News

California Job Growth, Labor Force Expands

Friday, October 18, 2019

Nonfarm employment in California expanded at a steady pace in the latest numbers from the California Employment Development Department, increasing by 21,300 jobs according an analysis released jointly by Beacon Economics and the UCR School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development. This level of growth is exceeded by the state’s average monthly job gain (+26,700) over the last twelve months. From a year-over-year perspective, California has added 320,000 jobs as of September 2019, the largest year-over-year increase for the state in 13 months. This is equivalent to a 1.9% year-over-year increase, which is a better showing than the nation’s 1.4...

Amina Rafiqzada Named Greater Irvine Chamber September 2019 Ambassador of the Month

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Amina Rafiqzada, vice president and manager, HomeStreet Bank, has been named the September 2019 Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month. Her continued engagement in Chamber programs and activities made her an obvious choice for the recognition. Since joining the Chamber in 2017, Rafiqzada has attended nearly 15 grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremonies for new members. She also regularly attends Chamber events including After Hours Mixers and has volunteered for the organization’s award-winning Business Outreach Rally. “I am passionate about supporting our communities and business owners and it is my privilege to be an Ambassador for the Great Irvine Chamber,&rdquo...

Irvine Named the Fifth Top American City of the Future by Foreign Direct Investment Magazine

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Irvine has been recognized by the foreign direct investment publication FDI Magazine as the fifth top American City of the Future 2019/20 in its size category. Ranking fifth for human capital and lifestyle, ninth for economic potential, and ninth for connectivity, as well as ranking high in Cost Effectiveness and Business Friendliness, were factors in Irvine attaining the top fifth overall spot from among comparably-sized American cities. “Irvine has earned this continued recognition because its forward-looking master plan sustains our enviable quality of life and robust economy. It is this balance that supports our economic potential,” said Linda DiMario, executive vice president...

Orange County Business Journal’s 2019 General Counsel Award Nominees Include Greater Irvine Chamber Members

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

The Orange County Business Journal has announced the nominees for its 2019 General Counsel Awards, designed to recognize the significant role in-house counsels play in the success of businesses within the community. Among the nominees are individuals and groups from a number of Greater Irvine Chamber member companies: Bernadette Chala – Arbonne International, LLC Linda Park – Edwards Lifesciences Tara Martin – Nutrawise Health & Beauty Corporation Moshen Parsa – Orange County Soccer Club Andrea Eaton – University of California, Irvine Kristin Godeke – Wells Fargo In-House Legal Team – Taco Bell Corp. Awardees will be announced at the 10th annual General Counsel Awards Dinner in November a...

UCI Named No. 1 College in California

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) has been named the 2019-2020 No. 1 college in California by MONEY. UCI is one of the youngest campuses in the state's public university system, but it's already among the world's most respected research institutions – three former faculty members have received Nobel Prizes. MONEY estimates UCI’s graduation rate is about 30% higher than colleges that serve similar students. About 85% of freshmen go on to graduate within six years. From there, the typical UCI student’s early career earnings come in at about $57,700, according to PayScale, which is nearly 14% more than alums of comparabl...

USMCA Is Good for California’s Economy and Good for Trucking

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Southern California receives many blessings by virtue of its latitude. Sunny weather and beautiful beaches make this corner of the country one of America’s natural treasures. But its location on the map has an even greater significance than its panoramic beauty, making it a pivotal part in our nation’s economic engine. As a key border state and home to our largest port, Southern California is a vital gateway of global commerce essential to the prosperity of the United States. That is why it is essential for California’s Congressional delegation to be a leading voice in support of the United States-Mexico-Canada trad...

Irvine Extends its Run as Host City for NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship Through 2021

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Irvine was the host city the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men’s Soccer National Championship in 2018 and will again host the tournament this year in November. The NAIA announced on Oct. 4 that the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) has reached an agreement to extend its contract as the host of the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship through the 2020 and 2021 seasons in Irvine. “We are happy to continue to have Irvine as the home of the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship. With the support of the Anaheim Ducks and Destination Irvine, the GSAC is able to provide a tremendous championship experience fo...

The Fastest-Growing Sector for Jobs Has More Than 128,000 Openings—Here’s Who’s Hiring

Monday, October 14, 2019

There are lots of opportunities to work in government — and they don’t require a relocation to Capitol Hill. Open positions in the government sector grew by 25.2% in September 2019 compared to September 2018, according to Glassdoor’s latest job market report, which compares job growth and wage data year over year in September. It was by far the sector that saw the biggest job listings bump; the second-fastest-growing sector was legal and accounting, which had 18.7% more job listings this September compared to last. The growth in government job opportunities goes beyond the federal level. Of the 128,540 total openings in September...

Adviser of Irvine-Based Enevate Shares Nobel Prize

Friday, October 11, 2019

John Goodenough, a member of Irvine-based Enevate’s technology advisory board, has shared in the Nobel Prize in chemistry with two other scientists for the development of lithium-ion batteries. At age 97, he is the oldest person to win a Nobel award. Enevate works with lithium-ion batteries and is developing technology to recharge batteries for electric vehicles in a matter of minutes, and Goodenough is considered one of the chief innovators of li-ion battery technology. After the award was announced in Stockholm, Enevate CTO Ben Park said in a statement addressed to the winners that “it's not just battery industry people like me tha...

California Rolls Out Proposed Data Privacy Rules for Businesses

Thursday, October 10, 2019

A sweeping consumer-privacy law is closer to launch as California Attorney General Xavier Becerra introduced draft rules businesses must follow to “mine” and sell Californians’ personal data. As of Jan. 1, 2020, California residents will have the right to know when a business has collected or sold their personal information as well as the power to deny the sale of the data to marketing companies. Proponents tout the legislation, officially the California Consumer Privacy Act, as first-of-a-kind protections that will hold major retailers and marketers accountable for how they gather and use personal data. “Data is today’s gold, everyone is rushing t...

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris Details First Year in Office at Greater Irvine Chamber Government Affairs Committee Meeting

Wednesday, October 09, 2019

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris provided an update on her first year in the State Assembly to business and community leaders convening for the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee meeting on Oct. 3. A member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris has made it a priority to consider policy proposals impacting veteran issues, this year securing $2.9 million in state funding to aid in ending veteran homelessness in Orange County. She also authored AB 558, which will expand coordination of pro bono legal assistance for veterans to include active duty service members and their families who could otherwise not afford legal services. Assemblywoma...

Forty OC Professionals Recognized during Greater Irvine Chamber’s Inaugural 40 Under 40 Event

Wednesday, October 09, 2019

Forty of Orange County’s most talented professionals under the age of 40 were formally recognized during the Greater Irvine Chamber’s inaugural 40 Under 40 reception in front of a sold-out crowd of nearly 500 attendees at the Marriot Irvine Spectrum on Oct. 3. “To have 40 of Orange County’s most accomplished young professionals together in the same room for the Chamber’s 40 Under 40 event was an honor and a promise of continued innovation for our region,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “I congratulate them all for what they have achieved, the example they set, and I look forwar...

Irvine’s Exclusive Attractions Featured in Popular Blog

Wednesday, October 09, 2019

A taste of the modern, Mexican cuisine at Puesto, a premier shopping experience at Irvine Spectrum Center, a full-moon hike in Bommer Canyon, and a Pedego electric bike ride to the Orange County Great Park were among the Irvine-exclusive activities featured by Michelle Robinson on her blog, Modern Day Moguls. “Every city I go to from here on out I plan on finding a Pedego nearby to take a tour via bike. These were so fun and give you a great way to view the city,” said Robinson. “Irvine has bike trails everywhere!” Robinson’s visit to Irvine was a result of ...

SoCalGas Applauds More than 100 Local Governments in Southern California that Pass Resolutions in Support of Balanced Energy Policies

Wednesday, October 09, 2019

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) applauded the more than 100 local governments across Southern California, representing approximately 6.75 million Californians, that have passed resolutions in support of affordable and balanced strategies to reduce emissions from buildings and that call on state policymakers to preserve consumers’ ability to choose either natural gas or electric appliances for their homes and businesses. These resolutions were passed in response to concerns state policymakers are taking steps to prohibit the use of natural gas in new buildings. State energy regulators are actively considering calls for new regulations that would eliminate natural gas use in ne...

Student Travels Three Hours to Attend Greater Irvine Chamber Career Edge Workshop

Wednesday, October 09, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber’s award-winning Career Edge program is growing, reaching its highest attendance yet for a single workshop. And, students who make an effort to attend say it is well worth it. Fullerton College student and aspiring entrepreneur Cristihan Sales Carrera commuted for three hours by bus and bicycle, to attend the Oct. 5 Career Edge workshop. “I left my house on a bike at about 5:45 a.m. to catch the bus at 6 a.m. The morning was still crisp when I arrived in Irvine; I enjoyed the two-mile bike ride to the Greater Irvine Chamber,” Carrera said. “Attending this worksho...

Irvine Public Schools Foundation Raises a Record $1.8 Million to Benefit Critical Programs and Classroom Support at Annual Gala

Tuesday, October 08, 2019

Generous supporters of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF), an education partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber, gathered for the 10th Anniversary Spirit of Excellence Gala at KIA Motors Headquarters in Irvine on Oct. 5. The elegant celebration, including a mix of civic and business leaders as well as individual community members, raised a record $1.8 million to fund critical programs and classroom support for Irvine Unified School District (IUSD). As a leading nonprofit, whose mission is to enrich the education experience of each child in every school, IPSF relies on generous community support to fulfill its commitment to provide programs, rais...

Employee or Not? Business, Freelancers Consider Gig-Work Future

Monday, October 07, 2019

Music instructors at Berkeley’s Freight and Salvage teach instruments from clawhammer banjo to mountain dulcimer, as well as leading bluegrass jams, singing circles and a community chorus. About 1,000 people a year study traditional music at the nonprofit arts organization. Now the Freight is preparing to reclassify its 30 music teachers as employees rather than independent contractors to comply with California’s new gig-work bill, AB5, which takes effect Jan. 1. “We decided that it was a better business practice,” said Sharon Dolan, executive director of the Freight. “A shift like this helps you clarify your values. We really, really want to support musicians an...

Jobs Galore: Southern California Continues to See Gains

Monday, October 07, 2019

Southern California’s steady job growth continued in August, and the state is carrying its share of the water on the national hiring front, too, a state report released shows. An estimated 109,000 jobs in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties have been added in the last 12 months, according to the Employment Development Department. More than half of that growth was in Los Angeles County, while the largest percentage of expansion continues to be in the Inland Empire. August’s job gains were below July’s growth of about 120,000 jobs but still represented one of 2019’s best months. Statewide, there was ...

Linda DiMario Details Irvine’s Booming Life Science Sector on DeviceAlliance’s MedTech Radio

Monday, October 07, 2019

Linda DiMario, executive vice president, Greater Irvine Chamber, discussed Irvine’s medical technology and life science sector strength, and the Chamber’s work to expand and enhance those industries, on the latest episode of DeviceAlliance’s Medtech Radio podcast. “Everyone knows that the life science industry is absolutely an essential cornerstone of Orange County’s economy. The medical device and medical technology sector here is dominant,” DiMario said. In the episode, DiMario explains the various channels through which the Chamber works to ensure the strength of the life science sector in Irvine, including through its Business and Workforce Development and International Development committees, and its IRVIN...

Small Businesses Increasingly a Target for Cybercriminals

Monday, October 07, 2019

While small and mid-sized businesses are increasingly targets for cybercriminals, companies are struggling to devote enough resources to protect their technology from attack. That’s one of the findings of an annual survey of companies released by the Poneman Institute, which researches data protection, and Keeper Security, a manufacturer of password protection software. The survey found that 76% of the 592 U.S. companies surveyed had experienced a cyberattack in the previous 12 months. That was up from 70% in a survey in 2018, and 63% in a 2017 survey. The most common attacks were phishing and social engineering scams, cited by 57% of companies. These ar...

Summary of CalChamber Priority Bills Still Awaiting Action by Governor

Monday, October 07, 2019

Twenty-four California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bills, including one job killer bill, are currently on the Governor’s desk awaiting action. CalChamber job killer bill SB 1 (Atkins; D-San Diego) was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 27. Seventeen CalChamber-supported bills, including three job creator bills, also are awaiting action. Governor Gavin Newsom has until Sunday, Oct. 13 to take action on the following bills. Job Killer Bill The CalChamber is urging the Governor to veto AB 51 (Lorena Gonzalez; D-San Diego). The bill bans arbitration agreements made as a condition of employment. Opposed Bills The CalChamber is asking the Governor to veto the following bills: AB 9 (Reyes; D-Bernardino): Unnecessarily extends the statute o...

Where the US-Japan Trade Deal Falls Short of Trans-Pacific Pact Abandoned by Trump

Monday, October 07, 2019

U.S. President Donald Trump has called his new trade deal with Japan a “phenomenal” victory for U.S. farmers. But don’t expect America’s Land O’Lakes butter to knock New Zealand’s Anchor or France’s President brands off store shelves in Japan, the world’s third largest economy. Butter is one of several U.S. dairy products that will not get improved access to Japan’s 127 million consumers under the limited bilateral trade deal signed by Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sept. 25. The deal’s full text has not been released and remains classified, but congressional aides, trade experts and industry groups briefed on i...

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris to Visit Greater Irvine Chamber Oct. 3

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris will speak with business and community leaders convening for the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee meeting on Thursday, Oct. 3, 8 – 9:30 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. The Assemblywoman represents the 74th Assembly District, which encompasses the coastal Orange County communities of Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Irvine, Laguna Woods, and Laguna Beach. As chair of the Accountability and Administrative Review Committee, Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris is committed to ensuring that the state government works diligently for Californians. For more information about the Greater Irvine Chamber’s work in government affairs and how to become involved, contact Whi...

Bryan Starr, US Chamber of Commerce Urge Congressional Passage of USMCA

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

As a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 (CCC100), Bryan Starr, president and CEO of the Greater Irvine Chamber, has taken an active and consequential role in advocating for the congressional passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). During a September visit to Washington, D.C., Starr and other chamber executives from across the nation convened to discuss how the new North American trade agreement will bolster American businesses, local economies, and the national economy; and detrimental effects should it not pass ratification. “Irvine is the economic center and economic powerhouse of Orange County. Our companies—whether global organizations o...

Dinh Ta Promoted to Greater Irvine Chamber Senior Director of Business Development

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

Dinh Ta has been promoted to Senior Director of Business Development for the Greater Irvine Chamber. He has far surpassed membership goals, breaking all-time records set for enrollment, as well as assisting to increase Leads Groups attendance by more than 200% since joining the Chamber professional staff in 2017. “Dinh has been a game-changer and has proven to be instrumental in communicating the value of Chamber membership to prospective members and guiding new members to the appropriate resources,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “With first-hand knowledge of the benefits of membership, Dinh continues to grow the Chamber network, providin...

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

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber executive team presented to the Irvine City Council and members of the public during the Sept. 24 Irvine City Council meeting. Bryan Starr, president and CEO of the Chamber, Linda DiMario, executive vice president, and Wendy Haase, vice president of Destination Irvine, the Chamber’s destination marketing division, delivered the update to Irvine Mayor Christina Shea, and Councilmembers Michael Carroll, Melissa Fox, Farrah Khan, and Anthony Kuo, and members of the city’s management team. Haase provided an overview of the organization’s economic impact on the city. She said the completion of the Orange County Great Park in Irvine has bee...

Linda DiMario Opens Executive Workshop with a Perspective on the Region’s Economic Landscape

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

Linda DiMario, executive vice president, Greater Irvine Chamber opened a workshop for C-Suite executives, detailing Irvine and Orange County’s dynamic economic landscape. Opening Executive Next Practices Institute’s Disrupt HR 7.0 workshop, DiMario explained how a growing life science and med-tech sector, record-low unemployment, and a talented career-ready workforce make the region the ideal place to do business. “The opportunity to set the stage for this amazing roster of professionals to share their expertise and perspectives on how to manage the challenges facing companies today was an honor," said DiMario. “The Chamber is deeply engaged in workforce development as a growth strategy fo...

Concordia University Irvine Reaches Hispanic-Serving Institution Designation

Tuesday, October 01, 2019

Concordia University Irvine has reached Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation, administrators announced. With 25.79% of its undergraduate student body identifying as Hispanic or Latinx in the campus’ fall 2019 census, the private nonprofit university moves from emerging HSI status to designated HSI status, allowing it to compete for federal grants that serve low-income first-generation Hispanic students. The required threshold for HSI designation is 25%, set by the U.S. Department of Education. Concordia University Irvine began to formalize its HSI efforts in 2016 in response to a growing Hispanic student population with its signature Latina Leadership Conference—a free half-day event designed for first-generatio...

Irvine is Safest City of its Size for 14th Consecutive Year

Tuesday, October 01, 2019

Irvine is the Safest City of its size according to the FBI’s Annual Uniform Crime Report. Information released shows Irvine has the lowest rate of violent crime per capita of any city in the nation with a population of 250,000 or more. This is the 14th consecutive year Irvine has had the lowest per capita violent crime rate for its size. In 2018, Irvine also had the lowest rate of total Part I crime for a city of its size. Irvine Mayor Christina Shea congratulated the Irvine Police Department on this achievement. “The men and women of the Irvine Police Department are consummat...

Irvine Company to Add 35-Acre Modern Office Park to Accommodate City’s Job Growth

Thursday, September 26, 2019

About seven years after closing Traveland USA in Irvine, the Irvine Co. is following through with plans to build a modern office park where millions of dollars worth of RVs were once sold. For the nearly 40 years until it closed in 2012, Traveland off Sand Canyon Avenue adjacent to the 5 freeway was a one-stop RV mall that attracted families with its frontier theme, duck pond, and even a restaurant that opened in 2011. But the RV businesses suffered from economic slumps and fluctuating gas prices, and some relocated. In August, Irvine’s Planning Commission signed off on the Irvine Co.’s plans for Innovatio...

City of Irvine Launches Web-based Platform for Planning, Building, and Engineering Applications

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

As part of an ongoing effort to enhance customer service, the City of Irvine has launched Irvine Ready!, a new, streamlined, web-based platform for planning, building, and engineering applications. With Irvine Ready!, residents and businesses will no longer have to travel to the Irvine Civic Center to apply and pay for planning and building applications, engineering review, or permits. Effective Sept. 10, all new applications and resubmittals for residential, commercial, grading, and engineering projects will be migrated to the Irvine Ready! e-plan system, regardless of how the original submittal came in. As of that same date, the City of Irvine began accepting online payments for Irvine Ready! transactions. For mor...

Hong Kong Delegation Visits Irvine

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber, in collaboration with UCI Beall Applied Innovation and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), hosted a delegation of executives from 25 company executives from Hong Kong for roundtable discussions at the Cove @ UCI Beall Applied Innovation, on Sept. 19. The Chamber’s Irvine Ready! team of experts responded to the call to meet with these companies and welcome them to Irvine. “We are fortunate to partner with these organizations to showcase the strength of our innovation ecosystem and introduce the scope of resources and talent available in Irvine/Orange County. This was an opportunity to encourage their consideration o...

Irvine Named Best City to Live In for 4th Consecutive Year

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

The City of Irvine has been voted Best City to Live In for the fourth consecutive year by Orange County Register readers. “As Mayor, I am often asked what makes Irvine special,” said Irvine Mayor Christina Shea. Orange County Register readers confirmed what we already know; Irvine is the best city to live in. Our public safety, our schools, our parks and trails, our exciting and diverse dining, shopping, and sports facilities all provide an unmatched quality of life.” “The City of Irvine takes pride in its partnerships and together we have built this community where excellence thrives. I am so grateful fo...

Irvine’s Life Science Ecosystem Works in Nexus with City’s Strong Healthcare Sector and Research Institutes

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

By Bryan Starr, President & CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber Irvine is on par with any life science ecosystem in the world. In fact, Irvine leads the way in life science innovation in consequential ways that contribute to the city’s economic health and its position on the world stage. Contributing to this strength are synergistic collaboration and cooperation that deliver complementary products and integrated service lines across life science, healthcare, and medical-focused research sectors. There are nearly 500 life science companies in Irvine employing nearly 300,000 highly-skilled professionals in the city’s diverse life science ecosystem. With more than 900 high-tech companies in th...

Majority of Orange County's Fastest-Growing Companies are in Irvine

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

From electric bikes to dental technologies to customized sandwiches, Orange County’s eclectic mix of private companies continue to thrive. This year’s list of the fastest-growing companies show the combined revenue of the top 100 companies here climbed to $17.8 billion as of June 30, a 48% rise from two years ago. The city with the most fast growers was Irvine, which claimed 28 of the top spots, compared with nine each in Newport Beach and Orange, followed by eight in Costa Mesa. Twenty four of Orange County’s 34 cities had at least one fast-growing company on the list. It’s clear that Orange County ha...

Port of Long Beach Follows LA’s Lead, Will Launch Incentive Program as US-China Trade War, Other Issues Throw Industry in Tumult

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

The Port of Long Beach will soon launch an incentive program for oceanic carriers — about a year after its Los Angeles neighbor started its own — in an attempt to stabilize cargo traffic, which has declined each month this year amid the ongoing trade dispute. The incentives will begin Oct. 1, the start of Long Beach’s fiscal year. The two incentive programs, taken together, are a response to seismic tumult in the industry, officials for those ports said last week. The China-U.S. trade war, which began last summer, has continually deepened: President Donald Trump has levied or announced tariffs on $550 billio...

UK Tech Company Chooses Irvine for Its Expansion to the US Market

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

The software developer of the Workspace Provisioning and Streaming Platform of the same name has incorporated a U.S. company and offices in Irvine. Virtual workspace provider, oneclick AG has announced that it will be incorporating its business into the U.S. market following its success in delivering efficient, high performing and secure digital workspaces for its European customers. Since the U.S. is the single largest, and most influential market for any SaaS & Cloud product used in Enterprise IT, oneclick’s establishment in the U.S. market was a natural step. After extensive research of several technology hubs from various U.S. states, oneclick decided to expand t...

Irvine Valley College Joins ‘Caring Campus Initiative’ Launch Across the US

Monday, September 23, 2019

Irvine Valley College (IVC) is one of 10 community colleges across the U.S. now hard at work with the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC) to incorporate the ‘Caring Campus Initiative’ into their student success efforts for the fall 2019 semester. Supported by IEBC coaching and guidance, staff teams at IVC are engaging in work developing specific behavioral commitments, helping staff to better connect with, and support, students to help them reach their educational goals. Funded through a $1 million grant from Ascendium Education Group, one of the nation’s leading higher education philanthropies, the objective of IEBCs Caring Campus program is to increase studen...

New Affordable Home Project in Irvine Slated to Open Next Year

Monday, September 23, 2019

A new 80-unit apartment complex that recently broke ground in Irvine could be a new beginning for the veterans, developmentally disabled people, and families at risk of homelessness who will become its tenants when it opens next year. But Salerno, as the project is called, is also important to local housing officials for the ending they hope it represents. Legislation Gov. Newsom is expected to sign would allow properties slated for affordable rental homes to get a tax exemption sooner, saving nonprofit builders between thousands and millions of dollars that could instead go toward building more homes – a benefit project...

Why We Urge Approval of the New Trade Deal with Mexico, Canada

Monday, September 23, 2019

By Bryan Starr President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber The Greater Irvine Chamber stands in solidarity with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and business organizations across the nation in support of the congressional passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The one unalterable fact that transcends any points of debate surrounding the USMCA is that the health and vitality of the economies of California, Mexico, and Canada are inextricably linked. In fact, Mexico and Canada are California’s No. 1 and No. 2 trading partners, respectively. The largest export markets for U.S. goods last year were Canada, $298.7 billion, a 5.6% increase from th...

Leading OC Organizations Sponsor Greater Irvine Chamber’s Inaugural 40 Under 40

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber’s inaugural 40 Under 40 reception is supported by four Orange County organizations as sponsors. The event to be held Thursday, Oct. 3 at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum is already sold-out. Presenting Sponsor Antis Roofing & Waterproofing is a fully-licensed, bonded, and insured provider of roofing and waterproofing services for homeowner’s associations and multi-tenant housing communities in Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Antis is one of the most trusted names in the roofing industry, and a respected leader in community philanthropy. Charles Antis, founder and CEO, Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, will serve a...

OCTANe Announces 2019 High Tech Award Winners

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

OCTANe, Orange County’s technology and life sciences accelerator organization, presented its 2019 High Tech Awards at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach on Sept. 12. The 26th annual awards program honored Orange County-based companies that have demonstrated exceptional leadership while developing new technological advancements in their respective industries. This year’s awardees are: Outstanding Large Technology Company: Edwards Lifesciences Outstanding Emerging Technology Company: Syntiant Best Small Technology Company CEO: Ike Kavas, Ephesoft Best Technology Innovation in Software: Titan HST Outstanding Innovation in Medical Technology & Lifesciences: Sonendo Best Large Technology Company CEO: Jeff Margolis, Welltok Best Technology Innovation in a Consumer Product: OPKIX Outstanding Small Technology Company: AWM Smart Shelf Dea...

Orange County Business Journal’s Civic 50 Includes Greater Irvine Chamber Members

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Orange County Business Journal’s 2019 Civic 50 Orange County recognizes the most community-minded companies in the county. Among them are a number of Greater Irvine Chamber members: Antis Roofing & Waterproofing Arbonne International LLC Edwards Lifesciences FivePoint Holdings LLC Ingram Micro Inc. MacKenzie Corporation Taco Bell Corp. Civic 50 OC honorees are selected based on their community engagement: investment, integration, institutionalization, and impact, as determined by an annual survey independently administered and scored by True Impact. Honorees will be formally recognized during the Civic 50 Orange County Awards on Oct. 16 at Hotel Irvine. This year's event will feature a keynote by Neil Bush, son of former President Georg...

California Has Trillions More Wealth than Any Other State

Monday, September 16, 2019

A study released by California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office this month looks at geographical distribution of wealth across the state. Wealthiest States Californians’ net worth totals over $6 trillion or about $160,000 per resident. The state holds 17% of national net worth, while making up only 12% of the U.S. population. The net worth of about $160,000 would put California at No. 23 on the list of the countries according to worldsrichestcountries.com. California would be just behind Hong Kong ($173,685) and ahead of the following nations: Qatar: $156,986 Israel: $155,982 Finland: $149,917 UAE: $144,377 Kuwait: $113,419 The Legislative Analyst’s Office study is based on 2014-2016 data and states that income and wealth are similar but distinc...

SBA Awards FY 2019 State Trade Expansion Program Grants

Monday, September 16, 2019

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that $600,000 has been awarded to the California Department of Food & Agriculture that successfully competed for funding to support export growth among small businesses through SBA’s competitive State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). “SBA is proud to partner with the STEP grant winners and provide much-needed resources that help small businesses increase their sales by exporting,” said Acting Administrator Chris Pilkerton. “These grants are especially helpful as our country is in the midst of negotiating a number of trade agreements, including one between the United States–Mexico–Canada (USMCA). All of the Administration’s work is aimed a...

3 Simple Things to Protect Against Cyber Attacks

Friday, September 13, 2019

There were nearly 42,000 online security incidents around the world over the past year. And about 43% of those targeted small businesses. That means that small businesses are more likely than any other entity to fall victim to data breaches and cyber attacks. These incidents can lead to financial loss, stolen customer data, or compromised proprietary information. So it’s essential that small businesses take steps to lessen chances of falling victim to cyber attacks, and to lessen the impact if they do. However, small businesses also tend to have fewer resources to avoid these attacks than large enterprises and government entities. For example, smal...

Greater Irvine Chamber Meets Demand for New Leads Group

Friday, September 13, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber has added its sixth Leads Group as a result of the high demand of its members interested in participation. The new Leads Group will meet on the first and third Thursday of each month from 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. at the Greater Irvine Chamber offices, 36 Executive Park, Ste. 100. Leads Groups are the Chamber's premier lead generation and referral networks. These popular referral groups have helped hundreds of professionals gain a competitive advantage in the Irvine and Orange County marketplace, as well as build lasting professional and personal relationships. Participation in these groups is an exclusive ye...

Parker Aerospace Joins Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle as Gold-Level Sponsor

Friday, September 13, 2019

Parker Aerospace, an operating group of Parker Hannifin Corporation, has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle as a gold-level sponsor. Parker Aerospace has been a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber since 2018. “Involvement with the Greater Irvine Chamber as a Leaders Circle sponsor provides Parker Aerospace with an opportunity to elevate our presence and engagement in the community, ensuring the future of Irvine’s position as a leader in the technology sector,” said Barry Draskovich, group vice president of program and contract management for the company. Parker Aerospace is a global leader in flight control actuation, hydraulic, fuel, inerting, fluid conveyance...

Labor Won Big with Bill to Rewrite California Employment Law — But It’s Flawed

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Independent trucker Robert Schott was driving his big rig down the I-10 near Pomona when I reached him on his cell to talk about the “gig” bill. He hated the measure. We chatted shortly before the state Senate passed the bill after an emotional debate. Then the Assembly sent it to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who already had endorsed the measure. It’s organized labor’s biggest legislative victory in years. The bill will reclassify an estimated 1 million California workers as company employees rather than independent contractors, enshrining in law a state Supreme Court ruling. As employees, they’ll be eligible for new benefits, pa...

US Weekly Jobless Claims Drop to Five-Month Low

Thursday, September 12, 2019

The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits fell to a five-month low, suggesting the labor market remains strong despite slowing job growth. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits declined 15,000 to a seasonally adjusted 204,000 for the week ended Sept. 7, the lowest level since April, the Labor Department said. The drop in claims was the largest since May. Data for the prior week was revised to show 2,000 more applications received than previously reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims slipping to 215,000 in the latest week. The claims data covered the Labor Day holiday. Claims tend to b...

Community Matters: Education Support

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Despite Orange County’s top-rated school districts and schools, many students and their families experience obstacles in accessing quality education opportunities offered in the county. Challenges include socioeconomic disadvantages, access to adequate nutrition, disabilities and learning impediments, gender and ethnicity biases, language barriers, immigration status, and homelessness and foster-living situations. According to the Orange County Department of Education, Orange County is home to 27 school districts, more than 600 schools and 20,000 educators serving more than 500,000 students. Irvine Unified School District educates a diverse student population numbering more than 36,000 (transitional, K-12), in 24 elementary schools, one early childhood learning center, fou...

IUSD Superintendent Terry Walker Spells Out District Success at Greater Irvine Chamber

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Terry Walker, superintendent of schools for the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD)—one of the fastest-growing school districts in the nation—brought business and community leaders up to date on the District’s initiatives and plans for the future during the September Greater Irvine Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee meeting. Walker detailed ways in which IUSD is ensuring a rich, sustainable learning environment for college- and career-ready students through the use of technology across its campuses, dedication to mental health best practices, and a commitment to modernizing the District's facilities through the passage of Measure E, a school facilities improvement measure passed by Irvine voter...

Survey of Orange County Students Reveals their Thoughts on Making Career Choices

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

A non-scientific survey conducted in May 2019 by a Special Sessions Task Force of the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Business and Workforce Development Committee reveals what factors influence Orange County students when considering career choices. Respondents of the survey totaled 653 high school students from five Orange County school districts, with a quarter coming from Irvine Unified School District. Career specialists from Coastline Regional Occupational Program located on the campuses selected students randomly with efforts made to recruit a balance of ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, and academic achievement. The survey was distributed and accessible using a QR code displayed on cell phone...

Vincit CEO Ville Houttu Elected to Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Ville Houttu, CEO of Vincit, has been elected to serve on the 2019-2020 Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors. “The Expansion of Vincit to Irvine has proven to be a good move from the start. Among my first exploratory experiences in the city was with the Greater Irvine Chamber. As the partnership has continued to develop, it’s fitting and an honor that I am able to serve on the Chamber’s Board of Directors,” Houttu said. “I look forward to bringing the perspective of the digital technology industry to the Chamber’s governance.” Houttu expanded his digital design and software development company from Finlan...

GO-Biz Adviser Outlines Strategy to Enhance State’s Global Competitiveness

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Leveraging existing programs is central to the administration’s strategy for improving California’s global trade competitiveness, according to the recently named senior international adviser at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). Bud Colligan, named GO-Biz senior adviser for international affairs and trade in March, reviewed his activities over the last few months at the international breakfast meeting of the California Chamber of Commerce Council for International Trade on Sept. 6. The breakfast was sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California. “Trade matters to all Californians,” Colligan pointed out, noting that with increasing interconnections in the global economy, 1 in ...

Irvine Unified School District Ranked Among California’s Best

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) has been ranked the No. 2 school district in Orange County out of 26, and in the top 20 best districts in California out of 742, according to a report by the review site Niche. The 2019-20 Best Schools in America report, lists IUSD, which serves more than 36,000 students and has 41 schools, as one of the best districts in the county and state. The ranking was based on a variety of factors including state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, and student life on campus. Niche collects and calculates data fro...

Mentors Invited to Facilitate Greater Irvine Chamber’s Award-Winning Career-Readiness Program for OC College Students

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Are you interested in helping students get an edge as they prepare to enter the workforce? Business professionals are encouraged to volunteer as mentors for students participating in the fifth series of the Greater Irvine Chamber’s award-winning Career Edge program, hosted in collaboration with Google, Irvine Valley College, Webster University, Irvine Campus, and the members of the business community. Career Edge is a simple but important solution to a challenge that Orange County companies face: new employees who arrive with the knowledge and technical skills necessary but lack satisfactory business writing, presentation, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. Volunteer mentors and presenters fro...

Students Start New School Year with New Campus

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Irvine Unified School District welcomed students back to classes Aug. 22. Students entering Loma Ridge Elementary in Irvine that day got to meet their new teachers — and a whole new school. Loma Ridge, the second elementary school to serve the Portola Springs neighborhood, opened to 255 students. The 59,000-square-foot campus features a media center, collaboration spaces, dedicated music classrooms, and outdoor learning areas. The school is open to students in kindergarten through fourth grades, with plans to add a grade each of the next two years. It is the 24th elementary school in the Irvine Unified School District. To serve its growing population, th...

Concordia University Irvine’s Master’s Counseling Program Earns National Accreditation

Monday, September 09, 2019

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the national association that accredits master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling offered by colleges and universities, has granted accreditation to the Master of Arts in Counseling program at Concordia University Irvine in partnership with the Townsend Institute. The voluntary accreditation assures that graduates have met the majority of the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a counselor in most states. After a multi-stage external review process, Concordia Irvine’s Master of Arts in Counseling program, as well as its curriculum and faculty, were found to have substantially meet th...

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Offering Tuition Assistance for Your Employees

Monday, September 09, 2019

Today’s working professionals are unlike those of years past. The influx of Millennial and Generation Z employees are driving a variety of new trends that are causing employers to rethink their priorities. There’s been a recent rise in “job-hopping,” for example. As a result, organizations are taking a different approach to topics like job satisfaction and benefits to better retain the professionals they hire. Employers actually paid around $600 billion in turnover costs in 2018 — and it’s expected to increase to $680 billion in 2020. But organizations have opportunities to find a more sustainable path forward. In fact, it's estimated 77% of turnove...

Harassment Training Deadline Extended, Clarified

Thursday, September 05, 2019

Governor Newsom signed “clean up” legislation to help clarify training deadlines for employers. Some California employers now have until Jan. 1, 2021 to train employees on sexual harassment prevention—a one-year extension of the original Jan. 1, 2020 deadline. The deadline was not extended for employers of seasonal and temporary employees, who are hired to work for less than six months. Starting Jan. 1, 2020, these employees must be trained within 30 calendar days after their hire date or within 100 hours worked, whichever occurs first. Employer Training Deadlines Under the new law, SB 778, all employees — supervisory and nonsupervisory — must be trained by Jan. 1...

US Services Sector Suggests Economy Weathering Trade Storm

Thursday, September 05, 2019

U.S. services sector activity accelerated in August and private employers boosted hiring, suggesting the economy continued to grow at a moderate pace despite trade tensions which have stoked financial market fears of a recession. The upbeat reports took some of the sting from data that showed the manufacturing sector contracted for the first time in August as the year-old trade war between the United States and China intensified. But given the erosion of business confidence as a result of the trade impasse and the threat it poses to the longest economic expansion in history, the Federal Reserve is still expected to cu...

California Consumer Privacy Act Will Impact Businesses That Collect and Receive Personal Data

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

A law to protect the privacy of California consumers takes effect Jan. 1, and businesses that don’t comply with the mandates by July 1 will face stiff fines. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), amended and signed into law Sept. 23, broadly expands the rights of consumers and requires companies to be significantly more transparent in regard to how they collect, use and disclose personal information. Those that don’t play by new rules could potentially face millions of dollars in penalties. The U.S. government has yet to implement a federal privacy law similar to Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation, so individual states have begun to craf...

Destination Irvine Generates a Record $18.5 Million in Hotel Revenue

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

Destination Irvine generated $18.5 million in hotel revenue for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, a 117% increase from the previous year, and the greatest revenue generated in a single year for the organization. The total revenue is a combination of direct group sales and marketing campaigns conducted by the Greater Irvine Chamber’s destination marketing organization. Direct group sales efforts brought in more than $7.7 million in revenue and daily spend, compared to $6.8 million the previous year, and filled more than 31,800 room nights for meetings groups, sports events, leisure visitors, and business travelers. Destination Irvine’s marketing campaigns, including a CBS social influence...

Long Paper Receipts Can Stay For Now, As California Lawmakers Reject Ban

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

Props, costumes and a Jimmy Kimmel joke weren’t enough to prevent the California Senate from trashing a bill that would have restricted retailers from routinely handing out unwanted and unusually long receipts. Assembly Bill 161 by Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) would have required stores to ask consumers if they wanted receipts before printing them in an effort to reduce paper waste in the state. The bill had been significantly scaled back in recent months after criticism from the paper industry and business groups. Finally, it stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee. “We are very disappointed,” Ting said, adding that he will probabl...

Martina Stojanovic Joins Greater Irvine Chamber Staff

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

Martina Stojanovic has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber professional staff as the Sales and Marketing Coordinator for the organization’s destination marketing division, Destination Irvine. In this role, Stojanovic will provide overall project support for the Destination Irvine team, including sales research, data management, website content, visitor guide distribution, and social media initiatives. She brings to the Destination Irvine team five years of experience in sales, marketing, and hospitality. In her previous position with Valiant Marketing Group in Huntington Beach, she was part of a team responsible for one-third of the company’s campaigns, representing more than $1.3 million in revenue. “Martina’s education, enthusiasm for the trave...

Two New Task Forces for the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Economic Vitality Council Support International Trade and Business Expansion

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber’s Economic Vitality Council (EVC) has formed two new task forces to support the Chamber’s capacity to influence Irvine’s competitiveness in a global economy, attract new businesses, improve business retention, and expand and grow businesses. The Growing Irvine Exporters Task Force has been formed to identify local companies that are not exporting but that would benefit from exporting to grow their business. The task force will focus on developing a set of criteria to evaluate a company’s viability to export. It will then connect interested companies to such export assets as U.S. Commercial Service, Export Assistance Center, U.S...

UCI Tops List of Green US Colleges

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

For the fourth time in six years, University of California, Irvine (UCI) was named as the most environmentally sustainable college in the United States by a Sierra magazine ranking that considers curriculum, research and on-campus practices. This year, 282 colleges in the U.S. and Canada vied in the “Cool Schools” ranking as ranked by the Sierra Club publication. In the announcement, only Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia finished ahead of UCI, which is the sole college to make the list’s top 10 for each of the past 10 years. “We’re continually impressed with (UCI’s) commitment to modeling, teaching and embodying excellent environmental stewardshi...

Ware Disposal to Present Future Leader Award at Greater Irvine Chamber 40 Under 40 Reception

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

Ten-year-old Ryan Hickman of Ryan’s Recycling will be presented the Future Leader Award by Ware Disposal during the Greater Irvine Chamber’s inaugural 40 Under 40 reception held on Thursday, Oct. 3, 6 – 8 p.m., at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, 7905 Irvine Center Dr. Hickman has become an international icon for recycling awareness, and has recycled more than 600,000 cans and bottles since launching Ryan’s Recycling in 2012 when he was just three years old. Hickman is active in leading beach cleanup events in Orange County and travels globally speaking about recycling and saving the planet. He's a junior ambassador for Recycl...

U.S. Metro Areas Exported $1.5 Trillion in Merchandise Across the World in 2018

Tuesday, September 03, 2019

The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration in August released the 2018 goods export data for the nation's 392 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), highlighting that U.S. metro areas exported a significant $1.5 trillion in merchandise across the world last year. In fact, from 2017 to 2018, exports from MSAs increased $110.3 billion – or 8.1%, and 259 metropolitan areas reported positive export growth, with 94 reaching record-level exports. "The Trump Administration is committed to addressing trade imbalances, breaking down trade barriers, and providing U.S. companies with new reach in foreign markets," said Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Gilbert Kaplan...

What is the Actual Cost of an Employee for Small-Business Owners?

Tuesday, September 03, 2019

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers advice on determining the actual financial cost of adding a new employee to the payroll to help small-business owners budget appropriately. When thinking about adding a new employee to the payroll, determine what the actual financial cost of doing so means to your business. This includes the dollars and cents over and above the basic wage or salary you agree to pay. There’s a rule of thumb that the cost is typically 1.25 to 1.4 times the salary, depending on certain variables. So, if you pay someone a salary of $35,000, your actual costs likel...

Amazon Puts its Delivery Robots to the Test in Irvine

Thursday, August 29, 2019

After testing delivery robots near its home base in Seattle, Amazon has expanded its trial use of Scout to Irvine. “We’re still in field test mode, and our expansion to the Irvine area is just another in the many steps forward for this new delivery system,” a recent Amazon blog post said. Scout is a blue, six-wheeled, electric robot about the size of a large drink cooler that travels on the sidewalk and can apparently maneuver around obstacles such as skateboards and trash cans, according to the blog post. A video on the company’s blog shows the robot gently rolling to a sto...

IUSD Superintendent Terry Walker to Visit Greater Irvine Chamber Sept. 5

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Terry Walker, superintendent of schools for the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD)—one of the fastest-growing school districts in the nation—will be speaking with business and community leaders gathering for the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee meeting on Thursday, Sept. 5, 8 – 9:30 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. Walker will provide an update on the state of education in Irvine as well as plans for the future, such as how technology will be leveraged as tools for educators, ensuring a rich learning environment for sustainable college- and career-ready students, and how the passage of Measure E, a schoo...

Member Companies Ranked among Best Employers in California

Monday, August 26, 2019

Forbes has released its 2019 list of best California employers. Making the list are 19 Greater Irvine Chamber member companies and organizations, including branch locations. Ranked in the top 20 are Google at number seven, Kaiser Permanente at 14, University of California, Irvine at 16, and Hilton at 19. Chamber member employers included among the 194 California businesses included in Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers by State are: Google (No. 7) Kaiser Permanente (No. 14) University of California, Irvine (No. 16) Hilton (No. 19) T-Mobile (No. 23) Marriott International (No. 24) Hoag (No. 40) Sempra Energy (No. 57) Keller Williams Realty (No. 64) Nissan Motor (No. 95) Merrill Lynch (No...

Wells Fargo Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Gold-Level Sponsor

Monday, August 26, 2019

Wells Fargo has renewed its Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle gold-level sponsorship. Wells Fargo has been a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber since 2006. Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, community-based financial services company serving customers’ financial needs. Founded in 1852, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products, and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,700 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, internet and mobile banking, and has offices in 33 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 262,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three household...

What to do if Immigration Officials Come Knocking at Your Business

Saturday, August 24, 2019

CalChamber President Allan Zaremberg discussed with immigration expert Kevin Johnson, Dean of the UC Davis School of Law, what employers are required to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials raid a job site or ask to inspect records. Under the Obama administration, ICE officials focused primarily on deporting undocumented immigrants who were in jail or prison, and more or less backed off of workplace enforcement. Now under the Trump administration, ICE has shifted more of its focus to the workplace, Johnson said. Doing business in a state with high numbers of undocumented immigrants, employers in California need to know wha...

David Tiemeier Named Managing Director of Research Translation at UCI Beall Applied Innovation

Friday, August 23, 2019

UC Irvine (UCI) Beall Applied Innovation has named David Tiemeier the managing director for the Research Translation Group (RTG), effective Sept. 3. He will report directly to Richard Sudek, Applied Innovation’s executive director and chief innovation officer at UCI. In this role, Tiemeier will lead RTG and build robust relationships with companies to facilitate and promote the use of UCI research while driving forward the translation and commercialization of UCI intellectual property. Tiemeier brings with him extensive experience in scientific research, business development and building high-performance teams within academic, biotech and Big Pharma environments. Throughout his career, he has been a tireless supporte...

Hoag Recognized as Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence for Seventh Consecutive Year

Friday, August 23, 2019

Hoag Breast Center is the first and only hospital in Orange County to be named a Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence – the highest level of accreditation – by the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers ProgramTM (NQMBC). Recognized for the seventh consecutive year, Hoag Breast Center first received this prestigious designation in 2013 and is one of 57 facilities nationally to hold the “Center of Excellence” distinction, reinforcing Hoag’s position as a national leader in breast cancer care. “This accreditation is truly a reflection of the comprehensive team at Hoag who are dedicated to providing our community with the highes...

California Governor Announces Launch of $50 Million 'Listos California' Campaign to Help Build Community Resilience to Wildfires

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Governor Gavin Newsom, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), and California Volunteers released the names of grantees awarded $50 million in local disaster resilience grants and announced the official launch of the state’s new emergency preparedness campaign, known as Listos (Ready) California, to build resiliency in vulnerable communities at high risk for wildfires and other disasters. Climate change has created a new wildfire reality in California and socially vulnerable communities are disproportionally impacted by devastating wildfires, earthquakes and other disasters. Listos California is a new effort to boost disaster preparedness by engaging a statewide network of community-based organizations, CER...

Hoag Promise Campaign Still Going Strong After Hitting $627M Goal 18 Months Early

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Hoag Hospital Foundation has surpassed the $627 million Hoag Promise Campaign goal 18 months ahead of its Dec.31, 2020, target thanks to more than 22,000 donors who made 83,000-plus Hoag Promise Campaign gifts. Hoag will continue raising funds for the Hoag Promise Campaign until its end date in a bid to meet or exceed its ambitious clinical fundraising priorities within the larger Campaign. “Health care will never stop evolving and innovating, and Hoag will never relinquish its vision of providing leading-edge care in all of our service lines,” said Flynn A. Andrizzi, Ph.D., Hoag Hospital Foundation president. “Philanthropy is the key t...

US Jobless Claims Fall in Sign of Labor Market Strength

Thursday, August 22, 2019

The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week, suggesting the labor market was holding firm despite a manufacturing slowdown and concerns the economy is on a path toward recession. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 209,000 for the week ended Aug. 17, the Labor Department said. The decline was sharper than expected. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims would drop to 216,000 in the latest week. U.S. stock index futures held onto gains following the data’s publication. The four-week moving average of initial claims, considered a better measure of labor market trend...

Innovation in Irvine Evident; Greater Irvine Chamber Members Among OCBJ Innovator Award Nominees

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Irvine, a city well-known for innovation, is home to some of the world’s top innovators. Several Orange County innovators, including a number of Greater Irvine Chamber members, are recognized through the Orange County Business Journal’s Innovator of the Year Awards program. The Innovator of the Year Award program recognizes individuals and their organizations that are creating game-changing products and services, and demonstrate leadership in innovation. This year’s Chamber member nominees: Michael Dennin, University of California, Irvine Burton Eisenberg, M.D., Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian/Hoag Family Cancer Institute Ville Houttu, Vincit Todd Norbe, BIOLASE Inc. Amy Oppedisano, TerraTech Corp/Blüm Award recipients will be formally recognized during the fifth annual Innovator o...

California Job Growth Is Outpacing the Nation’s

Monday, August 19, 2019

California’s job market powered ahead in July amid the longest expansion since the 1960s, and unemployment remained at a record low. Since the post-recession turnaround in February 2010, the state has added 3.3 million jobs, accounting for more than 15% of the nation’s employment gains, state officials reported. Last month’s tally of 19,600 new jobs was lower than June’s revised 41,300 number. But monthly payroll data are volatile. More significantly, California has added an average of 29,200 jobs a month over this 113-month expansion. Year over year, the state’s employment growth outpaced the nation’s, 1.8% to 1.5%. California unemployment stood at 4.1% i...

Job Growth In July Adds Up To Southern California’s Best Month So Far In 2019

Monday, August 19, 2019

There were enough Southern Californians new on the job in July to fill the Rose Bowl and the Staples Center at the same time. The region had 122,000 more jobs across Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties last month than there were in July 2018, the Employment Development Department reported Friday, Aug. 16. The leap in hiring represented the strongest year-over-year growth so far this year. Job growth for the four-county region in May and June was 106,000 and was below 100,000 in each of the first four months of the year. Orange County saw growth of 24,300 jobs, a 1.5% uptick. Th...

Orange County Soccer Club Signs Youngest Male Professional Player in US History

Monday, August 19, 2019

Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) announced the signing of 14-year-old standout Francis Jacobs, who becomes the youngest male to sign a professional contract in United States soccer history. The Laguna Beach native joins amid interest from multiple European clubs. “Francis is a special Orange County talent and has shown a maturity on the field way beyond his years,” said President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Oliver Wyss. “He is the perfect model of player to develop in our pathway to professional program that we have established here in Orange County. The entire organization is committed to providing him with guidance...

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...

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 2018-2019 Ambassador of the Year

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Thomas Lotts, agent, New York Life, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber 2018-2019 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

Orange County Business Journal’s Civic 50 List Honors Greater Irvine Chamber Members

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

A number of Greater Irvine Chamber members are featured Orange County Business Journal’s 2019 Civic 50 Orange County list. The list recognizes the most community-minded companies in Orange County. Greater Irvine Chamber members included on the list are: Antis Roofing & Waterproofing Arbonne International LLC Edwards Lifesciences FivePoint Holdings LLC Ingram Micro Inc. MacKenzie Corporation Taco Bell Corp. Civic 50 OC honorees are selected based upon four dimensions of their community engagement programs: investment, integration, institutionalization, and impact, as determined by an annual survey independently administered and scored by True Impact. The honorees will be formally recognized during the Civic 50 Orange County Awards on Oct. 16 at Hotel Irvine...

why
irvine