It All Began With A Committee AA ReportReport toto ’sHollywood’s The year 2010 is the 50th anniversary of the 7018 Hollywood Walk of Fame. Hollywood, 90028 HOLLYWOOD Main (323)469-8311 We marked the kick-off to Fax (323)469-2805 the year’s celebration CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BusinessBusiness CommunityCommunity with a special night-time www.HollywoodChamber.net Walk of Fame ceremony Since 1921... Promoting and enhancing the business, cultural and civic well-being of the greater Hollywood community. HOLLYWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE on February 8th for legendary musi- cian , which was the actual 2010 anniversary of when construction A lot goes into making Hollywood a great began on the Walk. We have several The Chamber urged that the proposed new Numerous ribbon-cuttings were held during Hollywood means additional events planned this year to L.A. Office be implemented through the year, at such establishments as: Precision place to conduct business. During the Opportunity! continue the celebration. Film L.A. as a cost-saving and logical move. L.A., the Gatsby, Sunstyle Tanning, Farmers I find it interesting, that often, when Kitchen, Laserium, East, Vinolio, past year, the Hollywood Chamber of As we enter this the sec- I tell people that this is the 50th an- Businesses were encouraged by the Chamber West, LaVida, L.A. Film School, and Get a HOLLYWOOD ond decade of the new Commerce has been working even harder millennium, we move for- niversary of the Walk of Fame, they say to encourage employees to return question- Vision/Live Strong. A ground breaking cere- CHAMBER OF COMMERCE that they thought it was much older. naires from the U.S. Census Dept. mony was held for the Supper Club. to help Hollywood achieve its potential ward fully aware of the challenges we face and The Hollywood Walk of Fame has be- and to help our members cope with the Great Recession. Take a look at come such a part of our culture that A reception was held with new Metro Chief Members were offered a special opportunity ready to address those still unknown. A strong people just assume it has been around Art Leahy at Capitol Records to encourage a to offer discounts to other members through what we’ve accomplished, and you will be impressed by the broad scope a lot longer than is the case. and vibrant Hollywood is “Job One!” continued close working relationship be- a “Holidays in Hollywood” online discount of the Chamber. We’re working for you every day. We hope we can at the Hollywood Chamber of Com- What is impressive is that the Holly- tween the Chamber and the transit agency. program. wood Walk of Fame began as an idea of count on your support as we move Hollywood’s agenda forward. merce! While we have accomplished much in the drive to revitalize Holly- the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. st Hollywood Expo The Chamber Is Providing The 21 annual was held at wood, there still remains much to be Back in 1953, the Chamber President, E. the Universal Hilton, drawing hundreds to see M. Stuart, had a brainstorm that it would Networking, Promotional and The Chamber is Creating a done. Educational Opportunities the latest offerings from Chamber members. Strong Local Economy As our membership grows, so does be good to offer the tourists a way to A special press conference was held with “see stars”. A Chamber committee was our ability to stand up for our mem- The Chamber introduced its own “Stimulus Mayor Villaraigosa prior to the Expo to de- The 15th annual Hollywood Economic Devel- ber businesses and the industries established to research the idea and to Package” to demonstrate to members the clare 2010 as the year for Hollywood tourism. determine how best to move forward. opment Summit, held at the ArcLight Cine- and professions they represent. The Chamber partnered with the City many opportunities that the Chamber offers mas in June, attracted an audience of 300 Whether it is in Sacramento or in Washington, D.C., our strength is in of to design the Walk and to its members. Among the programs offered in- The Chamber is Giving Back people to hear about “ – the our membership. By joining the Hol- determine the materials to use in its con- clude savings up to 25 percent through Office to the Community Engine That Drives Hollywood”. Keynote struction. The City created an assess- Depot and special savings at Parking Spot ad- lywood Chamber of Commerce you speaker was Phil McAveety, Chief Brand Of- have boldly shown that you mean ment district to pay for the creation of jacent to LAX. The Chamber allowed the to ficer of Starwood Hotels. Victor Coleman of the Walk. Once the Walk was completed be draped with a banner saying Save the Peak business! Hudson Capital spoke in addition to a panel As part of the chamber’s ongoing in 1960, the City needed a mechanism to New member benefit programs were intro- to call attention to a campaign to raise more representing entertainment players Cirque add new stars, and so they appointed the duced including human resources issues as- than $12-million to purchase 138 acres on effort to strengthen our voice, we will Du Soleil, Madame Tussauds, Nederlander continue to reach out to our commu- Chamber to be the administrator of the sistance through the Employers Group and a Cahuenga Peak, adjacent to the famous Sign. West Coast and Live Nation. Walk of Fame. So, the City actually owns health saving card offering prescription drug nity partners to build even stronger The East Hollywood Business Improvement alliances. Together with our city lead- the Walk of Fame but the Chamber has savings up to 75 percent. The 16th annual Women of Distinction Lunch- eon The Chamber helped celebrate the opening of District, managed by the Chamber, secured a ers, our neighborhood councils, our the responsibility to determine future was held at the Globe Theatre at Univer- the $600-million Hollywood & Vine project, commitment from Metro to help fund medi- honorees and to install their stars. faith based organizations, charitable Networking opportunities abounded at the 10 sal Studios, honoring outstanding community with its centerpiece W Hotel, eight years after ans on Vermont Avenue, began a project to groups and Business Improvement The Hollywood Walk of Fame is very mixers the Chamber provided during the year leaders and raising money for local charities. likely the most successful marketing repaint 200 light poles, and to plant new or- Districts, we will constantly work to- at: Citizen Smith, Dillon’s, Hard Rock Café, namental trees on Vermont Avenue. wards building a community that concept ever devised by a chamber of the Highlands (sponsored by New South The Chamber worked with the Los Feliz Ki- commerce anywhere in the world. And lives up to its name. Hollywood has Parking/Central Parking), Hollywood Bil- wanis Club to raise money to bring a mobile The Chamber objected to the State poten- many challenges and with each chal- it all started with a committee of your liards (sponsored by Bank of America), Hol- dental clinic to Hollywood. chamber of commerce. tially raiding $1.7-billion in Community Re- lenge comes the opportunity to do lywood Heights Hotel, the Magic Castle, the development Agency funding statewide – well and to do good! As you review this year’s Chamber Music Box @ the Fonda, and Vinolio’s. The ALIST Young Professionals Group cre- Annual Report to our members, you will including $27-million from Hollywood. Having a strong voice requires be impressed by the sheer number of ated a service element to encourage young The Chamber applauded and defended a de- that we be willing to use it. We must Business Bootcamp be willing to seize opportunity when projects with which the Chamber is in- The was initiated as an- professionals to work with PATH (People As- cision by the City Council to loan $30-mil- we find it and create opportunity volved. We are working to make this a other morning networking opportunity with sisting the Homeless) with their jobs program lion toward the renovation of the Kodak better community in which you can con- guest speakers on issues of interest to small for at risk youth. when we don’t. The membership of the project was first proposed. The Chamber Theatre to accommodate , the Hollywood Chamber of Com- duct your business. Not every idea we businesses. played a major role in bringing the project to with the private sector paying the remainder are pursuing will result in something as The Police-Fire Barbecue held in November merce represents a pool of talent fruition, lobbying and testifying to help it of the $103.6-million project. and committed business the likes of famous as the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Chamber hosted a weekly free business provided the community a way to express ap- clear key hurdles during the approval process. However, every issue is important to at counseling service with SCORE, a program preciation to the more than 300 public safety which occur nowhere else in the Key projects in the Hollywood pipeline were world. Each of us must be committed least some businesses in Hollywood. of the U.S. Small Business Administration officers. Hollywood U – a collaborative of 17 post sec- endorsed by the Chamber with follow-up We invite you to get involved in your utilizing retired senior executives to assist to moving Hollywood forward and let ondary technical schools operating in Holly- through letters and testifying. They included each of us remember to Stand up!, Chamber. Help us to make Hollywood businesses. The Chamber was one of two or- The All Hallows Eve Party at Hollywood wood was kicked off by the Chamber and the the proposed: Emerson College Hollywood Reach out! and Be willing! to carry even better. We have a rich heritage ganizations honored in the county with a Forever Cemetery helped to fund the Holly- Hollywood Entertainment District. A logo campus, AREA Property Partners’ Columbia and legacy. I am sure that our volun- the message that “Hollywood means “community partner award” for its support of wood Chamber Community Foundation’s was created to help the schools brand their Square Project, a proposed hotel in the for- Opportunity”! teers and staff are up to the challenge the SCORE program. community efforts. To date the Foundation of building on that heritage for the fu- connection to Holly- mer Security Pacific Bank Building, and a has given out more than $500,000 in grants wood and a promotional pedestrian alley on the east side of Cahuenga. Sam Smith ture. Who knows what great ideas are to Hollywood community organizations. out there just waiting to be developed? brochure was created to Chair of the Board market Hollywood as The Chamber supported the assignment of 40 The Chamber collected toys for the LAPD’s Leron Gubler the center for post-sec- new officers by LAPD for the Hollywood En- HOLLYWOOD annual toy drive, at the Chamber’s annual hol- ondary entertainment tertainment District and lobbied new Police HOLLYWOOD President & CEO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE iday mixer at The Music Box at the Fonda. education. Chief Charles Beck to maintain the officers. Hollywood Chamber The Chamber Is Promoting A complete revamp and relaunch of The U.S. Travel Promotion Act (HR2935/S1023) Hollywood Chamber The Community www.hollywoodchamber.net was conducted. was endorsed by the Chamber to create a Committees Months in the works, the Chamber was fund to promote tourism to the U.S. by charg- Community Foundation 2009-2010 LoHo – “Locals Only, Holly- pleased to introduce the state-of-the art web- ing overseas visitors a one-time $10 fee. Mark Panatier, Chair, wood Offer” was launched to site to help members take advantage of one 2009-2010 The Chamber appreciates the encourage residents of of the most-visited chamber of commerce SB696 was endorsed that would overturn a following individuals who chaired Southern California to visit websites in the nation. moratorium of the Southern California One of the unique features of the Hol- Chamber committees during the Hollywood during the month AQMD on construction projects. lywood Chamber of Commerce is its past year: of October. Businesses offered as much as 50 A commitment was received from the U.S. efforts to support local community non- percent off to attract new customers. Postal Service to advise the public at the Hol- profit organizations. As a 501c3 non- A-LIST porfit association, contributions to the Nicole Mihalka lywood Main and Hollywood & Highland Chamber Foundation are tax de- Cushman & Wakefield A “Familiarization Trip” was organized by the post offices that people can request to have Numerous public officials met with the Cham- ductible. The Foundation holds two Renee Kische Tourism Committee to showcase Hollywood their mail cancelled with a special Holly- ber to discuss business concerns, including Con- fundraising events annually – the Keller Williams to reporters from the San Francisco Chroni- wood mark that the late Honorary Mayor gresswoman Diane Watson, Assembly Speaker Women of Distinction Luncheon and cle, Sunset Magazine, San Francisco Maga- Johnny Grant first set up. Karen Bass, Senator Curren Price, L.A. Mayor the All Hallows Eve Party at the Holly- Economic Development zine, 7x7 Magazine, VIA and freelancers. Chief of Staff Jeff Carr, and City Planning Di- wood Forever Cemetery. Since its in- George Abou-Daoud A new Walk of Fame brochure was intro- rector Gail Goldberg, among others. ception in 1996, the Foundation has Bowery Street Enterprises Worldwide exposure was earned for Holly- duced thanks to the assistance of Chamber given out more than $550,000 in Marty Shelton wood through 21 Walk of Fame ceremonies Vice Chair Tej Sundher of the Hollywood The Mayor’s 30-10 initiative to encourage a The Chamber launched a successful petition grants, and this past year, awarded NAI Capital Commercial that the Chamber conducted during the year. In Wax Museum. federal loan to allow transit projects ap- drive to change the time allowed on parking more than $54,000. In our most cur- addition, the Chamber installed a special recog- proved by Measure R to be built in 10 years meters to 2 hours in various sections of cen- rent fiscal year, the Foundation as- Health Care nition star commemorating the 80th anniversary The Chamber publication Hollywood Busi- rather than in 30 years was strongly sup- tral Hollywood. Hollywood Blvd. between sisted the following local organizations Sam Smith of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. ness Advocate received special recognition ported by the Chamber. A letter writing and McCadden Place and Whitley and nearby Genesis Financial from the Western Association of Chamber email campaign was launched in support. side streets will be changed. Blank Theatre Company Jeff Bujer The Chamber planned a year-long celebra- Executives for journalistic excellence. Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood Saban Free Clinic tion of the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood Federal Empowerment Zone legislation The Westside extension of the subway, in- Children of the Night Walk of Fame. Special ban- The Chamber Is Taking (S1222/HR1677) was supported by the cluding a connection from Highland Avenue Friends of the Hollywood Cap Park Legislative Action Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing ners were installed on Hol- Political Action Chamber to allow for the renewal of empow- in Hollywood to Wilshire Blvd., was strongly Susan Cabral-Ebert lywood Blvd. to call erment zones and the possible expansion of supported by the Chamber. Get Love Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists attention to the anniversary, the Los Angeles Zone to include Hollywood. The Harmony Project Local 706 IATSE Hollygrove Scott Moe and a night-time Walk of Representatives of the U.S. Senate Small Hollywood Arts Council Fame ceremony was held on Candidates for L.A. Council District 2 were Business Committee were briefed by the SDM Advisory Group th Hollywood Heritage February 8 honoring Ringo interviewed and the Chamber published a re- Chamber and given a tour of some of the Hollywood Police Activities League Licensing Starr, to note the actual an- port on their business views. small and growing businesses along Holly- Hollywood Police Support Association Mitch Nedick niversary of the start of con- wood Blvd. Hollywood Wilshire YMCA The CW Network struction on the Walk. The Chamber supported issues on the June Independent Shakespeare Company 2010 Primary, including Proposition 14 to A letter-writing campaign was undertaken by International Family Film Festival Small Business The most-successful Awards Media Center yet allow Open Primaries and Proposition 17 to the Chamber to oppose the potential closure of L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Michael Druyen was organized by the Chamber during Academy allow continuous auto insurance coverage even the Hollywood Municipal Courthouse. Assem- LAPD National Night Out Certified Printers, Inc. Awards week to welcome domestic and interna- when a person switches insurance companies. blyman Kevin DeLeon secured a commitment LACER After School Program Fariba Kalantari, DDS tional news media to Hollywood. More than 80 Delegations from the Chamber traveled to Wash- to keep the Courthouse open for the time being. Los Angeles Zoo Association Famous Hollywood Dental Care news outlets – ranging from the BBC to Radio ington, D.C. and to Sacramento to meet with of- The Chamber lobbied for passage of an ordi- Musicians Institute France – were fed, entertained and pitched stories ficials and encourage pro-business legislation. nance creating a new Los Angeles internet The Chamber worked with local and State of- Newfilmakers L.A. Tourism about the renaissance of Hollywood. business tax classification. ficials to find a way to deal with the growing Oasis of Hollywood Jim O’Callaghan The Chamber testified against proposed problems connected with cd vendors and the PAH Nation L.A. Inc. increases in DWP rates of 26 percent. The Chamber Is Representing “characters” along Hollywood Blvd. PATH Tej Sundher Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic Hollywood Wax Museum the Interests of Business With The Saban Free Clinic New guidelines for considering the endorsement Government A public restroom in the new park- of candidates were adopted by the Chamber. ing garage was advocated by the Chamber. Walk of Fame The Chamber actively worked to encourage Earl Lestz ESL Consulting A new online grassroots advocacy center was the City of L.A. to take the steps necessary launched by the Chamber to allow members to keep LegalZoom.com within the City. Women of Distinction to quickly and easily contact their legislators Kathleen Cook on issues of importance to Business. An Op-Ed piece was submitted to the L.A. Hollywood Heights Hotel Business Journal advocating a streamlined Kim Sudhalter The Chamber endorsed the budget reform process to renew Conditional Use Permits to Urban Legend Public Relations package 1A-1F on the June 2009 ballot to aid reward businesses that were in compliance in short term economic recovery and to enact with their CUPs, and met with various public long-term solutions to the State’s budget crisis. officials to lobby for the change.