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REALTORS® learn how local chambers of commerce can benefit them and their clients

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Local chamber of commerce representatives recently explained to REALTORS® how they help promote business in their communities and how REALTORS® and their clients can benefit from membership in their local chambers.

The panelists meeting with about 60 members of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® included Gary Smith, president-elect of the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce; Dave Perry, executive director of the Campbell Chamber of Commerce; and Ronee Nassi, executive director of the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce.

Smith explained the chamber of commerce exists to promote business and works daily with local government and business related agencies to keep the community vital. Member services, retaining business, and economic and community development are the main goals of the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, which are accomplished through education, business networking and advocacy, said Smith.

Smith thanked the local real estate association for working with the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce in 2010 to defeat Measure Q. Measure Q was a proposed two-story height limit measure in Saratoga, which would have limited the height of buildings in commercial, and office and administrative zoning for 30 years, in what is already a run down and outdated downtown core of the city.

The Saratoga chamber representative also invited REALTORS® to join the chamber, and detailed a number of networking opportunities with other businesses, as well as the public. He also mentioned the local chamber is active in promoting community events. Participation in these events enables Realtors to learn more about the community. The recent Independence Day celebration in Saratoga on July 4th hosted close to 1,000 guests, including civic leaders, veterans, seniors, and families.

Perry distributed promotional materials from the Campbell Chamber of Commerce, including bags to mark the community's ban on plastic bags, and the chamber newsletter highlighting upcoming events. He mentioned Campbell has many popular events. Boogie in the Bayou is a two-day event in the third weekend of May which attracts between 20,000 to 30,000 people, with food, drinks, arts and crafts, a kiddie korner, live entertainment and a commercial row. The community's Oktoberfest, a two-day event in October, has authentic German beer, food and music create a real Germanic atmosphere also with arts and crafts, kinder platz and a commercial row held in downtown Campbell.

Nassi said chamber membership increases a member's visibility, which is essential for the Realtor community. The chamber provides networking opportunities, including monthly mixers and quarterly luncheons. The chamber regularly meets with community leaders and elected Town officials regarding business issues.

Nassi likewise invited the REALTORS® to take advantage of town events like the Sunday Farmer's Market, held at the Los Gatos Town Plaza Park at Main and Santa Cruz Ave. A chamber directory with information on its members is mailed to 15,500 households. The chamber also serves as an information center and has relocation packages for families moving to Los Gatos.

The three chambers belong to a chamber coalition and combine efforts to enhance relationships among their communities, said Nassi. As an example, Nassi said even if Apple is based in the city of Cupertino, the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce has come out and officially endorsed the Apple Campus 2 project because "what Apple does affects the entire valley."

More information about each chamber can be found on the following websites:
Los Gatos: http://losgatoschamber.gzerodesign.com/; Saratoga: http://www.saratoga-ca.com/intro.htm; Campbell: http://www.campbellchamber.com/.


The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.

For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, email , or phone (408) 200-0109.

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