Activities Serve to Engage Members and Business Community in the Legislative Process
HONOLULU (January 12, 2015)– The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii today announced its line up of activities for its 2nd annual Chamber Week, January 20-23, 2015, including a State of the Economy forecast for 2015 and Leg Meet and Greet, giving members and the business community an opportunity to meet legislators and share their thoughts and concerns about business climate in Hawaii. The Chamber launched Chamber Week last year to engage members of the local business community in the legislative process, inform them of the Chamber’s business advocacy activities and, ultimately, invest in Hawaii’s future. Chamber Week is timed to coincide with the opening of the legislative session on Wednesday, January 21.
“The Chamber’s mission is to serve as the advocate for business in Hawaii,” said Chamber of Commerce Hawaii President and CEO Sherry Menor-McNamara. “An integral part of this process is to have our members, and the business community at large, engaged in the legislative process and with Hawaii’s policy makers. The Chamber, with support from the business community, stands ready to support job creation, invigorate our business climate and make Hawaii a more attractive place to conduct business and invest in our future.”
CHAMBER WEEK ACTIVITIES, JANUARY 20-23, 2015
Tuesday, January 20
- 8:00-10:00 am – Leg 101 Class
- 11:30-1:30 pm – State of the Economy
Wednesday, January 21
- 10:00 am – Opening of Hawaii State Legislature
Thursday, January 22
- 9:00-11:00 am – Walk Around at the Capitol
- 5:30-8:30 pm – Legislative Meet and Greet
Friday, January 23
- 11:30 am-1:30 pm – Military Appreciation Event
- 5:30 pm-8:30 pm – Chamber Week Reception
As it did last year, the Chamber will be introducing its own business package this session in support of lowering the cost of doing business, spurring economic development and investing in the future of Hawaii. Topics range from reducing overlapping regulation and furthering the manufacturing industry in Hawaii to supporting early childhood learning. The package was developed in conjunction with the Chamber’s seven volunteer-driven policy committees comprised of members and the Chamber’s board of directors.
“Our role at the legislature is one of our most important functions. For each legislative session, we review and prioritize each of the 2,500+ bills that get introduced, said Menor-McNamara.
“This year, in addition to tracking and supporting or fighting against bills, we are going to take a more proactive stance by introducing our own package of bills to protect employers from increasing business costs, support the progress of new industries and sectors, and create an environment that will attract new business, promote competition and stimulate expansion of the private sector to provide increased employment opportunities.”
The Chamber’s Business Advocacy department coordinates advocacy efforts on behalf of its members and the business community in Hawaii. Along with advocating, the department’s primary duties are to facilitate the implementation of the Chamber’s legislative agenda and to provide research, logistical and drafting assistance to the Chamber’s policy committees which include:
- Infrastructure, Transportation, Quality of Life
- Economic Development & Innovation
- Workplace Environment & Competitiveness
- Workforce Development & Education
- Small Business & Entrepreneurship Advocacy
- Military & Armed Services
- Manufacturing in Hawaii Group
To register for Chamber Week events and for more information, visit www.cochawaii.org.
This year’s Chamber Week sponsors is supported by premier sponsors The Hawaii Group, Transitional Care Partners; title sponsors 1132 Café, Central Pacific Bank, Hilton Waikiki Beach; supporting sponsors Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association, Hawaii Pacific Health, Olsten Staffing and Professional Services; and media partners Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Hawaii News Now and Pacific Business News.
As the leading “Voice of Business” in Hawaii, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is the state’s largest organization advocating for businesses in Hawaii. Established in 1850, the Chamber works on behalf of its approximately 1,000 member companies and the business community, as a whole, to advance the state’s economic climate and help businesses succeed. The Chamber supports its members with training, business building and networking opportunities; coordinates advocacy activities for members’ involvement; and serves as a liaison between civilian and military communities in Hawaii. Visit cochawaii.org.
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Contact: Lori Abe
808-545-4300
808-282-4398 (mobile)
labe@cochawaii.org