Committees

Program Committees

AMBASSADORS: First Tuesday at 8:15 a.m. in the Chamber boardroom.

The Ambassador Committee serves as the public relations arm of the Chamber. They attend grand openings and ribbon cuttings and assist in all special events. Subcommittees of the Ambassador Committee include:

• Mayor’s Breakfasts
• Business After-Hours Mixers
• The Tamale Festival Parade Float
• The Tamale Festival Beer Booth
• The Date Festival
• The Southwest Arts Festival ™

The Mixer subcommittee sets up, works, and takes down the bar as well as greets guests and sells raffle tickets. The Mayor's Breakfast committee greets guests, helps with registration and serves as hosts at the breakfast as well as many other events. The Date Festival Subcommittee helps to promote the National Date Festival & sponsors a display booth during the festival. The Tamale Festival Float subcommittee designs a float and enters it in the Tamale Festival parade. The Tamale Festival Beer Booth subcommittee organizes and helps set up and work the booth at the Tamale Festival. The Southwest Arts Subcommittee organizes and helps set up the Artist hospitality area, and assists as Artist Ambassadors.

CITY OF INDIO/INDIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS RECRUITMENT & RETENTION COMMITTEE:

Fourth Thursday at 7:30 a.m. in the Chamber boardroom.

This committee is limited in number and by appointment. They meet on a monthly basis and work with City and Chamber staff on projects that will affect our businesses and community. They plan and organize with city staff, a booth for the ICSC Conference in Las Vegas, work to update and coordinate marketing material, work on ways (including lunches, personal visits, workshops, mailings and conferences) to attract new business and retain existing businesses.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE:

Committee works with representatives of Desert Sands School District, business leaders, and City and Chamber staff to help in sustaining and supporting those who serve us in the education of our youth. This committee will aid and assist where possible in the advancement of educational achievement by facilitating the needs of educators in their efforts to be successful and support public policy relating to education which effectively serves the business community.

HISTORIC MURAL PROJECT:

Second Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. in the Chamber Boardroom

Committee dedicated to increasing visitor traffic to Indio and enhances the City's visual impact through the Historic Mural program. This group determines the subject, location, and artists for a series of artwork on various buildings in Indio, and makes available prints of the murals for public sale.

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS & PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE (GAPP):

First Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the Chamber boardroom.

This committee studies legislative issues pertaining to business on a local, state, and national level. After studying the issues, recommendations are made to the Board of Directors for Chamber action. Letters are written on Board-approved issues stating the Chamber's pro-business position. This committee plans to become even more involved at the state level where legislation can have a great effect on our businesses. They also organize and present at least one business seminar each year and sponsor candidate and/or issues forums prior to elections.

MARKETING COMMITTEE:

Second Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. in the Chamber boardroom.

The goal of this committee is to keep tax dollars in Indio and to encourage tourism to our community. This committee is seeking ways to help make Indio residents aware of the benefits of doing business in Indio and increase attendance at our Festivals and events, while growing our tourism oriented businesses and the sales and TOT taxes that help finance City services.

Special Events Committees

BizNet BUSINESS SHOWCASE & EXPO:

The committee supports staff in planning and volunteering at the Business Showcase & EXPO. The EXPO provides attendees with first hand contact and information regarding member businesses, and the opportunity for members to show off their services and/or products. Over one hundred booths provide the one thousand plus visitors insights into local businesses and services. This is a must Business event.

GOLF COMMITTEE:

The committee organizes all aspects of the tournament in cooperation with the golf pro at the host site. The Golf Tournament is typically held in early spring at a Chamber member golf resort/country club. Each member course has an opportunity, via the bid process, to be selected as the host site for the tournament. This is a "fun" member/guest event and a fundraiser for the Chamber's budget.

HOLIDAY COMMITTEE:

Produces a three-part holiday program: The Lighting and Decorating contest for both residential and commercial entries; the popular Bus Tour of the decorated and lighted homes in Indio; and a festive Tree-Lighting Ceremony at City Hall, with music and a visit from Santa.

PIRATES OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY FALL FUNRAISER:

A fun-filled fundraiser, "Pirates of the Coachella Valley" includes swashbuckling fun, Buccanneer Bar, Captain Jack's dinner, live pirate show, silent auction, live auction and many enjoyable surprises. Committee members plan all aspects of the party including entertainment, food, silent auction gifts and more.

SOUTHWEST ARTS FESTIVAL®:

The Chamber's major fundraiser has grown so big that a Southwest Arts Festival® Committee was formed to help the staff organize and grow the event even larger. Volunteers are welcome in planning as well as during the event.

TAMALE FESTIVAL® BEER GARDENS:

The Tamale Festival falls on the first weekend in December. Volunteers are needed to produce and run the Tamale Festival Beer Gardens. This is a fundraiser for the Chamber.