Kathy Lambert doesn’t have a silver bell at her desk or a distinquished double-buttoned blazer, but she does describe her role with the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce as a kind-of business concierge.
As membership director, Lambert has many roles. She’s responsible for growing membership, being the voice of business in the Valley, and helping members with absolutely anything they need – even if that includes a great dinner recommendation. “I love seeing the person behind the business build confidence and grow in the community,” Lambert says. “I love meeting new people and connecting them with others in the community. To become a member of the Chamber means you become a member of the community, and there’s so much strength in the community when we come together and share information and share ideas.”
A Growing Community
The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce is a collective of several local chambers located in the Valley including Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indio and La Quinta. Their mission is to support a diverse business community through economic development programs, public events and advocacy work.
The Chamber was formed in 2016, and now has more than 800 members. “We are the largest chamber in the Valley, and I understand the second largest in the state of California,” Lambert says. “We are growing daily, and we are a very active chamber. We have two networking events per month and we actually put on more than 200 events per year. We’re also a small team.There are only six of us altogether at the Chamber.”
On the membership team with Lambert, Jo Beth Prudhomme and Vanessa Arroniz are key figures in promoting the Chamber, planning events and creating an impressive membership experience. Diana Soto is CEO of the Chamber, and the Events Team includes Enda Rodriguez and Guadalupe Fox.
Something for Everyone
In 2023, the Chamber will be working hard to make sure there’s an opportunity for every individual and business to connect with others in the community. The Southwest Arts Festival will bring together more than 15,000 people at the end of January. Hosted by the Chamber and the City of Indio, the event includes live music, with pottery, glass and fine art painting. The 16th Annual La Quinta Hot Rod and Custom Car Show is also scheduled to take place February 25th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the La Quinta Community Park. In partnership with the City of La Quinta, the event will boast entertainment, food, drinks and a beer garden. It’s completely free for all ages. This year’s show will offer up several prizes for Best Street Rod, Best Classic, Best Muscle Car and Sports Car.
Lambert says these events are important to connect people to local businesses in the community . ” There’s really something for everyone at the Chamber. I invite any business that has an interest in knowing what the Chamber can do for them, or how they can get involved to just come to one of our events,” Lambert says. “We have a ton of resources for you to take advantage of. You just need to pop by and say ‘hello,’ and watch us help you grow and thrive.”
