Chamber of Commerce Announces It's 'Back in Business' with Open House

LOMA LINDA >> The Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce is inviting individuals and businesses in the community to an open house June 14 to celebrate its official rebuilding and reopening in the community. At the event, which begins at 4:30 p.m. in the City Hall parking lot, attendees can enjoy refreshments while learning more about networking, business opportunities, and information on how to become a member with the Chamber. City officials like city manager T. Jarb Thaipejr will be present, along with representatives from Assemblymember Marc Steinorth and Third District Supervisor for San Bernardino County James Ramos offices. "We’re wanting to reopen (the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce), generate some excitement and let people know that we are back in business; that we have some exciting things going on here for the remainder of this year into next year in ways that we can bring value to their businesses," said William Arnold, president of the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce and Associate Superintendent of Schools for the Southeastern California Conference of SDA. During the two-hour event, Arnold said people will not only have the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the aforementioned officials, but will also have a chance to meet the 2016-2017 Board of Directors, which include: Arnold himself, Vice President Victor Miller of Marathon Media Properties, Secretary Roni Bailey of Livewell Medical, and Treasurer Scott Stockdale of Century 21 University Realty. “We are to providing networking opportunities for people to get to know them and for them to get to know other businesses," Arnold said. At the open house, people can learn different networking opportunities through the events the Chamber of Commerce will be holding throughout the end of the year and onto future years. Some of these opportunities, Arnold said, include breakfast networking, which will start in July. These monthly breakfast meetings will help keep businesses up to date on what is going on in Loma Linda with other businesses, plus hospitals and universities, and on various topics like social media and marketing. Arnold also said some guests will be featured during these morning breakfast meetings, such as the Loma Linda Police Department. "To give businesses some pointers on how to protect themselves, what they can do in the case of a break-in." Other events include the annual golf tournament in November, the State of the City luncheon in December, a business exposition, and the installation and awards dinner at the beginning of next year. Arnold also mentioned the possibility of a Farmer's Market for the city of Loma Linda. "We try to provide events that will allow individuals and companies to promote their business and be involved in the community," he said. "We will continue to recognize and honor certain outstanding individuals in our community at an annual banquet. This is another way of exposing individuals and businesses in our community that support our city.” During the open house, people can learn how to become a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and as an added bonus, if businesses either join or renew their membership during the month of June, they receive 50 percent off annual dues. To find out more about the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce, look for an updated website to be launched soon and check out its new Facebook page.