More than 300 local businesses participated in the Alameda Economic Forecast & Business Expo at the USS Hornet in Alameda on Thursday, September 26. The event, hosted by the Alameda Chamber & Economic Alliance, briefed attendees on the Bay Area’s economic landscape and provided business professionals with an opportunity to connect with each other.
“It’s a wonderful thing that the Chamber of Commerce is doing this kind of gathering—everybody doing some networking, trying to share ideas, and trying to bring a positive attitude to Alameda,” said Gio Khazri, who represents Jow Way Eyewear and runs a boutique at 1542 Park Street. This was his first time as an attendee at the Economic Forecast & Business Expo, and he said he hopes to attend more events like this “to help small businesses in Alameda—especially after COVID, everybody is kind of hurting.”
Bente Peterson, owner of Craft-Chocolate, the only independent chocolatier in Alameda, has attended the event every year since it began in 2020. Bente said that the event is very important to her, because she doesn’t use social media very much. The event is a chance for her to connect in person with other professionals and businesses.
“I always get good business when I come here,” Peterson said. At this event alone, Bente said she had already made plans with several other businesses, including Malaya Tea Room, Café Jolie, and DigiFli.
The event hosted a “Fiscal Fireside Keynote Conversation” with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and State Controller Malia Cohen. During the discussion, Ma and Cohen gave their expertise on various economic issues, initiatives to support local small businesses, infrastructure financing, economic development, and the role of AI and other technology in future work.
At the end of the discussion, Cohen presented a special resolution to Alameda Chamber President and CEO Madlen Saddik, recognizing her significant contributions to local economic development and community growth.
An economic discussion panel with Alameda business leaders concluded the program. Panelists included Adam Elsesser from Penumbra, Joe Ernst from srmERNST, Joann Guitarte from Café Jolie, Abby Thorne-Lyman, Director of Base Reuse and Economic Development, Gia Schneider from Natel Energy and Tammeil Gilkerson, from Peralta Community College District.
The expo was a big success, Saddik noted afterward. “Everybody told me the food was good, the program was excellent, and they learned a lot,” she said. “I got a lot of raves about it, which makes me happy.”
Vicky Nguyen is a contributing writer for the Alameda Post. Contact her via [email protected]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Vicky-Nguyen.
