Responding to the region’s sluggish economy, a collaborative effort to reignite the region’s business climate was launched at today’s State of the Region Forum produced by the Sacramento Metro Chamber. A broad and diverse slate of stakeholders has joined together to begin formulating the Capital Region Prosperity Plan to take the Sacramento region to the “Next Economy.” This initiative is being organized by the Metro Chamber, the Sacramento Area Commerce & Trade Organization, the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance and Valley Vision in partnership with a cross section of regional community and business leaders to pursue economic revitalization that improves the lives of the 2.1 m

The Sacramento Metro Chamber is pleased to announce that Pat Fong Kushida has been named President & CEO of the 2,000-member organization that serves businesses in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties. Fong Kushida comes to the Metro Chamber from the Sacramento Asian-Pacific Chamber of Commerce where she has served as President & CEO since 1993. She also serves as President & CEO of the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, which she formed in 2006. “Pat clearly has the vision, experience and energy to lead our chamber,” said Greg Eldridge, chairman of the Metro Chamber Board. “Her deep knowledge and commitment to our region as well as her entrepreneurial

The Sacramento Metro Chamber applauds the much-needed economic growth plan for the state of California released today by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. The plan incorporates principles for state regulatory reform long-espoused by the Metro Chamber and supports the chamber’s long-practiced strategy of regional economic collaboration to promote business growth. In February, business and government representatives from across the state gathered at the Metro Chamber to discuss reform of the state’s regulatory system and permitting process. Later that month during the chamber’s State Legislative Summit, Newsom told chamber members that their legislative agenda provided a long-needed list of specific r

In celebration of Small Business Week, businesspeople from the six-county region gather Thursday, May 19, for Metro Expo at the Sacramento Convention Center, the business-to-business showcase for resource finding and network building. Produced by the Sacramento Metro Chamber, the trade show is the largest in Northern California, with nearly a thousand businesses across the region expected to participate. “In a half day, you can make hundreds of important connections,” said Matthew Mahood, president and CEO. “Workshops will help attendees learn how to become certified with local and statewide agencies. And on the trade show floor, you can meet area businesses that are offering cost-saving

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told 265 delegates of the Sacramento Metro Chamber's Cap-to-Cap program that Medicare and Medicaid will evolve into a "value purchaser" to protect federal dollars by lowering costs and improving outcomes by reducing hospital injuries and readmissions. Sebelius addressed the delegation at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., Monday, May 9, as the group began three days of extensive promotion of the region, with 244 appointments set up with Congress, the Senate, the Administration and other federal officials and agencies. The Secretary was introduced by Congresswoman Doris Matsui of Sacramento, who Sebelius credited with taking a

Local business has been less than enthusiastic about supporting many events, both locally, and nationally, due in part, to the economy, and also, to the vast number of requests for all types of upspring opportunities. The sea is wide where sponsorship money is needed, and not many companies these days are casting a wide net of support. Important issues, community events, common and functional causes are where most money is going today, and that makes sense. Here in Sacramento, an event is happening this coming Sunday, March 27th, and it could still use some of that support. And, it fits well within the scope of the aforementioned importance scale. VolunteerFest 2011 is going to occur thi

Imagine a young Patti Smith, an alive Kurt Cobain & Joan Jett all in a three-way. Now imagine that they had a baby, and that the baby was a vintage boutique in Sacramento. Meet Crimson & Clover, an eclectic shop set in an old Victorian on 16th street, smack-dab across from Fremont Park and rubbing elbows with Hot Italian. Crimson & Clover was born November 1st, 2009, from the ashes of Atelier, the quirky, nearly legendary space that specialized in re-made & hand-made fashions. Two of the artists involved in the cooperative, Kara Perez & Nicole Honeyeater, took the space over when Atelier’s doors finally closed for good. Nicole & Kara’s aim was “to create a space that was sweet & romantic

Curious about the region’s newly proposed entertainment and sports facility and what else is happening in the city of Sacramento? Members of the Sacramento First Citizen’s Task Force will review the proposed projects and the process for consideration at this year’s State of the City Address, hosted by the Sacramento Metro Chamber on Thursday, Feb. 25. And in the tradition of this 18th annual event, the Mayor of Sacramento will also speak. More than 700 business and civic leaders have already confirmed attendance at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento for the 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. luncheon. The event is presented by Drexel University and Umpqua Bank. “If you want to get an insider’s scoop on t

A thousand business people and civic leaders will gather at the Sacramento Metro Chamber's 115th Annual Dinner & Business Awards tonight at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento. The event is sold out. During the evening, 2010 Metro Chamber Board Chair Randy Sater of StoneBridge Properties will be inducted, and the Metro Chamber will recognize business leaders for their entrepreneurial and civic accomplishments. SACRAMENTAN OF THE YEAR—David M. Higgins Sr., Retired President of Harbison-Mahony-Higgins Builders Inc. AS THE FORMER CEO OF HARBISON-MAHONY-HIGGINS BUILDERS INC., MR HIGGINS IS A TRUE ICON IN OUR REGION’S COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS. HIS WORK – INCLUDING THE OUTSTANDING RESTORATION

Small business owners in Sacramento plan to hold on tight in 2010 for what appears to be another tough year. Several said they're doing their best just to keep their businesses going as the recession continues to waterboard the local economy. The owners of a local chain of taquerias said they will do what it takes to keep their heads above water for the next year. "That's been my theme since 2008: survival mode," said José Cortéz, who co-owns 10 La Fiesta Taqueria and La Favorita Taqueria restaurants in the Sacramento region. He and his family, including his mother and a brother who manages one La Fiesta, come from the Mexican state of Jalisco. The restaurants serve food of the Los Altos

Energy Parametrics & Communications, Inc., the global leader in environmental-friendly power generation solutions featuring true smart grid and power management technologies, this week held a construction groundbreaking ceremony at its new Sacramento, California power management data center. The new west coast 51,400 sq. ft. power data management center is located in the North Sacramento/Del Paso Heights area, 2040 Railroad Drive, Sacramento, California. “Our new Sacramento data managment center will showcase our company’s proven products and services to create safe and reliable green energy generation and power systems management. The site will also serve to train industry professionals