CHAMBER ACHIEVEMENTS

The mission of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce is “to grow the local economy and serve as the voice of business” and the chamber is an important influence in the growth and prosperity of the Santa Fe community. Twenty-one board members, five committees and dozens of valuable volunteers assist and advise chamber staff and help create programs that support the mission of the organization. The chamber is a convener in the community, a catalyst for positive change and a champion of success and prosperity.

At its annual planning session in May of each year, the chamber board of directors identifies priorities that support the chamber’s mission and create clear collaborations with other organizations. Chief among these are job creation, increasing the supply of income-appropriate housing, workforce development and business advocacy. Chamber programs and activities can be divided into four core competencies:

Lobbying as the Voice of Business

• Support for the mission of Los Alamos National Laboratory and

the resulting regional economic development

• A founding member of the Santa Fe Housing Action Coalition, a broad-based community coalition dedicated to expanding the accessibility and affordability of quality housing options in Santa Fe through systemic change that benefits all residents. The coalition has come together to address the many issues currently impeding the accessibility of housing for all who want to live and work in Santa Fe by organizing, convening, educating and mobilizing stakeholders to advocate for more communityresponsive housing and land use policy.

• Support of additional flights and improvements, and successful lobbying for funding for Santa Fe Airport through the Fly Santa Fe campaign

• Lobby for consistent local and state tourism marketing funding • Host conversations with the municipal candidates, merchants meetings, legislative previews and other events to inform the electorate about candidates and legislative issues

• Monthly breakfast events which draw dozens of business and

community leaders

• Support for rational local regulation of the growing short-term

rental industry

• Lobby to reduce unnecessary rules and regulations and to

support common sense business licensing

• Identifying economically viable best uses for the former

Santa Fe University of Art and Design property and surrounding properties

• Created the Every Day Matters campaign, which rewards

Santa Fe Public Schools students who demonstrate excellence in classroom attendance, resulting in improved graduation rates • Support early childhood investment through funding for Pre-K and an ongoing partnership with United Way of Santa Fe County

Growing the Local Economy

• Work with local merchant groups to address issues and to

advocate for an improved business environment

• Host foreign trade and other industry groups who have an

interest in connecting with and investing in Santa Fe

• Connect businesses with government agencies, resources,

partners and potential collaborators

• Celebrate dozens of new local businesses through ribbon

cuttings and other ceremonies

• Lobby for the New Mexico film industry and connecting local

businesses with film and other media opportunities

• Helped grow the local economy, which has become more diverse than ever before. Healthcare, technology, government and creative sectors are showing particular strength

• Work to successfully improve upon broadband access, reducing regulations, creating regional collaborations and strengthening relations with local and state government

Promoting a Prosperous Community

• Host the sold out Fourth Annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon, with more than 300 attendees and a panel of successful women leaders from the local community

• Lobby for better public transportation

• Collaborate with administrators and elected officials thru

numerous programs to improve Santa Fe Public Schools • Supports the Senior Lifestyle Expo, which drew hundreds to

Santa Fe Place in October

• Partners with other business, community and nonprofit groups who work together to create a more diverse, prosperous and healthy city economy

Creating Connection Opportunities

• Hosts regular chamber events that draw more than 4,000

attendees each year.

• Offers membership benefits and member-to-member discounts

Organizational Improvements

• Increase community sponsorships for chamber programs and

events

• Create the Member of the Month program

• Send thousands of referrals, links, page views and online

mentions to members businesses