The Palo Alto Chamber is at the hub of Palo Alto’s vibrant economic scene, located in a friendly, multicultural city with exciting educational and entertainment activities, surrounded by beautiful baylands and open space, and year-round, outdoor recreational attractions.
Members come from throughout Silicon Valley and as far away as New York City, all seeking to connect in the birthplace of Silicon Valley, where workers and residents alike enjoy an unparalleled quality of life. From Fortune 500 global corporations to startups, from nonprofits to solo practitioners, award-winning restaurants and hotels, corporate innovation centers from Europe and Asia, law and venture capital firms, from Stanford University to world-class medical institutions and top public and private schools, the Palo Alto Chamber members encompass the most unique membership group of any chamber in the United States.
The Chamber is also the Palo Alto Visitor Center, the one-stop source of support and information about Palo Alto and Silicon Valley for visitors and those relocating to Palo Alto, and operates as an adjunct center of the San Mateo County/Silicon Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Business relationship building opportunities
The Palo Alto Chamber provides networking opportunities for businesses to connect through a variety of programs and events. For example, continuing its impressive contributions as the epicenter of innovation, Palo Alto is a partner with 20 U.S. cities and the U.S. government to ensure the responsible and equitable deployment of “smart city” technologies. Chamber members partner with the city in these efforts through PAiP, our Palo Alto Innovation Partnership™ for civic innovation.
Other networking and business enhancement programs include:
- Business Referral Networks – weekly B2B networking groups
- “EPIC” young professionals monthly meetups
- Business members mixers
- Women in Business programs
- Palo Alto Innovation Partnership
- “Palo Alto PowerUp!” entrepreneurship series
- “Good Morning Palo Alto” quarterly public policy breakfasts
- Nonprofit business workshops
- New member receptions
- Ambassadors Committee – program and event volunteers and business peers
- Business XPOs, including the Silicon Valley (10 chamber) XPO
- Ribbon cuttings & certificates of origin
- Free business counseling with Silicon Valley SCORE mentors
Legislative & Government Action
The Chamber actively participates in the legislative process to ensure that elected officials are educated on the impact their decisions make on the business community and to advocate for policies that promote and protect area businesses and their employees, and the vitality of the community as a whole.
Signature events
The Chamber’s high-visibility, annual signature events provide opportunities for cross-sector networking and outstanding marketing opportunities for our sponsoring members.
Tall Tree Awards
Palo Alto’s most coveted recognition, the Tall Tree Awards, are given to honor individuals and organizations that have shown exceptional civic contributions and service to the community. The Global Impact Award is given on special occasions to individuals who, through their work and civic contributions, have had an impact far beyond our community that has made our world a better place.
ATHENA Awards
The ATHENA professional leadership awards recognize and honor the achievements of outstanding professional and business women who excel in their chosen field, contribute to the community and open paths to others so they may succeed.
Palo Alto Festival of Arts
The Palo Alto Festival of the Arts, hosted annually by the Chamber of Commerce in late August, is the Bay Area’s top juried art and wine festival. Supported since 2015 by presenting sponsor Palo Alto Medical Foundation, it draws more than 170,000 people with more than 300 fine art purveyors, food and wine booths, and staged music entertainers.
Leadership Palo Alto
Leadership Palo Alto seeks to motivate community leaders to become more engaged in the community through 10 full-day, monthly sessions that provide the Fellows with a deeper understanding of the interacting components of government, public safety, business community, economic climate, housing and transportation, education, nonprofits, the environment and sustainability, health care systems and Stanford University.
DON’T MISS OUT – BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER!!
Research confirms that consumers are more likely to do business with a company if it’s a member of their local chamber of commerce. Membership in our Chamber offers numerous benefits and keeps business owners and managers on top of important, ever-changing issues and trends within our community and local marketplace.
For more information about sponsorships and a full list of member benefits, contact the Chamber at (650) 324-3121, or email info@paloaltochamber.com.
The Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed for holidays and Fridays during the summer.