The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Inaugural Gala Pasadena Chamber of Commerce members, community leaders and guests celebrate our business community at the annual Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Inaugural Gala on Friday, July 8, 2016. The hosted cocktail reception and silent auction begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena. Dinner and the festive program begins at 7:30pm.
This year, the Chamber celebrates the installation of Ishmael Trone of F & M Business Center, Ideal Youth and Unyque Financial Realty as Chair of the Board for 2016-17. With the Chamber’s emphasis on workforce development and our ongoing partnership with Pasadena Unified School District to support college and career academies in the high schools, it is the perfect time for Ishmael Trone to take a leadership role as Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors. Ishmael has vast experience working with young adults through Ideal Youth and he has a passion for workforce development. Ishmael envisions a Chamber with a sharp focus on creating a future where college and high school graduates are able and prepared to take a meaningful place in the local workforce.
The Chamber also installs new officers and Board members for the year. Joining the Board of Directors this year are Aida Dimejian of Century 21 Golden Realty, Catherine Farrell of Kaiser Permanente and Nathalia Morales-Evanks of the USC/Pacific Asia Museum.
The evening will feature the presentation of scholarships to local students. Scholarships are awarded to emancipated foster youth who are 
The Pasadena Chamber will recognize two Corporate Citizen of the Year awardees at the Inaugural Gala, as well. This year, the Chamber will recognize Bolton & Company and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Bolton & Company is a fuller service insurance service located in east Pasadena that employs more than 300 people. The company has a foundation that raises money to support local charities. The Pasadena Tournament of Roses stages the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game and has been a strong and positive influence on Pasadena for more than 125 years. The Tournament of Roses Foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local non-profits.
Chamber members contribute thousands of dollars-worth of valuable and unique services, products and treats for the silent auction. This year, items include travel packages, golf outings, event and sports tickets, dinners, opportunities to explore local attractions and VIP treatment at local wonders. Proceeds support Chamber activities. A highlight of this year’s silent auction will be the ultimate Broadway experience: tickets to Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, airfare and hotel, a private in-theater meet-and-greet and dinner with two cast members before the show. Also available are two premium seats to UCLA vs. Stanford with parking, VIP tailgate and game day food courtesy of the Rose Bowl Stadium. We also have a gourmet wine basket from Art Deco Entertainment and a Chocolate and Wine gift basket from WOW! Event Productions as well as trips to Fiji, a truffle hunt in Tuscany, a golf tour of Ireland and a ‘secret’ Santa Barbara wine experience. In addition, Chamber members have donated tickets to local sporting events and cultural activities. The Pasadena Playhouse is offering tickets to an upcoming show and the Pasadena Symphony and POPS is giving four tickets to any upcoming Pasadena Symphony performance. IUOE Local 12 has donated a five-night stay at the luxurious Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C. Also offered in the silent auction is golf for two and lunch at Annandale Country Club courtesy of James Ellis and Eagle Associates. Local restaurants are also donating dining experiences. City of Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek is donating a lunch with he and up to three guests at a local restaurant. Another highlight of the silent auction is
Corporate tables cost $1750. Individual tickets to the Inaugural Gala cost $175. Valet parking and a hosted cocktail reception are included.
Gold Sponsors of the 2016 Inaugural Gala are Kaiser Permanente and Wells Fargo. Silver Sponsors are Hollywood Burbank Airport, Huntington Memorial Hospital, Parsons Corporation and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.
For more information or to be sure you receive an invitation, call (626) 795-3355.
The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association is a professional business organization. Since the earliest days of Pasadena, the Chamber has played a major role in the development of this internationally renowned city. Since 1888, when the organization was founded as the Board of Trade, the Chamber's primary purpose has been the enhancement of both the business climate and the quality of life in Pasadena. The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce serves 1500 members.