Posted by Wes Bradford on Aug 29, 2017

Eileen Hupp, a member of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club, has been President & CEO of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce for 6 years. Previously, she was a consultant for business development strategies, and has worked with national retailers for mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, marketing, advertising and finance. She has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins and an MBA from The University of Chicago.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1956 and has over 400 business members. Its new office address is 4040 Palos Verdes Drive North, Suite 205, in Rolling Hills Estates. Its economic programs include the Local First Campaign (shop, dine and do business locally), Community Showcase, Palos Verdes Street Fair and Music Festival, the Salute to Business Award, and economic forecasting. When businesses thrive, quality of life improves in the community.

Business promotion includes discounted advertising, business ribbon cuttings, social media, displaying members’ business literature in the Chamber’s lobby, Human Resources consulting, and Office Depot discounts. The Chamber’s website lists businesses with maps, and it sends emails on monthly nonprofit events. (All employees & individual members of member organizations, including our Club, are also members.) Business members can advertise on the Chamber website. There are morning and evening mixers for young professionals. Chamber members can receive business referrals and serve on committees to build business relationships.

The Chamber advocates for business interests with local, state and national government officials, holds Legislative Forums for candidates for public office (without endorsement of candidates), and holds an Annual Legislative Lunch. It partners with other local, state and US Chambers of Commerce on areas of common interest. The chamber sponsors educational activities such as high school seminars and the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (a 3-hour weekly students’ program for learning how to start a business; volunteers are needed). Eileen invited us to a Chamber event on Friday, September 8, honoring first responders in commemoration of 9/11. They will also deliver cookies & coffee to them on Monday, 9/11 (volunteers are welcome).

Our Rotarian Jackie Crowley was the 2014 Volunteer of the Year. Our Palos Verdes Sunset Rotary Club was recognized as an Outstanding Community Service Organization during the year that Sandy Farrell was our President. Eileen recommends that we send photos documenting our community service projects. The website is https://www.palosverdeschamber.com/, phone (310) 377-8111.