FEBRUARY 2010 • VOL. 21 NO.
2
COMMERCE
INSIDE
2010
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
PREMIER SPONSOR
The Valley’s Daily News Source
DIAMOND LEVEL SPONSORS
Redwood Credit Union
Net-Flow Corporation
Accelerated Marketing Group
Tri-Eagle Beverage
Silverado Resort
Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine
Exertec Health & Fitness
Charter Oak Bank
Hawthorn Inn and Suites
Queen of the Valley Medical Center
Golden State Warriors
Mark Coleman, State Farm
Travis Credit Union
Umpqua Bank
Kathryn Fitzgerald, CFP®
NAPA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • CONNECTING COMMERCE TO COMMUNITY
1556 First Street | Napa CA 94559 | 707.226.7455 | napachamber.com
WE FOCUS ON BUSINESS.
Chair Discusses Art Ordinance
10 Tips in Challenging Times
Business Expo Registration
Welcome New Members!
and more...
• CREATING A STRONG LOCAL ECONOMY
Don’t Get Caught in Economic Panic
Resources are Available to Support Business Vitality
The Napa County Workforce Investment are contacted to participate in a resource-
Board has formed the Business Advancement sharing meeting that is designed to connect
and Retention Team (BART) to develop and business owners to resources that can help
implement strategies that support economic sustain and grow their business. Included in
vitality and business growth. The BART most meetings are representatives from City
consists of a group of service providers that Economic Development. Workforce Napa
are prepared to deliver quality services to meet Career Center, the Employment Development
the needs of the small business community. Department, the Napa County Small Business
Through coordinated efforts, the team delivers Development Center and the Napa County
regional solutions to local challenges. Workforce Investment Board.
The process involves the BART The BART expands and enhances
Coordinator conducting an initial assessment their relationship between the Workforce
of the businesses needs. After initial Investment Board, Economic Development,
evaluation, the appropriate team partners
See BART next page...
• PROMOTING THE COMMUNITY
Napa Chamber of Commerce
Annual Board Installation and
Awards Dinner Tops the Chart!
The Chamber’s Annual Dinner was
pulled off without a hitch last month. The
festive atmosphere was complete with
roving klieg lights, valet parking, velvet
backdrops and shimmering tables at the
Napa Valley Marriott Hotel and Spa.
Marriott General Manager, Shawn Millburn
and Chef Brian Whitmer pulled out all the
stops to ensure a sparkling night was had
by all.
The festivities got underway with
Emcee Barry Martin applauding immediate
past Chamber President/CEO, Kate King’s
ten years of outstanding service to the Napa 2009 Chairman of the Board Mike Silvas
community and for her forward thinking (left) passes the gavel to 2010 Chairman
Randy Martinsen (right)
succession plan that was so solidly in
place for her early retirement to Texas in Chair Mike Silvas to the new Chamber
November. Lisa Batto, past Chamber VP, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Randy
has stepped seamlessly into the role and as Martinsen, and honored the volunteer Board
a result the community has benefited by not members for their tireless dedication to the
skipping a beat in Chamber activities. community of Napa by tapping each with
Next Napa Mayor Jill Techel officially her sparkling magic wand. Jack Wright
passed the gavel of office from outgoing See AWARDS next page...
BART
continued from previous page...
and the business community.
Benefits include:
• Business management information
• Small Business Development Center
(SBDC) training, consulting and
resources
• Employer Tax Credit Information
• Human Resources information and
assistance
• Business analysis and management,
business planning, market research,
marketing, finance, selling to the
government and technology.
• Contracting opportunities within
various departments of Napa County
• Job placement and recruitment
assistance
• Online referrals for recruiting qualified
workers
• Assistance identifying resources for
specific business operations
• Customized training to meet current
and future workforce needs
• Access to education resources (State
and Private Universities, Community
College, Adult Education, Regional
Occupational Program (ROP),
Apprenticeship Programs.
• Access to a qualified workforce
• Training cost reimbursement
For more information or to get
started with your own evaluation contact
Julia Smith at (707) 299-1765 or by email
julia.smith@countyofnapa.org. ■

AWARDS Annual Dinner. The awards were presented of the community for many years with so
continued from previous page... by outgoing Chairman Mike Silvas to many substantial public health and human
Productions provided short videos to precede rousing applause by the room filled with over service projects attributable to them that they
each award presentation highlighting the 300 community leaders. Lisa Batto, president received not one, but two standing ovations
respective recipient’s contributions and and CEO of the Chamber later commented, upon being announced. Angela and Joe Sr.’s
background. “Georgia and Sue have son, Joe Peatman Jr., who is proprietor of
Awards and done a tremendous Napa restaurant Downtown Joe’s, said of the
accompanying job representing the evening, “I’m really here for my Mom, I’m
official Resolutions Napa Chamber of here for Dad too, but this means so much to
were presented Commerce. I’m proud my Mother because her father, Ed Brovelli
by Laurie Puzo of that both were chosen Sr. won this same award in 1976 and she has
Assembly Member as the Ambassadors often said she strives to be like him. She has
Noreen Evans office of the Year.” Georgia modeled herself after her Dad because she
and Brian Bottari of has been a Napa so admired how much he did for Napa.”
US Congressman Chamber of Commerce Outgoing Chamber Chairman, Mike
Thompson’s office Ambassador for three Silvas introduced the Napa Community
with able help from years and has enjoyed Bank as the Business of the Year noting
Michael Allen from Georgia Baughman (left) and Sue her first year as Co- that it was nothing short of a miracle with
State Senator Pat Griffiths (right) accept Resolutions for the Captain with Sue today’s headlines that a bank should be
Wiggins office. Ambassador of the Year Griffiths. Baughman receiving any kind of positive attention,
The first award of the night went to Lixit is the Branch Manager of Golden 1 Credit let alone an award. It is a testament to
Corporation as the Family Friendly Business Union Napa Office. Sue NCB employees and
of the Year and jointly to NEWS (Napa Griffiths has worked as Bank President Dennis
Emergency Women’s Services) as the Family a substitute teacher for Pedisich’s leadership
Friendly Non Profit Organization of the Year. the Napa Valley Unified that of all the businesses
The award was announced by Napa County School District for sixteen in Napa this financial
Supervisor Brad Wagenknecht who had years and also teaches in institution, which feels
written a poem on the importance of family the Napa Valley Adult more like a family reunion
for the occasion. The Family Friendly award School program. She has when you walk in than a
is presented by the Napa County Child Care been a member of the business, has received this
Planning Council, and rewards organizations Napa Chamber for over recognition this year.
which embody a workplace that exudes twenty years. Emcee’s Barry Martin
an attitude that is sensitive to the needs of The highly and Taylor Bartolucci
employees and their families. The non-profit anticipated Citizen of closed the evening with
sector was a sub-category only added two the Year Award was their trademark rapier wit
years ago, now rounding out all aspects of presented to Angela skewering a few otherwise
work-life in Napa County. Both winning and Joe Peatman by innocent attendees and
organizations have met this credo head on Sustainable Napa County thanking both Chamber
with Lixit purpose building a child care room CEO, Jeri Gill. Ms. Gill Dennis Pedisich accepts the of Commerce staff and
talked about the “ripple Business of the Year award for the gracious hosts of the
for employees and NEWS going out of their Napa Comminuty Bank
way to “say Yes” to their employees needs. effect” that the Peatmans evening, the Napa Valley
Both Georgia Baughman and Sue actions, initiatives and projects have had, Marriott Hotel & Spa, for such a wonderful
Griffiths were named 2009 Ambassador touching countless lives of people unknown event. ■ Photos by: Wright’s Photography
of the Year at last Friday night’s Chamber to them. The Peatmans have been pillars

February 2010 | COMMERCE | Page 2 | napachamber.com


Chairman’s Focus
By Randy Martinsen,
President & CEO
of Accelerated
Marketing Group
2010 Napa Chamber of
Commerce Chairman of
the Board
How Does The Chamber
Make Decisions?
Did you know that the Napa Chamber
of Commerce is one of the only Chambers
in our area that does NOT receive funding
from government sources? This makes our
Chamber a stronger voice for legislative
action when advocating for our members.
In order to make our voice even stronger,
we have a process by which we hear all
sides to an issue before debating it and
giving our opinion.
Let me give you an example of
how this process works: In late 2008,
the Chamber was asked to review the
Public Arts ordinance by some concerned
members. The body at the Chamber who
reviews these requests is the Legislative
Action Committee (LAC). Both sides of the
argument were invited, including the City
Planning Department. LAC read the draft
ordinance, heard presentations and asked
questions. A white paper was written from
the Chamber and approved by the Board
CEO’s Focus
By Lisa Batto ACE,
President/CEO
Starting the
year strong
The Napa Chamber’s Annual Dinner
and Awards was a great success, in a large
part, due to the great staff! Lynn, Paula,
Christine, Caryl, Katherine, Karen, Sherrell
and Rebecca deserve to be recognized for
their hard work on this event. From the
Silent Auction to making sure everyone
was seated – inside the room! 325 people
showed up in their finery to honor our
Award Winners! Georgia Baughman and
Sue Griffiths as Ambassadors of the Year,
set the stage for the event! These two ladies,
help keep our Ambassadors busy throughout
February 2010
following Executive Committee meeting
where LAC’s recommendation may be
ratified or amended before it is presented to
of Directors to give City staff direction the Chamber Board of Directors for further
on some items that the Chamber thought discussion and a final vote for action. If a
should be improved. decision can’t wait for Executive Committee
In January 2009, the Chamber received review it may go directly to the Board for
a new presentation from the Arts Council discussion.
There are four possible outcomes. 1)
Napa Valley, which addressed some of
Support the request; 2) Oppose the request;
the recommendations given to the City in
3) Neutral - Neither
the white paper. The
City of Napa Planning agree nor disagree,
Department was in “This makes our either position will
attendance and more Chamber a stronger not adversely affect
questions were asked Chamber Members, and
and discussion of the voice for legislative individual Members are
ordinance was tabled not encouraged one way
until the draft ordinance action...” or the other; or 4) No
was ready for review by Position – this decision
LAC. means it is something
The following May (2009) another outside the scope of the Chamber’s vision
presentation and revision of the ordinance and goals, and the Board takes no position
was discussed. There was consensus on it at all.
to support the Public Art Ordinance as In this case the majority of the Board
amended and acknowledge city work and agreed to send a letter to the City to
support the temporary delay in building encourage adoption of the ordinance for
fees until the economy improves. A helping to sustain growth in the City of
decision is made to wait on presenting a Napa.
recommendation to Executive Committee Not all issues take this long, but some
until there was a revised request; which was do. So, when you have an important issue to
made in December, 2009. get help from your Chamber to advocate for
In January of 2010, LAC revisited you, remember the process and make sure
the ordinance support question. With you submit your request early. No position
the changes LAC made a motion to is made without carefully going through the
send a request to Executive Committee process. This makes our opinion carry much
to support the ordinance as amended. more weight than it would otherwise. ■
This information is then discussed in the
sure their voice was heard loud and clear.
They asked the Napa Chamber to support
them. Having the business community
the year scheduling visits with our member behind you can be a good thing. Suddenly,
businesses and arranging for celebratory your small business becomes part of an
ribbon cuttings that often include the Mayor organization with over 1100 members,
of Napa! See the front page story for more representing thousands of employees. Over
about the event. the past ten years, my predecessor and past
What’s next for the Board members, have
Napa Chamber? Just check built a solid reputation
our At-A-Glance calendar “…when you have an as the voice of business.
on our website, there you issue…you will be Through our leadership,
will find out the registration we will strive to always
dates to buy a booth at glad that the Napa be the voice of business
our very popular Napa Chamber is there in with our local and state
Valley Business Expo, your corner!” governments. Helping
or find a link to www. small business have a
napachamberfoundation. voice and be recognized
org where you can nominate a Napa hero. in our community is what we do at the
You might be asking is that ALL the Napa Napa Chamber. Representing Business to
Chamber does? Just read Chairman Randy Government is one of our core competencies.
Martinsen’s article and you will see that the This may not be the reason your business
Napa Chamber does tackle many issues in joined the Napa Chamber of Commerce,
the community. however, when you have an issue, like the
Recently, the Napa Chamber stood recent one, you will be glad that the Napa
up for a local business at a City Council Chamber is there in your corner! ■
meeting. The small business wanted to make
| COMMERCE | Page 3 | napachamber.com
• PROVIDING NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

After-Hours MIXER at Oxbow Public Market

The after-hours MIXER at Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa
was a huge success with over 200 business people networking, learning
about the market vendors, and socializing. Special thanks to Pica Pica Maize
Kitchen and Bar and Taylor’s Refresher.
PLAN AHEAD: Don’t miss February’s After-Hours MIXER on
February 18th at Umpqua Bank’s Main Branch at 1500 Soscol Avenue.

The 200+ crowd spread out amongst the vendors

at the Oxbow Public Market.

s
L-R Gemma Kochis of Rubicon
Estate and Dorian Greenow from
Pine Ridge Vineyards.

s
L-R Caryl Chakerian from Blue Oak
School and Aram Chakerian of
Oxbow Public Market.

Owens Corning Masonry Products® in American Canyon

recently celebrated 446 days injury free! This was a huge
accomplishment for the facility, which employs more than
350 local workers and is the top five in plant size for the
corporation overall. This facility is the first in the company’s
history to achieve such a significant safety goal.

s L-R Curtis Di Fede and Tyler Rodde

from Oenotri.

Owens-Corning
Safety Celebration

L-R: Carol Powell, Division ESH Leader; Rebecca Johnson, Lisa

Batto, and Katherine Zimmer from the Napa Chamber; Gloria Maese,
Plant ESH Leader; Pete Koska, Plant Leader; Eric Weeks, Division
HR Leader; Doug Ponstler, Corporate ESH Leader; Wilson Pacheco,
Plant Operations Leader; Jacob Dorau, Plant Financial Leader

February 2010 | COMMERCE | Page 4 | napachamber.com

 Welcome New Members!
Attractions, Tours & Sightseeing
St. Helena Wine Tours
Ken Slavens, (707) 963-9644
1541 Chablis Cir, St. Helena
office@shwinetours.com
Advertising Agencies, Specialties & Direct
Mail
Uproar, Inc, DBA: Tour R City
Mark Valenti, (650) 759-0282
9103 W Alta Dr Unit 301A, Las Vegas
stevecaria@uproaradvertising.com
www.uproaradvertising.com
Chefs
Diem Doonan Personal Chef &
Caterer
Diem Doonan, (415) 724-6766
Napa
www.diemdoonan.com
Design/Space Planning
Second Nature Plant Co.
Nanci Hattem, (707) 664-1660
PO Box 7538, Cotati
www.secondnatureplants.com
Green Minded Businesses
Horizon Land Surveys, Inc.
Jeffrey Dillberg, PLS, (707) 257-1017
Napa
jeff@horizonlandsurveys.com
www.horizonlandsurveys.com
Health Care Services
Joy’s In Home Care &
Assistance
Joy D. Deits, (707) 265-6015
Napa
joy@joyscare.com
www.JoysCare.com
Member Benefit Bulletin
Do California Labor Laws Confuse You?
The Napa Chamber Provides Solutions
The Napa Chamber of Commerce
provides several ways to keep you updated
on Labor Law issues. One important way
is easy access to mandatory workplace
compliance products which are offered at a
discount to our members.
The Napa Chamber offers many differ-
ent ways to keep updated. From a complete
Required Notices Kit to individual posters
and pamphlets. Many books are available
like the California Labor Law Digest. This
comprehensive, California-specific, Digest
puts answers to labor law questions right at
To learn more benefits of membership, visit napachamber.com or phone us at 707.226.7455
February 2010
Stone – Cast
Horseback Riding Owens Corning Masonry
Four Star Farm Products®
Natalie Rooney Pitts, (707) 312-1119 Gosha Parra, (707) 255-1727
Napa 350 Tower Road, American Canyon
natalie@fourstarfarm.com gosha.parra@owenscorning.com
www.fourstarfarm.com www.owenscorning.com
Janitorial Services Tax Return Preparation
J.R. & Sons Cleaning Services & H & R Block
Supplies Christine Nelson, (707) 257-6113
Juli Sanchez, (707) 254-9967 653 Trancas St, Napa
751 Jackson St, Napa rnelson31270@yahoo.com
www.hrblock.com
Landscaping
Martinez Landscaping, Inc. H & R Block
Gonzalo Martinez, (707) 253-9201 Bridgette Givens-Lewis, (707) 255-9477
1638 Carneros Ave, Napa 3222 Jefferson St, Napa
admin@mlnapa.com bridgette.givens@tax.hrblock.com
www.mlnapa.com www.hrblock.com
Marketing Consultants Website Design
Leaf and Vine Wine Wholesale & Go Traffic Interactive LLC
Marketing Gary Thompson, (707)258-6378
Richard B. Keith, (707) 225-1895 101 S Coombs Ste X, Napa
Petaluma info@e-gti.com
marketing@leafandvine.com www.gotrafficinteractive.com
http://leafandvine.com/blog
Massage Therapy For a complete listing of Napa
Chamber members, updated daily, go to
Pro Foot Massage
Ben Nguyen, (707) 307-5739 napachamber.com
2744 Jefferson St, Napa
www.profootnapa.com
Connect with us...
Non Profit Organizations NapaChamber
The Tug McGraw Foundation
Jennifer Brusstar, (707) 255-1884
1303 Jefferson St Ste 100B, Napa
jennifer@tugmcgraw.org
www.tugmcgraw.org
Visit the chamber store for
compliance products, Books
your fingertips, updated for current case law and guides, event registration,
and regulations. maps, membership, savings
Where Can You Get More Information? programs, and information
Check out the Compliance Section of the packets.
Chamber Store. The Chamber is where you
can get the HR Handbook for California and
the California Labor Digest at the LOWEST
price! Napa Chamber members are able
to receive all of their required products at
greatly reduced rates. Contact Lynn Page at
707.254.1145 or visit our online Chamber
Store at www.napachamber.com.
| COMMERCE | Page 5 | napachamber.com
 *
Event
NAPA Chamber of Commerce and S
Calen eminar
dar
presents

creating a strong local economy

Friday,
march 26,
Your Na
calend pa Chamber
ar
card han of events inhas the best
busine
that wil dy to schedu the Napa Val ss
events l help you suc le the events ley. Keep this
not list ceed! Loo and wo
and Sec ed rks
ond We here, such as k online for hops

2010
dnesda Co oth
Also ava y Salon. nnect4Lun er
AT-A-G ilable at nap ch
calend LANCE Event achamber.co
ar Calendar m is the
in maxim is easy to boo . The online
busine izing your net kmark and online
ss edu workin wil l ass
times, cat
venues ion efforts g, marketing ist you
page. , and reg with the , and
istratio events
, dat
n links
Conne
ct with all on one es,
us Fac

Meritage Resort Spa

ebook
napa and Tw
itter, too
ch
and 7 0 7 . 2 a m b e r. c o m
!

26.74
55
875 Bordeaux Way, Napa
4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Are you using your
Booth Registration Dates Available! 2010 City Guide,

*
Booth registration dates:
Booth Pricing: Business
President’s Circle: February 16, 2010
Members: $350 Directory &
Non-Members: $500
Members: February 23, 2010 Event Calendar?
Non-Members: March 9, 2010 Electrical: $50 / Extra Table $25 If you need more, stop by
the Chamber!
Important! Booth registration may be done in
person or by telephone. First come first served by
membership category. Connect4Lunch gives me
a chance to get to know

*
When your date is available, please call or come into people and learn more about
Call Lynn Page to register your what they do. Sitting down
the Chamber during these hours... booth by phone: 707.254.1145
Monday through Friday: Additional info: for lunch, you get to have
9:00 am to 12:00 pm or Booth Size: 6’ x 10’ includes more of a conversation than
6’ table, 2 chairs, pipe & black drape at a mixer. I’ve noticed that
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm people seem comfortable
talking about their business
and sharing ideas. It’s amazing to me how
quickly each lunch group I’ve been
Your Napa Chamber brought home two website with comes up with interests or issues
awards from the Western Association of Chamber we have in common – like improving
Executives’ (W.A.C.E.) annual conference held last our marketing or dealing with the
economy. Don’t think of it as lunch
week in San Francisco. Lisa Batto (left) and Katherine with strangers - I’ve definitely formed
Zimmer (right) accept the award from Dave Kilby, new associations and friendships with
President/CEO of W.A.C.E. Connect4Lunch.

Cathy Poliak, SPHR

www.CBPoliakHRSolutions.com

Napa Business Focus

member
news

Your Chamber’s Award Winning E-Newsletter

Read hot topic articles that will benefit your business

online at napachamber.com/businessfocus.
February 2010 | COMMERCE | Page 6 | napachamber.com
• CREATING A STRONG LOCAL ECONOMY
10 Tips to Try in Challenging Times
These are challenging times for most
business people. Remember that when
business is slowing, customers aren’t
showing and dollars aren’t flowing, that’s the
time you need to maximize the use of Your
Napa Chamber membership. Here are some
reminders to help you not just survive, but
to thrive.
1. Write a press release about
something happening in your business, a
new product, a new employee, a promotion,
recognition by an association, a great
sale, whatever. Send it to Katherine@
napachamber.com for placement in the
next Focus, the Chamber’s award winning
E-newsletter. It’s FREE and members
truly do open up the “member news”
section and click on their fellow members
announcements. Make the headline snappy
and attention grabbing for best results.
2. Schedule a run of flyers in the Hot
Sheets or E-Sheets. For distribution of over
1,800 readers and many more impressions,
the Hot Sheets or E-Sheets are a great
way to advertise in a cost effect, direct
mailed way for Hot Sheets and emailed for
We Focus On Business
Chamber Member Spotlight:
Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa
The Napa
Valley Marriott
Hotel and Spa
in Napa is
undergoing a
seismic change.
New owners,
Lighthouse
Lodging Group
and Privet
Investments,
General Manager have brought
Shawn Milburn in veteran hotel
manager Shawn Milburn and executive
Chef Brian Whitmer. Together they are
putting the Napa Valley Marriott on the
map with a $6.5 million remodel now in
Phase 1 and Phase 2 coming up shortly
in the summer; the Napa Marriott is a
re-imagined hotel. GM Milburn, who
hails from Monterey, says that 2010 is
definitely looking brighter than 2009,
occupancy is high and the summer is
booking up fast. Phase 1 of the remodel
has encompassed 190 guest rooms, the
spa and fitness center, the pool and the
February 2010
E-Sheets. Your cost for insertion into these
once-a-month mailers is less expensive than
anything you could do on your own. Create an
attractive offer and then an attractive flyer to
promote it! Contact Christine Sullivan at 254-
1143 to schedule your Hot Sheet.
3. You can now place an ad in the
COMMERCE newsletter. COMMERCE is
now a monthly/PDF newsletter emailed to
over 2,000 chamber members. Call Katherine
Zimmer at 254-1147 for more information.
4. Write an article about your
business – or request an interview with our
Communications person. We’re always
looking to promote our members in written
and electronic form. Each month, in
Commerce, our print newsletter that goes
out to each business, we feature a member
business with an article. Why not yours?
Send us an email and we’ll schedule you for
an interview or, to control your own destiny,
write your own article and submit it for
consideration.
5. Join the Member2Member Savings
Program. If you can give a minimum 10%
discount on your product or service, you
ballroom. Phase 2 will be an extensive
remodel of the front lobby and food
service areas, creating an expansive
Great Room to welcome everyone. It
may get a little dusty, but the hotel will
remain open throughout the project.
Chef Whitmer comes to Napa by
way of Tavern on the Green in New
York City and Highlands Inn in Carmel
where he was famous for the Annual
Wine Spectator Masters of Food and
Wine event. Chef Whitmer has turned
the food on its end at the Marriott
with mouthwatering true slow-cooked
Kansas City BBQ at the Character’s
Bar and Grill and fine dining available
at the Harvest Café. The banquet
menus are imaginative, fresh and local;
a far cry from the banquet food of old.
You can view Chef Whitmer in action
on this latest clip from the local ABC
affiliate’s show, View from the Bay.
Director of Sales and Marketing,
Todd Iseri, is working hard too; he has
See SPOTLIGHT next page...
| COMMERCE | Page 7 | napachamber.com
could be listed on our website in the
Member2Member page and in the mailing
that go out each month telling everyone
about your offer. And don’t forget to check
that list for other vendors or businesses
that YOU can get a discount from! Just use
your Member Key Tag at any participating
member business. Encourage your
employees to save too, by using their Key
Tags.
6. Get out and network! Your
Chamber offers you many, many
opportunities to meet other business
people and build your reputation, build
relationships and build your business. There
truly is some sort of program for you – from
Connect 4 Lunch intimate lunches with 3
other members to the larger format First
Friday Business Development Luncheons.
Try out a Mixer or Mixpo (don’t forget to
sign up to be an exhibitor at the Mixpo) if
your into larger, more social crowds, come
to special events offered by the Chamber
(see the website for the calendar of events
offered each month) and make some new
friends and acquaintances! Go to www.
napachamber.com for more information.
7. Check out options for healthcare.
Have you explored the Ben-e-lect option
for healthcare coverage for you and your
employees? It might be the perfect plan
for you and you can save yourself some
serious dollars if it is. Call the Ben-e-lect
representative at 1-888-886-7973 and ask
for Your Chamber Health Plan.
8. Plan, plan, plan. Now is the time
to give thought to your business’ future. If
business is a little slow now, then use this
downtime to do long range planning and
innovation. Need some advice? Make an
appointment for free SCORE (Senior Corps
of Retired Executives) for some insight
into ways to improve your business as time
goes on. Call Paula at 226-7455 for an
appointment.
9. Use Audio Marketing and Video
Marketing as part of your online Chamber
Business Directory listing. The Napa
Chamber will link your audio or video file
on our website for a low monthly fee. Don’t
forget the importance of Social Networking.
If you have a fanpage on Facebook, or if
you tweet, let us know! Become a fan of
the Napa Chamber at www.facebook.com/
NapaChamber and follow us on twitter.com/
NapaChamber.
10. Don’t Panic! Keep in mind that all
economic climates change, and we’ve been
through downtimes before. Be thoughtful
when making decisions, don’t jump to
conclusions, keep a positive outlook and
look for every advantage that may come
your way. ■
SPOTLIGHT
continued from previous page...
masterfully put the Napa Valley Marriott
on mobile devices everywhere using new
social media outlets such as Facebook
and Twitter. GM Milburn says that they
started tweeting in early 2009 when the
program was in its infancy and now they
boast the most Twitter followers of any
hotel in the Napa Valley. Become a Napa
Valley Marriott fan on Facebook and
follow them on Twitter.
The Amadeus Spa has been fully
refurbished and boasts wonderful
luxurious robes and a complete list
of treatments enough to tempt weary
travelers and locals alike. For just
$65 you can get a salt and grape-seed
body buff and emerge feeling ten years A great advertising
younger! The spa is ranked among opportunity for your business!
Northern California’s best day spas by
media such as Allure magazine and the Ads are now available
Los Angeles Times.
All in all GM Milburn is optimistic in the Napa Chamber’s
about the property and the market COMMERCE newsletter!
conditions for 2010, bookings are strong
in both guestrooms and banquets and the
M AT !
NEW FOR
remodel will give Napans a new place to
boast of to their friends and associates.
For more information, or to book rooms
or meeting space at the hotel visit them Contact Katherine Zimmer for
online at www.napavalleymarriott.com,
more information at
or call 707.253.8600. ■
707.254.1147 or
Katherine@napachamber.com

Upcoming Events... maximize your networking!

February 17, 2010 February 18, 2010 March 2, 2010
Wake Up Your MIXER Labor Law
Business Workshop
Umpqua Bank
Wednesday Napa Chamber Boardroom
Main Branch
Napa Chamber Boardroom 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
For more information call 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. 1500 Soscol Ave, Napa Members $50
707.226.7455 or visit our 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Prospective Members $65
website and register “Hey You!” Business
for events online at Communications that Bring plenty of
Please register at
napachamber.com Get Attention business cards! napachamber.com

Napa Chamber 2010 OFFICERS

MISSION
As the membership organization for
business, we promote our community’s
economic vitality and quality of life
through leadership development,
advocacy, facilitation and education.
Randy Martinsen, Chairman of the Board..................... Accelerated Marketing Group
Ryan Gregory, Chair-elect...................................... Riechers & Spence Associates, Inc.
Debra Dommen, Vice-Chair Advocacy...........................Winegrowers of Napa County
Cathy Poliak, Vice-Chair Membership.......................................CBPoliak HR Solutions
Kent Kuhlmann, Vice-Chair Resources............................ Retirement Capital Strategies
Cherie Knox, Treasurer............................................................... Redwood Credit Union
Mike Silvas, Immediate Past-Chair.....................................Wine Country Fine Properties

BENEFIT from being a NAPA CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dean Bowen, Net-Flow Corporation; John Cardinale, State Farm Insurance; Linda
member of the Napa Champagne, Artesa Winery; Sandra Elles, Napa County Farm Bureau; Ken Frank, La Toque;
Chamber of Commerce John Glaser, Napa Valley Unified School District; Pamela Gleeson, Santen Inc.; Spencer
• Creating a Strong Local Economy Graham, Elizabeth Spencer Wines; Clay Gregory, The Napa Valley Destination Council;
Cathy D’Angelo Holmes, Coldwell Banker Commercial; Stanton Lawson, Sequoia Senior
• Promoting the Community Solutions; Bill Lockhart, Edward Jones; Kara Long, Tugboat, Inc.; Barry Martin, City of
• Providing Networking Opportunities Napa; Kevin Massie, Napa Ford Lincoln Mercury; Sherry McKillop, Follow Your Compass;
• Supporting a Sustainable Future Shawn Milburn, Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa; Dennis Pedisich, Napa Community Bank;
• Representing Business to Government Jaime Penaherrera, Queen of the Valley Hospital Foundation; Richard Rybicki, Rybicki
& Associates; Don Shindle, Westin Verasa Napa; Brenda Speth, Napa Valley Register;
• Engaging in Political Action Jay Williamson, Williamson and Company.
HONORARY DIRECTOR: Julian Weidler, Retired.
For membership information call
Sherrell Harper at 707.257.4598 NAPA CHAMBER STAFF
or Rebecca Johnson at 707.254.1142 Lisa Batto, ACE, President/CEO, 707.226.7455, lisa@napachamber.com
Katherine Zimmer, VP Marketing & Communications, 707.254.1147, katherine@napachamber.com
Commerce editorial is exclusively produced by Jayson Johnson, Creative Manager, 707.254.1144, jayson@napachamber.com
the Napa Chamber of Commerce, Sherrell Harper, Membership, 707.257.4598, sherrell@napachamber.com
1556 First Street, Napa, CA 94559. 707.226.7455 Rebecca Johnson, Membership, 707.254.1142, rebecca@napachamber.com
EDITOR: Katherine Zimmer Paula Wick, Customer Service, 707.226.7455, paula@napachamber.com
Please email submissions to Lynn Page, Sr. Administrator / Event Specialist, 707.254.1145, lynn@napachamber.com
katherine@napachamber.com Christine Sullivan, Administrative Assistant, 707.254.1143, christine@napachamber.com
Caryl Chakerian, Communications, 707.738.6053, caryljc@gmail.com

February 2010 | COMMERCE | Page 8 | napachamber.com