"Oakland A's Spirit Week" Returns for 2014

Oakland Gearing Up for Kickoff to
"Oakland A's Spirit Week"

Monday, March 31 – Sunday, April 6

 

The 2013 American League West Division Champion Oakland Athletics, Visit Oakland, the City of Oakland, and Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce will kick off "Oakland A's Spirit Week" Monday, March 31 to celebrate the start of the regular season. The celebration will last all week until Sunday, April 6.

During this citywide celebration, marking the start of the regular season, fans are encouraged to show their team spirit by wearing A’s apparel or green and gold all week.

There will be a variety of spirit initiatives including:

 

·        AC Transit bus headers to read “Go A’s” on all busses

·        Oakland Airport (OAK) to shine green and yellow lights curbside at both terminals

·        An A’s flag to fly atop Oakland City Hall

·        An A’s flag to fly atop the Tribune Tower

·        Hotel front line staff will wear A’s hats

·        The Salvation Army of Alameda County will hold a luncheon to honor the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, April 22 at the Hilton Oakland Airport. Tickets available at www.alamedasalarmy.org

During the 2014 season, Visit Oakland will continue to work closely with the Athletics organization and city offices to engage fans and promote games to visitors.

More information about Spirit Week can be found at: http://visitoakland.org/blog/lets-go-oakland.

How Are You Seen? Presentation Is Everything

Whether we are representing ourselves or our companies, how we appear to others—that is, how we brand ourselves—is crucial to sending the message we want to send, particularly to those with whom we want to do business. Reviewing our brands should be a regular occurrence. At its September 17 meeting, the Oakland Chamber’s Non-Profit Roundtable tackled a number of aspects of corporate and personal brands, including how we as individuals represent our organizations and companies to the world.

Equally important is how we discuss our brands internally. Are all staff members on the same page, using similar language or materials? Do all of our organization’s materials reflect the same brand? Further, how does leadership role model the brand to staff? And how do all staff model the brand to the community?

Both at the beginning and the end of the meeting, attendees shared simple ways that they were roles models of their organization’s or company’s brands. Examples included carrying a mobile phone with a periodic table on its case for a science education organization; consistently being friendly, positive and accessible; carrying branded safety whistles to share for an emergency preparedness organization; and actively using or wearing a company’s product (such as logo apparel).

Several speakers also shared their expertise with the attendees. These included Veronique Anxolabehere of Nest Marketing (www.nestmarketingteam.com), Natalie Alvanez of Visit Oakland (www.visitoakland.org), Kristin Long of MIGHTYminnow Web Studio & School (www.mightyminnow.com) and Juanita Walker of JM Walker & Associates.

Each speaker presented a different perspective on branding and shared such important notes as:

·         Others will judge you and your organization/business whether you like it or not

·         When you’re presenting your business, you are your business

·         Clarity and consistency of internal and external communication are extremely important, particularly as you are competing for attention and revenue

·         It is important to be true to who you are

·         Branding is an experience – know what comes to mind when folks hear about you or think about your company/organization

·         Share why someone should choose your organization or company.

·         Your information needs to be everywhere; not being available when and where it’s needed, diminishes the brand

·         Design a brand that is accessible in every presentation and media platform—from brochures to web site to social networking sites to phones

·         Draw others to you, as well as going after them

 

At the conclusion of the meeting, we each shared one simple thing we learned that we can personally put in practice or take back to our respective organizations/companies. Suggestions included:

·         Always greet colleagues with a friendly but firm handshake

·         Always carry some brand-representative collateral to give away

·         Make sure your website displays properly on tablets and smartphones

·         Put your nametag on your right side, just below your collarbone

·         Provide training to staff and volunteers on proper business etiquette

Special thanks to Iryna Oreshkova of Iryna Accountancy (http://www.irynacpa.com) for bringing cookies, and Dale Marie Golden MacDonald of Torrey Pines Bank (www.torreypinesbank.com) and Kristin Long of MIGHTYMinnow (www.mightyminnow.com) for bringing great door prizes.

 

* * * * * * * * *

The next Oakland Chamber Non-Profit Roundtable meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2013, from 2:30-4:30pm in the Chamber Boardroom. Please join us in a conversation on ways of taking care of ourselves and helping our colleagues take care of themselves.


Contacts:
Co-Chair Âna-Marie Jones, Executive Director of CARD (AMJ@CARDcanhelp.org)
Co-Chair Jerry Metzker, Development & Marketing Manager of Biotech Partners (jerry.metzker@bayer.com)

Chamber Liaison Nikki Mendez, Membership Director (nikki@oaklandchamber.com)

 

Today is the kick-off to Raiders Week- See you at the Press Conference

DATE: Monday, September 9

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Steps of Oakland City Hall
                                           
Frank Ogawa Plaza (14th and Broadway in Downtown Oakland)  

*MEDIA ALERT/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY*

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, Raider Legends and Visit Oakland Kick Off 2013

NFL Season with Press Conference and Flag Raising at Oakland City Hall
Oakland partners and City officials will gather to kick off the Oakland Raiders season on Monday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. at the steps of Oakland City Hall. This is an opportunity for the dedicated Raider Nation to rally for their beloved team as they begin the 2013 NFL season.

Alison Best, president & CEO of Visit Oakland, will discuss the series of events for the week and introduce Oakland Mayor Jean Quan to speak. Raiders Hall of Famer Willie Brown will offer remarks and discuss the upcoming season. At the end of the press conference, the Mayor will join Raider Legends/Pro Football Hall of Famers Fred Biletnikoff and Willie Brown as well as the Raiderettes to raise the official Oakland Raiders flag on top of City Hall.



Additional Raiders Week events and promotions include:


 Monday, September 9 at 10 a.m. — Press Conference at City Hall


 Saturday, September 14 at 9:00 a.m. — Raiders Back to Football 5K Run at O.co Coliseum

 Saturday and Sunday, September 14-15 — Fairyland Pirate Weekend at Children's    Fairyland

 Sunday, September 15 at 1:25 p.m. — Raiders Home Opener at O.co Coliseum vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

 All Week — Wear Silver & Black gear to Lake Chabot Golf Course for special discounts

 All Week — AC Transit buses will post "Go Raiders" on all bus headers

 All Week — Chabot Space & Science Center will provide the "Black Hole Special" discounted admission to visitors wearing Raiders gear

 All Week – 95.7 FM The Game, the Raider’s flagship radio station, will giveaway certificates for Oakland attractions and dining gift certificates donated by Visit Oakland

 All Week — The Oakland Restaurant Association will work with local restaurants to create special menus and other incentives for Raiders fans

 All Week — Many Oakland Parks & Recreation staff will wear Raiders hats at all 26 rec centers

 All Season — The Oakland Marriott City Center, Waterfront Hotel, Executive Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn and Tribune Tower will fly Raiders flags atop of their buildings

 Visit Oakland provided 350 Raiders caps to various hospitality workers and Downtown/Uptown District Street Ambassadors

 5,000 "Feel the Heart of the Nation" cheer cards have been distributed throughout the community by the Downtown/Uptown District Street Ambassadors, Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Save Oakland Sports and Visit Oakland

Follow the hashtag #RAIDERSWEEK on social media to stay in the loop on all activities.


CONTACTS: Kim Bardakian, Visit Oakland, Director of PR & Partnerships

510-208-0529, 510-499-5723 (c); kim@visitoakland.org

Mike Taylor, Oakland Raiders, Director of Public Affairs

510-780-3026; 510-332-1641 (c) mtaylor@raiders.com

Samee Roberts, City of Oakland, Marketing Manager

510-238-2136, 510-220-8140 (c); sroberts@oaklandnet.com

Art & Soul 2013

Bay Area Blues Society- Put on a truly fantastic show on Sunday, the energy was felt by the large crowd in Frank Ogawa Plaza as they sang along and danced to the well known songs.

 

 

Have you seen Visit Oakland's new ride? Check it out here! A one of a kind custom car designed by ours truly Oaklandish. 

 

In case you didn't get a chance to go to church in the A.M., Art and Soul 2013 provided "Sunday Afternoon Gospel Hour" produced by Terrance Kelly and hosted by City Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney.

Local talent Jovan Watkins is  seen here belting out original inspiring tunes from his new album, coming out soon!


Great event, already have it saved in my calendar for next year...Thanks City of Oakland!

The Dine & Unwind Restaurant Series begins TOMORROW

Oakland Restaurant Association Announces
The Dine & Unwind Restaurant Series

Beer Maker Dinner on July 23 at Jack London Square’s Forge

 

Oakland, CA – Oakland Restaurant Association in partnership with The Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Visit Oakland is proud to announce the first ever series of monthly featured events hosted by some of Oakland’s top restaurants focusing on wine tastings, cutting edge cuisine, artisan breweries and other vibrant Oakland-based venues.  Oakland’s Dine & Unwind Restaurant Series celebrates the exciting and dynamic restaurants that Oakland has to offer, making it a thriving culinary destination. Each month, a different venue will host guests looking to experience some of Oakland’s best.  The inaugural event will take place at Forge tomorrow July 23.  15% of all proceeds from the event will benefit 51Oakland, a non-profit organization that promotes educational, artistic and musical opportunities for youth in the Oakland public school system.

"This monthly, moveable feast is a great opportunity for visitors and locals alike to enjoy Oakland's unique offerings," said Alison Best, president and CEO of Visit Oakland. "We wanted to provide an opportunity for the community to experience a selection of Oakland's restaurants and tasting rooms that are key contributors to the flourishing transformation of Oakland."

Forge at Jack London Square will host the inaugural beer maker dinner event tomorrow, July 23, which will feature three of Oakland’s most celebrated breweries: Linden Street Brewery, Drake’s and Ale Industries.  Forge is one of Oakland’s newest restaurants and is known for its wood-fired cooking, Neopolitan-style pizza and American classics in a prime waterfront location.  Forge will highlight some of their classic menu items alongside the three outstanding local brews. Ticket price is $50 per person.  Guests can make reservations through the website at http://www.theforgepizza.com or by calling 510.268.3200. 

Future events will take place at participating venues including Picán, Bocanova, Lungomare, A16 and many more.  For more information about Oakland’s Dine & Unwind Restaurant Series, please visit http://www.oakrest.org/ or contact Ivette Torres at 510-874-4800.

 

Non-Profit Roundtable works to make Oakland more hospitable

By Jerry Metzker, Co-chair, Oakland Chamber Non-Profit Roundtable

Oakland's growing prominence as a destination for visitors from both near and far was the subject of the June 19 Oakland Chamber Non-Profit Roundtable meeting.

Presenters Myra Howay and April Tamaddoni from Visit Oakland shared a number of ways that community benefits organizations and other non-profits can utilize its growing body of resources to promote themselves and strengthen the infrastructure and prominence of Oakland.

The primary role of Visit Oakland is to ensure everyone who comes to Oakland is greeted and welcomed.

"Getting to sell the entire City of Oakland gives me goose bumps," Tamaddoni gushed.

One of the ways that Visit Oakland can help organizations is to act as liaison between them and the various hotels to schedule events and activities. With intimate knowledge and strong relationships with the hospitality businesses in the community, Visit Oakland is able to design a proposal process and review the results to help organizations make the best choice for their needs and budget.

"Our goal is to bring more business to Oakland," Howay noted.

Visit Oakland is also able and willing to create customized visitor's guides and packages for any number of out-of-town guests. Those in attendance received a sample package that included a variety of information and some terrific postcards of Oakland.

"Oakland has so much to offer," Howay declared, including a popular fine arts and music district, excellent cuisine from a variety of countries and cultures, professional sports teams, hiking and Lake Merritt-the oldest animal sanctuary in the country.

Visit Oakland also wants to hear from the members of the community, and the city's guests. Posting stories and experiences on its Facebook page is a fantastic way to spread the word.

One of Oakland's primary hosts is Children's Fairyland, located in Lakeside Park on the northwest corner of Lake Merritt. Executive Director C.J. Hirschfield shared with the Roundtable several of Fairyland's great accomplishments as well as improvements and new opportunities.

Children's Fairyland has the only children's performing arts theater in this region, and the longest-running puppet theater in the U.S.A.

Although a non-profit, 82% of the operating and program income is earned from ticket sales and special events. These events include weddings and adult nights. (The next adult night will be held on July 20, 2012.) Fairyland is also developing mutually beneficial partnerships with other Oakland-based businesses, such as Oaklandish and The Crucible (which is also a non-profit).

"We are in the memory-making business," declared Hirschfield, "and we love it!"

Children's Fairyland continues to explore ways to engage children and their families, not simply in the fun and the arts, but also by developing resources and partnerships to improve health and increase literacy.

"We are continuing to up our game," Hirschfield concluded, inviting Fairyland's non-profit colleagues to propose collaborations.

In addition to the conversation on hospitality, a new business in Oakland extended an opportunity to non-profit Chamber members. Dugaduga.com is a unique new social networking site designed to connect individuals with similar interests to participate in activities together, such as mountain biking or knitting. The site enables individuals to connect online and then pursue their interest or activity together.

Dugaduga.com founder Jessie Ivey declared that for-profit corporations need to recognize that they have a responsibility to the communities in which they do business. As part of its giving back to the community, the Internet company is offering 10% it's advertising to nonprofits that do not discriminate. For more information, contact them at Staylon@dugaduga.com.

Please mark your calendar. The next Non-Profit Roundtable committee meeting will be held on July 17, 2012 from 2:30-4:30 pm in the Oakland Chamber board room. The conversation subject will be Transportation, and we are lining up several guest speakers.

Oakland Chamber Non-Profit Roundtable

Co-Chair Ana-Marie Jones, Executive Director, Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disaster (CARD)

Co-Chair Jerry Metzker, Development & Marketing Manager, Biotech Partners

Chamber Liaison Triche Christmon, Membership Director