News

UC Irvine Nets $441 Million in Research Funding

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Turning out educated students who earn diplomas is a big part of UC Irvine’s mission, but the school also produces a wide variety of research, and last year was a blockbuster in terms of grants supporting that work. The second-youngest of the University of California system’s 10 campuses, UCI reported in fiscal 2018-19 it received 825 awards totaling $441 million in research funding, the most the school has ever received in a year and about a 47% increase since 2012-13, according to UCI data. The bulk of the 2018-19 grants are federal dollars from NASA, Health and Human Services, Defense Department an...

US Secretary of State Explains Why California is Spending $187 Million on the 2020 Census

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Ahead of the 2020 Census, California is spending nearly 95 times what it did a decade ago on outreach to encourage residents to participate, an indication of just how critical this count is for the Golden State. And with the Trump Administration’s controversial and contentious — yet unsuccessful — bid to include a citizenship question on this year’s census, the stakes are even higher for states with large immigrant populations like California. California loses around $2,000 a year in federal funding for each resident who goes uncounted in the census, Los Angeles County officials have estimated. In the 2010 census, more tha...

Destination Irvine Winner in the 2019 Videographer Awards

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Destination Irvine recently received an Award of Distinction in the 2019 Videographer Awards for the organization’s “Irvine, The Sports Center of Orange County” video, and an Honorable Mention for its “Meet In Irvine, CA” video. The award comes after numerous others that the Chamber’s destination sales and marketing division has garnered this and previous years. Wendy Haase, vice president of Destination Irvine, worked with Lyons Studios on production of the video. “Our video content is an important component of our marketing strategy,” Haase said, “Video is an excellent mode to convey the many attractive aspects of Irvine and it is highly effectiv...

Economic Vitality Council Identifies Opportunities for Irvine’s Future

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

During the Greater Irvine Chamber’s July Economic Vitality Council (EVC) meeting, business and community leaders came together to discuss possible disruptors in dominant industry sectors in Irvine and shared strategies for optimizing opportunities in the city’s future. The Future Focus directive of the meeting encouraged attendees to discuss topics including everything from education to infrastructure, innovation ecosystem to emerging industries, talent attraction and retention to sustainability, disruption to globalization, and AI and robotics to next-generation jobs. “We have rich and diverse business and community engagement that allows us to ask the tough questions like how to navigate an economy that doesn’t exis...

Irvine Featured in Gentry Destinations Magazine

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Irvine’s miles of hiking and biking trails and premier shopping and dining options were featured in the June/July 2019 issue of Gentry Destinations, a quarterly luxury travel publication. The feature was a result of travel writer Carolyn McCusker’s visit to Irvine, during which she was hosted by Destination Irvine for a one-day itinerary as part of the OC Visitors Association North America initiative. “Irvine provides a wealth of family-friendly activities. Whether you are a day-packer, a bike-rider, or just desire a peaceful stroll, with its 16,000 acres of open space and 50 miles of off-road trails, Irvine has a trail for ever...

Linda DiMario Provides Business Retention and Expansion Insights at Chamber Industry Academy

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Linda DiMario, executive vice president, Greater Irvine Chamber, provided insights on business retention and expansion programs to chamber industry professionals during an in-depth workshop at the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) 2019 Academy, an annual event held in Sacramento. DiMario discussed economic growth and business retention strategies with co-panelists Todd Sanders, president and CEO, Greater Phoenix Chamber, and Brittany Quick-Warner, CEO, Eugene Area Chamber, during the August workshop. “As a leader in economic development in Southern California, the Greater Irvine Chamber is very proud of the scope and impact of our business retention program,” DiMario said. “Sharing its essential value wit...

Madelynn Hirneise Named CEO of Families Forward

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Madelynn Hirneise has been selected by the Families Forward Board of Directors by unanimous decision to assume the role of CEO at the organization beginning Oct.1. “Families Forward is dedicated to ending family homelessness and there is no better person to lead the organization as we navigate the changing landscape of homelessness in Orange County,” said Gary Cohn, Families Forward board chair. A proven leader, Hirneise began her career at Families Forward in 2012 as a housing resource specialist and most recently served as senior director of the organization. For the past seven years, she has been instrumental in designing, developing, an...

WNDE Moves Up 13 Spots in Top 200 of US Accounting Firms

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

White Nelson Diehl Evans LLP (WNDE), an accounting firm with offices in Irvine and San Diego, and a Leaders Circle sponsor of the Greater Irvine Chamber, has made INSIDE Public Accounting’s (IPA) annual ranking of the Nation’s Top 200 Accounting Firms for the seventh year in a row. The firm ranks 136 in this year’s IPA Top 200 list, having moved up 13 spots from the prior year’s ranking. Top IPA firms are ranked by U.S. net revenues and are compiled by analyzing the more than 550 responses received this year for IPA’s Survey and Analysis of Firms. This is IPA’s 29th annua...

Hoag Hospital Irvine Receives Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Quality Achievement Awards for Stroke

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Hoag Hospital Irvine announced it has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award highlights the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute’s Stroke Program’s commitment to ensuring patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines founded on the latest scientific evidence and recommendations. This is the eighth year Hoag Hospital Irvine has received the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, acknowledging Hoag’s role in reducing the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by th...

Concordia University Irvine’s Music Department Earns National Accreditation for First Time

Monday, August 12, 2019

Concordia University Irvine announced that its Music Department has received accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), a nonprofit organization that establishes standards for undergraduate and graduate degree programs at conservatories, colleges, universities, and schools nationwide. This marks the first time that the School of Music has earned national accreditation. The accreditation process by the NASM, which included a multi-year comprehensive self-study and campus visits by NASM Board members, found that Concordia’s Music Department is a valued member of a group of institutions nationwide dedicated to the highest standards of student education and artistic values. “The NASM accreditation underscores ou...

ICE Heats Up Form I-9 Audits: What California Employers Need to Do If They Get a Notice

Monday, August 12, 2019

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued thousands of Form I-9 audit notices this summer. As ICE worksite enforcement continues to increase, California employers need to keep in mind state requirements when served with a Form I-9 audit notice. California’s Immigrant Worker Protection Act has been in effect since January 2018 and, even though the Department of Justice challenged the law, California employers have several notice obligations when facing an ICE audit/inspection. Upon receiving an ICE audit/inspection notice, employers must post a notice to all current employees informing them of the federal inspection of Forms I-9 or other employer records within 72 hours of receiving the notice. The notice must also be given to th...

UCI is No. 1 among Money magazine’s Best Colleges

Monday, August 12, 2019

Money magazine has ranked the University of California, Irvine (UCI) No. 1 on its 2019-20 list of the nation’s Best Colleges. Knocking Princeton University off the top spot, this also makes UCI the first public university to achieve No. 1. The ranking is up from No. 3 last year and No. 7 in 2017, acknowledging UCI’s continued growth in providing accessible, high-quality education and fostering alumni success. According to Money, which recently went all digital and is now known as Money.com, UCI scored well across the board but especially in the measures of low-income and Pell Grant enrollment and favorable graduate outcomes. “This lates...

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to California Businesses and Residents Affected by Earthquakes

Friday, August 09, 2019

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to California businesses and residents affected by earthquakes that occurred July 4-12, 2019, announced acting Administrator Christopher M. Pilkerton of the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s designated representative, Mark S. Ghilarducci, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, on Aug. 5, 2019. The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Inyo, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties in California; and La Paz an...

Jackson Tidus Attorney Nedda Mahrou Joins Editorial Board of New Cannabis Law & Regulation Publication

Tuesday, August 06, 2019

Jackson Tidus attorney Nedda Mahrou is a member of the founding Editorial Board of the new monthly publication launched by Argent Communications, the Cannabis Law & Regulation Reporter, including analysis of emerging laws, regulations and policies; valuable commentary by top experts; and case summaries, unpublished decisions, and newly filed or pending lawsuits unavailable elsewhere. Mahrou represents commercial and residential real estate developers in a variety of land use, environmental and business-related matters, as well as related litigation. Along with Mahrou, Jackson Tidus attorneys Michele Staples, Kathryn Casey, and Brittany Ortiz also serve as editors and contributing authors for the following monthly publications providin...

Mexico Supplants China as #1 US Trading Partner

Tuesday, August 06, 2019

The ongoing trade spat with China – and the subsequent U.S. tariffs on over $500 billion of Chinese goods has had another effect on the relationship between the two countries. For the first six months of 2019, Mexico supplanted China as the top trading partner of the United States. For the first half of the year, imports from China decreased 12%. In the same period, U.S. exports to China decreased 19%. The U.S. Department of Commerce reported that for the six months of the year, the total value of the bilateral trade of goods between the U.S. and China was $271.04 billion. Thi...

Greater Irvine Chamber Welcomes New and Returning Board Members and 2019-2020 Chair Dan Han

Monday, August 05, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber recently welcomed new and returning members to its Board of Directors, some in new roles. Board members are Orange County entrepreneurs and executives that hold fiduciary responsibilities for the Chamber and are committed to supporting the Chamber’s mission of advancing the economic vitality of greater Irvine. Chairing the Chamber’s 2019-2020 Board of Directors is Dan Han, president of Agapay, a payment processing company. Han has served on the Chamber’s Board since 2015 and has been a Chamber member since 2012. “As a small business owner, being involved in the Greater Irvine Chamber has been instrumental in helpin...

Public Invited to Share Stories to Document Life in Orange County Through StoryCorps Experience

Saturday, August 03, 2019

National nonprofit StoryCorps and FivePoint are inviting the public to share their unique backgrounds, vivid memories, and turning points that defined their professional and personal path through Stories from the OC. People from all walks of life in Orange County simply go online to confirm a day and time to visit recording booths located at Cadence Park within Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine to share their stories beginning Aug. 15. These recorded moments of living history are shared and available to hear at StoriesFromTheOC.com, and also preserved for posterity for future generations to listen to through the American Folklife Center at the Librar...

Ten Percent Tariffs on Remaining Chinese Origin Goods Starting Sept. 1; Negotiations Continue

Saturday, August 03, 2019

President Trump announced in an Aug. 1 tweet that starting on Sept. 1, goods of Chinese origin that are not already on Lists 1, 2, or 3 will be subject to a 10% tariff. To be sure, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)—the government agency responsible for developing and recommending U.S. trade policy to the President—will have to finalize the list of affected tariff codes but the tweet means that virtually all trade from China will soon be subject to additional tariffs, unless a product's tariff code is one of the few tariff codes that have not been included or i...

2019 Life Sciences Industry Report Shows Strong Jobs Growth, Investments, Therapeutic Pipeline in California

Friday, August 02, 2019

California Life Sciences Association (CLSA), the trade association representing California’s life sciences industry, released the 2019 California Life Sciences Industry Report, which shows that California’s life sciences sector directly employed 311,226 people, generated $178 billion in revenue, is projected to attract $7.6 billion in venture capital (VC) and received $3.9 billion in funding from the National Institutes of Health. Produced with PricewaterhouseCoopers U.S., the 2019 snapshot highlights the strength of California’s biomedical industry—the largest cluster in the world—as evidenced by significant increases in employment, earnings, graduating science and engineering Ph.D.s, VC investment and potential drugs in the pipeline. Learn more and download th...

US Representative Katie Porter Visits Greater Irvine Chamber

Friday, August 02, 2019

U.S. Representative Katie Porter (CA-45) visited the Greater Irvine Chamber two consecutive days, July 30 and Aug. 1. During her first visit, Rep. Porter held a roundtable discussion with regional community, business, and faith leaders on the topic the Complete Count Census Committee, a national initiative with local action aimed at counting historically and potentially underreported populations in the 2020 U.S. census. The United State Census is performed every 10 years to count the number of persons, of all ages, in the U.S. Its mission is mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution and is meant to be completel...

Greater Irvine Chamber’s Business Outlook 2020 Set for January 9

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber will host its 11th annual Business Outlook Breakfast on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, 7:00 – 9:15 a.m., at Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Rd. The Chamber’s annual economic-forecast event is one of the largest of its kind in the region. Drawing hundreds of professionals, executives, and community leaders from throughout Orange County each year, the event provides attendees insights into economic trends delivered by economy experts, and networking opportunities. Watch for more details as they develop. Register now to secure your seat at the 2020 Business Outlook Breakfast. Individual ticket prices are $75 for Greater Irvine Chamber members, and $10...

Ingram Micro Renews Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Bronze-Level Sponsorship

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Ingram Micro has renewed its Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle bronze-level sponsorship. Ingram Micro has been a bronze-level sponsor since 2018. Ingram Micro helps businesses maximize the value of the technology that they make, sell, or use. With its vast global infrastructure and focus on cloud, mobility, technology lifecycle, supply chain, and technology solutions, the company enables business partners to operate more efficiently and successfully in the markets they serve. Ingram Micro delivers a broad and deep spectrum of technology and supply chain services to businesses around the world, supporting global operations throughout North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, an...

Thomas Lotts Named Greater Irvine Chamber 2019 Ambassador of the Year

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Thomas Lotts, agent, New York Life, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber 2019 Ambassador of the Year. An Ambassador of the Chamber since 2017, Lotts has welcomed more than 50 new members to the Chamber, and has taken an active role in helping existing members remain active and involved in various capacities. He describes the Ambassadors Committee as the most rewarding group he is involved in. “The Chamber has enriched my life, fostered many relationships and friendships, and I am most proud to be a member and Ambassador,” Lotts said. “Through my membership, I’ve had the opportunity to create a presenc...

City of Hope named 11th best cancer hospital in the nation by US News & World Report

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

City of Hope has been named the 11th best cancer hospital in the nation by U.S. News & World Report’s 2019-20 Best Hospitals: Specialty Ranking. This makes City of Hope the highest-ranked cancer hospital in the West and marks the 13th consecutive year it has been distinguished as one of the nation’s elite cancer hospitals. “City of Hope is extremely honored to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report for our long-standing commitment to providing the best treatment and care to our patients," said Robert Stone, City of Hope president and CEO. “It’s a reflection of our exceptional, compassionat...

California Tax Revenue Is Soaring

Monday, July 29, 2019

California state and local coffers are bulging with additional revenue, thanks largely to a still-vibrant economy. The state Department of Finance closed the books on 2018-19 revenue and reported that the state collected $144.8 billion, $1 billion more than it had anticipated just weeks earlier, and $2 billion-plus more than the 2018-19 budget had originally forecast. It’s also a whopping 71.5 percent more than the state was collecting a decade ago, far outpacing both population growth and inflation. The state has enough money to max out its reserve funds and provide several billion dollars in extra cash to offset schools’ rising pension costs. Per-pupi...

Irvine Ranked One of the Top US Cities to Raise Families

Monday, July 29, 2019

Irvine has been ranked the third-best city in which to raise families by WalletHub. WalletHub’s annual rankings of where high quality of life for families exists comes from a study of 47 demographic and economic statistics to weigh who’s best among 182 big cities. Those figures are divided into five key family-critical categories — fun; health and safety; education and childcare; affordability; and socio-economics. Irvine earned its No. 3 ranking by getting No. 22 out of the 182 cities ranked for fun; No. 2 for health/safety; No. 4 for education/childcare; No. 44 for affordability; and No. 4 for socio-economics. Sources: Orange County Register

Greater Irvine Chamber Earns Prestigious Videographer Awards

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber received two Videographer Awards of Distinction, by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), for the videos “The Irvine Difference” and “Celebrating 40 Years, Advancing the Economic Vitality of Irvine.” “We are proud to showcase Irvine as a great place to live, work, and play through digital storytelling,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “It is an honor to be recognized for the production of our videos.” Each year the Greater Irvine Chamber and its destination sales and marketing division, Destination Irvine, produce a catalog of video content highlighting the unparalleled assets of Irvine...

Irvine Council Sets Great Park Golf Course Site for Orange County Veterans Cemetery

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

A 100-acre plot that had been intended for a golf course in the Orange County Great Park will become a veterans cemetery, the Irvine City Council decided. The decision is intended to settle more than five years of debate over where the county will lay its military service members to rest, but a few outstanding issues could slow or derail the project. Council members chose the golf course site in a 4-1 vote after several dozen residents, including veterans, urged them to move forward – though some speakers and Councilwoman Melissa Fox, who cast the sole no vote, favored a site on the Grea...

UC Admits Largest and Most Diverse Class Ever of Californian Freshmen

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

The University of California opened its doors to the largest and most diverse class of Californians ever for the fall semester of 2019, according to preliminary data released this month. The system’s nine undergraduate campuses offered seats to 71,655 California freshmen, nearly 600 more students than last year. Overall, UC admitted 108,178 freshmen among 176,695 freshman applicants. It also admitted 28,752 transfer students from a pool of 41,282, including the largest-ever class from the California Community Colleges. Overall, the system admitted 991 more students from underrepresented groups, increasing their proportion among California freshmen to 40 percent from 38 percent last year. First-generation students mad...

US Representative Katie Porter to Provide Update on Washington During Visit to Greater Irvine Chamber

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

U.S. Representative Katie Porter (CA-45) will address business and community leaders, during the Greater Irvine Chamber Government Affairs Committee meeting on Thursday, Aug. 1, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., where she will provide updates from her first six months in Washington D.C. An Irvine resident, Congresswoman Porter represents the Orange County residents in California’s 45th Congressional District. Before her election to Congress, Rep. Porter was appointed by then-Attorney General Kamala Harris to be California’s independent watchdog against big banks. As a consumer finance expert, she also helped Congress pass the original Credit CARD Act in 2009, which enacted federal protections from abusive credit car...

California Tax Collections Soared Last Year, Giving the State an Extra $1 Billion

Monday, July 22, 2019

California brought in $1 billion more than projected in its last financial year, the state’s Department of Finance announced. It’s a sign the state’s unusually long period of economic growth is still going. The news comes just after Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers last month approved a $215 billion state new budget, which relies on a big projected surplus to fill the state’s reserve accounts with more than $19 billion. That money is intended to save lawmakers from having to make deep cuts when the next economic recession hits. The unexpected bump means the state’s general fund revenue was 0.7 percentage points highe...

Greater Irvine Chamber Returns to UK for Follow-up Meetings with Expansion-Ready Companies

Monday, July 22, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber continues its work to encourage expansion-ready life science and technology companies to make Irvine their U.S. headquarters. Linda DiMario, executive vice president, Greater Irvine Chamber, returned to the U.K. this July 1-5, after a productive Chamber-led mission in February with a delegation that included representatives from University of California, Irvine (UCI), Allergan, Edwards Lifesciences, UCI Medical Center, Jones Lang LaSalle, OCTANe, and others. During her most recent visit to the U.K., DiMario met with executives from 30 companies at the London offices of K&L Gates and London and Partners. “Many of the companies we met this July...

Greater Irvine Chamber’s Laura Perdew Earns Professional Distinction from US Chamber of Commerce

Monday, July 22, 2019

Laura Perdew, senior director of communications, Greater Irvine Chamber, earned a Certificate in Nonprofit Organization Management from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management (IOM), the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Perdew now holds the professional distinction – indicated by the designatory letters “IOM” – which is recognized among chambers and associations. “It’s a privilege to further my professional development with the support of the Greater Irvine Chamber,” Perdew said. “With the insights gained from IOM faculty and information shared among my chamber and association colleagues from across the nation, I’m better prepared to contribut...

Mirroring Irvine, Orange County and State Hotel Development Increases

Monday, July 22, 2019

Current hotel development in Orange County is nearly double what it was last year, according to a report by Atlas Hospitality Group. Across Orange County last month, there were 17 hotels under construction, up from nine in the same period last year. As of June, the county had 67 hotels, up 6 percent from June 2018. Strong local hotel development reflects statewide trends; Atlas data shows California hotel construction this year is expected to top record levels set in 2018. The upward trend is apparent in Irvine as the city’s hotel inventory continues to grow in response to demand, contributing to county...

OCTANe Accelerates Its Own Startup

Monday, July 22, 2019

Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle member OCTANe, best known for its role as a business accelerator for area technology and life science companies, has laid the groundwork for a new company – OCTANe Enterprise Solutions (OES). OES will provide early-stage and mid-stage companies access to strategic and institutional capital, as well as connections to family offices looking to invest in innovation-focused companies, and a private investor network. The new entity is already operational, according to Bill Carpou, chief executive of OCTANe. It also has a president, who will remain unidentified until a trio of investors in the new company are finalized; one unname...

Destination Irvine Attracts Pharmaceutical, Life Science Meeting Groups

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

The Destination Irvine team promoted Irvine as a top destination for meeting and conference groups this month during Cvent CONNECT 2019, the world’s largest event technology conference for meeting, event, and hospitality professionals. As part of her participation during the conference’s trade show, AnaLaura Becerra, director of corporate sales, Destination Irvine, hosted nearly 50 walk-in appointments with meeting planners from throughout the nation in the pharmaceutical and life science industries including Abbott Laboratories, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Phenomenex. “Irvine’s robust med-tech and life-science industries make it an ideal destination for meeting groups and event planners looking to connect with local thought leaders, an...

Bryan Starr Elected to Chamber Industry Board of Directors

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Bryan Starr, president and CEO of the Greater Irvine Chamber, has been elected to serve on the 2019-2020 Board of Directors for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), a Virginia-based association of more than 9,000 professionals who work for and with more than 1,300 chambers of commerce nationally. “It’s an honor to be included in this impressive group of chamber executives. I’m looking forward to engaging my colleagues from some of the most successful chambers the nation for meaningful exchanges of ideas,” Starr said. “Bringing a Southern California point of view to the discussions at the national level wil...

Jessica Welch Honored Among Young Professionals by National Chamber Association

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Jessica Welch, vice president of operations for the Greater Irvine Chamber has been awarded the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) 2019 40 Under 40 award. The ACCE 40 Under 40 award is a new honor presented by the organization meant to highlight the brightest men and women under the age of 40 in the chamber industry who have demonstrated significant success in their career as well as having made noteworthy contributions to their community and the chamber industry. Rising to be a top executive at the Greater Irvine Chamber, Welch has been instrumental in leading the organization to numerous accomplishments...

Nominations Open for Greater Irvine Chamber’s 40 Under 40

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Nominations are being accepted through Aug. 29 for professionals under the age of 40 who are making strides in their industries and the business community in Orange County. The individuals selected will be formally recognized during the Greater Irvine Chamber's inaugural 40 Under 40 reception held on Thursday, Oct. 3, at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, 7905 Irvine Center Dr., 6 – 8 p.m. Nominees considered for 40 Under 40 recognition must: Be 39 years of age or younger on Oct. 3, 2019. Be employed by a business located or operating in Orange County. Have demonstrated leadership skills, integrity, and initiative. Nominate HERE Steve Churm, executive vic...

Bill to Protect Independent Contractors Advances in California

Thursday, July 11, 2019

California lawmakers approved a sweeping employment law bill that would force a variety of industries – including the gig economy and trucking companies – to provide benefits to independent contractors. Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez pitched her bill to a state Senate committee as a boon for workers’ rights and a major step toward halting income inequity in the Golden State. “The state can’t sit by while companies pass off their own costs of doing business onto taxpayers and responsible businesses, while depriving millions of workers of the labor law protections they are so rightly entitled to,” said Gonzalez, D-San Diego. After more than tw...

U.S. Jobless Claims Drop to 3-Month Low Of 209,000

Thursday, July 11, 2019

The U.S. labor market isn’t red hot, the Federal Reserve chairman says, but it’s at least pretty darned warm. Layoffs declined in early July and remained near a half-century low. The numbers: The number of people who applied for unemployment benefits last week fell to the lowest level in more than three months, a decline likely exaggerated by July 4 holiday but that still reflects the strongest labor market in decades. Initial jobless claims, a rough way to measure layoffs, dropped by 13,000 to 209,000 in the seven days ended July 6, the government said. Economists polled by MarketWatch estimated new claims would total ...

David Feldberg Earns 2019-Q2 Rainmaker Award with More Than $1 Million in Closed Business

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

David Feldberg has earned the Greater Irvine Chamber’s title of Rainmaker for the second quarter in 2019 with $1,392,244 in closed business. His performance in the Wednesday Leads Group contributed to the group’s total of $2,184,637, making it the top-earning Leads Groups for total closed business during the period. “As a direct result of joining the Greater Irvine Chamber Leads Group, I have referred and closed some great business,” said Feldberg. “My number one priority is keeping my clients happy. Through the Leads Group program I have had the opportunity to connect my clients with fellow professionals that I know, like, an...

Irvine’s Park System No. 1 in California

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

The Trust for Public Land named Irvine the No. 1 park system in California in its 2019 parks survey. The primary reason: Think of your village parks. Irvine, through the Master Plan, features an abundant number of parks within walking distance to homes. Research shows that spending time in parks improves memory, reduces stress and makes people happier. And it does not hurt that just living near a park has been proven to increase property values by up to 20 percent. These green retreats – 268 in all – provide the perfect backdrop for summer activities. “We have so many parks,” says Ashli...

Renewed Talk about Sales Tax on Services Raises Concerns for California Business

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the state budget with a $21 billion surplus, but expressed his support for a new sales tax on services in California. Although details are sparse, any new tax on services would affect not just businesses, but consumers, who already pay a sales tax. In this episode of The Workplace, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg is joined by Loren Kaye, president of the California Foundation for Commerce and Education, to discuss the proposed sales taxes on services and the changes it would bring to California’s budget and economy. What a Sales Tax on Services Would Look Like The sales ta...

Wendy Haase Promoted to Vice President of Greater Irvine Chamber’s Destination Marketing Division

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Wendy Haase has been promoted to Vice President of the Greater Irvine Chamber’s destination sales and marketing division, Destination Irvine. In this role, Haase oversees and manages the corporate, sports, and association sales team and initiatives, as well as all meeting and leisure marketing strategies. “Wendy has been a key figure in the growth of the Chamber and Destination Irvine. She leads a high-performing team of sales professionals that are directly responsible for the year-over-year growth of Destination Irvine and Irvine’s Hotel Improvement District,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “Wendy is a valued member of our leadership tea...

Bill Increasing Health Care Costs Advances in Senate; Business Leaders Express Concerns

Monday, July 08, 2019

A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bill that will further increase health care-related expenses for California businesses recently passed the Senate Health Committee. AB 731 (Kalra; D-San Jose) threatens employers with higher premiums by driving up administrative costs and imposing a burdensome rate review process for health plans and insurers in the large group market. Health care costs are rising, and employers and their employees are finding it more difficult to afford quality, accessible care. Last week, two business leaders weighed in on AB 731, stressing that the bill will increase health care costs for employers in California. Increased Bureaucracy In an op-ed for The Fresno Bee...

Irvine Hotels, Amenities Featured in Smart Meetings Magazine

Monday, July 08, 2019

Smart Meetings Magazine’s July 2019 issue features Irvine hotels and amenities including the Orange County Great Park, Irvine Spectrum Center, and Diamond Jamboree Shopping Center. Orange County Hot Spots Where to mix business and pleasure in 2019 The Orange County enclave of Irvine is a business and pleasure paradise. The home of University of California, Irvine, as well as Allergan, Edwards Lifesciences, and CoreLogic, is an economic heavyweight. A meeting in these year-round sunny climes also offers easy access to Disney roller coasters, Pacific Ocean rolling waves, top spots for swinging clubs and ideal launching pads for unicorn pool floaties. Arrive Access to the cit...

Irvine Valley College Appoints Director of Economic and Workforce Development

Monday, July 08, 2019

Dr. Roopa Mathur, professor in the School of Business Sciences, has been named Director of Economic and Workforce Development at Irvine Valley College (IVC), effective July 1. Her interim appointment was approved on June 24 by the South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees. In this role, Mathur will serve as the college’s primary external workforce and training representative to regional agencies, consortia, partnerships, and workforce groups. “This position is critically important in helping our students build their career pathways and connecting them to regional companies,” said IVC President Glenn R. Roquemore. “Dr. Roopa Mathur will do an excellent jo...

Quakes Alert Californians to be Ready for Dreaded ‘Big One’

Monday, July 08, 2019

Shaken residents are cleaning up from two of the biggest earthquakes to rattle California in decades as scientists warn that both should serve as a wake-up call to be ready when the long-dreaded “Big One” strikes. California is spending more than $16 million to install thousands of quake-detecting sensors statewide that officials say will give utilities and trains precious seconds to shut down before the shaking starts. Gov. Gavin Newsom said it’s time residents did their part by mapping out emergency escape routes and preparing earthquake kits with food, water, lights, and other necessities. “It is a wake-up call for the rest o...

Cox Enterprises and The Trust for Public Land Accepting Nominations for Cox Conserves Heroes Awards

Wednesday, July 03, 2019

Cox Enterprises and The Trust for Public Land have opened the nomination process for the Cox Conserves Heroes program. The program serves to honor environmental volunteers who create, preserve, or enhance shared outdoor spaces in their local communities. Celebrating its 11th year, the Cox Conserves Heroes program accepts nominations in nine select markets: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Washington. A panel of local and environmental leaders will select the winner in each market. The winners will then become candidates for the national title. In Orange County and Palos Verdes, the Cox Conserves Heroes program is supported by Co...

Destination Irvine, UCI Promote Irvine’s Esports Arena

Wednesday, July 03, 2019

Destination Irvine played an important role in the June EsportsTravel Summit held in Atlantic City. As part of the Greater Irvine Chamber’s destination marketing division’s ongoing promotion of Irvine as a sports destination, Dave Lucey, director of sports sales for Destination Irvine, and Samantha Anton, chief operating officer for the North America Scholastic Esports Federation at University of California, Irvine (UCI), promoted the city’s extensive esports portfolio. UCI is the first public university to create an official esports program and is regarded as one of the best and most comprehensive in the world. Destination Irvine has joined efforts with the university to promote Irvine and the UCI Esports Arena to attract esports tournament...

TCA Boards of Directors Approve FY20 Capital Improvement Plan

Wednesday, July 03, 2019

At its regularly scheduled board meeting, the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA) unanimously approved the Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for Orange County’s 51-miles of Toll Roads. The CIP is updated annually and details the status, cost and schedule of capital projects that ensure a free flow condition is maintained on the 73, 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads. Currently, more than $140 million in local partnership projects – Oso Parkway Bridge and Los Patrones Parkway – are under construction, with funding provided by TCA. Th...

Diamond Jamboree Joins Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

Diamond Jamboree Shopping Center has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle as a bronze-level sponsor. A member of the Greater Irvine Chamber since 2006, Diamond Jamboree in June joined the Leaders Circle group for opportunities to become further involved in the Irvine community as the shopping center continues to expand its diverse food, retail, and entertainment offerings to the Orange County area. Diamond Jamboree Shopping Center is an international retail center located in Irvine at Alton Pkwy. and Jamboree Rd., where residents and visitors meet for a range of services and dining options to please every palate. A unique Southern Californi...

Economic Vitality Council Initiative Focuses on the Future

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

Everything is changing at an accelerated pace. What will Irvine be in the future – 5, 10, 20, 25 years from now? To address these issues, the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Economic Vitality Council (EVC) is launching its Future Focus initiative during the council’s upcoming meeting, Tuesday, July 16, 4 – 6 p.m. Open to all Chamber members and partners, Future Focus provides participants the opportunity to be a part of the conversation that helps identify probable and possible challenges Irvine faces, and to help shape the direction of the city’s future. Topics for discussion include everything from education to infrastructure, innovation ecosystem t...

Irvine Organizations, Individuals Presented with Annual Business Awards at Celebrate Irvine

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber formally recognized organizations and individuals in Irvine for community service, volunteerism, and the best traditions of good corporate citizenship during the organization’s Celebrate Irvine luncheon, hosted in partnership with the City of Irvine. “The work of organizations throughout Irvine are a vital component of the Irvine Master Plan. Set forth more than half a century ago, the Master Plan ensures economic prosperity in our region,” said Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “We are proud to recognize a few of the many organizations and individuals who are achieving excellence while making significant contributions to th...

New Research Report on Canada and Southern California

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

As both Canada and the United States celebrate the founding of our great nations this week, MAPLE Business Council is excited to share a new report on the strength of the economic ties between Southern California and Canada entitled: Southern California & Canada: United through collaboration, defined by partnership, sustained by friendship. This report was commissioned by the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles and produced by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) through their Institute of Applied Economics. The research not only provides the latest data to underline the importance of the economic ties between Canada and Southern California but also tells th...

12 Top-Rated Attractions and Things to Do in Irvine, CA

Monday, July 01, 2019

A Southern California economic center, Irvine is a postcard destination of Orange County. Well-executed city planning and diverse natural spaces provide tourists plenty of places to explore, including the Irvine Spectrum Center outdoor shopping center with a Ferris wheel. Outdoor attractions and cultural appeal collide at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, with unique park amenities in the form of sports complexes, art galleries, and a big orange balloon ride. A popular day or weekend trip from Irvine, the neighboring city of Newport Beach provides the fastest route to the ocean and a scenic coastal getaway. From Newport Beach, th...

Greater Irvine Chamber Named a Best Place to Work for the Second Year by OCBJ

Monday, July 01, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber has been named a Best Places to Work in Orange County by the Orange County Business Journal, for the second consecutive year. “The Board of Directors congratulates the professional staff at the Greater Irvine Chamber for being named a 2019 Best Place to Work,” said Kate Klimow, chief administrative officer and director of external relations, UCI Beall Applied Innovation, and chair, Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors. “The Chamber staff has cultivated a winning workplace as it works to advance economic vitality in the region.” The professional staff at the Chamber benefits from a work culture that encourage...

Destination Irvine Releases 2019-2020 Irvine Visitors Guide

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Destination Irvine has released its 2019-2020 Irvine Visitors Guide, a resource that visitors use when looking for where to stay, play, meet, and eat in Irvine. Destination Irvine distributes 35,000 copies of the guide to locations throughout Irvine, including hotels, the Orange County Great Park Visitors Center, Irvine Metrolink/Amtrak Station, John Wayne and Ontario airports, California Welcome Centers throughout the state, University of California, Irvine, and the Irvine Spectrum Center visitor kiosk. The annually updated promotional publication is also distributed in key markets like Arizona, Seattle, and Texas. The guide is utilized at tradeshows and media marketplaces. View the 2019-2020 Irvine Visitors Guide digita...

City of Hope Reveals Its Bold Vision to Invest More Than $1B for World-Class Cancer Care at FivePoint Gateway in Orange County

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

City of Hope, a world-renowned independent research and treatment center for cancer, today revealed plans to invest more than $1 billion to develop and support a new comprehensive cancer campus at FivePoint Gateway in Orange County, accelerating highly specialized cancer care, phase I-III clinical trials, and precision medicine and early detection to the nation’s sixth most populous county. This unprecedented initiative in Orange County is part of City of Hope’s commitment to speeding pioneering treatments and scientific breakthroughs to the people who need them today. “City of Hope is dramatically expanding to provide a cancer network of unparalleled scale for thi...

Federal Government Achieves Small Business Contracting Goal for Sixth Consecutive Year with Record-Breaking $120 Billion to Small Businesses

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the federal government exceeded its small business federal contracting goal for the sixth consecutive year, awarding 25.05 percent in federal contract dollars to small businesses totaling $120.8 billion, an increase from the previous fiscal year of nearly $15 billion. The Fiscal Year 2018 Small Business Federal Procurement Scorecard marks the first time more than $120 billion in prime contracts has been awarded to small businesses. Overall, the federal government earned an “A” on this year’s government-wide scorecard. “I’m happy to report that for the first time in history the federal government has awarde...

USA Water Polo Brings the Olympic Rings to Irvine

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

USA Water Polo brings the Olympic rings to Irvine with the recent move of its headquarters to the city. The grand opening of the organization’s new office was celebrated on Olympic Day, June 23, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Featured guests included USA Water Polo Olympian Genai Kerr, Olympic gold medalists Rachel Fattal and Kaleigh Gilchrist, Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner, Irvine Mayor Christina Shea, members of the Irvine City Council, Greater Irvine Chamber President and CEO Bryan Starr. “The facilities and sports assets that have been developed over the last decade have earned Irvine the distinction as a world-class sport...

California Adds 19,400 Jobs, a Quarter of All US Employment Growth In May

Monday, June 24, 2019

California job growth continued apace in May, buoyed by expanding opportunities in tourism, technology, and construction. State payrolls rose by 19,400 positions last month, on top of a revised gain of 46,000 the month before, according to data released by California employment officials. Year over year, the Golden State added jobs at a 1.6 percent rate, the same as the nation as a whole. California’s unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, the same as a year earlier, but slightly below April’s 4.3 percent rate. The U.S. unemployment rate held at 3.6 percent in May. “California is still one of the top-performing economies in th...

Destination Irvine's AnaLaura Becerra Crafts Unique Experiences for Visitors

Monday, June 24, 2019

When a small organization reached out to Destination Irvine (Calif.) for help in planning a 40-person meeting, it had one challenge: a limited budget. Given Irvine’s beautiful outdoor settings and the group’s desire to make the experience memorable as it transitioned in a new board, AnaLaura Becerra, CMP, CTA (MPI Orange County Chapter), director of corporate sales at Destination Irvine, suggested a hike on the trails near the hotel. “Rejection—immediately,” Becerra recalls. The group worried it would be too hot or the trails would be too long for those who didn’t exercise regularly. Becerra soon came up with a way around that: electri...

California Lawmakers Pass Tax Change to Help Working Poor

Friday, June 21, 2019

California lawmakers have agreed to reduce business tax write-offs to raise more than a billion dollars a year to pay for an expanded tax credit for the working poor. The bill, AB91, realigns California’s tax code to match some changes made by President Trump’s 2017 federal tax overhaul. The Assembly passed it by a bipartisan vote of 59-2. It was approved by the state Senate earlier this week and now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who proposed the package in his January budget plan. In a statement, Newsom praised the “good economic policy that puts more than a billion dollars back in th...

CalSavers Retirement Savings Program Registration to Begin July 1

Friday, June 21, 2019

In 2016, the California Legislature passed a bill that laid the foundation for a state-run retirement plan, and in 2018, the final governing regulations were adopted. Eligible employers can begin to register for the CalSavers Retirement Savings Program (CalSavers) on July 1. CalSavers is a retirement savings program for private sector workers whose employers don’t offer a retirement program. Once the program goes into effect, employees who haven’t opted out are automatically enrolled in CalSavers, and CalSavers will remove a percentage of their pay to save for their retirement. Although eligible employees will be automatically enrolled, participation in the CalSavers program is voluntary, and employees ca...

IRS Urges Taxpayers to Check Withholdings in Wake of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Friday, June 21, 2019

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is strongly encouraging taxpayers to complete a “Paycheck Checkup” to ensure the correct amount of taxes are being withheld from paychecks to avoid being caught off guard with a large tax bill when the 2020 filing season rolls around. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made changes that affect taxpayers such as increasing the standard deduction, removing personal exemptions, increasing the child tax credit, limiting or discontinuing certain deductions, and changing the tax rates and brackets. If changes to withholding are needed, the Withholding Calculator gives employees information needed to fill out a new For...

Irvine-Based Edwards Lifesciences Awarded $20 Million in Sales Tax Benefits for an Expansion That Will Add Jobs

Friday, June 21, 2019

Irvine-based Edwards Lifesciences will receive up to $20 million in sales tax benefits from the state to help with an expansion project that is expected to add hundreds of new jobs, California State Treasurer Fiona Ma announced in June. The company makes heart valves and blood flow monitoring devices to treat cardiovascular disease. In 2011, it launched its Sapien transcatheter heart valve, the first aortic valve approved in the U.S. that doesn’t require open-heart surgery to place. Edwards Lifesciences will apply the sales tax benefits toward $239 million in upgrades to its facility, equipment, and technology, officials said. The benefits were awarded b...

Treasurer Creates Registry Linking Women to Company Boards

Friday, June 21, 2019

California’s state treasurer is launching a registry to connect women with corporations that are required to put at least one woman on their board by the end of the year. Treasurer Fiona Ma says she’ll seek out women in accounting, banking, and finance and may expand the registry to other fields. California mandated last year that publicly owned companies headquartered in the state put at least one woman on their board by the end of 2019 and more after that depending on the board’s size. Ma, a Democrat, says her registry can combat the excuse from people filling out boards that they canno...

Greater Irvine Chamber Announces 2019 Business Award Nominees

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber has announced the 2019 nominees for its annual Business Awards. Through this award program, the Chamber recognizes businesses and individuals in Irvine that have demonstrated the principles of community service, volunteerism, and the best traditions of good corporate citizenship in five categories: Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, Business Philanthropist of the Year, Emerging Business Leader of the Year, and Entrepreneur of the Year. Award recipients will be formally recognized at the Chamber’s Celebrate Irvine event on Friday, June 28, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., at Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Rd. Award Nominees: Ahmad Afzal, Common Sense Eating Antis Roofin...

Innovation Improving Lives Conference Highlights Irvine’s Position as a Leading Life Sciences Hub

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber co-hosted in conjunction with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on June 17 a half-day conference, Innovation Improving Lives, at Edwards Lifesciences, to facilitate a discussion on innovation in the life-science and biomed industries. Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46) said California continues to lead in innovation, with Irvine as a hub for life sciences innovation. He praised entrepreneurs and inventors who make sacrifices to bring their ideas to life and vowed to continue to work to make patents easier to secure. During the conference, Rep. Correa was presented with the U.S. Chamber’s prestigious Spirit of Enterprise Award. The award i...

New State-Run IRA for Private Sector Opens July 1

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

A new state workplace retirement savings program, CalSavers, will open to an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 employers on July 1 — offering an automatic IRA payroll deduction for the 7.5 million California workers with no retirement plan on the job. The massive program, expected to handle billions in savings, is voluntary for employees. If they don’t opt out in 30 days, they are automatically enrolled. Once in the plan, they can opt-out at any time, and then opt back in if they choose. For businesses with five or more employees, the program is mandatory. They must offer employees CalSavers, or a qualifie...

Orange County’s Toll Roads Send New Free Sticker Transponders to 700,000+ FasTrak Accountholders

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Beginning this month, Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle member The Toll Roads of Orange County are mailing 15,000 new sticker transponders per weekday to FasTrak accountholders to replace the hard-case transponders currently in use. The new transparent, bandage-size transponder is free and adheres to the inside of a windshield to collect tolls. Communication began in April, notifying more than 650,000 FasTrak accountholders of the approaching introduction of sticker transponders by sending an informational postcard and issuing new license agreements. Customers will receive one sticker transponder for each vehicle listed on the account. Equipped with state-mandated technology, the new sticker transponder works o...

Tax Changes May be Afoot for Multinational Entities

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Law 360 reported this week that U.S. Treasury officials believe multinational companies should anticipate new formulas as a part of future taxation. This is good news for companies producing in America who are tired of paying higher tax rates than many multinational enterprises (MNE). The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) recently approved “Programme of Work” also indicates that formulas will be a significant part of taxing MNEs in the future. One reason for the change could be comments by Pascal Saint-Amans, OECD Director of the Center for Tax Policy and Administration. He believes that the old system of transfer pricing aspects fo...

Irvine Public Schools Foundation Raises More Than $65,000 at 9th Annual Tee It Up For Education Golf Tournament

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF), a nonprofit organization focused on enriching the educational experience of each child in every school, hosted its 2019 Tee It Up for Education Golf Tournament on June 6 at Strawberry Farms Golf Course in Irvine. Civic, business, and education leaders throughout Orange County came together to golf and help IPSF raise more than $65,000 to support public education initiatives in Irvine, including an emphasis on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) programming. “We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and community leaders for helping us to raise money for educational excellence in our community a...

Thousands of Community Members Gather at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine to Celebrate Opening of Great Park Trails

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

FivePoint, along with the City of Irvine, celebrated the opening of Great Park Trails by gathering thousands of community members to exchange high-fives along the entire length of the nearly 1.5-mile trail during the June 15 Great High Five and Bosque Celebration. The region’s newest trail, park, and natural landscape was built and funded by FivePoint, and is now owned and operated by the City of Irvine within the Orange County Great Park. “A high-five is a symbol of celebration and congratulations – and we congratulate the City of Irvine for setting the tone and taking leadership as a city to demonstrat...

CalChamber Podcast Focuses on Meals and Breaks at the Office

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Although California’s meal and rest break rules are intended to give hourly employees time to take breaks during their shifts, problems can arise if employees skip their breaks or if employers don’t offer them. In this episode of The Workplace, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank discusses meals and breaks at the office with attorney Michael Nader, shareholder with Ogletree Deakins, who focuses his practice on defending wage-and-hour class actions. In the podcast, they discuss meal and rest break rules and the importance of tracking employees’ breaks to protect employers against class action lawsuits. Employers Must Provide California’s Labor Cod...

Destination Irvine Attracts International Travel Buyers at Leading US Travel Trade Show

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber’s destination marketing team continues to promote the City of Irvine to travel buyers from around the world. Wendy Haase, senior director of Destination Irvine, and AnaLaura Becerra, director of corporate sales for the organization, along with four hotel partners, promoted Irvine as a destination to 100 interested international travel buyers this month at IPW, the U.S Travel Association’s leading international inbound travel trade show. As part of the trade show, the Destination Irvine team hosted more than two dozen journalists and buyers for a sightseeing tour that included a Pedego Electric Bike ride on the Jeffrey Open Space Trail ending a...

Google Fiber Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Gold-level Sponsor

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Google Fiber has renewed its Greater Irvine Chamber gold-level Leaders Circle sponsorship. Google Fiber offers internet connection and TV on fiber that downloads up to 1,000 megabits per second. Google Fiber TV offers more than 220 channels, including high-definition, and thousands of shows and movies on demand, and smart search and recommendations to find programs. The technology also allows viewers to see exactly what’s on their Android mobile device by casting the mobile screen to a TV monitor. Internet users can also mirror any website in a Chrome browser from a laptop to the big screen. The tech giant also offers home telephon...

Greater Irvine Chamber, UCI Beall Applied Innovation Among US Small Business Administration’s Honorees

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

The U.S. Small Business Administration, Orange County/Inland Empire District (SBAOC/IE) office recognized the Greater Irvine Chamber with the 2019 Community Excellence Chamber Award for contributions to the greater Irvine business community. Greater Irvine Chamber President and CEO Bryan Starr and Executive Vice President Linda DiMario accepted the award at the 56th Annual Small Business Week Awards luncheon held at the Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom on June 7. “Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. This rings true in Irvine,” said Starr. “It’s an honor for our organization to be recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration on behalf of th...

Life Science Professionals Invited to Attend US Chamber of Commerce Innovation Improving Lives Conference at Edwards Lifesciences in Irvine

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is hosting the Innovation Improving Lives conference, Monday, June 17, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., at Edwards Lifesciences, 1 Edwards Way, to facilitate a discussion on innovation in the life-science and biomed industries. Attendees will hear from experts and policymakers who will discuss recent life-saving innovative breakthroughs in life sciences and biopharmaceuticals, and the policies that enable them. Among the speakers is Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46), and Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Linda DiMario, executive vice president, Greater Irvine Chamber...

Linda DiMario Delivers Webster University Commencement Address

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Linda DiMario, executive vice president of the Greater Irvine Chamber delivered the commencement address to the Webster University-Irvine Campus graduating class of 2019. DiMario told the graduates, “I want you to understand that you matter. What you do matters. Never underestimate your value to yourself, your family, friends, colleagues, town or city, our country, and the world. You are a vital link to our shared humanity and essential to our future.” She encouraged the new graduates to be good citizens, problem solvers, solution finders, and ardent advocates for truth as they contribute to society. “Make a difference. Whatever you do, do it well...

OCTA Provides Update on I-405 Improvement Project – One of the Nation’s Largest Infrastructure Projects

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Chris Boucly, community outreach manager, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), brought business and community leaders up to date on the Interstate-405 Improvement Project, one of the largest infrastructure projects in the nation, during the June Greater Irvine Chamber Government Affairs Committee meeting. Boucly discussed Interstate-405 Improvement Project funding and timelines for planned freeway entrance, exit, and bridge construction, and the addition of new regular lanes, and 405 Express Lanes. The project, which began in 2017, is aimed at offering relief to the heavy traffic congestion experienced by the 257,000 – 370,000 drivers that the freeway carries daily. The planned improvements ar...

Growth in Irvine Tourism Spending is Four Times the State's Performance

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

By Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber, as published in the May 27 issue of the Orange County Business Journal. Irvine can no longer be considered a hidden gem of California. It has become a well-visited destination for travelers from across the country and the world. In fact, Irvine has outpaced the state’s growth in tourism spending four times over. The Greater Irvine Chamber’s destination marketing division, Destination Irvine, released last month statistics from the 2018 Visitor Impact report conducted specifically for Irvine by Dean Runyan Associates. The report indicates Irvine visitor spending increased a record 21 percent from 2017...

Irvine Ranks High on 2019’s Best Cities for Gamers List

Monday, June 10, 2019

Gaming is serious business. Globally, it’s an over $130 billion industry. That’s unsurprising with the number of ways there are to enjoy video games in the present day, from consoles by Nintendo, PlayStation, and Microsoft to gaming PCs and mobile devices to simply watching others stream on a platform like Twitch or YouTube. And professional esports are projected to have more viewers in total than all professional sports leagues except the NFL by 2021. According to the Pew Research Center, 72 percent of male Americans aged 18-29 play video games “often” or “sometimes,” as do 49 percent of female Americans ages 18-29. And pro gaming, or “esports,&rdquo...

Five California District Export Councils Gather at CalChamber

Friday, June 07, 2019

Members of the five California District Export Councils (DEC) met at the California Chamber of Commerce in Sacramento on May 22, to hear from Diane Farrell, deputy assistant secretary for Asia of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The current issues facing the trade community and the department’s new Indo-Pacific initiative were the focus of discussion. Following, the group attended other international trade-related events. The National Association of District Export Councils (DEC) contributes leadership and international trade expertise to complement the U.S. Commercial Service’s export promotion efforts through counseling businesses on the exporting process and conducting trade education and community outreach. The association i...

CalChamber Podcast Discusses Employee Misclassification

Wednesday, June 05, 2019

There are so many different types of workers: hourly employees, managers, supervisors, exempt employees, and independent contractors. But how do employers classify each one under California labor laws? In this episode of The Workplace, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank discusses exempt employee misclassification with employment law expert Jennifer Shaw. In the podcast, they discuss the differences between exempt and non-exempt employees and the common mistakes employers make when classifying their employees as exempt. Exempt vs Non-Exempt One of the most common mistakes employers make is misclassifying an hourly worker as an exempt employee. “To be exempt in California...

Women Talk Tech Forum Showcases Innovative Executives and Entrepreneurs from Greater Irvine Chamber Member Companies and Others

Wednesday, June 05, 2019

The inaugural Women Talk Tech Forum, presented by SBDCtech and the U.S. Small Business Administration, brought together experts panelists including executives from Greater Irvine Chamber member companies: Julie Cranston, director of the Small Business Development Center at UCI Applied Innovation; Erin O’Neill Schultz, city manager head of Sales and Operations, Orange County, Google; and Nicole Washington, director of Innovation and Growth, OCTANe. Keynote speaker Kimberly Kovacs, founder and president of MyJane, Inc., and managing director of Arroyo Venture, LLC, discussed the distinction between creative ideas and invention, and qualities that provide the foundation for success including confidence, perseverance, decisiveness, and th...

Zillow Group Joins Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle

Wednesday, June 05, 2019

Zillow Group, Inc. has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle as a Gold-level sponsor. Zillow has been a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber since 2012 and is represented on the Chamber’s Board of Directors by Justin LaJoie, vice president, Zillow. Zillow is the leading real estate and rental marketplace serving the full lifecycle of owning and living in a home: buying, selling, renting, financing, remodeling and more. It starts with Zillow's living database of more than 110 million U.S. homes, including homes for sale, homes for rent, and homes not currently on the market, as well as Zestimate home values...

OCTA’s Chris Boucly to Provide Update on one of the Nation’s Largest Infrastructure Projects—The I-405 Improvement Project

Tuesday, June 04, 2019

Chris Boucly, community outreach manager, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), will provide business and community leaders the opportunity to learn about the Interstate-405 Improvement Project, one of the largest infrastructure projects in the nation, during the Greater Irvine Chamber Government Affairs Committee meeting on Thursday, June 6, 8 - 9:30 a.m. Boucly will discuss how Interstate 405 between I-5 and SR-55 plays a central role in progressing Orange County’s mobility, economy, and quality of life. This section of I-405 provides direct and indirect access to residential communities, employment centers, cultural and recreational facilities, John Wayne Airport, and some of the region’s top medical an...

Five Percent Tariffs on Mexican Goods Starting June 10th

Monday, June 03, 2019

President Trump announced that starting on June 10, goods of Mexican origin will be subject to a 5 percent tariff. A statement released by the White House indicated that the tariffs would increase to 10 percent on July 1, 15 percent on August 1, 20 percent on September 1, and 25 percent on October 1, where they will remain until Mexico takes unspecified steps to curb illegal immigration to the United States. Pisani & Roll LLP will provide additional updates as further details are released, but since the stated rationale of the tariffs is said to be to incentivize Mexico t...

Rima Nashashibi Honored with Joseph R. Haiek Lifetime Achievement Award

Monday, June 03, 2019

The Arab American Civic Council has honored longtime Arab American community leader, and recipient of the Greater Irvine Chamber 2017 Partner of the Year award, Rima Nashashibi, with the Joseph R. Haiek Lifetime Achievement Award. Nashashibi was formally recognized during the Arab American Heritage Gala in April. “It is an honor and a privilege to receive this life time achievement award. It’s especially meaningful, because I’m doing what I love—empowering individuals including women and girls and communities," Nashashibi said. Nashashibi, president of Global Hope 365 and a partner at SelectFirst Insurances Services—a boutique agency providing insurance coverages to businesses, is an internationally recognized speaker an...

Tarana Nabizada Named Greater Irvine Chamber June 2019 Ambassador of the Month

Saturday, June 01, 2019

Tarana Nabizada, of doTERRA International, LLC, has been named the June 2019 Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month for her high level of engagement in Chamber events and activities. A Chamber member since 2017, Nabizada participates in the Ambassadors Committee and the Tuesday Leads Group, for which she serves as co-chair. “The Chamber has been a critical piece in growing my business,” Nabizada said. “It is well structured and provides numerous outlets for members to network. It’s an honor to serve the Chamber community as an Ambassador and co-chair of the Tuesday Leads Group.” Nabizada regularly attends Chamber events including After Hour...

Businesses Invited to Welcome Women’s Softball World Cup Players, Fans from Around the Globe

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Irvine businesses have an opportunity to get into the action as the city plays host to athletes from far and wide at one of its world-class sports facilities. Irvine will be the host city for 16 junior National Teams, spanning all five Olympic continents, which will battle for the title of World Champions at Bill Barber Memorial Park, August 11-17. The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) tournament will showcase 62 games during eight days of global competition. Along with the 320 athletes and 240 delegates, an estimated 1,000 spectators, per day, are expected to attend the games. “This is a unique opportunity for local businesses to welcom...

Greater Irvine Chamber Represents Irvine Business Community in Sacramento

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Representing the interests of the greater Irvine business community, leadership from the Greater Irvine Chamber joined business, civic, and legislative leaders in Sacramento this month for the 2019 CalChamber Capitol Summit. During the two-day summit, Greater Irvine Chamber President and CEO Bryan Starr, Vice President of Operations Jessica Welch, and Director of Government Affairs and Economic Development Whit Peterson heard from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who touched on California’s economic strength in his address. The Chamber team also attended a session on California’s budget with the Governor’s Chief Economic and Business Advisor Lenny Mendonca, a policy briefing by CalChamber lobbying staff, an...

Linda DiMario Interviews Stuart McClure on the Evolution of Cylance Blackberry

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

As a feature of OCTANe’s May Technology Innovation Forum (TIF), the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Executive Vice President Linda DiMario interviewed Cylance CEO and Founder Stuart McClure on the origins of Cylance and how Blackberry fits into the Irvine-based organization’s portfolio. With the focus of this year’s TIF on business applications of the modern workforce and modern life, McClure provided timely insights into how businesses can adapt and scale with the changing technology landscape. McClure said his goal was to change how decisions are made in cybersecurity and that a collaboration provided a viable foundation to achieve that goal. “While Cylance is threat-based...

California Senate Panel OK’s $214 Billion Spending Plan

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

California wants to give more benefits to people living in the country illegally as lawmakers in the state Senate advanced a $214 billion spending proposal that would expand health coverage and tax credits for immigrants. The proposal would let low-income immigrants living in the country illegally get government-funded health coverage if they are 65 and older or between the ages of 19 and 25. The Senate’s budget writing-panel also agreed to let some people who don’t have Social Security numbers qualify for the state’s earned income tax credit — a program for the poor that boosts people’s tax refunds. The credit woul...

No. 1 College for Transfer Rates in California, Irvine Valley College Graduates Students to UC, CSU, Ivy League Universities

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Irvine Valley College (IVC) has the No. 1 transfer rate in California, as well as Orange County. Presenting 2,673 degrees during the school’s 34th Annual Commencement Ceremony in May, IVC has provided the graduates with the best opportunity to transfer from a two-year college to the university level. Graduates of IVC’s class of 2019 have been accepted at each of the nine campuses of the University of California, including the University of California, Irvine. Many IVC students will also be heading off to Cal State universities, including San Diego State, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Long Beach, Cal Poly Pomona, an...

Irvine Places in U.S. Top 10 Among Cities Ranked for Parks Quality, Access

Friday, May 24, 2019

Irvine climbed higher on the 2019 ParkScore Index conducted by The Trust for Public Land, which rates parks in 100 U.S. cities in on their access to parks. Irvine ranked sixth, the only Californian city to place in the top 10, a four-position improvement from last year’s 10th spot. The ParkScore Index is based on four factors: park acreage, access, amenities, and investments. The annual survey measures: Percentage of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park; The city’s median park size and the percentage of city area dedicated to parks; Annual park spending per resident; And the availability of six popular park features: basketball hoops, off-leash dog parks...

US Jobless Claims Dip to 211,000, Hover Near Half-Century Low

Friday, May 24, 2019

The number of people who applied for unemployment benefits in Mid-May fell slightly and returned close to a half-century low, signaling that a muscular U.S. jobs market is still going strong. Initial jobless claims, a rough way to measure layoffs, dipped by 1,000 to 211,000 in the seven days ended May 18, the government said. Economists polled by MarketWatch estimated new claims would total a seasonally adjusted 217,000. The more stable monthly average of new claims fell by 4,750 to 220,250. The number of people already collecting unemployment benefits, known as continuing claims, rose slightly to 1.68 million. One year ago, these claims wer...

Greater Irvine Chamber Awards Student Leaders with Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Wall Scholarship

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Each year, the Greater Irvine Chamber grants scholarships to students enrolled at Irvine Valley College (IVC) in memory of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas U. Wall, a former chairman of the Irvine Valley College Foundation and the Chamber. Lt. Col. Thomas U. Wall Scholarship Committee trustees attended the 34th Annual Irvine Valley College Scholarship Awards Ceremony on May 15 to award this year’s scholarship recipients: Melissa McGovern, Brandon Kessler, and Nicolas Hart. “Having the opportunity to meet with students and help them pursue continue their college education is incredibly fulfilling for both myself and the trustees of the committee,” said Whit Peterson, director o...

Greater Irvine Chamber Primary Research Affirms City’s Business Strength

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Conducting primary research on behalf of the Greater Irvine Chamber, 57 Chamber member volunteers visited more than 300 Irvine businesses during the April Business Outreach Rally. The volunteers conducted a survey to identify challenges that Irvine businesses face, and provided copies of the Business Outreach Resource Guide, which features information about support resources offered through the Chamber and its partner organizations. Out of the businesses surveyed, a majority reported that they either exceeded or met their business performance goals. The top two challenges that the surveyed businesses face are talent attraction and sales. Of the businesses surveyed, more than 65 percen...

Greater Irvine Chamber Turns 40!

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber celebrates its 40th anniversary on May 24. “As the Greater Irvine Chamber celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, the organization’s professional staff and Board of Directors continue to work to support the Irvine Master Plan and to advance the economic vitality of Greater Irvine,” said Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “From its inception, the Chamber has supported progress in Irvine, working in collaboration with community and business partners, helping Irvine to become the global city that it is today.” Following a campaign launch in January 2019 to mark the milestone year, a more formal recognitio...

Collaboration Strengthens Irvine's Community

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber As Published in the Orange County Register | Irvine World News: May 16, 2019 The adage often quoted, “It takes a village,” holds true for many important achievements. Partnerships make up the “village” of support that helps strengthen Irvine’s vibrant community, which is looked to as a model for cities throughout the world. A diverse catalog of partnerships is the cornerstone of Irvine’s success. In fact, Irvine was designed with partnerships in mind. The visionary Irvine Master Plan established more than a half-century ago planned for Irvine to be built around a university, no...

Canada and Mexico Also Agree to Remove Their Retaliatory Duties

Monday, May 20, 2019

The United States and Canada announced that an agreement has been reached to remove the 25 percent "Section 232" duties on Canadian origin steel and 10 percent "Section 232" duties on Canadian origin aluminum. As part of the agreement, Canada also agreed to eliminate the retaliatory duties it had been charging on U.S. origin steel and aluminum, as well as on other non-steel/aluminum products. Canada and the United States also agreed to drop litigation at the World Trade Organization related to the steel and aluminum tariffs and to take steps to prevent aluminum and steel from being dumped and/or transshipped int...

Greater Irvine Chamber’s Sandra Crouch Promoted to Vice President of Finance

Monday, May 20, 2019

Sandra Crouch, has been promoted to Vice President of Finance at the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce. “Sandra is an unsung hero of this organization’s success. She is a stalwart protector of our resources and is diligent in her execution of operating a complex financial system. As a member of the Chamber’s executive team, her input regarding financial considerations for the organization will have particular significance,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “Additionally, she is always willing to assist fellow staff members wherever she can, making her a great ambassador of the Chamber’s culture.” Since joining the staff in 201...

Greater Irvine Chamber, Irvine Business Leaders Advocate for the City to Members of Congress

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

A group of business leaders representing Irvine and Orange County traveled to Washington, D.C. this month to present to members of Congress the interests of businesses and residents in the region. Among the business leaders was Whit Peterson, director of government affairs and economic development, Greater Irvine Chamber. During the week-long advocacy trip organized by the Orange County Business Council, the group received daily briefings from a representative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce regarding the current state of business in the nation’s capital, and met with legislators to discuss issues including the $2 trillion infrastructure investment proposal, the re-authorization o...

Irvine City Council Appoints Mike Carroll

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Mike Carroll was appointed by the Irvine City Council at the May 14 Irvine City Council Meeting, filling the Councilmember vacancy. Candidate interviews were conducted by the City Council at its special meeting, and later at its regular meeting a 3-1 vote was reached to appoint Carroll to the City Council. “After thoughtful discussion and an intensive interview process, I am pleased to welcome Mike Carroll to the Irvine City Council,” said Irvine Mayor Christina Shea. “While we had a number of qualified candidates, Mr. Carroll brings a wealth of community and professional experience making him uniquely qualified to serve a...

Irvine Global Village Festival Expands to Two-Day Event

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

The 2019 Irvine Global Village Festival, hosted by the City of Irvine, has expanded to become a two-day event held October 12 – 13, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Orange County Great Park. The festival continues to highlight Irvine's vibrant and diverse community. It has grown to include more than 100 musical, dance, and demonstration performances on multiple stages, and features a variety of local and global cuisines, kids' crafts and activities, cultural exhibits, and an artisan's marketplace. This year marks the 18th anniversary of the Irvine Global Village Festival and the event's second year at the Orange Count...

CalChamber Reiterates Support for US-Mexico-Canada Agreement

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

The California Chamber of Commerce reminded the state’s representatives in Congress of the importance of the pending U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to the U.S. and California economies. The CalChamber continues to urge all members to ask their California congressional representatives to support the USMCA. Background The CalChamber actively supported the creation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) among the United States, Canada, and Mexico, comprising almost 495 million people and combined annual trade with the United States of around $1.228 trillion in 2018. In 2018, goods exported topped $563.729 billion while goods imported totaled nearly $665.008 billion. President Donald J. Trump announced his inten...

California’s New Data Privacy Law Could Change the Internet in the US

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

California is embarking on a new era of privacy on the internet, and Xavier Becerra can’t stop thinking about the failed debut of Obamacare. Back in 2013, Becerra, then a Democratic congressman from Los Angeles, watched as technical problems with the website marred the rollout of President Barack Obama’s signature law, delaying sign-ups for health insurance and denting the public’s faith in the new offering. Now, as California’s attorney general, Becerra is worried that a similarly halting start awaits the California Consumer Privacy Act, a far-reaching law that would put some of the world’s strictest rules on how tech companies — many of whic...

Inaugural Spirit of Hospitality Award to be Presented at Celebrate Irvine

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

For the first time, the Spirit of Hospitality Award will be presented at the Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2019 Celebrate Irvine event to be held Friday, June 28, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., at Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Rd. The Spirit of Hospitality Award will recognize a back-of-house or front-of-house hospitality professional in Irvine who exhibits exemplary behavior in workplace knowledge, customer service, problem-solving, relationship building, and creating a warm welcome for visitors. “We are looking forward to presenting this inaugural award to recognize an individual who has made an impact on our destination and their hotel; someone who goes above and beyond thei...

U.S. Senators Vote to Unleash Full Potential of Export-Import Bank After Nearly 4 Years

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

In a bipartisan vote last week, the U.S. Senate confirmed three members for the Export-Import Bank Board of Directors to restore the export credit agency to full financing capacity. The three members, confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 8 to serve staggering terms, are: Kimberly Reed as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, with a term expiring in January 2021. Spencer T. Bachus III as a board member, with a term expiring in January 2023. Judith Delzoppo Pryor as a board member, with a term expiring in January 2021. Remaining board member nominees, including one for Ex-Im Bank vice president, are line...

John Wayne Airport Will Update Private Plane Facilities, County Leaders Planning Limits on Jets

Wednesday, May 08, 2019

Orange County leaders are finalizing plans to upgrade John Wayne Airport’s facilities for general aviation – hobby planes, corporate jets and the like – but with limits on the number of turbojets to be based there. County supervisors heard from several dozen speakers who feared increased noise and air pollution from more private aircraft. Supervisors then decided to come back in two weeks to consider a revised plan for improvements. Airport officials had recommended a project that would have added a third full-service aviation company to the two that now provide fueling, maintenance, hangar space, and other services to non-commercial planes. It als...

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Required for all California Employers with Five or More Employees

Wednesday, May 08, 2019

A new law that took effect on Jan. 1, requires all California employers with five or more employees (including those located out of state) to provide at least two hours of classroom or other effective interactive training and education regarding sexual harassment to all supervisory employees and at least one hour of classroom or other effective interactive training and education regarding sexual harassment to all nonsupervisory employees within six months of their assumption of a position. To comply with the January 1, 2020 deadline, all employees must be trained during the 2019 calendar year. This training must be provided once every two years. Th...

Visitors Contribute $750 Million to the Irvine Economy In 2018

Tuesday, May 07, 2019

Destination Irvine released statistics from the 2018 Visitor Impact report conducted specifically for Irvine by Dean Runyan Associates. The report indicates Irvine visitor spending increases a record 21 percent year over year. In 2018, traveler expenditures for Irvine came to an estimated $750 million, an increase of 20.8 percent over 2017, far exceeding the rate of growth in preceding years due to increased visitation. The travel industry contributed $47.8 million in local and state taxes. “Destination Irvine’s marketing and sales initiatives play a strategic role in bringing more than one million visitors, whether conference attendees, leisure travelers, or those attending ...

Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center to Offer Growth Strategy Program

Monday, May 06, 2019

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Orange County is accepting applications for its LevelUp program, created to assist business owners in fine tuning successful growth strategies. The four-month program features custom research briefs, one-on-one coaching with business consultants, peer-networking events, custom growth plans, and visits to growth partner sites. Accepted applicants will meet once a month at the SBDC Orange County office, 1 Banting, Suite A, Irvine, to discuss revenue increase and scaling strategies. Certain qualifying Orange County businesses can receive complimentary admission. To qualify, businesses should: • Have yearly revenue between $250,000 - $4.9 million; • Have at least 2 employees; • Be able to attend al...

Greater Irvine Chamber’s Business Outlook 2020 Set for January 9

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber will host its 11th annual Business Outlook Breakfast on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, 7:30 – 9:15 a.m., at Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Rd. The Chamber’s annual economic-forecast event is one of the largest of its kind in the region. Drawing hundreds of professionals, executives, and community leaders from throughout Orange County each year, the event provides attendees insights into economic trends delivered by economy experts, and networking opportunities. Watch for more details as they develop. Register now to secure your seat at the 2020 Business Outlook Breakfast. Individual ticket prices are: members - $75; nonmembers - $105. Table sponsorship...

A Commitment to Irvine’s Future Workforce: Today’s Students

Monday, April 15, 2019

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber As Published in the Orange County Register | Irvine World News: April 11, 2019 As most residents already know, Irvine is home to award-winning K-12 schools and nationally-ranked colleges and universities such as University of California, Irvine. What may not be as widely recognized is that the Greater Irvine Chamber is committed to sustaining a highly-skilled workforce that meets the needs of Irvine’s employers by providing a range of opportunities for students to learn, discover, and grow. The Chamber offers career-readiness programs in collaboration with community partners and facilitated by Chamber member volunteers. Thre...

New California Required Harassment Prevention Training FAQs White Paper

Monday, April 01, 2019

Effective Jan. 1, 2019, California made a substantial change to mandatory sexual harassment prevention training. Now employers with five or more employees must provide this training to all supervisors and employees by Jan. 1, 2020. In addition to supervisors receiving two hours of sexual harassment prevention training, nonsupervisory employees must receive one hour of sexual harassment prevention training. Training must take place within six months of hire or promotion and every two years thereafter. After CalChamber held 2019 Employment Law Updates seminars up and down the state in January, attendees showed there are still many unanswered questions about complying with the ne...

California is No. 1 in Medical Device Industry

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Despite complaints about the high costs of doing business, California is unrivaled when it comes to the size of its medical device industry — not to mention the range of innovations. From medtech employment to patent numbers to the amount of venture capital investment, California is well ahead of other states. It accounted for nearly a fourth of the U.S. medical device industry’s revenue in 2017, according to IBISWorld. Top 10 Medical Device States California Minnesota Massachusetts Florida Indiana Pennsylvania New York Texas Illinois New Jersey The Golden State’s medical device industry is actually made up of a number of major hubs running down the length of the state: Orange County Orange County exported more tha...

Greater Irvine Chamber Receives Industry's Top Honors

Monday, February 11, 2019

Greater Irvine Chamber President and CEO Bryan Starr has been named the 2019 Executive of the Year by the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.). Starr was selected from CEOs throughout the Western United States and was formally recognized during the 2019 W.A.C.E. Conference in Anaheim in front of more than 500 attendees. Starr was honored for leading the Greater Irvine Chamber to achievements in membership attainment goals, economic development, staff empowerment, thought leadership, and positioning the organization as a leader in advancing economic vitality in greater Irvine. Greater Irvine Chamber Vice President of Operations Jessica Welch, IOM, received the 2018 W.A.C.E...

Greater Irvine Chamber Executive Leadership Present State of the Chamber to Irvine City Council

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber executive team made a presentation on the State of the Chamber to the Irvine City Council and members of the public during the Jan. 22 Irvine City Council meeting. The presentation provided insight into recent accomplishments and current initiatives as they relate to the Chamber’s mission to advance the economic vitality of greater Irvine. “[Chamber executives] are here to talk about the [Greater Irvine] Chamber and Irvine’s economic vitality,” Irvine Mayor Don Wagner said. “And, there is no better partner than the Chamber of Commerce.” Bryan Starr, president and CEO of the Chamber, and Linda DiMario, executive vic...

Irvine Tops List in Financial Health

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Irvine is the financially healthiest big city in America, according to a new study by a nonprofit dedicated to financial transparency in the public sector. “Irvine is a community that was master-planned for success from its inception more than 50 years ago. Its founders planned the city to ensure sustainable fiscal strength long into the future,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO,Greater Irvine Chamber. “It comes as no surprise that Irvine has been recognized for its financial health.” California’s other big cities fall firmly in the middle, with Southern California burgs healthier than many of their Northern California counterparts, says Chicago-based watchdog group Truth in Accounting. Th...

Meet the Individuals Leading the Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors For Four Decades

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Over the past four decades, the Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors has been chaired by 38 of Orange County’s most accomplished business leaders. They have held fiduciary responsibilities for the Chamber and have been committed to supporting the Chamber’s mission of advancing the economic vitality of greater Irvine. As the Chamber celebrates its 40th Anniversary in 2019, the Board is now led by Kate Klimow, chief administrative officer and director of External Relations at UCI Applied Innovation. “The diverse group of business leaders that have served over the past 40 years and continue to serve today on the Greater Irvin...

Life Science & Technology Delegation Returning to the U.K.

Monday, January 07, 2019

Greater Irvine Chamber/Orange County, California January 7, 2019 The Greater Irvine Chamber is leading a delegation of City officials, business leadership and life science and technology experts returning to the U.K.. We plan to meet with more life science and technology companies that may be exploring expansion into the U.S. and Irvine/Orange County in Southern California specifically. The goal of the mission is to build awareness for Irvine/Orange County and its life science/technology industry strength and identify, connect with and encourage U.K.-based life science companies to look at Irvine/Orange County when they consider expansion into the U.S. This Foreign Direct Investment missio...

Greater Irvine Chamber Marks its 40th Year Supporting the Visionary Irvine Master Plan

Wednesday, January 02, 2019

A Message from Greater Irvine Chamber President and CEO Bryan Starr Originally published in the Jan. 3, 2019 issue of the Orange County Register|Irvine World News. As the Greater Irvine Chamber celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, the organization’s professional staff and Board of Directors continues its work to support the Irvine Master Plan and to advance the economic vitality of greater Irvine. Through its numerous programs and events, the Greater Irvine Chamber convenes thousands of business leaders every year to build long-lasting professional relationships. The Greater Irvine Chamber has partnered with Irvine’s highly-ranked schools and 15 colleges and universities on programs that help ensure ...

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