2011 ANNUAL REPORT

2012 PROGRAM OF WORK

MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is to

support and advocate for a community where commerce can flourish.

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Hany Haddad Chair

Genevieve Morrill President/CEO

January 26, 2012 Welcome to the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Board Installation. The West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has gone through major transitions this past year -- from operations to programming.

We are pleased to announce a resounding success for 2011 ending with a 20% increase in overall revenue and successful roll-out of new collateral and programming. We decreased the number of tabletop events and increased the number of referral programs, marketing and social media, bringing more value to our Members.

Today we install a diverse group of individuals who share years of experience in a wide variety of business industries. These 25 volunteers that make up the West Hollywood Chamber Board of Directors reflect the creativity and diversity of our City. Our staff brings the highest level of experience and resources needed to best serve its Members by using skills from a variety of backgrounds including business management, marketing, public relations, community outreach, events and advocacy, providing the business community with the most comprehensive service.

Now in its 91st year, the Chamber has been actively representing business in government, advocating on their behalf for decades. While networking and advocacy are still the number one value for our constituents, today more than ever, members seek value from promotions, marketing, social media and informational/educational programming.

The Chamber continues to connect its Members to help generate leads and is developing an impressive line-up of promotions and programs specific to market categories. Our Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) has refocused its purpose to proactively strengthen the Chamber’s influential role in government and economic development.

As we celebrate our 2011 accomplishments and welcome our 2012 leadership, we look to our Membership as the driving force for our organization. It is these members who encourage us to be the best we can be and help to economically strengthen the business marketplace making West Hollywood a thriving community.

We thank all of our Members for their continued commitment to the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce organization. It is you, we thank for our success!

Chair President/CEO Hany Haddad Genevieve Morrill

• Welcome ………………………………………....2

• 2011 Board of Directors ……………………4

• Board of Governors……………………….....5

• Financial Summary………………………......6

• Membership……………………………………..7

• Committees ……………………………………10

• Business in Government………............11

• Chamber Events………………………………13

• Programs and Promotions……………….15

• Participation & Partnerships…………… 19

• Communications………………………..….. 20

• 2012 Board of Directors…………………..22

• Sponsors & Special Thanks………………23

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS

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CHAIR - Alan Bernstein, Harper Management FIRST VICE CHAIR - Arich Berghammer, Live Nation VICE CHAIR, GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS - Layne Lawson, Clear Channel Outdoor VICE CHAIR, MEMBERSHIP - Laurence Whiting, Petit Ermitage Hotel VICE CHAIR, EVENTS - Ruth Tittle, Capitol Drugs/Power Zone CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - Hany Haddad, US Bank SECRETARY - Deborah B. Kallick, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR - Joan Henehan, Amalgamated Henehan Worldwide Stan Bochniak, AMPCO System Parking Christopher Bonbright, Ramsey Shilling Joseph M. Clapsaddle, Hornburg Jaguar Land Rover Misti Cooper, Yogurt Stop John Douponce, Le Parc Suite Hotel Todd Elliott, Truman & Elliott LLP Devin Ford, Devin Ford Photography Karen Kuo, Robert Kuo Limited Mark E. Lehman, Law Offices of Mark E. Lehman Vince Mellado, Taubman/Beverly Center Marino Monferrato, Cecconi’s Pat Rogers, Here Lounge Tom Schlange, And Company, LLC Gene R. Smith, Gene Smith + James Litz Nadia Sutton, here! TV Ex-Officios Todd Steadman, Sunset Strip Business Association Bradley Burlingame, West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau Ryan Farber, The Avenues: Art, Fashion and Design District

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The Board of Governors is an exclusive group of individuals who have shown

exemplary leadership and service to the West Hollywood Chamber organization and

act in an advisory capacity for the Chamber. They meet quarterly and continue to

be invaluable influencers for the organization.

John A. Altschul, John A. Altschul Attorney at Law

Arlen Andelson, Andelson Properties

David Eichman, Law Office of David Mason Eichman

Todd Elliott, Truman & Elliott LLP

Nathan Goller, Phyllis Morris Originals

Ronald S. Kates, Ronald S. Kates & Company

James W. Litz, BH/GLAAR Assoc. Of Realtors

Tony Melia, National Business Insurance Agency

Mark Montgomery, Montgomery Management

Sharon O'Rourke, The Gas Company

Russ Wilson, Koontz Hardware

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

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MEMBERSHIP

2011 Summary

Membership……………….429

New Members…………….117

Retention…………………..82%

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2011 Accomplishments & Highlights

• Transitioned to tiered dues structure increasing membership revenue over 30%

• Re-purposed Member Relations Committee delivering more effective approach to retention and new member strategies

• Created new collateral – Membership application, welcome kits and identifying window clings

• Developed and implemented networking programs that connected Members and generated business leads

• Increased participation at Networking events by 40%

2012 MEMBERSHIP

Objectives:

– To maintain revenue goals

– To be the leading resource for businesses

– To increase retention rate another 10%

– To add value to Membership

– To instill a sense of “Chamber Pride”

– To strengthen the voice of the business community

– Increase participation for Committees, events and programs

Strategies

– Deliver exceptional programming

– Find new methods for lead generation

– Provide comprehensive welcome kits for new businesses

– Create a dynamic website with increased business resources

– Develop and implement a Member survey to capture feedback

– Develop Membership policies

– Define Member Relations Committee’s Ambassador Program

– Implement campaign for retention programs

– Develop dynamic program content by booking top speakers and hot topics

– Publish printed resource directory with upgraded online component

– Connect Members to partnerships with symbiotic potential

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LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Government representatives and key community leaders speak at luncheons.

2011 Speakers included: – Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles County Supervisor – John D’Amico, City of West Hollywood Councilmember – Jan Perry, Los Angeles City Councilmember – Wendy Greuel , Los Angeles City Controller

2012 program Change format of content to include panels and/or speakers based on Policy Pillars topics established by Westside Council of Chambers (WC3).

– Economic Development – Tourism – Entertainment – Infrastructure – Health Care – Transportation – Energy/Environment/Sustainability

HOTEL COUNCIL Purpose of the Hotel Council is to promote and advocate for hotels and speak in support or opposition in governmental related affairs.

2011 Actions • Wrote letters to Senator Pavley with copies to commissioners to oppose SB432

relating to amending the existing laws for Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Department of Industrial Relations to require all hotels use fitted sheets and long-handled equipment.

• Wrote letter to Mayor of West Hollywood with copies to Council and City Manager regarding the Union’s actions and activities at the Hyatt property, Andaz West Hollywood.

• Promoted information on Employee Free Choice Act (aka Card Check) to the business community.

• Discussed position on Assemblymembers Huffman and Feuer’s introduction of Bill AB52 regarding Health Insurance Rate approvals.

• Discussion of items of importance to the hotels: – Events in West Hollywood and permit restrictions and the negative effects – Taxicab maintenance issues – Neighbor issues with noise – Parking program – Hotel Council would like to see speakers and presentations relative to them

such as development/real estate and important city officials – Promotions and marketing opportunities

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COMMITTEES

Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC)

Reviews various requests for project support and discusses other legislative issues affecting the business community.

Member Relations Committee

Works to retain and increase membership by assessing and accommodating the needs of members. The committee recently launched a Buddy System to welcome new Members and an Ambassador Program to reach out to existing Members.

Special Events Committee

Assists in the planning of Special Events. The Chamber has three major events each year that act as fundraisers for the Chamber. They are the Annual Meeting and Board Installation, State of The City and Creative City Awards.

Finance Committee

Oversees financial records and reports the monthly financial status to the CFO of the Board of Directors. The Committee also will from time to time consider special fund raising and special spending requests.

Job Fair Committee

Assists in the planning of the annual Job Fair.

Parking Committee

Focused on comprehensive parking program which

provides information to businesses and public.

Health Fair Committee

Assists in the planning of the annual Health Fair.

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REPRESENTING BUSINESS IN GOVERNMENT

2011 Chamber Advocacy:

– Worked with Task Force and Economic Development to provide feedback on draft ordinance for Outdoor Smoking ban

– Opposed ban on sales of cigarettes near schools

– Opposed proposed ordinance on ban of fur in fashion retail

– Worked with businesses on impact of fur ban and economic study

– Assisted in General Plan outreach to Membership & wrote letters

– Worked with businesses on transition to comply to Outdoor Smoking ban

– Led Steering Committee for Santa Monica Boulevard Business Improvement District (BID) formation

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2011 GAC Support Requests

– Key Club – new billboard

– ACE Outdoor – Billboard at 8535 Sunset Blvd.

– SUR - Expansion

– The Abbey – change of CUP

– Burger Lounge – hours and alcohol service

– 1232 Kings Road apartment development

– Craig’s Restaurant - valet in parking lot

– Meridian Spa – extension of meters to 2 hours

– Grafton Hotel - new billboard

– PhoCiti Restaurant – hours extended

– John & Pete’s support to get exception from ban on cigarettes near schools

REPRESENTING BUSINESS IN GOVERNMENT 2012

Objectives

– To strengthen the Chamber’s position as a powerful advocate and valuable resource

– To create awareness about the Chamber’s advocacy for businesses

– To strengthen relationships with local residential leadership

Strategies:

– Work with the City of West Hollywood’s Economic Development to identify new business opportunities

– Assist in formation of Santa Monica Business Improvement District (BID)

– Partner with various City departments, BIDs and agencies on issues that are relevant to businesses such as parking and transportation

– Work with businesses on City-related (or agency related) issues

– Facilitate discussions with government leadership on key issues facing businesses, individuals and groups

– Facilitate discussions with local leadership and residents

– Educate business community on government policies, process and procedures at City, State and Federal levels

– Work with Hotel Council to create a collective voice for hospitality advocacy

– Work with business community to address needs and identify strategies for accomplishing goals

– Develop comprehensive package of information about opening a business in West Hollywood and the necessary steps required

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2011 SIGNATURE EVENTS

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Annual Meeting and Board 2011 Installation

• Date: January 27, 2011 / 8a-9:30a • Venue: Soho House • Of Significance: Changed format to casual buffet-style breakfast with lounge seating • Award Recipient: Nita Casar • Who Attends: 100 guests – Chamber members, Board of Directors, Community leaders and Government officials • Net raised: $3,800 (2010 $ 5,925)

State of The City (Economic Showcase)

• Date: Thursday, June 2, 2011 / 12p-2p • Venue: Plummer Park, Fiesta Hall • Theme: The Small Business of Development • Award Recipients: The Avenues: Art, Fashion & Design District and Pacific Red Building • Who attends: 200 – Members, Business leaders and Government officials • Net Raised: $5,170 (2010 $ 5,058)

28th Annual Creative City Awards: Honoring Innovation in Business

• Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 / 6p-10p • Venue: The London West Hollywood • Of Significance: Tribute to George Rosenthal • Award Recipients: O Burger!, Tender Greens, Johnson Favaro, Red Studios, Sunset Strip Music Festival, and West Hollywood Elementary • Who attends: 300 guests – Chamber members and Business leaders • Net Raised: 2011 $35,000 (2010 $23,000)

Objectives:

– To generate revenue

– To increase attendance and Member participation

– To create brand awareness for the Chamber

– To add value for Members and Sponsors

Strategies:

– Find new targets for sponsorship

– Infuse creativity into content and promotional materials

– Celebrate and showcase local businesses through event content

– Find category-specific opportunities for sponsors

– Create revenue generating ideas within events

– Increase publicity for Chamber through strategic media relations plan

– Support partnered city events such as The Sunset Strip Music Festival, Book

Fair, Women’s Leadership, The Avenues events, Fashion’s Night Out, Structures

& Style, Halloween, CSW Pride, etc.

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2012 EVENTS

Small Business Seminars A series of educational topics relevant to the business community.

2011 Programs: – February 16th- Kristen Deazeley, Internal Revenue Service – March 9th- Drian Juarez, LA Gay & Lesbian Center – May 11th- Octavio Olivas, Center For Civic Mediation – July 13th- Daniel Sobko and JD Barrale, Organic SEO Marketing – September 14th- Dana Mauriello, Profounder – October 12th- RJ Ruggiero, Team Logic IT

Speed Networking A fast-paced round table event that allows professionals to connect to businesses one on one and generate leads.

2011 program hosted at the following member venues: – January 4th- Duke’s – February 1st- Custom Comfort Mattress – March 1st- Marco’s – April 5th- D’Yogurt – May 3rd- Le Montrose – June 7th- Cecconi’s – August 2nd- Cecconi’s – September 6th- Petit Ermitage – October 4th- Petit Ermitage – November 1st- The Palm – December 6th- Tender Greens

Networking Mixers Chamber Mixers are hosted on the last Wednesday of each month. Chamber staff seeks out partnerships which complement the host venue.

2011 Mixers included: – January 26th- Fresh East – February 23rd- Capital Grille – April 27th- And Company, LLC – May 25th- O Bar – June 29th- Evolve Wellness – July 27th- Saddle Ranch – August 31st- Soho House – September 21st- US Bank with Devin Ford Photography & Gay & Lesbian Chamber – October 26th- Whole Foods Market – December 7th- Revolver

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PROGRAMS & PROMOTIONS

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WeHo Social This Social Media Training Series hosted by Multibrain provides members with up to date information on all aspects of social media marketing, providing members with tools, tips, seminars and online programs to assist them to promote their business and engage with their customer.

2011 Programs: Tips in quarterly newsletter WORKS Facebook and Twitter Boot Camps

Ribbon Cuttings The Chamber conducted several ceremonial ribbon cuttings for new businesses at their Grand Openings assisted by our City Officials and WHCC Board of Directors.

2011 Openings: • April 6th- SPOT! • May 11th- Modani • May 24th-Comerica Bank • August 11th- Oliana Premium Olive Oil & Vinegars • August 22nd- Fonuts

New Member Breakfasts This quarterly event brings together new members for a Chamber orientation and breakfast. Chamber Chair, Select Board Directors and staff provide information on how best to maximize your Chamber benefits. Members are provided a platform to talk about themselves and their business and have an opportunity to network.

2011 the Chamber hosted 65 new members graciously sponsored by House of Blues.

Health Fair • Date: March 26, 2011 from 12:00 to 4:00pm • Venue: Capitol Drugs / Power Zone • Of Significance: Partnered with Capitol Drugs sample Saturdays and increased participation and visitors • Who attends: 20 exhibitors in the Healthcare, Fitness and Wellness, Lifestyle and Pet businesses plus 500 residents and visitors

Job and Career Development Fair • Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 from 11:00am to 3:00pm • Venue: Plummer Park/ Fiesta Hall • Of Significance: Resume Corner and program of speakers relative to the job seeker • Who attends: 20 Employers and 300 Job Seekers

2012 PROGRAMS & PROMOTIONS

Objectives:

– To add value for Member businesses

– To create revenue opportunities for Chamber

– To strengthen strategic alliances with economic partners

– To increase Member participation

– To generate revenue

Strategies:

– Create opportunities for Member partnerships that deliver ROI

– Elevate programming with content and creativity

– Create cooperative opportunities for Members to promote their business

– Develop category-specific promotions to drive traffic from the appropriate

markets to Member businesses

– Publicize and educate public about local business opportunities

– Identify media partners for various promotions

– Identify and solicit strategic alliances and partnerships

– Develop sponsorship opportunities and identify targeted prospects

– Cross promote with Economic Partners – MVB, SSBA and The Avenues

– Generate publicity through Media Partners

– Develop collateral

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Creative Meetings & Events This promotion promotes our hotels, entertainment/event venues, restaurants, nightclubs, meeting and event planners, producers, caterers, photographers, DJs and other vendors relative to the meetings and event planning industry. Geared towards corporate and entertainment markets to book private events, this program features company profiles of interest to the meeting and event planner through an online and published Resource Directory.

EAT WEHO An event, held on a Saturday in July, designed to showcase our businesses in the food and beverage industry. Promoted to the public both locally and regionally, Eat WeHo will feature products and services available to the public.

SHOP WEHO This promotion provides incentives for locals to Shop, Dine, Relax and Play at various Chamber Member businesses. A location based mobile coupon app, free to consumers will be created to complement the program.

WEHO Marketplace This event is formatted as a trade show/business expo for Member to Member promotion and incentives. Marketplace showcases companies’ products and services to both the business community and consumers. WEHO Marketplace will have exhibitors, demonstrations, speakers and panel discussions relevant to the business and consumer markets.

NEW 2011 PROGRAMS & PROMOTIONS

2011 PARTICIPATION & PARTNERSHIPS

Fashion’s Night Out

Raised $25,000 for the West Hollywood Library

Barney’s Beanery Chili Cook-off

The Hudson Block Party

Women in Leadership Awards

LA’s Largest Mixer

West Hollywood Book Fair

Homeless Task Force

One City. One Pride.

LA Pride 2011

Pacific Standard Time

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COMMUNICATIONS

2011 Highlights

Wehochamber.com Website – 4,200 unique visitors

– 16,000 views

– 80,000 hits per month

– Redesigned with significant upgrades and improvement to navigational tools and access areas.

Weekly Wrap – Redesigned format and reinstated Constant Contact for increased

distribution

– Increased email subscribers to 3,000 recipients

– Information disseminated on Facebook and Twitter

WORKS

– Changed to quarterly publication

– Increased size and distribution

– 20 pages in a four-color glossy format

– Doubled distribution to 2,000 recipients

– Lowered costs

Facebook

– Secured vanity URL

– Increase of Fans by 40%

– 1700+ Fans

– Redesigned with new tabs and featured to showcase Members

Twitter

– Over 800 followers

Chamber BLOG (COMING SOON!)

– As a recognized opinion leader in the community, Chamber will create a BLOG for long form content for press info, news and updates to tout Chamber activities and successes.

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Objectives:

– To develop value-added benefits for Members

– To increase revenue

– To elevate Chamber’s brand

– To position the Chamber website as the leading resource for business information

– To increase participation

– To promote Members and deliver a return on investment

– Increase readership, Facebook and website traffic

Strategies:

– Enhance communication and marketing vehicles for the Chamber

– Create advertising opportunities for Members

– Provide business-related resources and tool kits for Members

– Rebrand materials and revamp website

– Revamp website with a new look and easier navigation

– Publish Business Resource Directory and revamp online component

– Develop comprehensive media relations plan for on-going publicity

– Develop dynamic content to increase subscribers, followers and fans

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2012 COMMUNICATIONS

2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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CHAIR – Hany Haddad, US Bank FIRST VICE CHAIR – Mark E. Lehman, Law Offices of Mark E. Lehman SECOND VICE CHAIR - Tom Schlange, And Company, LLC VICE CHAIR, GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS - Layne Lawson, Clear Channel Outdoor VICE CHAIR, MEMBERSHIP – Misti Cooper, Yogurt Stop VICE CHAIR, EVENTS - Ruth Tittle, Capitol Drugs/Power Zone CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - Stan Bochniak, AMPCO System Parking SECRETARY - Deborah B. Kallick, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center PAST CHAIR - Joan Henehan, Amalgamated Henehan Worldwide Arich Berghammer, Live Nation Christopher Bonbright, Avison Young Joseph M. Clapsaddle, Hornburg Jaguar Land Rover Philip Dailey, Andaz West Hollywood Mylene Dane, TRAIN west hollywood Keith Kaplan, The Kaplan Group Karen Kuo, Robert Kuo Limited Lindsay M. Lebby, ARCADE David Meyers, House of Blues Marino Monferrato, Cecconi’s Pat Rogers, Here Lounge Gene R. Smith, Gene Smith + James Litz Nadia Sutton, here! TV Maxine Tatlonghari, Vanity Girl Hollywood Ex-Officios Todd Steadman, Sunset Strip Business Association Bradley Burlingame, West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau Ryan Farber, The Avenues: Art, Fashion and Design District

Our Thanks to our Sponsors

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Genevieve Morrill, CEO/President gmorrill@wehochamber.com

Matthew Clark, Director of Membership & Events mclark@wehochamber.com

Reina Martinez, Administrative Assistant rmartinez@wehochamber.com

West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

8272 Santa Monica Boulevard

West Hollywood, CA 90046

Phone: (323) 650-2688 Fax: (323) 650-2689

www.wehochamber.com info@wehochamber.com