Geographical Networking Leads 21st Century Social Media Charge
Location-based networking has become increasingly popular with the spread of smart phones like Apple’s iPhone. Wondering how small businesses can use this technology? See how Foursquare has created a fun “game-like” experience for their users and your consumers.
Tim Seidel - a "Face of the Industry " on camera
Tim Seidel is the manager of the ConocoPhillips’ Refinery on the Nipomo Mesa and a young exec clearly on the rise. His leadership and his team’s continued record-breaking safety performance put the refinery in a prestigious group of exemplary operations nationwide. Tim was picked to be the focus of a “Faces of the Industry” video produced by the American Petroleum Institute. One of only a very few honorees … Hearst Castle’s marketing to new generations and special audiences tells you our local treasure is about more than the past. Spectacular holiday decoration, night tours with costumed docents, self-guided tours – all very forward thinking. And if you’ve stayed away because of stairs and too much walking, take a look at the “physically challenged” tour. Golf carts and front-door drop offs make everything a breeze. Special shout out to Castle PR chief Dan Eller and fab tour guide Julie Blow for a recent first person, top-notch experience … Next generation talent: Cuesta student Drew Kirsch donated hours of time to shoot and edit videos for the recent Central Coast Economic Forecast. Check out his work. Thanks, Drew. We suspect a bright future awaits … Quick bit with big implications: Sierra Vista has gone green and is now live with its electronic documentation system. No more paper … BCA’s own Dave Cox turned the tables at a recent CEO Roundtable, moving from member to guest speaker to share his expertise in branding.
Remote control fun is in the works on Dec. 9 at a SOFTEC meeting open to the public. Eight local high school robotics teams will bring their creations (funded by SOFTEC grants) and put them through their paces. 7:30 pm at Ventana Grill in Pismo … Upcoming programs from the Mission Community Services Corporation: this Saturday, Dec 4 from 9 a.m. to noon, Machele Ruthemeyer and Leslie Lang-Lopez guide businesses through the changes in the SBA loan program. Hear it from the experts. On Dec. 7 the topic is federal acquisition regulations, also 9 a.m.-noon … If your end-of-the-year plans include finding office space (hopefully because you’ve outgrown current space), check out RRM Design Group’s LEED Gold, state of the art and very cool facility on Hind Lane in SLO. Perfectly suited for a firm of 8-12 people. Contact Susan Whalen at (805) 543-1794.
Taking a delicious break during the Cruise for Kids event.
Lots of community spirit: 200 local Harley owners princely braved bad weather to ride from Paso to Parkfield in a “Cruise for Kids” fundraising event that raised $8,000 for SLO County Special Olympics. BCA Controller Kerri Parris-Brown and husband Tim were two of the riders who enjoyed a great outing that included breakfast provided by a local 4-H Club, a BBQ lunch by Bay Osos Kiwanis and entertainment by the Mean Gene rock band. Congrats on a revved-up team effort … PIC Andrea Blanco is one of those amazing behind-the-scenes tireless people who make a profound difference in our community. She works at Laguna Middle School as a liaison in the ESL program, personally connecting with kids and families with language issues and economic challenges. It looked like this year her annual family party would go on, but without gifts due to a short timeline. We can’t have that, and so we put out a call to some pals who jumped in within an hour of a simple e-mail ask. Warmest holiday thanks to the folks at Andre, Morris and Buttery, Duggan Smith and Heath, Law office of John Spatafore (seeing a legal theme here?) and Marcy Villa, Sharon Young and our eager employees at BCA. Santa’s Workshop is at full tilt but we still need about $200. Anybody want to play? Send us an e-mail … Speaking of Andre, Morris and Buttery and community spirit – SLO County residents may not know that the spectacular Santa Maria Holiday Parade is put on by Santa Maria Rotary. Rotary member and AMB firm administrator Mike Gibson is one of the superstar organizers who has been marching the parade along for years.
