Celebrating over 70 Years of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce
When It All Began in 1952
In 1952, one year after the first industrial building went up in Simi Valley, it seemed a poor gamble on the future of business and industry for many in Simi Valley. That was the year the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce gathered it’s business community together to incorporate the Chamber as an organized entity and premier business organization. By the late 1950’s there were 129 members of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s goals were to further the study of water resources, assist in making natural gas available, and to continue interest in zoning problems.
“A Beautiful Place To Live”, was the motto of the 1960’s
Dramatic expansion of the business community began in the mid 1960’s. Retailers began to discover there was potential for doing business in Simi Valley and then, in the space of the next decade, entire new industrial/business complexes and retail sales tripled from $50 million to $138 million. In 1965, of the 18,000 people who lived in Simi Valley, less than 1500 were employed in the valley itself. Attracting new business and creating an employment base became a top priority. The Chamber assisted the planning process for this growth until the City of Simi Valley was incorporated in 1969, in which the Chamber gladly handed over the governance of the city to their new agency.
Years of Involvement and Growth got them through the 1970’s
In the 1970’s, with 350 members strong, the Chamber’s goals were to lend more business assistance with such programs as ‘Help Line’, a task force to aid and assist with specific business problems. The promotion of ‘Shop Simi Valley’, was used in these years to encourage economic development and increase profits to Simi Valley Businesses. The Chamber’s programs were networking intensive. They held weekly ‘Coffee Cards’, which were visits to fellow merchant’s places of business, a Dodger’s Day sell-out event with the community in attendance at the Dodgers games, and they were also the sponsors of the Miss Simi Valley Pageant.
The Gate Way To Ventura County began in the 1980’s
In the early 1980’s, with 470 members, the Chamber grew into segmented areas of service such as The Automotive Division, The Professional Division and the Government Relations Division. The city and the chamber focused on broadening the commercial and industrial development. Their efforts paid off, and by 1987, Simi Valley was leading the county in demands for retail space and the community’s population had grown to 87,000. Between 1980-1989, Simi Valley officials confirmed approval of more than 5 million square feet of developments which created over 10,000 jobs. This was also the time that the Chamber continued to monitor the completion of the 118 freeway toward the connection with the 23 freeway and the first Leadership Simi Valley Class graduated in 1987.
Accreditation & Technology highlighted the 1990’s
July 1990 marked one of the most important things the Simi Chamber has done in it’s history. The day was July 15 when a representative from the US Chamber of Commerce reported that the Simi Chamber Of Commerce had received the Accredited Chamber status. This meant that the Simi Valley Chamber is in the top ten percent of Chambers of Commerce in the nation. During the mid 1990s the membership had increased to 700 businesses and the programs were geared around the emerging technological challenges that all businesses were facing. A special division of the Chamber was born; Transportation Management Association, to address transportation issues, Telecommute Center, and they also specialized in legislative advocacy. The annual Trade Fair ‘Shop Simi Valley Expo’, increased attendance in the mid to late 90’s to a whopping 10,000 attendees.
The New Millennium- 2000
Fueled by the Y2K challenges and information overload, technology and e-commerce emerged as the way to do business in the future. The early years in 2000 were spent developing technology to keep the chamber itself current but also finding ways to impart information to our members. The Simi Valley Film Council and the Strathearn Community Foundation are new additions to the Chamber, which enhance programs as well as economic impact. The Strathearn Foundation is a 501c3 charity and hosts programs such as the Leadership Simi Valley program and grant making for a variety of causes. The Film Council has brought economic returns to the city through increased usage of our business community. The Chamber partners with the City in visitor services, economic development issues and film activities. In addition they have built a strong alliance with the Simi Valley Unified School District with programs such as Job Shadow Days, Career Days, Adopt-A-School and Youth Employment Services.
With nearly 900 members in 2001, the Simi Valley Chamber has seen a great deal of growth over the past 50 years. The population of the city grew from 5,000 to 115,000. The chamber saw incorporation of the City, played an important role in the opening of the Ronald Reagan Freeway, helped secure the current location of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, were involved in the Vision 2020 process, in addition to their primary role representing the heart of local business within the community.
By Mid Decade the community rejoiced with realization of a long desired goal The new Simi Valley Town Center, a regional shopping center which opened in October 2005, featuring an open air environment built on 129 acres. The center has 770,000 square feet of retail space with 120 specialty tenants and restaurants, bringing hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars worth of new sales tax revenues to the City.
2010 and Toward the Future: “Five Stars” and Young Professionals
Awarded with the Industry’s highest distinction, February 2010 marked one of the most important days the Simi Valley Chamber recorded in it’s history. The day was February 23, 2010 when a representative from the US Chamber of Commerce’s Accrediting Board designated the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce as an accredited chamber with a 5-Star distinction. Accreditation indicates that a chamber of commerce operates under effective organizational procedures and contributes to significant positive change in the community. The Simi Valley Chamber is ranked in the top 1% of Chambers in the Nation.
By 2010, the primary industry is machinery and tools with 69 firms and the secondary is the metal industry with 51 firms. Other industries such as lumber/wood products, food, plastic products, apparel/textiles and minerals are also concentrated largely in these industrial areas.
In 2011, the Chamber launched the Young Professionals Network, Technology seminars and expansion of the popular Street Fair, and again consistently worked with the City on planning projects, continuing its forward looking work serving the local business community.
In 2018, the Chamber took on the Star Spangled 4th of July Celebration that had been a staple in the community for 48 years. In the past, the Rotary Club of Simi Valley had presented the extravaganza in partnership with the City and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. After announcing that they would no longer be planning the event, the Chamber stepped in and petitioned to the City to take over the event. Having jut over 3 months to plan, the Chamber successfully provided an unforgettable event that the community deserved.
In 1952, one year after the first industrial building went up in Simi Valley, it seemed a poor gamble on the future of business and industry for many in Simi Valley. That was the year the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce gathered it’s business community together to incorporate the Chamber as an organized entity and premier business organization. By the late 1950’s there were 129 members of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s goals were to further the study of water resources, assist in making natural gas available, and to continue interest in zoning problems.
“A Beautiful Place To Live”, was the motto of the 1960’s
Dramatic expansion of the business community began in the mid 1960’s. Retailers began to discover there was potential for doing business in Simi Valley and then, in the space of the next decade, entire new industrial/business complexes and retail sales tripled from $50 million to $138 million. In 1965, of the 18,000 people who lived in Simi Valley, less than 1500 were employed in the valley itself. Attracting new business and creating an employment base became a top priority. The Chamber assisted the planning process for this growth until the City of Simi Valley was incorporated in 1969, in which the Chamber gladly handed over the governance of the city to their new agency.
Years of Involvement and Growth got them through the 1970’s
In the 1970’s, with 350 members strong, the Chamber’s goals were to lend more business assistance with such programs as ‘Help Line’, a task force to aid and assist with specific business problems. The promotion of ‘Shop Simi Valley’, was used in these years to encourage economic development and increase profits to Simi Valley Businesses. The Chamber’s programs were networking intensive. They held weekly ‘Coffee Cards’, which were visits to fellow merchant’s places of business, a Dodger’s Day sell-out event with the community in attendance at the Dodgers games, and they were also the sponsors of the Miss Simi Valley Pageant.
The Gate Way To Ventura County began in the 1980’s
In the early 1980’s, with 470 members, the Chamber grew into segmented areas of service such as The Automotive Division, The Professional Division and the Government Relations Division. The city and the chamber focused on broadening the commercial and industrial development. Their efforts paid off, and by 1987, Simi Valley was leading the county in demands for retail space and the community’s population had grown to 87,000. Between 1980-1989, Simi Valley officials confirmed approval of more than 5 million square feet of developments which created over 10,000 jobs. This was also the time that the Chamber continued to monitor the completion of the 118 freeway toward the connection with the 23 freeway and the first Leadership Simi Valley Class graduated in 1987.
Accreditation & Technology highlighted the 1990’s
July 1990 marked one of the most important things the Simi Chamber has done in it’s history. The day was July 15 when a representative from the US Chamber of Commerce reported that the Simi Chamber Of Commerce had received the Accredited Chamber status. This meant that the Simi Valley Chamber is in the top ten percent of Chambers of Commerce in the nation. During the mid 1990s the membership had increased to 700 businesses and the programs were geared around the emerging technological challenges that all businesses were facing. A special division of the Chamber was born; Transportation Management Association, to address transportation issues, Telecommute Center, and they also specialized in legislative advocacy. The annual Trade Fair ‘Shop Simi Valley Expo’, increased attendance in the mid to late 90’s to a whopping 10,000 attendees.
The New Millennium- 2000
Fueled by the Y2K challenges and information overload, technology and e-commerce emerged as the way to do business in the future. The early years in 2000 were spent developing technology to keep the chamber itself current but also finding ways to impart information to our members. The Simi Valley Film Council and the Strathearn Community Foundation are new additions to the Chamber, which enhance programs as well as economic impact. The Strathearn Foundation is a 501c3 charity and hosts programs such as the Leadership Simi Valley program and grant making for a variety of causes. The Film Council has brought economic returns to the city through increased usage of our business community. The Chamber partners with the City in visitor services, economic development issues and film activities. In addition they have built a strong alliance with the Simi Valley Unified School District with programs such as Job Shadow Days, Career Days, Adopt-A-School and Youth Employment Services.
With nearly 900 members in 2001, the Simi Valley Chamber has seen a great deal of growth over the past 50 years. The population of the city grew from 5,000 to 115,000. The chamber saw incorporation of the City, played an important role in the opening of the Ronald Reagan Freeway, helped secure the current location of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, were involved in the Vision 2020 process, in addition to their primary role representing the heart of local business within the community.
By Mid Decade the community rejoiced with realization of a long desired goal The new Simi Valley Town Center, a regional shopping center which opened in October 2005, featuring an open air environment built on 129 acres. The center has 770,000 square feet of retail space with 120 specialty tenants and restaurants, bringing hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars worth of new sales tax revenues to the City.
2010 and Toward the Future: “Five Stars” and Young Professionals
Awarded with the Industry’s highest distinction, February 2010 marked one of the most important days the Simi Valley Chamber recorded in it’s history. The day was February 23, 2010 when a representative from the US Chamber of Commerce’s Accrediting Board designated the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce as an accredited chamber with a 5-Star distinction. Accreditation indicates that a chamber of commerce operates under effective organizational procedures and contributes to significant positive change in the community. The Simi Valley Chamber is ranked in the top 1% of Chambers in the Nation.
By 2010, the primary industry is machinery and tools with 69 firms and the secondary is the metal industry with 51 firms. Other industries such as lumber/wood products, food, plastic products, apparel/textiles and minerals are also concentrated largely in these industrial areas.
In 2011, the Chamber launched the Young Professionals Network, Technology seminars and expansion of the popular Street Fair, and again consistently worked with the City on planning projects, continuing its forward looking work serving the local business community.
In 2018, the Chamber took on the Star Spangled 4th of July Celebration that had been a staple in the community for 48 years. In the past, the Rotary Club of Simi Valley had presented the extravaganza in partnership with the City and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. After announcing that they would no longer be planning the event, the Chamber stepped in and petitioned to the City to take over the event. Having jut over 3 months to plan, the Chamber successfully provided an unforgettable event that the community deserved.