May 23, 2009

California Chamber Honors Long Beach Chamber With Two First-Ever Government Affairs Awards

The Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce was recognized on May 18, 2009 with the first-ever President’s Circle award from the California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) and the first-ever Political Partner of the Year award.

“The Long Beach Chamber thanks the CalChamber for honoring our efforts representing the interests of business at all levels of government,” stated Long Beach Chamber Chairman of the Board Blake Christian. “Our board of directors, staff and many volunteers are committed to strengthening our local economy and being honored twice in the same week is a reflection of all of their hard work and dedication,” continued Christian.

The new President’s Circle award, presented at the CalChamber’s annual Business Summit in Sacramento, recognizes chambers for excellence in business advocacy and helping their members comply with California’s ever-changing and often confusing labor laws.

“President’s Circle chambers are high achievers in two approaches to serving their members,” said CalChamber Executive Vice President Dave Kilby. “These chambers are both helping shape proposed laws by keeping the business perspective before lawmakers and guiding their business members to information that will keep them in compliance with existing labor laws,” continued Kilby.

President’s Circle recipients published vote records of their state legislators on key business issues, generated letters to state elected officials on issues of interest to members, participated in the CalChamber compliance product resale program at an exemplary level and brought a delegation to Sacramento for the CalChamber Business Summit.

The new Political Partner award, also presented at the CalChamber’s annual Business Summit in Sacramento, recognizes chambers for excellence in recruiting, endorsing and funding candidates for political office.

“Political Partner chambers are dedicated to taking their public policy efforts to the next level by effectively securing pro-jobs candidates for elected office,” said CalChamber Vice President, Public Affairs Rob Lapsley. “The Long Beach Chamber is one of the most aggressive and committed in California to electing candidates that protect our state’s economic vitality,” continued Lapsley.

Click here to read today's story in the Press-Telegram.