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Local chambers of commerce offer a variety of services to area companies. All can be very helpful in locating appropriate and pertinent sources of information. Services vary, but include referrals, issuing certificates of origin, resource guides, and facilitation of contact with other businesses in your field, government services, and experts in international business. Chambers known to include services for international business are listed here.
California Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1736
Sacramento, CA 95812-1736
1215 K Street, 14th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Tel: (916) 444-6670
Fax: (916) 325-1284
Email: susanne.stirling@calchamber.com
Website: http://www.calchamber.com/international
http://exporthotline.com
Susanne T. Stirling, Vice President, International Affairs
The California Chamber of Commerce is a broad based non-profit membership organization that includes over 12,000 firms, 450 affiliated local chambers of commerce and 200 trade associations. Through grassroots action programs, the chamber reaches out to a statewide network of nearly 275,000 small business owners. The Chamber monitors state and federal law regarding international trade issues, offers general export advice, has a library in Sacramento to help companies research overseas markets, hosts and sponsors trade shows and missions, and stimulates cooperation between members. The California Chamber provides two international trade publications: the `Exporting Guide for California' and the `International Trade Resources Guide.' It has an international website and also offers website access to the export hotline listed above and under the section has an international website and trade hotlines.
Oakland Metropolitan Chamber Of Commerce
475 Fourteenth Street
Oakland, CA 94126
Tel: (510) 874-4800
Fax: (510) 839-8817
Email: slevenfeld@oaklandchamber.com
Website: http://www.oaklandchamber.com
Stacia Levenfeld, Economic Development Manager
The Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce's primary function is to promote commerce and industry, to advance economic growth, and to enhance the quality of life in the city of Oakland. Services offered are legislative and public advocacy in favor of a free and expanded trade and contacts with trade officers. The chamber assists in export documentation, in particular with Certificates of Origin. Members pay $5 for this service, and non-members pay $25.
Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce
325 Forest Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Tel: (415) 324-3121
Fax: (415) 324-1215
Email: info@pacc.batnet.com
Susan Frank, President and Chief Executive Officer
Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
917 7th Street, 2nd floor
Sacramento, CA 95814-1017
Tel: (916) 552-6800
Fax: (916) 443-2672
Email: chamber@metrochamber.org
Rusty Hammer, President & CEO
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
235 Montgomery St12th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: (415) 352-8853
Fax: (415) 392-0485
Email: jvliet@sfchamber.com
Website: http://www.sfchamber.com
Joanne Vliet, Director, International Programs
The chamber attracts, develops and maintains business in San Francisco. Chamber members conduct business throughout the local region and worldwide. The Chamber's international department and members of the international committees create programs and activities that build international business relationships and promote trade in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Activities of the department include presenting a regular series of programs, seminars & networking events, hosting commercial delegations which provide one-on-one business meetings for member firms, as well as working with visiting heads of state, ambassadors and other leaders who impact the global economy and business environment. Publications include an annual comprehensive International Business Directory, a monthly newsletter, and the Bay Area International Business Events Calendar, which is distributed weekly via email and fax. The Chamber also provides Certificates of Origin.
San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
310 South First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Tel: (408) 291-5265
Fax: (408) 286-5019
Email: p.millard@sjchamber.com
Website: http://www.sjchamber.com
Pauline A. Millard, Associate Director
The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce works to improve the success of the business community in general, and its members in particular. The chamber offers several programs dedicated to networking and sharing of information. In addition, it provides an international business directory, an international news column in its newspaper, Certificates of Origin and Letters of Introduction. The San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce has over 2,000 members, reflecting a cross-section of Silicon Valley businesses of all sizes, geographic locations and industries.
San Mateo Chamber of Commerce
1021 South El Camino Real, Second Floor
San Mateo, CA 94403
Tel: (650) 341-5679
Fax: (650) 341-0679
Email: sanmteo@ix.netcom.com
Website: http://www.sanmateoca.org
Karen Tremain, President
The San Mateo Chamber of Commerce has over 900 chamber member companies in all aspects of business: retail, service, financial and professional. The chamber organizes business development programs, extensive reference materials and educational workshops. Legislative updates, networking functions and promotional materials from the chamber give area businesses valuable information and growth opportunities. They offer free, on-site counseling by CITD representatives, co-host CITD workshops and can provide verification and introductory letters for member companies seeking meeting overseas. There are no charges for these services.
Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce
1850 Warburton Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Tel: (408) 244-8244
Fax: (408) 244-7830
E-mail: art.nance@santaclara.org
Website: http://www.santaclara.org
Arthur Nance Director of Chamber Programs
The Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization and business service agency. It can provide local exporters with country of origin certification at a cost of $10 per certificate for non-members and free for members. It holds business expositions and conventions on sales & marketing. It also conducts research on legislative effects on individual business sectors and provides unspecified member services.