Chamber Programs

The Chamber of Commerce has a full slate of programs that it produces throughout the year.

Find it in Albany
The Find it in Albany program is our answer to a traditional "Shop Local" program. Most residents would like to shop local, but don't know where to get what they are looking for. Our Find it in Albany includes a website where anyone can search for businesses by type and name in Albany (FindItInAlbany.com), and popular Find it in Albany maps that display member businesses on a convenient map of the City of Albany. This program is sponsored by the City of Albany, as well as businesses who chose to advertise on the Find it in Albany maps. The FiiA program targets new residents and businesses, sending them the FiiA map along with information about member businesses.

Lights on Solano
Sponsored by members Arkin Tilt Architects, Almost Everything Communications, and the City of Albany, the Chamber has installed decorative LED lights on the light posts on lower Solano (between San Pablo and the BART tracks). In addition to using highly efficient LED lights, we've also installed light-sensitive timers so that the lights are only on when it is dark. We are delighted to help make Solano an attractive, appealing place to shop and dine. We hope one day to be able to expand this program to San Pablo area, but those light posts are owned by CalTrans, and any program must go through a lengthy approval process.

Albany Street Banner Program
The Chamber of Commerce is honored to have been selected by the City of Albany to oversee their special Centennial Street Banner program. At the end of the Centennial period, we hope to continue placing banners on San Pablo and Buchanan Avenues.

Recycle Your Rebate / Recycle Your Dollars Program
The Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the City of Albany, the Solano Avenue Association and Mechanics Bank to produce this special "Shop Local" program. The program features a special website, posters and postcards. During a special 1-month period, timed to coincide with the initial mailing of the 2008 Federal Tax Rebate checks, we are encouraging local businesses to offer special discounts to Albany Residents and business people who carry the special "Rebates for Albany" card.
More information and participant list...

Holiday Events
The Chamber of Commerce and the Solano Avenue Association are responsible for the holiday lights strung down Solano Avenue in December. The two organizations have also teamed up for other activities, including the popular "Santa on Solano" weekends in December. The Chamber has also arranged special holiday bus service, a City holiday tree and menorah, and more.

Tour and Taste of Albany
Begun in 2002, the Tour and Taste of Albany is held on the first Sunday in June and is an opportunity for residents from around the Bay Area to visit Albany and experience first-hand the City's unique character and collection of restaurants and merchants.

Monthly Business Mixers
One of the chief tennets of our mission is to support and encourage a thriving, collegial business community in Albany. One of the chief ways we do this is with our popular mixers. Hosted by Chamber Members, these events are normally held the last Wednesday of the month. Visit the events page to see when the next mixer is scheduled.

Albany T-Shirts
Show your civic pride with a specially-made Albany T-Shirt. These shirts are a popular fundraiser for us and help everyone spread the word about what a great place Albany is. For the Centennial year, we have beautiful Centennial logo T-Shirts.

Ribbon Cutting Program
When a member opens a new business or an expansion of their existing business, we're happy to show up with our giant scissors and offer an official ribbon cutting. This is a fun way to bring attention to new and growing businesses.

Albany Citizen and Student of the Year
Each Summer the Chamber of Commerce selects an adult citizen and and Albany student to be honored as Citizen and Student of the year. The honorees and their families are our guests at a special dinner in their honor, and appear in the Solano Stroll parade.

Fourth of July Ice Cream
This is a small activity, but one of our most popular! For more than 35 years, the Chamber of Commerce has hosted a free ice-cream giveaway at the City's Fourth of July Celebration.