Chamber President Patricia Feldman-Donaldson with Ned Chaffee recipient Betty Patterson

Chamber President Patricia Feldman-Donaldson & Past President Don Harris in the 2007 Hawthorne Christmas Parade

The Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce has been in existence since the 1920’s, and in continuous operation since 1959.

When Robert Hartman was recruited from the Inglewood Chamber to permanently implement this vital arm of the city.  Today we have a membership of over 250 local area businesses, and serve as the voice of the business community of Hawthorne.  This is done primarily through committees, including the Ambassadors, Communications, Economic Development, Government Affairs, Member Services and Special Events committees.

Chamber Ambassadors are a special group of people who volunteer their time to help promote Hawthorne Area businesses and support Chamber functions.  Ambassadors are always in attendance at Business After Hours events, Member Orientations, Ribbon Cuttings and special events such as "State of the City Luncheon" and our Annual "Installation Dinner".

The Communications committee oversees the Chamber newsletter, The Hawthorne Hotline, and the website.  Committee members also meet regularly and discuss communication issues between the city, Chamber, its members and area businesses, and how to best resolve them.

Economic Development committee members provide input from the business community to the City regarding Redevelopment and Revitalization Projects.

The Government Affairs committee…

Member Services committee members go out to every new business that comes into our city and encourages them to become members of the Chamber; to get involved with our committees, attend our mixers, host mixers once they become a member, and submit information for our newsletter.

The Special Events committee organizes and oversees all special events put on by the Chamber, including the State of the City Luncheon and Address and the yearly Installation of Officers. 

The Economic Development Committee, provides business community input to the City of Hawthorne for Redevelopment and Revitalization Projects. Regarding Revitalization Projects, this committee is working with the City Staff to administer Federal Block Grant Funds to renovate store fronts along Hawthorne Boulevard.

The Government Affairs Committee monitors Hawthorne City Council and California and Federal Legislatures to inform our members of legislation affecting their interests, to solicit their views, and to present their views to our elected representatives. This committee was instrumental in minimizing proposed business license fee increase impacts in 1995. Government Affairs also compiled a list of business concerns about a proposed transfer of fire protection responsibility from the City to Los Angeles County. The list was provided to the City for its use during 1995 negotiations with the County.

Our Communications and Program Development Committees are continually reviewing member services and Chamber-sponsored events to provide the greatest value for our members and the community. One of the highlights of the Chamber's program each year has been our History of Aviation Awards Banquet, celebrating significant contributions to aviation and aerospace industries. As the Cradle of the Aviation Industry in the South Bay, Hawthorne has a rich heritage to draw from for Chamber-sponsored History of Aviation Awards and for the City's Annual Air Faire.

Our goal is to provide members and the business community with opportunities to promote their businesses, and to promote cohesiveness and a sense of belonging within the community. We have sponsored special events, such as a Civic Awards Luncheon to honor a parent and citizen of the year, Member Appreciation Day, Spring Fashion Show & Luncheon, and an annual golf tournament. Each of these events is designed to offer opportunities for our members, to promote their businesses and for the community to participate in festive affairs.

Membership in the Chamber is open to both businesses and individuals and offers a great opportunity to become involved in the affairs of Hawthorne. It provides networking opportunities, marketing/promotion information, SCORE business counseling (sponsored by U.S. Small Business Administration), advertising opportunities, referral service, Certificates of Origin, ribbon cutting ceremonies, and information, research, and administrative assistance.

Make it a point to stop by the Chamber and introduce yourself. Join us at our next mixer and discover what the Chamber has to offer.