ATTACHMENT 3
Business Community Development Proposal
March 3, 2025
The Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce (“Chamber”) is incorporated under the Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation Laws of the State of California, 501(c)(6). It is organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for Public Purposes.
Mission & Purpose:
The Chamber's mission is to support and foster the growth of member businesses and the free-enterprise system. The Chamber’s mission is to promote economic development and business opportunities in Lake Forest and the surrounding communities by:
• Supporting member businesses and advocating for a competitive, thriving free- enterprise system
• Encouraging economic growth and development in the Lake Forest area by:
o Implementing Chamber-led economic initiatives designed to expand membership and increase income opportunities across various business sectors
o Offering informative programs and resources to enhance member knowledge and success
o Expanding the "Loyal Locals" program through seasonal networking events and business development forums
o Partnering with the City of Lake Forest to co-host large-scale business, governmental, and community events
o Creating signature community events such as the Elf Yourself 5K and Taste of Lake Forest
Goals & Impact:
• The primary objectives of the Chamber are to develop programs, host events, and sponsor activities that encourage active business participation and development within the community. Through enhanced marketing efforts and expanding local
Business Community Development Proposal
outreach, the Chamber aims to increase business opportunities and support member growth.
As part of its investment in member engagement, the Chamber has strategically focused on increasing involvement and adding value to the membership experience. The ongoing efforts are aimed at supporting members by boosting their business visibility, offering exposure through various events, and using digital platforms to reach a wider audience.
Additionally, the Chamber has successfully organized and executed networking events, legislative initiatives, and City-related events, creating a stronger, more interconnected business community.
Focus for Fiscal Year 2025-2026:
The Chamber’s top priorities for the upcoming fiscal year are growth and sustainability.
There are 286 current Chamber members. Our goal is to reach 300 members by the end of FY 2025-2026 and 350 members over the next two years. To achieve this, we are investing heavily in strategies for membership growth and retention. The Chamber has hired Shauna Garcia to assist Mary Visconte in achieving these goals.
Continued Support for Member Success:
The Chamber remains committed to providing invaluable support to its members by facilitating networking opportunities, hosting ribbon-cutting events for new businesses and anniversaries, and offering essential resources for business growth. Members have consistently expressed their appreciation for the Chamber's dedication to fostering a supportive environment for local businesses, and we will continue to prioritize their success.
Partnership With The City of Lake Forest:
Looking ahead, the Chamber is eager to maintain and strengthen its partnership with the City of Lake Forest, which plays a critical role in supporting the Chamber's initiatives for growth and expanded outreach. The following events are considered essential to the City/Chamber collaboration, and we request that these events and programs continue for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Below, we provide a table outlining each event, estimated costs, and a breakdown of previously awarded City funds:
Business Community Development Proposal
Table 1: Events Listed in Current Chamber Agreement:
Event/Service FY 2024-25
Approximate Cost Per Event
(Actuals)
City Funding
Breakdown1
Multi-Chamber Mega Mixer $2,100
Legislative Luncheon $3,800
Elf Yourself 5K Charity Run Use of Sports Bark & Barricades; Approval of B&W Joint City-Chamber promotion
Business Appreciation Luncheon $15,000
B&W Garden at Tree Lighting Bar Rental
New Business Reception $1,700
Career Workshop/Job Fair $3,700
Meet the Mayor/State of the City $8,500
Business Seminar & Expo $4,500
Social Media Workshop $1,700
Women in Business Event Rooms/Approval of B&W
B&W Gardens at Concerts (1) Canopy Rental & Barricades B&W Gardens at Concerts (2) Canopy Rental & Barricades B&W Gardens at Concerts (3) Canopy Rental & Barricades Coffee Chat (twice monthly) $1,000
Chamber Board Meetings Quarterly Use of Hickory Conference Room
TOTAL $42,000
The Chamber respectfully requests the City to continue providing free room rentals, as applicable, for the events listed above free of charge. By utilizing the Civic Center and its conference rooms, the Chamber promotes, showcases and encourages the rental use of these wonderful spaces by both the local business community and residents.
The Chamber also requests City partnership and funding on the events set forth herein to minimize the cost needed for promoting and sponsoring these events.
1 Each of these figures are calculated based upon the figures from the prior year’s budget (FY 2024- 2025). In Table 3, set forth below, the Chamber requests to increase these budgets to adjust for inflation, utilizing the Consumer Price Index.
Business Community Development Proposal
Most events listed in the City/Chamber Agreement are free of charge for members of the business public to attend. The exceptions are: Meet the Mayor/State of the City, Taste of Lake Forest, Elf Yourself 5K and the twice-monthly Coffee Chats. These events require payment to attend. Charging a participation fee allows the Chamber to recover costs not covered by sponsors.
Table 2: Pilot Agreements/Anticipated New Event(s):
The Chamber is proposing to add the flowing event(s) to the City/Chamber agreement:
Event/Service FY 2025-26
Approximate Cost Per Event
(Actuals)
City Funding
Breakdown
Oktoberfest TBD TBD
The Chamber requests continuing partnership with and support from the City of Lake Forest to increase value, community outreach and governmental engagement for the Chamber, the City, Chamber members, the local business community and local residents.
Table 3: Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 City/Chamber Agreement Funding Request2:
Event/Service Proposed Location Funding Request
Multi-Chamber Mega Mixer Civic Center Campus (unless Offsite) $2,140 Legislative Luncheon Community Center – 3 Rooms & Courtyard $3,865 Elf Yourself 5K Charity Run Use of Sports Park & Barricades, Approval of B&W; Joint City-Chamber Promotion, including Ad in City Leaflet Business Appreciation Luncheon Community Center – 3 Rooms & Courtyard $15,260 B&W Garden at Tree Lighting Civic Center Bar Rental
New Business Reception Community Center – 2 Rooms & Courtyard $1,730 Career Workshop/Job Fair Community Center – 3 Rooms, Courtyard & Maple Conference Room
$3,765
Meet the Mayor/State of the City Community Center – 3 Rooms & Courtyard $8,645 Business Seminar & Expo Community Center – 3 Rooms & Courtyard $4,580 Social Media Workshop Community Center – 2 Rooms & Courtyard $1,730 Women In Business Event Community Center or TBD Use of Rooms/Approval of B&W
B&W Gardens at Concerts (1) TBD Canopy Rental & Barricades B&W Gardens at Concerts (2) TBD Canopy Rental & Barricades
2 Each of these budget figures is based upon the budget for the prior fiscal year, adjusted for inflation, utilizing the CPI. The adjustment for inflation increases the Chamber’s budget for the itemized events from $42,000 to $42,735. See, https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm.
Business Community Development Proposal
Event/Service Proposed Location Funding Request
B&W Gardens at Concerts (3) TBD Canopy Rental & Barricades Coffee Chats (twice monthly) Offsite (Hosted by Rotating Chamber Members)
$1,020
Chamber Board Meetings Hickory Conference Room – Quarterly Use
TOTAL $42,735
The Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce extends our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and partnership throughout the years. We eagerly anticipate continuing this successful and mutually beneficial collaboration to strengthen and support the local business community in future years.
Sincerely,
Mary Visconte
CEO Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce