The world is changing at a rapid, unrelenting pace. Technological innovations and start-ups with bright ideas are transforming our day-to-day lives. Things that seemed improbable just 10 or 20 years ago now are part of modern living. There is an intrinsic need to seek value in products and services we purchase.
As we march to a similar drummer, we seek success, and in so doing usually have taken advantage of benefits provided by those who we trust. As success, at least in the business world, is measured in profits, we look for ways to be better. Be strategic, make qualified course corrections and connect the dots, so to speak.
Your Cypress Chamber of Commerce, built and maintained by businesses, small and large, has endured because of its commitment to help make the economic climate better. It has done so through benefits, but time has changed the way we do business with the advent of the Internet and social media. Our mission hasn’t changed, but the way we explore ways to offer bigger, better, and perhaps more efficient benefits, has. To use an analogy, we never have said we make the water, for instance, but we would like to think we help make the water taste better, through whatever efforts.
In this day and age, community dollars to 501c(3), (4) and (6) organizations is dwindling. Part of that is due to the shift to communication through social media. All of us rely on support in some way or another. So, our emphasis to show value, relevance and success is a continual march with a cause.
To wit, the Cypress Chamber produces five events and co-produces a sixth. Our State of the City Luncheon in January brings together all who interface with the city in some way. It allows the city to showcase its future while remembering its past. The event is sold out.
Our Student & Business Breakfast brings together students from Cypress High School and Oxford Academy to talk with business leaders about their respective industries. These future leaders, business owners and citizens seek some of the knowledge that our mentors can share in an hour of time. The event is sold out.
Our Corporate Challenge Golf Tournament in May is just that—a challenge…and fun.
The Chamber Business Awards in June honor those people who have achieved great things during their respective careers and we salute a Man, Woman, Business and Lifetime Achievement recipient. The event is sold out.
The Cypress Community Festival is a grand day for the city, celebrating incorporation in 1956. There’s something for everyone, including arts and crafts, business expo, entertainment, chili cook-off, car show, kids rides, Kiwanis pancake breakfast and a free open-air collection of people at Oak Knoll Park.
Our Holiday Extravaganza is an opportunity for companies large and small, for residents as well, to enjoy good cheer with a sit-down dinner, silent auction, opportunity drawings and a chance to shop for the Christmas gifts people need to get sometime. This is an office party within an office party. The event is sold out every year.
Our monthly Networking Breakfasts feature excellent speakers and a great way to network.
There are other aspects of Chamber life that we offer as well, including legislative advocacy, connections to elected officials, other organizations and especially people you may need to get to know. In the words of Nobel Prize laureat George Bernard Shaw, it’s not the why that we should seek, but the why not? Perhaps his best-known words of wisdom have been spoken many a time: “Some people see things and say why? I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?”
We encourage everyone to stay connected. Help us stay relevant. Let us know what you need. And don’t be afraid to bring your voice to the table.
Shelly Henderson
editor@oc-breeze.com
Direct: (714) 484-6014
