A Chamber in charge A Chamber in charge (September 03, 2004)

Business bureau strengthens community

The Art & Wine Festival is the Chamber's largest fundraiser, enabling the organization to provide the services and programs that make it a valuable asset to Mountain View's business community and the community at large.

The Chamber of Commerce Mountain View has been connecting the business community since 1922. Chamber CEO Carol Olson says, "Our charge is to serve our members and the community, protect the needs of our members as the voice for business, and promote our members' businesses so that they are successful, and in turn, our community is successful."

As the visitor bureau for Mountain View, the Chamber offers a variety of information on hotels, restaurants, events, schools and other visitor-serving interests. People from all over the world who plan to visit or move to Mountain View contact the Chamber for their visitor or relocation information needs. Residents also utilize the Chamber as a resource for community-related activities and happenings.

The Chamber's Board of Directors recognizes the strength that diversity brings to our community and works to foster a broad awareness and deep appreciation of this community asset among Chamber members and the Community. The Art & Wine Festival -- a "Cultural Community Celebration" -- highlights Mountain View's diverse and active downtown to the rest of the Bay Area.

The Chamber also works to partner businesses with local schools through various programs. Chamber members contributed over $70,000 to the elementary schools last year to help fill the gap during challenging times.

Market Place, the Chamber's first annual outdoor trade show, was launched as a successful solution towards growing economic development. The Women In Business Program provides a monthly opportunity for business professionals to benefit from an informal exchange of information from inspiring speakers.

The Business ConneXions program offers small business owners contacts, leads, referrals and resources needed to grow their business. The Chamber's Leadership Mountain View program develops well-rounded and thoughtful leaders to move the community forward.

These are just a few of the many outstanding programs offered by the Chamber of Commerce Mountain View. For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce Mountain View at 968-8378 or visit the Web site at www.chambermv.org.

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