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554 West Lancaster Boulevard Lancaster, CA 93534 (661) 948-4518
Serving the community by Promoting, Protecting, Encouraging and Developing Business since 1902

Business Connection

 

January 2018

In this Month's Issue

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

 Executive Committee

                    
Chairwoman of the Board
 

Vice-Chair

Past Chairwoman of the Board

Ex-Officio 
Mark Hemstreet - Chief Executive Officer
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce   
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors






Ron Hier, The Hier Advantage


Terry Roth, JAG Insurance


Donna Hill, MomsHouse

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

 Office Staff 

Mark Hemstreet, Chief Executive Officer
Anna Zarley, Event Coordinator
Sharon Molnar, Office Coordinator
What can the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce do to help grow YOUR business???

What is Your Chamber?

 

Since 1902, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce has existed as a private, voluntary, nonprofit (501(C)(3) and (C)(6) business organization dedicated to improving the economic environment of business growth and prosperity. The business community now serves a greater Antelope Valley Region, with a population of more than 480,000 people


 

As the Antelope Valley continues to develop and thrive, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce continues to evolve to meet the needs of its members and our growing community. The Lancaster Chamber offers a variety of benefits to help businesses, large and small, to network and grow. 

 

Membership Benefits 

  • Personal Page on Chamber Website
  • Chamber Mobile App
  • Monthly E-Newsletter
  • Community Calendar
  • Membership Directory Listing
  • Membership City Map Listing
  • Radio Talk Show - Free
  • Chamber Classes / E-Learning Portal
  • Conference room for Members
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Endless Networking Opportunites
  • Grand Openings/Ribbon Cuttings
Monthly Events  
  • Membership Luncheon
  • Business-4-Breakfast
Quarterly Events
  • Mega-Mixers
  • Breakfast with Legislators

Discount Advertisement 

  • AV Press - Chamber Page
  • Video Commercials
  • Web Video - Business Showcase

Please call the Chamber for more information: (661) 948-4518 



Member Benefits
Maximizing Your Membership
 
We all talk about how to bring more awareness to our business or organization. Social Media is nothing new, but are you on top of your game?  Are you part of the Lancaster Chambers Facebook page?  Add a quick post on our member to member page. Having an event? Weekend sale? End of Season Sell-off?  or other promotional opportunity you would like to publicize?  Give it a try, it's all part of being a Member of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce!

To join our Facebook page please log in and request to join the Lancaster Chamber Member-Member group and you will be added. 
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
 Upcoming Events

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Finance and Executive Committee Meeting
01/09/2018
7:30 am - 9:00 am
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Membership Luncheon
01/10/2018
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Hellenic Center
43404 30th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Legislative Committee Meeting
01/12/2018
10:00 am - 11:00 am
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534

Mental Health America
Military and Discovery Resource Centers
Ribbon Cutting/Open House 
01/12/2018
11:00 am - 1:00 pm, Ribbon Cutting @ 11:30
1609 East Palmdale Blvd, Suites E & G
Palmdale, CA 93552

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce 
Board of Director's Meeting
01/17/2018
7:30-9:00 am
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce 
Ambassador Corp Meeting
01/17/2018
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Membership Orientation
01/18/2018
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Membership Committee Meeting
01/19/2018
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce 
Business-4-Breakfast  
01/25/2018
7:00 am- 8:30 am
A.M. Cafe
44205 10th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534

Crunch Fitness
Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting 
01/27/2018
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Crunch Fitness
1020 Commerce Center Drive
Lancaster, CA 93534

New and Renewing Members

December 
  Introducing Our Newest Members!

Barrett Cellars
John Barrett
114 West Newgrove Street
Lancaster, CA  93534
(661) 816-1661

KD Unlimited
Keisha Dixon
Palmdale, CA 93552
(661) 526-6002

Lancaster Fitness, LLC
Crunch Fitness
Jodi Vitela
1020 Commerce Center Drive
Lancaster, CA 93534
(818) 721-8672

Serenity Villa Assisted Living
Frank Martinez
43126 Fenner Avenue 
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 557-3434

Wingstop Valley Central Way
Steve Tucker
44433 Valley Central Way
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 940-9464

We Are Pleased to Present Our Renewing Members


Clocktower Plaza
2063 West Avenue K
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 726-2300
Member Since: 1995

Hanford Poperty Management
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 942-1153
Member Since: 1996

Hampton Inn & Suites
39428 Trade Center Drive
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 265-7400
Member Since: 2005

Frontline Fitness
44840 Valley Central Way, Ste 101
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 723-8900
Member Since: 2007

Century 21
Agent Bob Stickney
1727 West Avenue K, Ste 102
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 945-4521
Member Since: 2013

Chuck Simons Real Estate
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 350-1006
                  Member Since: 2013             

Cordova Park
 Apartment Homes
43530 Gadsden Avenue
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 945-8052
Member Since: 2013

Air Force Sergeants Association
PO Box 567
Edwards AFB, CA 93523
(661) 544-5200
Member Since: 2015

Flewelling & Moody, Inc
1035 Lancaster Blvd, Ste 200
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 949-0771
Member Since: 2015 

AV Boy Scouts of America
42402 10th Street West, Ste G
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 942-0582
Member Since: 2016

Honda Lancaster
43244 Drivers Way
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 945-3521
Member Since: 2016

Pacific Auto Recycling Center
225 West Avenue H
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 949-0048
Member Since: 2016

State Farm Insurance
Agent Todd Main
650 Commerce Avenue, Ste B
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 949-6700
Member Since: 2016
Interested in Becoming an Ambassador? 
 
Ambassadors have a unique opportunity to represent the LancasterChamber at many events, including breakfasts, luncheons, mixers, ribbon cuttings/grand openings and more! 

Through this involvement, ambassadors are able to represent the chamber while also representing and marketing their own businesses--it's truly a "win/win"relationship! 

 If you or someone at your place of business is interested in participating in our comprehensive training series and ultimately becoming an ambassador, please contact the Chamber: 
(661) 948-4518

 

chamber_logo

ChamberSTORE

Helping Support Your Local Chamber is a

WIN-WIN!!

 

Take advantage of these special rates for chamber members!!

  

"A LA CARTE" OPPORTUNITIES:

  •  Digital Display Ad on Chamber Wall - $250 / year (2050x1400 dpi).
  • Static Display Framed Poster* on chamber/visitor's center wall - $1000 / year (24x20 inches -8  AVAILABLE) -includes a free digital display for one year.
  • Chamber newsletter ad (600x600 dpi, includes link to your website) - $75 each or $750 for one year.
  • Website home page banner ad (along top of page) - $2500 per year 
  • Website home page ad $500 / year (600x600 dpi).

PACKAGES:

  •  Package 1 - $500 - Includes one digital display ad and four newsletter ads.           
  • Package 2 - $1000 -  Includes one digital display ad, four newsletter ads, and one website home page ad (TWO AVAILABLE).
  • Package 3 - $1000 - includes one  24"x20" framed Chamber Wall poster* (12 AVAILABLE) and one digital display ad.

           *price includes poster production costs.

 

ADDITIONAL MARKETING

OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Community Calendar member event posting.
  • Annual area map and directories with advertising opportunities.
  • Referrals - Hundreds of request directed to members "ONLY".
  • Mailing Labels and Membership Lists available to members "ONLY".
  • Chamber Radio Talk Show and Chamber YouTube Free to members "ONLY".
  • Your business listed in the printed and online Membership Directory (Link to your website or social media!).

Chamber Membership Lists

 

 Labels by Alpha: $50.00

Chairwoman's Message 

Greetings Members, 

Hope you had the opportunity to attend our Lancaster Chamber Holiday Open House this past December. Thank you to all who donated toys to the CHiPs for Kids toy drive. The CHP was here to accept all the toy donations, which stayed right here in the AV.  Congratulations to Diane Hoey, with World One Telecommunications, on winning the grand raffle prize of two Disneyland Park Hopper tickets. All monies collected benefited the Lancaster Chamber Work Ethics Scholarship Program. Guests also had the opportunity to network while enjoying food and wine donated by local restaurants and members of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. 
  
Please mark your calendars to attend  the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon to be held on Wednesday, January 10th from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at the Hellenic Center. Lancaster  City Council Member, Raj Malhi, will  present a new citizen emergency preparedness program, "Ready Lancaster"

Business-4-Breakfast, sponsored by Sam's Club, will be held on Thursday, January 25th at A.M. CafĂ©.  This event is a networking event to assist you with providing information on your business in addition to discovering new and established businesses within our community. Be sure to brush up on your :30 second commercial. Best Commercial wins a Free breakfast for a future date.

If you haven't had the opportunity to attend a Membership Orientation we will be hosting one on January 18th at noon here in the Chamber office. This is your opportunity to meet the Chamber staff, introduce your business, and familiarize yourself with the variety of benefits we offer. Please RSVP in advance as a light lunch will be served. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Chamber staff I would like to wish you a Happy New Year with the hope that 2018 will be filled with prosperity and much success. 

Sincerely,
Monica Grado
Chairwoman of the Board 
2017-18
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon



The Lancaster Chamber would like to invite you to join us on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm for our monthly membership luncheon. 

This month, City Council Member, Raj Malhi, will  present a new citizen emergency preparedness program, "Ready Lancaster"

Ready Lancaster is designed to help residents take practical steps toward being prepared for an emergency.  "With all of the recent disasters in the news, we all know that we  should  be preparing for an emergency - but sometimes preparedness seems overwhelming.  Join us in building a more Ready Lancaster!

After the "Ready Lancaster" presentation, stick around to hear an update on the 46th Annual Business Outlook Conference taking place on March 2, 2018 at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. The focus for this year will be  on the small businesses that have built and shaped the business community in the Antelope Valley.


  EVENT INFORMATION
 
Date:  

January 10, 2018
 
Time:  
11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Location: 
J.P. Eliopulos Hellenic Center
43404 30th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534


Remember: W-2s Due January 31 to IRS

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)  reminds employers and other businesses of the January 31 filing deadline that now applies to filing Form W-2 wage statements and independent contractor forms.

Under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act, employers are now required to file their copies of  Form W-2 and  Form W-3 with the Social Security Administration by January 31. The January 31 filing deadline also applies to certain Forms 1099-MISCreporting non-employee compensation such as payments to independent contractors.
In the past, employers typically had until the end of February, if filing on paper, or the end of March, if filing electronically, to submit their copies of these forms. The accelerated filing date started last year and is aimed at making it easier for the IRS to spot errors on taxpayer returns, verify legitimate returns, and prevent fraud.
Note that an extension of time to file Forms W-2 is no longer automatic. The IRS only grants extensions for very specific reasons, and only one 30-day extension to file Form W-2 is available. If an extension is necessary, a   Form 8809 must be completed as soon as you know an extension is necessary but no later than January 31.

Failure to file these forms correctly and timely may result in penalties.

As always, employers are also required to distribute copies of the Form W-2 to their employees on January 31.
Act now to get ready for the filing season by making sure that:
  • Your company's account information is current and active with the Social Security Administration.
  • You have correct employee information.
  • You have enough copies of the forms you will need, if you use paper forms. Consider the advantages of filing your forms electronically (accuracy, speed, convenience).

BUSINESS-4-BREAKFAST

 
   
  Join us for business, stay for breakfast!
 
     Thursday, January 25, 2018
7:00 A.M.- 8:30 A.M


This Months Breakfast is Sponsored by:

Julia Mendez, (661) 575-0182
                     
 Event Location
A.M. Cafe
44205 10th Street West
Lancaster,  CA 93534


Please RSVP by Noon the day before the breakfast if you would like your business name to be included in the list that gets handed out to all attendees.

Be sure to bring plenty of business cards!

Please note:
 If you RSVP and do not attend you will be invoiced for $12.00


The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking Table Sponsors for our monthly 
Business-4-Breakfasts! 

For only $100 you will get your business name featured in the monthly e-newsletter as a B4B sponsor, Social Media Acknowledgement, Your business name on the B4B flyer, a 10-minute business commercial, and two tickets for breakfast. 

The following months are available and will fill up fast!

April 26, 2018
June 28, 2018
July 26, 2018
August 23, 2018
September 27, 2018
November 15, 2018

Please contact Anna at the Chamber to reserve.
  
     FREE 
      Chamber Radio 
     Talk Show

"Minding Your Business"

Minding Your Business (MYB) the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce weekly radio show, features Chamber members and Friends each Saturday at 10:00 am and 12:00 noon on 
High Desert Radio 1380am. 

Hosted by Chris Spicher of AV Florist and Aaron Goldstein of Goldstein Digital. Music by Lions Named Leo of Bakersfield.
                       
 Call Chris Spicher: (661) 948-6006



  View our videos on YouTube 

Here's an idea , a simple no cost, easy (maybe) action plan, that can make you more creative, productive, happier and even help you sleep better, want to give it a try?

I was listening to a TED Talk the other day from Manoush Zomorodi, and her simple message was to put away your smartphone/tablet.  Not all the time, and not forever, but for part of a day. 
 
A couple of high points... Put your phone in your pocket, and leave it there.  While you're in line for coffee, waiting for an appointment, or a lull at work, resist the urge to check your emails, social media, or play a game.  Give your mind a minute to just relax and ponder.  You might be astonished of some of the fresh ideas you might come up with.  

Not surprising, most of the apps you use are designed to grab onto your attention and never let go. Some former social media executives have spoken about how their apps were deliberately designed to be as addicting as possible, keeping people glued to the apps for minutes or hours after they intended to close the app and go on to something else- been there!  Maybe even try deleting an App!  You know, the one that puts you in a trance until you just realized you've lost another hour.  You'll be amazed at the freedom you may experience, even if it's only for a day. 

For the complete TED Talk use this link:   https://youtu.be/c73Q8oQmwzo 

Good Luck!
Mark Hemstreet
Office Depot 
National Chamber Program

Join thousands of others who benefit from perks, discounts and business solutions through the National Chamber Program. We've championed the office products space to give you the best in group purchasing and world class customer service. Help your business grow- it's more than just a discount!

The Month In Pictures

December 

 Ribbon Cutting / Grand Opening
Don Gus Fine Mexican & 
Seafood Family Restaurant
1324 West Avenue I, Lancaster
(661) 582-81189
Breakfast with Legislators
Chairwoman, Monica Grado
Congressman, Steve Knight 
Business-4-Breakfast 
"Best Commercial Winner"
Serenity Villa Assisted Living
Frank Martinez, (661) 557-3434
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Holiday Open House


For Job Seekers:

Use the resources below to connect with area resources that can help you with job placement.   Also, use the  Chamber's membership directory  to target specific industries.

For Employers:

Tell us about your job openings! 
Chamber members are encouraged to share their job postings with Chamber staff - email a job description to sharon@lancasterchamber.org

Internships:

The Chamber is always accepting resumes for interns. Projects may vary based on skill set. If you are seeking an internship for experience or college credit, contact us to see if we may be the right fit for you.  Email your resume to sharon@lancasterchamber.org.

Member Job Openings




 Contact  Liz Montano 661-492-4234