4/12/2022 – 10:00 AM

MISSION: success in two stages of the Coronavirus threat: 1.) response to the immediate threat - 2.) economic recovery when the threat diminishes.

Recap

  1. Hospitality & Tourism. Monterey Conference Center showing significant group demand. 13 new pieces of business, 7 are first time clients. April has shown a strong start. Panetta virtual lecture series last night.  Leisure travel strong.  Rehiring is methodical based on business levels. Conferences slower to return.
  2. Small Business Update. Printing industry reflective of business climate in general the past two years where closed businesses had no use for printing services. Locally, business is 50% of pre-pandemic levels, but challenge is sourcing of paper. Paper production shifted to toilet paper, hand towels(paper), cardboard boxes, and boxes used at Costco/Walmart as buyer demand shifted. 
  3. Health Care. Montage Health watching the movement of the variant, but see no reason to fret at the moment.
  4. Events. Large events requiring A/V mostly ended for two years, slow crawl to return, particularly in California. Events no longer purely onsite, ex: large event with 14k registered but only 2k onsite. Use of apps for signing contracts, communications, registrations, widely in use with shift to internet services, which are also tied to convenience.
  5. Financial, SBA, Loans, Grants. Workforce Development Board administering $2500 microgrant is still available for application - very small businesses.
  6. Cannery Row. Cannery Row extremely busy with visitors. 100% of street level businesses leased. Cannery Row Brewing Company lease expected, as well as 4-5 family entertainment concepts on Cannery Row.
  7. SBDC. The Small Business Development Centers of California are collaborating with the State of California Office of the Small Business Advocate and California’s Women’s Business Centers to conduct a survey on the impacts COVID-19 had on small business across the State. The survey closes on April 24.  Your prompt response is greatly appreciated!
  8. Earth Day. Blue Zones is hosting no-fee community events. Learn more here.
  9. MPCC. We invite our members to reach out as we learn ways to educate our small businesses on how they can prepare and adapt to mitigate the risks associated with climate change. Recent advice from realtors: Do not let your Property Insurance lapse, particularly for fire and flood as there has been indication that any obstacle to renewing insurance in high risk areas should be avoided.

Next teleconference will be held Tuesday 4/26/2022 at 10:00am
1st & 3rd Thursday of Each Month
MPCC Offices - 353 Camino El Estero, Monterey
In-Person or Virtual
FREE

Upcoming Webinars:

Thursday, April 21 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Networking can help you develop contacts who can offer personal & professional support! This online workshop is geared towards beginners & gives tips & tricks to help you make an immediate impact with business networking!
Saturday, April 30 | 6:00 PM - 9:000 PM
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa, Monterey
$150 per person; Reservations for tables of 10 available

The Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will honor six distinguished citizens and one yet to be named business, at MPCC's 113th Annual Awards Dinner. Presented by Monterey County Bank, this signature event is expected to draw several hundred guests. Chamber members, local business people and community leaders from throughout the region will gather to celebrate the outstanding contributions to the community by these exceptional individuals. Sponsorship opportunities available.

Monterey’s Alvarado Street Coming Out of the Pandemic Strong
Last week, KSBW reported on the resurgence in business in Oldtown Monterey, including the opening of The Whisky Club. The Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce was honored to celebrate the opening of this new whisky bar & bottle shop with a ribbon cutting ceremony last Thursday. Check out highlights from the event and learn about more new businesses coming to Alvarado Street on kswb.com.
MPCC LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
Please forward this e-blast to your colleagues, customers, clients, friends, family and fellow community members!