9/17/2024 - 10:00 AM

MISSION: We seek to provide timely, informative updates on regional topics relevant to our members.

Recap:

City of Monterey

• City Manager Hans Uslar provided an impromptu testimonial about the value of the Monterey Peninsula Business Roundtable virtual meetings, organized by your Chamber, which occur every two weeks
• They are valuable for sharing information: How can we help each other? What do we know that others should know?
• Four Items of Interest on the Monterey City Council meeting agenda today (Tuesday, September 17 at 4:00 pm)
• Ask staff to consider larger fines than $1000 cap for illegal short-term rentals
• Routine violators apparently regard a $100 fine as a nuisance; a cost of doing business
• Lifting parking minimums for certain residential development in Downtown
• There were no major objections last week at the Planning Commission
• Award a city contract for Automatic License Plate Readers
• The City of Monterey is one of the last cities in the area to adopt this surveillance program, which can be useful in deterring crime and quickly apprehending suspects who are identified as leaving the scene of crimes they just committed
• A wellness partnership with Montage Health at the Monterey Sports Center
• The first wellness program is on Saturday, September 21. See the City of Monterey press release here: Monterey Sports Center and Montage Health Announce the Lifestyles Initiative: A Series of Free Wellness Events Beginning September 21, 2024

Healthcare

• Montage Health system continues to be swamped throughout all facilities
• There are still procedures backed up from the COVID-19 shutdowns
• Respiratory ailments are circulating, including COVID
• A regional population that is trending older is resulting in higher demand for services and multi-symptomatic issues
• In 2023, 100 doctors handled 200,000 patient visits
• The Emergency department should be reserved for those with life- and limb-threatening injuries and illnesses
• When you feel like it’s a healthcare emergency, dial 9-1-1 or visit your nearest emergency room
• When it’s not an emergency, but your health condition cannot wait, Montage Health has a new website that helps our community navigate all the urgent care options with helpful symptoms lists, quick links, and more
• You can learn more about the various options available including at-home 24/7 eVisits, MoGo Urgent Care, and the Emergency Department. Choosing the right level of care for your health needs will not only keep emergency room beds available for true emergencies, but may also reduce your cost of healthcare. www.montagehealth.org/urgent

Tourism & Hospitality

• Car Week generated $65 million in hotel revenue - 41% increase over 2023
• The See Monterey annual meeting is tomorrow (Wednesday, September 17 at 3:00 pm)
• Last-minute registration is here: See Monterey Annual Meeting 2024
• The Grand Hyatt in Seaside had its groundbreaking ceremony yesterday (Monday, September 16).

Aquarium

• October at the Monterey Bay Aquarium includes the following:
• Anniversary Celebration
• October free admission for local residents
• Celebrations for volunteers

Real Estate

• The Federal Reserve is meeting and may announce a cut to the federal funds rate
• Lower interest rates may encourage people to consider buying a house

MPCC

• Business Expo is on October 10 - Claim your booth! Register Now
• Chamber representatives attended the groundbreaking for the Grand Hyatt in Seaside
• Chamber representatives attended a outreach event for the Naval Innovation Center
• The Chamber’s Candidate Review Committee made endorsement recommendations to the Board of Directors, which issued the final endorsement selections last week. View Chamber endorsements here
• On September 13, the California Coastal Commission approved a permit for the Monterey-Salinas Transit SURF! Bus Rapid Transit lane adjacent to Highway 1
• Your Chamber of Commerce supports this project. For information on this vote, see Coastal Commission Approves SURF! Busway Permit

Next teleconference will be held Tuesday 10/1/2024 at 10:00 AM.

If you are interested in participating on the teleconference or being added to the list, please contact monica@montereychamber.com. 

Your feedback is welcome.

montereychamber.com

RIBBON CUTTING: Mathnasium of Monterey

Thursday, September 19 | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Del Monte Shopping Center, Monterey

Register Now >>

RIBBON CUTTING: Skinphoria Aesthetics

Thursday, September 26 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

380 Foam Street, Suite 210, Monterey

Register Now >>

Monterey Bay Business Expo presented by Rayne Technology Solutions

Thursday, October 10 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Embassy Suites - Monterey Bay, Seaside

Our Monterey Bay Business Expo (MBBE) is designed to promote regional businesses and nonprofit organizations in the community in an effort to strengthen the local economy and encourage consumers to buy locally. This returning event is an opportunity for all businesses in the region to build brand awareness and to showcase and sell their products and/or services to the members as well as to the community at large.

Sign up today and promote your business to hundreds of new customers face-to-face, and network one-on-one with more than 50 other exhibitors in the show. Sell, demonstrate and distribute your products while you introduce your brand to the community. Chamber membership is not required to exhibit at the Expo. For more information, email info@montereychamber.com

Register Now >>

Booths Are Filling Up Fast!

We are excited to bring the Monterey Bay Business Expo back this October! Booths are filling up fast for this one-of-a-kind networking event. This returning event is an opportunity for all businesses in the region to build brand awareness and to showcase and sell their products and/or services to the members as well as to the community at large. Reserve your booth today!

Join The Village Project, Inc. virtually on Saturday, September 21st, 2024, from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM for a FREE forum on Navigating Mental Health and Generational Trauma in the Latinx Community

3 Ways to Join:

1. Zoom: Webinar ID: 869 1458 0632
2. Phone: +1 (669) 444-9197
3. Facebook: The Village Project Seaside

Join for a Chance to Win a Hydroflask or Airpods:

1. Participate in the series
2. Complete the survey at the end
3. Check your email the following Tuesday to discover if you are a winner!

Today is National Voter Registration Day!

Register to vote or check your status at www.registertovote.ca.gov and #GetVoteReady for the November 2024 General Election. Last week, the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce announced endorsements of local and state legislative candidates. Candidates were selected for endorsement after thorough interviews and vetting by the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. See announcement here.

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