T.O. Chamber goes courting in Agoura

The Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce says it can offer the city of Agoura Hills a plethora of business services that will give local stores and offices an economic shot in the arm during the current difficult times.

Agoura Hills officials are deciding whether to officially sever ties with the Agoura Hills/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce and join the Thousand Oaks group. Even if the city switches affiliation, many businesses in the area are expected to continue supporting the Agoura Chamber.

The City Council will vote on the Chamber swap in December.

Bad blood

Agoura Hills and its Chamber have had an acrimonious relationship since 2003. Louis Masry, president of the Agoura Chamber, charges the City Council with being anti-business and using dirty politics to hurt the local Chamber, including the elimination of financial support. But city officials point to the Chamber’s unwillingness to open their financial books for audit and their reluctance to hold open elections for their board of directors.

The rift between the city and the Chamber started during the 2003-04 spring budget deliberations when the City Council was deciding which nonprofit groups it should fund.

The council had asked the Chamber to open their books to verify how the organization used past funding from the city. The Acorn was told that former Chamber president Alex Soteras wouldn’t allow officials the opportunity to conduct an audit. Without transparency, the City Council said it couldn’t support the Chamber financially.

The city’s funding of the Chamber ended in 2004, and despite occasional attempts to heal the rift the two sides have been unable to reach a reconciliation.

Jill Lederer, president of the T.O. Chamber, said members of her organization are allowed to review all finances.

Agoura Hills Councilmember Bill Koehler said if his city decides to join the T.O. Chamber, he would expect the group to provide periodic reports to the city.

T.O. Chamber perks

Lederer said besides a monthly networking opportunity that promotes business referrals, her Chamber has formed seven additional networking groups involving 150 of its members.

If a partnership between Agoura Hills and the T.O. Chamber were to be established, she said, city officials would be invited to participate on panel discussions and a city presence would be featured at all Chamber venues, including regularly scheduled expos and trade shows.

The city’s logo would be included on all marketing pieces, including the Chamber’s newspaper, Conejo Business Times . The publication is mailed to 5,000 business members and 50 other locations, Lederer said.

The Chamber’s website receives a reported 40,000 visits per month and 130,000 page views.

Other benefits include a monthly mailer, economic forecast reports, e-mail blasts to 45,000 readers, and a variety of other statistical studies aimed at helping local businesses thrive.

Recently, the Chamber rolled out a discount travel program for its members. The Chamber also pledged to help Agoura Hills with its own business task force and “Buy Local” program.

“Our job is to shine a spotlight on your community and the entire Conejo Valley,” Lederer said.

With nine full-time staff members, the T.O. Chamber says it has enough manpower to assist members with their business needs.

Jane Smith, director of government affairs for the T.O. Chamber, elaborated on the group’s education programs and outreach to state and national leaders. She said while the Chamber does not endorse candidates during elections, it does take a proactive stance on certain ballot initiatives. Currently, the government committee is focusing its efforts on workers’ compensation reform.

Strength in numbers

The T.O. Chamber says it has 1,600 members. The Agoura Chamber says it has 1,500 members, but opponents say because its books aren’t open for review and its website doesn’t provide a way to count members, the number could be overstated.

Rick Lemmo, a Newbury Park resident and a senior ranking member of the T.O. Chamber, said when it comes to business development there is “might in numbers.”

“It’s about a wonderful partnership, not just in tough times but all times,” Lemmo said.

Mark Benhard of Westlake Village said the city’s partnership with the Chamber will be a “win-win” situation.

“Once you move forward in this direction you will never look back,” Benhard said.

Koehler said he was impressed with the wide variety of services the Chamber had to offer and the “credibility” that the organization brings.

City Councilmember Dan Kuperberg asked Lederer if the Chamber could monitor business programs to determine their success. Kuperberg said the city has relaxed its sign ordinances, waived fees and established other business-friendly programs but doesn’t know how successful the programs have been.

“It’s the kind of thing that we excel at,” Lederer said.

Councilmember John Edelston said there were more Chamber members at the recent City Council meeting than he’s seen in the last six years.

“I find it very refreshing,” Edelston said.

Council members postponed a vote on whether to join the T.O. Chamber until they could attend some of the group’s functions and visit their offices.