The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce defines true community.
You might think you know what a chamber of commerce does. They are one
of the oldest forms of local governance, working to bring business communities
together to network and help each other function. One of the most famous
chambers of commerce organized a seminal tax protest: the Boston Tea Party.
In the United States there are approximately 3,000 chambers of commerce,
varying in size and function.
What most have in common, though, is they give businesses a voice while
banding together to help their communities. The Torrance Area Chamber
of Commerce, founded in 1913, serves small businesses and large corporations
alike to help them succeed.
The Torrance Area Chamber serves 852 different business organizations in
31 cities including Torrance, Palos Verdes, San Pedro and Hawthorne, with
members in all parts of Los Angeles. “We have to be relevant to
small and large organizations,” says president and CEO Donna Duperron,
who is entering her 21st year with the chamber. “So we do a series
of free programs for our members, including Health Plus, which is rolling
out in September. Every month we’ll provide an educational program
in partnership with gyms and hospitals including Torrance Memorial. We’ll
also present programs such as Tech Talk, Women in Leadership, Helping
Young Professionals Excel. There’s truly something for everyone.”
Advocacy for business is another major function for the chamber, and a
government affairs committee—which includes the mayor of Torrance—
meets monthly to represent the interests of members in Sacramento and
even Washington, D.C. “The Torrance Area Chamber was one of 19 chambers
recognized with the President’s Circle Award for our advocacy efforts,”
Duperron says proudly.
The chamber also hosts appreciation breakfasts and luncheons for local
police and fire departments and partners with Torrance Unified School
District, El Camino College and Cal State Dominguez Hills to provide a
State of Education presentation every year. An annual Grand Mixer is held
in partnership with the Japanese Business Association—this will
be the 21st—and in September members help Heal the Bay for a beach cleanup.
“And each December we host a Health Care Forum with leaders from
area hospitals and health care systems including Craig Leach, CEO and
president of Torrance Memorial,” adds Duperron. “It gives
our members a chance to hear about new trends and legislation and provides
updates on insurance and Medicare policies.”
It’s a lot. “None of it would be possible without a talented
staff, a forward-thinking board of directors, dedicated ambassadors and
the best members ever,” Duperron says. “That’s how we
get so much done!”
For information or to get involved go to
torrancechamber.com or call the office at 310-340-5858.