November 7, 2023
Approve and Authorize
Execution of a
Memorandum of
Understanding between
the City and the
Huntington Beach
Chamber of Commerce
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Background
• Chamber is a leading proponent for HB
business interests and one of the City’s
primary economic development partners
• Chamber and the City have mutual interest of
enhancing the HB economy
• MOU formally establishes a joint working
relationship
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HB Chamber
• Non-profit est. in 1904 representing 400+ members
• Provides valuable business resources and services:
• Outreach
• Support
• Capacity Building
• Networking
• Advocacy
• Professional Development
• Financed through membership dues and revenue
generated by programs and events
• Voluntary 20-person Board of Directors, supported by
1 FT and 3 PT staff members, and 14 volunteer
ambassadors
• City has partnered with Chamber on events and
occasionally waived room rental fees at City
facilities in exchange for event attendance
• Currently, the exchange of support offered by
both parties is not clearly defined
• MOU defines the roles and responsibilities of
both parties and provides certainty in terms of
the amount of funding to be received and/or
budgeted
HB Chamber + City
• City to pay $2,500 in membership dues and provide
in-kind trade for use of City facilities for Chamber
events in exchange for an Executive Level
Membership
• Chamber membership will provide recognition of
the City’s event sponsorship
• Term shall be effective upon Council approval and
terminate December 31, 2025
• Includes 2023 State of the City event
• May extend for an additional one-year
• Terminate early with 60 days’ notice
MOU
Obligations of Chamber
• Provide City with Executive Level Membership benefits which includes at least $9,800 in sponsorship value to the following events (or similar):
Chamber Event Sponsorship
Mayor’s Breakfast Event Title Sponsorship (Value $3,500) State of the City Event Title Sponsorship (Value $2,750) State of the County & Economic Outlook Event Silver Sponsorship (Value $1,250) Annual Gala Silver Sponsorship (Value $1,150)
Best of HB Bronze Sponsorship (Value $350)
Sunset Mixer Four Tickets (Value $100)
Robert Mayer Leadership Academy 50% discount (Value $700) – 20% off additional After-5 Mixer Events 10 (Value $120)
AM Connect Events 3 passes (Value $60)
B2B Event 1 pass ($25-$35)
Obligations of Chamber Continued
• Provide invitations to Chamber functions
• Promote City programs aimed at assisting the business community • Maintain and continue to improve the Chamber image
• Host and coordinate State of the City Event and invite 20-30 youth leaders at no cost • Endeavor to implement agreed upon strategic initiatives and continue to deliver pillars of Chamber service
Obligations of the City
• Pay $2,500 annually for Executive Level Membership
• Provide up to $9,800 of in-kind trade (room rental fee waivers) for up to 7 Chamber events at City facilities • Provide monthly lists of new businesses
• Provide space for a Chamber brochure at the City’s business license counter • Attend (to the best of ability) AM Connects and ribbon cuttings • Consider Chamber participation in City events as a City partner • Provide Economic Development staff to attend monthly Chamber board meetings
To support the valuable services
provided by the Chamber and the
City’s economic development
efforts, staff recommends City
Council approve and authorize
execution of the proposed MOU.
Recommendation
Questions?