Agenda Item B.3
CPMS PRESENTATION
Meeting Date: March 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
SUBMITTED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Shannon Kirn, Assistant to the City Manager SUBJECT: Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce 5-Year Strategic Plan
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a presentation from the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce on its 5-year Strategic Plan
DISCUSSION:
The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce has completed their 5 -Year Strategic Plan, outlining the objectives, priorities, and methods of the Chamber over the next five (5) years. This plan was developed over a yearlong strategic planning process that began with gathering stakeholder and input and refining a plan with the Chamber’s board of directors. Elements of the strategic plan cover community support, government partnerships, and regional economic development initia tives. The Chamber is excited to briefly share this plan with the City Council and the Community.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
LEGAL REVIEW BY: Isaac Rosen, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce 5-Year Strategic Plan
2. Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce Presentation 1 ATTACHMENT 1
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce 5-Year Strategic Plan 2 STRATEGIC PLAN
2026 - 2030
3 Vision
We lead a regional organization that grows jobs, expands housing opportunities, and enhances the South Coast experience for residents, employers, and visitors.
Mission
The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to the economic health and vitality of communities from Goleta to Carpinteria on the South Coast of Santa Barbara County.
About
The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, from Goleta to Carpinteria, is a regional business organization with the mission to help South Coast businesses, residents, and visitors thrive. Through leadership and collaboration, the Chamber is the principal economic development entity advocating for the business community. We engage with businesses, elected officials, and regional partners in proactive business initiatives that foster the South Coast’s unique business environment and create opportunities for our communities. The Chamber is proud to represent local business members who create 75,000 jobs on the South Coast!
“This strategic plan reflects our belief that a strong business community is the foundation for a thriving South Coast. Over the next five years, we will bring people together, advocate with purpose, and invest boldly in solutions that grow opportunity, support housing solutions, and strengthen our regional economy for everyone who lives, works, and visits here.” Kristen Miller
President & CEO
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce
4 5. Strengthen the Visitor
E
conomy through Visitor Services
Utilizing the existing Hospitality Strategic
Plan as a launch point, create a 5-year
vision for increasing economic impact of
visitors on local business.
4. Advance Housing Solutions
through the Road Home Initiative
Continue identifying and supporting
workforce housing projects that align with
employer and community needs,
advocating for policies that expand
attainable housing supply.
3. Formalize Public-Private Partnerships for Economic Development Pursue contractual partnerships with each city and the County to deliver programs in workforce, housing, and data-driven policy development
, each with a pro forma that generates
revenue and a standard operating framework for consistency.
2. Build a Sustainable Workforce
Development Program
Coordinate
a workforce pipeline initiative
connecting students and jobseekers to local
employers through mentorships,
internships, career fairs, and convening
events. Focus on developing pathways into
stable, local careers.
1. Develop the Economic
Development Foundation
Form a 501(c)(3) entity to serve as the
Chamber’s economic development arm,
clearly defining its purpose, objectives, and
goals. Position the division to build upon
current TechTopia initiative, attract grants,
philanthropic investment, and public-private
partnerships supporting regional growth.
Strategy 1: Serve as a Central Convener and Trusted
Hub for Regional Economic Growth
Elevate the Chamber’s role in advancing housing, workforce, and entrepreneurial solutions through collaboration, funding pathways, and data-driven decisions, while complementing existing service providers.
Key initiatives:
5 3. Launch a CEO-Led Visibility and Influence Campaign Position the Chamber’s CEO as a leading voice for the South Coast business community through consistent social media storytelling, video messages, and thought leadership posts. Use these channels to highlight regional successes, amplify advocacy wins, and strengthen the Chamber’s brand visibility across audiences.
2. Create a Chamber
Storytelling Series
Develop and promote a storytelling
campaign that celebrates local businesses.
Feature short videos, profiles, and
testimonials illustrating how Chamber
programs, events, and partnerships have
directly supported member growth,
innovation, and community well-being.
1. Define, Communicate and
Promote the Business
Community “Why”
Craft and consistently share a clear
narrative that connects business vitality to
community prosperity. This
messaging—integrated into events, media
outreach, and digital platforms—will
strengthen understanding that “business is
community,” reinforcing the Chamber’s
essential role in regional quality of life.
Strategy 2:
Promote the South Coast Business
Community’s Image and Reputation
through Storytelling and Partnerships
Connect the community, amplify impact, and highlight business as essential to the South Coast’s exceptional quality of life—from jobs and housing to philanthropy, innovation, and the visitor experience.
Key initiatives:
6 4. Bridge Business and
Government Communication
Host business-government roundtables to
foster open dialogue on shared challenges
and strengthen mutual understanding
between local officials and
business leaders.
3. Cultivate Future Leaders and
Informed A
dvocates
Educates members on local government,
advocacy, and civic engagement, building a
pipeline of future business-minded
candidates and advisors.
2. Modernize Political Engagement
Elevate the Chamber’s PAC through
stronger branding and integration into
advocacy communications. Develop a clear,
accessible Voters Guide outlining
pro-business policy priorities and
candidate alignment.
1. Strengthen Relationship
and Influence
Continue inviting elected and city officials to
Chamber events and amplify the visibility
and impact of in-person government
affairs meetings.
Strategy 3:
Advocate for and Cultivate
Business-Oriented Government
Leadership that Values Economic Vitality
and Community Wellbeing
Focus on influencing City and County decisions by cultivating strong relationships with city and county officials, promoting leadership that values economic vitality, and positioning the Chamber as a go-to resource on local policy.
Key initiatives:
7 6. Invest in Staff Growth and
Leadership Continuity
Develop a succession plan for Chamber
staff and create professional development
plans to build internal capacity, strengthen
leadership, and enhance retention.
5. Build Development and
Fundraising Capacity
Expand the Chamber’s capacity to cultivate
investors and partners who share its vision
for regional prosperity. Strengthen the
structure, storytelling, and systems that
support sustained private-sector investment
and long-term financial resilience.
4. Leverage Data and Technology
for Growth
Use data and emerging technology to
guide smarter decision-making, enhance
communication, and expand reach.
Establish a culture of insight where data
informs strategy, personalizes engagement,
and reveals new opportunities for growth
and innovation.
3. Strengthen Member Experience
and Value
Create a more intentional and personalized
member journey—from onboarding to
long-term engagement—that clearly
connects participation to impact and
community outcomes. Build systems that
deepen relationships, demonstrate return on
investment, and celebrate the Chamber’s
role in member success.
2. Expand and Retain Membership
Segment the current membership base to
identify gaps and target new industries,
while developing a plan for member
retention and engagement across all tiers.
1. Develop a 5-Year Financial
Growth Plan
Create a comprehensive financial strategy
with diversified revenue goals, a clear policy
on reserves, and measurable benchmarks to
strengthen long-term fiscal stability.
Strategy 4: Ensure a Financially Sustainable,
Resilient, and Nimble Chamber
Invest in people, systems, and structures to ensure a modern, sustainable Chamber that adapts to emerging trends and delivers on evolving member and market needs.
Key initiatives:
8 4. Convene Collaborative
Problem-Solving Forums
Facilitate sector-based working groups and
panels focused on identifying, prioritizing,
and addressing key permitting and
regulatory barriers.
3. Build a Data-Driven Case
for Change
Collect and analyze business and member
data on the economic impact of regulatory
delays, including project timelines, added
costs, and business losses. Use this evidence
to make a compelling, solutions-oriented
case to local and regional policymakers.
2. Advance Permitting Reform
through Data and Partnership
Utilize the most recent reports and City and
County studies that define the need for
permitting reform and inform targeted
solutions. Collaborate with city permitting
offices to develop clear onboarding guides,
process timelines, and referral pathways for
new businesses. Ground these efforts in
lessons learned from benchmark
high-performing communities.
1. Focus Advocacy Around Major
Community Issues
Continue to align Chamber advocacy with
priority issues like permitting reform and
housing and set specific goals leveraging
business and government partnerships to
drive measurable results.
Strategy 5:
Advocate for Smart, Consistent Public
Policies that Support Business and
Community Success
Lead a coordinated regional effort to advocate for streamlined permitting, process modernization, and the adoption of effective practices from high-performing communities.
Key initiatives:
9 SBSCChamber.com
10 ATTACHMENT 2
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce Presentation 11 STRATEGIC PLAN
2026 - 2030
Presented March 3, 2026
12 Vision
We lead a regional organization that grows jobs, expands housing opportunities, and enhances the South Coast experience for residents, employers, and visitors.
Mission
The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to the economic health and vitality of communities from Goleta to Carpinteria on the South Coast of
Santa Barbara County.
13 850
MEMBERS
44 PRESIDENT CIRCLE PARTNERS
34 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
5 PUBLISHED POLICY REPORTS
14 Five Strategic Priorities
Serve as a Central Convener and Trusted Hub for
Regional Economic Growth
Promote the South Coast Business Community’s Image and
Reputation through Storytelling and Partnerships
Advocate for and Cultivate Business-Oriented Government Leadership that Values Economic Vitality and Community Wellbeing
Advocate for Smart, Consistent Public Policies that
Support Business and Community Success
Ensure a Financially Sustainable, Resilient, and Nimble Chamber 15 Promote the South Coast Business
Community’s Image and Reputation
through Storytelling and Partnerships
Define, Communicate and Promote the Business Community “Why” Create a Chamber Storytelling Series
Launch a CEO-Led Visibility and Influence Campaign
16 Ensure a Financially Sustainable,
Resilient, and Nimble Chamber
Develop a 5-Year Financial Growth Plan
Expand and Retain Membership
Strengthen Member Experience and Value
Leverage Data and Technology for Growth
Build Development and Fundraising Capacity
Invest in Staff Growth and Leadership Continuity
17 Advocate for and Cultivate Business-Oriented
Government Leadership that Values Economic
Vitality and Community Wellbeing
Strengthen Relationship and Influence
Modernize Political Engagement
Cultivate Future Leaders and Informed Advocates
Bridge Business and Government Communication
18 Serve as a Central Convener and Trusted
Hub for Regional Economic Growth
Develop the Economic Development Foundation
Build a Sustainable Workforce Development Program
Formalize Public-Private Partnerships for Economic Development Advance Housing Solutions through the Road Home Initiative Strengthen the Visitor Economy through Visitor Services 19 Advocate for Smart, Consistent Public
Policies that Support Business and
Community Success
Focus Advocacy around Major Community Issues
Advance Permitting Reform through Data and Partnership
Build a Data-Driven Case for Change
Convene Collaborative Problem-Solving Forums
20 ‘Amplify the reputation of
Goleta as a world-class
center of innovation and
technology. ’
• Tech Tours
• TechTopia Videos
• TechTopia Summit
21 22