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2013: A Year of progress By Robin L. Knight, President Looking back at 2013, we have a lot be proud about living and working in the City of Beaumont. From our pro-business climate, which is fostered largely through the efforts and programs enacted by our City and our Chamber of Commerce, to a place that continues to provide families with affordable housing and an opportunity to call home. Beaumont continues to have one of the lowest crime rates in Riverside County and our Academic Performance Index continues to rise as the Beaumont Unified School District excels in the educating of our youth. Good Morning Beaumont breakfasts continue to be a huge success, with Speaker Dr. John Husing still being one or our largest draws. We have had many interesting speakers including tax professionals, Programs on Affordable Care Act, Generational Marketing, Real Estate, Banking, and San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Growth and other Community updates. Our service clubs and non-profits go above and beyond to meet the daily needs of those in our community that may need extra help and support. Winter Wish, Senior Thanksgiving Dinner, Carol's Kitchen, Table of Plenty, Habitat for Humanity, HELP, Child Help Inc., Boys & Girls Club, Rotary, Lions Club, Kiwanis, and Soroptomists are just a few of the Chamber Members that we partner with to make sure that basic clothing, food and shelter needs are met and provided for everyone. During the summer months, we have Concerts in the Park and Market Night which continues to be one of biggest supported venues. Sponsored by the City of Beaumont, our vendors were thrilled to be able to participate in this ongoing event which kicked off on July 4th and brought in as many as 30,000 attendees. And, it should be noted, that all of the Concerts in the Park were held without a single incident. The Chamber works closely with the vendors and law enforcement to promote a family safe atmosphere where everyone can come out and enjoy the outstanding musical performances, grab a bite to eat, and shop from a variety of market vendors. One of my favorite chamber events, HR Roundtable, is held monthly at our local San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital. Lynn Gomez, the head of Human Resources for the hospital, is charged with overseeing some 530 employees and leads the monthly group. Lynn talks with business owners about various HR topics and concerns including Employee Handbooks, Terminations, Covered California, Labor Laws, Workers Compensation and much more. This is held free of charge and we average about 15 attendees each month. This monthly meeting is invaluable, if you are a business owner, or work in HR you should not be missing this meeting. Our Business Expo and Safety Fair will be expanded next year to include a new theme, called "A Taste of 2nd Street Marketplace." We want to include all restaurants located within second street marketplace to come out and support the event by offering coupons, free tastings, etc. We will still be partnering with Landero's Furniture and Home Depot with whom we are eternally grateful to for giving us such and outstanding venue. I also want to personally thank those brave vendors and merchants that showed up to support us at one of the windiest days of the year. We held our first Lunch & Learn in 2013. Our first topic centered around a Human Resources Software tool that businesses can use from hiring to firing, to locate job descriptions, find templates for employee handbooks, and the latest information on Federal and Cal Osha Requirements and laws. You name it, this software program has it, and it is still available at the Chamber for a greatly discounted price for our members. This event was well received and we are looking forward to the next one. I could go on and on about all of the great and wonderful things that our chamber, the city, and our businesses do to make Beaumont such a great place to live and shop. But let me close with this, none of this could be done without the support of our Chamber Board, Ambassadors and Volunteers. And a special recognition should be given to our Chamber Staff who put in countless hours making sure that the events are promoted properly and that all of our member needs are met. The staff works side by side with our most valued partner, the City of Beaumont which continues to understand that you have to be pro-business and pro-community today and for the future. Sheri Bogh, Cathy Hlebasko, and Melina Heath Wood make all of these things happen on a daily basis at the Chamber Office, and, without their efforts none of this would be possible. Please make it a point to stop by and tell them thank you for all that they do to make our community a better place. BEAUMONT NOW | DECEMBER 2013 3

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