In the spring of 2008, the Pasadena Chamber Board determined that our membership investment schedule needed to be adjusted to meet Chamber expenses and adjust for inflation. Prior to that, the investment schedule had not been increased for at least ten years. In 2008, the Board decided to institute a 25% increase, implemented over three years. The first year’s increase was implemented in July, 2008. With the economic
collapse that November, the additional 15% was suspended indefinitely.
Recently, at the recommendation of the President and CEO, our Member Services Committee and the Chamber Board determined that, if the Pasadena Chamber is going to continue to grow and expand our offerings to serve the members, we need to increase our revenues. The Committee and the Board noted that the Chamber has added significantly to the workload of the staff without adding staff support. For example, the Chamber now presents three restaurant-related events each year along with the Taste of Pasadena in September. We also organize the annual Economic and Business Forum and the ACCESS: Opportunity Procurement Forum that links large corporate members with small businesses. This past year, we also sponsored the first mega marketing event at Pasadena City College.
Recognizing the need for additional staff support, the Committee and the Board voted to reinstate the additional 15% increase approved six years ago, beginning September 1, 2014. The increase only applies to the base dues rates so that no Chamber member will see an increase of more than $90 per year. For most Chamber members the increase will be between $35 and $45 per year. This rate will remain in effect until at least 2019.
As difficult as the decision has been, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce must increase our member investment (dues) schedule.
The Chamber is a small business, too. As such we have to balance budgets, allocate resources and motivate staff. We do our best to mitigate costs, but have little control over the price of supplies and services necessary to the successful performance of our mission. Like you, we have faced rent increases (ours at 3% per year). Services, equipment contracts, insurance costs and more have risen steadily over the past six years, and continue to increase. We also do our best to pay Chamber staff members a fair wage and provide basic benefits for the hard work we expect.
Even with the increase in membership investment in the Pasadena Chamber, our rates will remain significantly below those of our peers in Southern
California. The Pasadena Chamber’s base rate for a small business will be $265 per year beginning September 1st. As a comparison, most chambers our size, serving communities like ours, charge at least $300 per year for their basic small business membership, and some begin at $500, though we offer a much more aggressive schedule of events and member support activities.
The Pasadena Chamber Board was intent on keeping our dues increase modest and only raised costs to meet our financial obligations and maintain our solid financial foundation.
Over the past three years, we have nearly doubled the number of significant events and activities offered to engage and support our member companies. These events require an additional investment of staff and resources. As an example, the Chamber has hosted two procurement forums designed to engage our large businesses with small businesses members. Those events give small members direct access and information
about how to work with companies such as Parsons, Huntington Hospital, JPL and Art Center. At each event, small businesses expanded
their client base and our large companies found local businesses to work with.
We are very grateful for the support and loyalty of our member companies. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the Chamber office at 626-795-3355.