Rachel Beld CEO Vista Chamber
For a full century the Vista Chamber of Commerce has positively impacted the Vista community. Launched on June 6, 1923, the Vista Chamber of Commerce was formed by a group of eighteen engaged citizens who all agreed to become members. Now, our growing membership represents nearly 600 businesses and tens of thousands of employees.
Because this is our centennial year, I’ve spent some time researching the Chamber’s history and I thought it would be fun to share some highlights of the Chamber’s impact over the years.
When the Vista Chamber Board hosted their first Board Meeting on
June 13, 1923, the group agreed that the first order of business was to create a slogan contest to brand the community. Later that summer, Mr. EA Marsh won $20 for offering the winning slogan of Viva Vista!
Since then, the Chamber has been instrumental in defining and/or amplifying the identity of Vista. Other Vista themes over the years have included Climatic Wonderland, Strawberry Capital, Vista Made, and Vista Beer. In addition, the Chamber launched the Vista Magazine in 2007 aimed to celebrate all things Vista – business, community, and education.
Since its early days, the Vista Chamber has worked to build consensus for infrastructure and community services. For example, in October of 1924, the Chamber hosted a party to celebrate the successful bond election which established the Vista Irrigation District. According to the Vista Historical Society, the party included dancing, a band concert, and a moving picture show! In the early 1960’s the Vista Chamber established a committee to begin a study of the area’s facilities with the idea of incorporating the community into a City. The City was then incorporated in 1963! Also, around that time, the Chamber advocated for $2.5M in flood control channels throughout Vista and hosted a ground-breaking complete with a “Golden Shovel.” The ground was broken along Buena Vista Creek behind the then Post Office which is now the Film Hub and Chamber office! In recent years the Chamber supported Prop L, a half-cent sales tax measure that funded a new Civic Center, Moonlight Stage, a new fire station, and the Vista Sports Park.
In 1981, the City Council unanimously approved a specific plan for 672 acres for the South Vista Industrial Park. Vista Chamber of Commerce advocated for the approval saying, “The development would provide more than 13,000 jobs for the area and would allow the students graduating out of our high schools and junior colleges to find jobs rather than move out of the community.” Today the Vista Business Park represents approximately 900 companies and 21,000 jobs. The Chamber has also been a key player in advocating for downtown Vista, including Vista Village and Paseo Santa Fe. This includes working with officials to evaluate and amend business regulations that are a barrier to business success.
The Vista Chamber of Commerce has always worked closely with school officials and was instrumental in the creation of the original Lincoln School, advocating for the bond measure to fund the project. Now, Vista Unified represents 19,000 students at more than 30 schools. The Chamber works closely with VUSD and local charter and private schools on several education-related programs. Our business members need talent, and that pipeline exists, right here with Vista students! The Chamber’s partnership includes anything from advocacy and awareness about school issues/topics to actual programs like the Rising Star Student of the Month and the Velocity Internship Program.
The Chamber is focused on supporting businesses, everything we do centers on this goal. As we look to the next 100 years of impact, we contine to evaluate and expand our business resources, educational opportunities, and access to talent pipeline. We invite you to join us for the next 100 years and beyond! Learn more at vistachamber.org.
