disaster Council and is the Board Representative on the State Legislative Committee.

There is no fee to attend this event but please register. Supes for Lunch usually takes place the third Wednesday of each month in the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Boardroom at 235 Montgomery Street, 12th Floor. Soup provided by SF Soup Company.

Register Online

Thursday, November 19
7:30 - 9 am
Chamber Boardroom

The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco Unified School District, United Way and San Francisco School Alliance invite you on November 19 to a breakfast discussion on how San Francisco businesses can help prepare young people for careers and post-secondary opportunities.

To view invitation, please click here.

Wednesday, December 2
5:30-7:30 pm
Location TBD

The Office of Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and local business and merchant associations are pleased to present the District 2 Neighborhood Merchants Summit. This event will bring merchants together with their Supervisor and other city officials to discuss local business issues.

The Neighborhood Merchants Summit is an excellent opportunity to meet elected and city officials, network with other merchants in District 2 and strengthen neighborhood business ties.

Support San Francisco small businesses by attending the Neighborhood Merchants Summit in District 2! There is no fee to attend. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. Merchants not located in District 2 are welcome to attend.

Register Online

SF businesses invited to offer discounts for Bay Area residents
After the success of last year's program, “Shop SF. Get More.” is again being planned for November, December and January. This is a city-wide promotion designed to encourage residents of San Francisco and the entire Bay Area to shop, dine, play and stay in San Francisco this winter. Part of the promotion is “Show Your ZIP.” Bay Area residents are invited to show their ZIP code at participating businesses to receive a compelling discount or added value. These offers will be posted on the Web site of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/shopsf. All businesses are encouraged to take advantage of this targeted promotion.

There is no cost to participate, other than the value of your offer. We recommend providing a discount of no less than 15% and keeping the offer as simple and as straightforward as possible. The greater the discount, the more likely people will use them. The program will be highly promoted, including display advertising on MUNI trains and buses, posters in MUNI bus shelters, Mayor Gavin Newsom's press availabilities, print and digital advertisements, articles in select Bay Area publications and editorials in various e-newsletters.

Promotion Requirements:

• FREE to all businesses located within the City of San Francisco
• Offers valid from Sunday, November 15, 2009, through Sunday, January 31, 2010
• Provide offer upon presentation of a ZIP code from the nine Bay Area counties (94000 through 95100)
• Provide training to familiarize your staff with “Show Your ZIP” Program.

Click here to sign your business up for “Shop SF. Get More”. The deadline for offers is November 2. For more information contact Paula Zamudio, pzamudio@sfchamber.com or 415-352-8818.

Weekends November 27-December 20

Visit the Cow Palace exhibition halls as they are magically transformed into the bustling streets of old London town, including lively pubs, outrageous shows and charming shops. Open weekends November 27 through December 20, for discount tickets and information visit www.dickensfair.com.