This year, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce celebrates 90years of service to the community. Since 1925, we have played an integral role in shaping the economic landscape of Santa Monica and creating an environment in which businesses can thrive and the entire community can prosper. Even as we continue to build for the future, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on the wonderful people, events and initiatives that have made the Chamber what it is today.
As the Chamber has grown up over the years, so has the city. The 1920s saw the opening of Santa Monica Hospital and many of the beachfront hotels we still love today, including Casa Del Mar. The City purchased the Santa Monica Airport, and some of the nation's gas stations began popping up throughout the city, with the first one opening in Santa Monica Canyon. Ninety years later, these places and issues are still familiar-though we're finally getting people out of their cars with exciting alternatives like the Expo Line and our cutting-edge bike share program.
We have built signature partnerships with City Hall and other organizations that share our vision for Santa Monica. In 1995, we teamed with the City to establish the Sustainable Quality Awards, which were presented for the 20th time last month to local leaders in environmentally responsible business practices. In 2011, we partnered with the City to launch the Santa Monica Alliance, which focuses on attracting, retaining and supporting Santa Monica businesses. That same year, we founded the Organization of Women Leaders, which produces an annual networking breakfast in honor of International Women's Day and Women's History Month in partnership with the City of Santa Monica's Commission on the Status of Women.
The heart and soul of the Chamber have always been our members, who this year are looking back fondly at our many years of involvement in the community.
We certainly had fun along the way! From the beauty pageants of the 1940s to a Junior Fishing Derby in 1962 to happy hours at tech co-working spaces today, we know that the business of community can be fun. Past Chairman Wayne Harding remembers: "The Centennial Year of 1975 was the Chamber's shining moment. There was a different event every week of the year. The Chamber got all the local businesses involved there were art shows and dances hosted by Lawrence Welk and so much more!"
Throughout the years-though the faces and technology have changed-our core mission remains the same: we advocate and represent Santa Monica businesses' interests and issues facing the community, to create an environment to help our members prosper and succeed through a proactive working partnership with all levels of government and community organizations to achieve a healthy local economy and quality of life.
As part of that responsibility, the Chamber has been a central player in some of the city's most important policy discussions on education, alternative transportation, public safety and economic growth. We have also had a long history of supporting housing for all of our workforce from teachers, police officers, hotel workers, and nurses to our tech entrepreneurs. Today-even as we pause to reflect on our history-we are still working to support a stronger, more livable Santa Monica.
Our history truly is the city's history, and I invite you to celebrate it with us at two very special upcoming events. On May 20 (our actual birthday), we are turning our monthly Business @ Sunset mixer into a can't-miss 90th Anniversary Party at Rusty's Surf House on the Santa Monica Pier from 5:30pm-8:30pm. Attendees will receive amazing discounts to pier rides and shops, including free admission to the rides on Pacific Park-bring the whole family out to party with us! And on June 10 at the Fairmont Hotel, we will welcome the new executive leadership of our Board of Directors at our Installation Dinner. You can find more information on both events on our newly relaunched website at http://smchamber.com.
Thank you, Santa Monica, for an unforgettable ninety years. It continues to be a privilege to serve the city we all love. Here's to the next 90!
Laurel Rosen is president and CEO of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.
