A Message from Alan Richmond, Chairman of the Board

	“Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” Borland.

It is with heartfelt thanks for their leadership in 2009 that I would like to congratulate the outgoing Chairman of the Board of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Chris Thom and the entire Board of Directors and staff of the Chamber for their service. Thank you to the members of the business community who have supported the Chamber in the one hundred and one years of service to the Monterey Peninsula. We are not strong without the encouragement and interaction of the community. We look to the New Year to sustain and maintain important current relationships and nurture new member associations within the Monterey Peninsula Region.

The economic recession affecting the Peninsula, the state, the nation and the world has created a difficult business climate in the past two years. The Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce renews the promise to each one of its members, to be the most comprehensive promotional and networking tool your company will need to have in 2010! New marketing efforts are underway and will continue aggressively into the New Year as will collaborative relationship development with regional chambers, associations and travel and tourism organizations. Heavy emphasis will be placed on education, governmental affairs and membership retention and development.

New opportunity and a feeling of optimism in the Monterey Peninsula community will continue to promote an environment for businesses and markets to expand with the growth and development of a stronger Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce in 2010.
Your Chamber’s new administration will work in partnerships to create building blocks for stronger community commitment and improved member services. We will create an atmosphere for the Chamber to be the catalyst for economic development, business growth and the quality of life on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula. With one voice speaking for local businesses in the seven city Peninsula, the Chamber reflects the consensus of its members and influence decision makers, recommends legislation and protect the resources that make the Peninsula the best place to live and work and continue to attract visitors from across the world as a destination location.

The Budget of Monterey County 2010 says, “Even if the worst of the recession is behind us, a quick rebound in County revenues is unlikely. As the economy begins to recover, it will take several years before the job market recovers.”

It is incumbent on Chamber leadership and influential business members to grow in an esprit d corps, inviting new ideas between local and regional chambers and collaboration towards future growth and development. We cannot merely collaborate for that sake itself, we must collaborate to reach a goal. The goal of collaboration itself is the disciplined principle of reaching a positive end of discussion and a plan to create action. Innovation, better sales and better operational tools for planning and growth in a recovering recession economy are vital to each local Chamber member and will be an ongoing important topic of consideration with the Board.

I’m honored to lead the way as your incoming Chair and appreciate your trust and confidence as we begin a new chapter in the history of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Together we can accomplish great things!