ANNUAL REPORT 2022
PROUDLY SERVING
THOUSAND OAKS • WESTLAKE VILLAGE • AGOURA HILLS
or the Chamber, 2022 represented a year of key economic development
advocacy efforts, small business initiatives and bold decisions during
election season.
The year started with COVID-19 cases that impacted tourism during a time that
small businesses were also adapting to new retirement mandates.
By March, tourism had rebounded and the Chamber transitioned back to in-person
programming including our Regional Economic Forecast featuring a panel with local
biotech companies driving economic growth.
We continued our strong focus on advocacy, taking positions on 28 issues across
Federal, State and local levels that would impact the business community including
the CHIPS Act, Unemployment Insurance Funding, Measures A&B and the PURE
Water Project.
At the local level, the Chamber successfully advocated for the approval of two mixed-
use housing projects, T.O. Ranch and Gateway at The Oaks, and approval of a future
20-acre biotech campus by Alexandria Real Estate.
In July, the Chamber Board approved an Endorsement policy that resulted in
endorsements for Jeff Gorell in the Ventura County Supervisor race and Bob Engler
and Sharon McMahon for Thousand Oaks City Council. The election results
brought victory for two of the business-friendly endorsed candidates, Jeff Gorell
and the re-election of Bob Engler.
We capped 2022 by honoring our 7th class of 40 Under Forty honorees and eight
award categories at our “Art of Excellence” Recognition Gala. Taste of Conejo
and MIXPO returned to the event line-up and State of the City Agoura Hills and
Thousand Oaks were both held in-person.
Our Chamber is committed to continuously moving our business
community forward and wants to thank our members, cities and community
for your partnership and trust over this past year.
Danielle Borja
President/CEO
Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce
Moving Our Business Community Forward
The mission of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote
the economic success of our members and strengthen the business community
in Conejo Valley through leadership, advocacy and programming.
Official Chamber of Commerce for
Top 1%
of Chamber’s of Commerce Nationwide
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce 02
2022 FISCAL YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
JANUARY 2022
OMICRON
DISRUPTION
______________________
A new Omicron variant,
BA.2, spiked COVID-19
cases in January causing all
in-person programming to
be postponed.
MARCH 2022
LIVE EVENTS RESUME
______________________
In person programming
returns with The Breakfast
at Honey Cup Coffeehouse
& Creamy and The Mixer at
the new Oakmont of Agoura
Hills.
MAY 2022
CHAMBER HOSTS
CANDIDATES FORUM
AHEAD OF PRIMARY
______________________
The Chamber partnered
with the Thousand Oaks
Acorn to host a Candidates
Forum on May 11th
at California Lutheran
University, that was also
live streamed, featuring the
Ventura County Sheriff and
Ventura County Supervisor,
District 2 candidates.
THE ART OF
EXCELLENCE GALA
______________________
The Recognition Gala at
the Hyatt Regency Westlake
honored Outgoing Chair
Natalie Yanez, alongside
eight category award
winners. During the event,
guests experienced master
works of art brought to life
– Degas’ Ballerina, Monet’s
Roses, & Klimt’s Tree of
Life, while enjoying live
music by the Neos Ensemble.
CALCHAMBER SUMMIT
______________________
Chamber staff and three
board members traveled
to Sacramento for the
CalChamber summit where
the Chamber received our
15th consecutive President’s
Circle Award and had
legislative meetings with
Assemblymember Irwin and
staff members of Senator Stern.
FEBRUARY 2022
NEW RETIREMENT
MANDATE WEBINAR
______________________
The Chamber held a
webinar to educate small
businesses on the new law
requiring employers with 5
or more employees to offer
a retirement program or
participate in CalSavers.
APRIL 2022
REGIONAL ECONOMIC
FORECAST
______________________
The Regional Economic
Forecast was held on April
8th at the Regency Theatres
at the Janss Marketplace. The
event featured Dr. Matthew
Fienup from California
Lutheran University
providing the economic
update and a panel of
biotech leaders from Takeda,
Capsida, Amgen and Atara.
LOMBARDI TOUR
STARTS IN
THOUSAND OAKS
______________________
After winning the Super
Bowl, the Los Angeles
Rams began their Lombardi
Trophy tour at the Civic Arts
Plaza where the Chamber
and Visit Conejo Valley had
an onsite booth presence.
JUNE 2022
CHAMBER PARTNERS
WITH MAJOR
EMPLOYEERS ON
HOUSING EFFORTS
______________________
T.O. Ranch, the largest
mixed-use project in the
city’s history, was approved
by the City Council (5-0) on
June 16th that will include
420 housing units (50 low
income) on the former
Kmart site.
On June 28th, the Thousand
Oaks City Council approved
264 units (34 low income)
for Gateway at The Oaks
(5-0) that will reenvision the
Kennedy Wilson property.
MIXPO CREATES
CONNECTIONS FOR
SMALL BUSINESSES
_____________________
MIXPO (mixer + business
EXPO) returned to The
Gardens at Los Robles Greens
after a two year hiatus with
50+ participating businesses
and over 200 guests in
attendance.
TRANSPORTATION
ADVOCACY IN D.C.
______________________
Chamber President/CEO,
Danielle Borja traveled
to D.C. with Mobility 21
advocating for transportation
priorities and funding in
Southern California.
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce 03
JULY 2022
BOARD APPROVES
ENDORSEMENT
POLICY
______________________
The Board approved a new
policy to allow the Chamber
to endorse candidates
for the first time in the
organization’s history.
40 UNDER FORTY
______________________
The 7th annual class of 40
Under Forty were honored
on July 15th at a private
cocktail reception at the
Hyatt Regency Westlake.
SEPTEMBER 2022
CHAMBER ENDORSES
THREE CANDIDATES
______________________
The Chamber announced
candidate endorsements
ahead of the November
election for Jeff Gorell in the
Ventura County Supervisor
race and Bob Engler and
Sharon McMahon for
Thousand Oaks City Council.
SMALL BUSINESS
STORIES VIDEO SERIES
______________________
Eight small business owners
throughout the Conejo
Valley had the opportunity
to share their stories through
professionally produced
1-2 minute video segments
promoted on social media
and the Chamber website.
PROJECT HOMEKEY
GROUNDBREAKING
______________________
The first permeant supportive
housing project in Thousand
Oaks, supported by the
former Chamber, breaks
ground at the former Quality
Inn & Suites.
NOVEMBER 2022
TASTE OF CONEJO
RETURNS
______________________
The 11th Annual Taste
of Conejo was held at the
Hyatt Regency Westlake
on the afternoon of Sunday,
November 6th featuring 50+
tasting booths and over 500
attendees.
TWO CHAMBER-
ENDORSED
CANDIDATES ELECTED
______________________
The election results brought
victory for two of the
three Chamber-endorsed
candidates, Jeff Gorell for
Ventura County Supervisor
and the re-election of Bob
Engler for the Thousand
Oaks City Council.
AUGUST 2022
CONEJO VALLEY
JOB FAIR
______________________
The Chamber produced the
Conejo Valley Job Fair at
The Gardens at Los Robles
Greens on August 10th for
the second year in response
to continued local workforce
challenges.
OCTOBER 2022
SECOND CANDIDATES
FORUM AHEAD OF
ELECTION
______________________
The Chamber, in partnership
with the Thousand Oaks
Acorn, hosted a two-
night Candidates Forum
at California Lutheran
University that was also
live-streamed featuring
candidates for the Ventura
County Community
College District, Ventura
County Supervisor, District
2 and Thousand Oaks City
Council.
STATE OF THE CITY
AGOURA HILLS
______________________
Johnathan Franklin of the
Los Angeles Rams served
as Master of Ceremonies
for the in-person return of
State of the City on October
26. Mayor Deborah Klein
Lopez delivered a keynote
address and recognized three
Businesses of the Year.
DECEMBER 2022
STATE OF THE CITY
THOUSAND OAKS
______________________
On December 13th, Mayor
Bob Engler addressed
over 350 members of the
community during his
State of the City address
at California Lutheran
University.
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce 04
Thank you to our 2022 Chairman’s Club Sponsors
The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce is grateful to our 50+ sponsors
for their ongoing support. This investment allowed our Chamber to deliver eight
signature events and produce two candidates forums furthering our mission to
promote economic success of our members and strengthen the business community.
In 2022, the Chairman’s Club program provided $266K+ in sponsorship revenue,
an $11,575 increase (4%) compared to 2021.
40 Under Forty Award Honoree Reception at Hyatt Regency Westlake.
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce 05
EMERALD
PLATINUM
BRONZE
SPONSORS
SILVER
SPONSORS
GOLD
SPONSORS
CHAIRMAN’S CLUB 2022
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce 06
With over 700 member companies, the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber is one of the largest regional Chambers in the western United
States and represents more than 35 industry categories, from sole proprietorships to large corporations.
NEW MEMBERS & RENEWING MEMBERS
In 2022 we welcomed 111 new members, a 21% increase compared to 2021, and raised our retention rate for current members to 92%.
MEMBERSHIP & RENEWALS
NEW MEMBER PARTNERNSHIPS IN 2022
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Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce 07
GROUPS & COMMITTEES
VIRTUAL LEGISLATIVE ROUNDTABLE
Purpose: To provide a dialogue on public policy issues and to provide an opportunity for
public agency staff, elected officials, their staff and businesses to network.
EMERGING LEADERS (EL)
Purpose: To provide young and talented professionals in the Conejo Valley with an
opportunity to network, build friendships and serve the community through various civic
activities. EL is open to all professionals and Chamber membership is not required.
CHAMBER AMBASSADORS
Purpose: To welcome both current and new Chamber Members and guide them to Chamber
resources that will help them grow their businesses and operate more profitably.
CONEJO SENIOR RESOURCE NETWORK (CSRN)
Purpose: To create a diverse group of professionals who work with seniors and family
caregivers, supporting and delivering innovative, collaborative community events designed to
enhance the aging and caregiving experience in our community.
VIRTUAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Purpose: To promote and coordinate interaction between business and local school districts
(Conejo Valley Unified School District and Las Virgenes Unified School District) and
continue to partner with private schools and colleges in our area; to promote educational
excellence by recognizing teachers with awards.
NETWORKING GROUPS
Purpose: To provide Chamber members the opportunity to expand their business
connections and referral network by belonging to one of three Chamber Networking
Groups. Networking groups include: The Business Breakfast Network, SPARK and Infinity.
Virtual Legislative Roundtable meeting with
Senator Henry Stern.
CSRN team building activity at Harmony
Family Yoga.
The Business Breakfast Network celebrates 20
years as part of the Chamber.
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Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce 08
LOCAL ADVOCACY EFFORTS
The Chamber successfully took positions on 11 local issues affecting the business community ranging from housing and water
infrastructure to mask mandates and oil and gas production.
EXAMPLES INCLUDE:
COUNTY & REGIONAL ISSUES
The Chamber opposed Measures A
& B, two ballot measures that would
have further politicized the process of
renewing oil and gas permits.
Support for the Pure Water Project
proposed by Las Virgenes Municipal
Water District that would build a
facility in Agoura Hills to purify
wastewater and re-institute into the
potable water supply.
HOUSING ADVOCACY
Advocated for two substantial mixed-used
projects in the City of Thousand Oaks with the
support of major local employers.
• T.O. Ranch will feature 420 units (50
low income) and 15,000 square feet of
commercial that will transform the longtime
vacant Kmart site.
• Gateway at the Oaks will provide 264 units
and reimagine a site traditionally used solely
for office space with walkability to The
Promenade at Westlake.
Both projects were approved 5-0 by the
Thousand Oaks Planning Commission and
City Council.
The Chamber also supported the conversion
of the Quality Inn & Suites to permanent
supportive housing for the chronically
homeless in our community.
T.O Ranch
Gateway at the Oaks
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce 09