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Who are we?

The Sonora Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization representing the community of Sonora.  Our goal is to be a unified voice of our diverse business community; recognized as a valuable resource of business advocacy, respected for our commitment to promoting commerce while preserving our history, culture and the cherished quality of life of in Sonora. We are dedicated to raising awareness of the Sonora area and Tuolumne County area as a tourism destination.   We are also committed to listening to the concerns of all segments of the greater Sonora community to promote dialogue and effective problem solving to ensure the continued growth of our marketplace for the future.

What do we do?

  • Publish Sonora Magazine twice each year in partnership with the Union Democrat.  This magazine is extensively used by visitors to our area as well as Tuolumne County residents.  All members receive free publicity in the magazine.
  • Host monthly Town Hall Meeting (Wednesdays, 8am in the Sonora City Council Chamber).  This provides merchants with an opportunity to learn about local issues (lighting, road improvements, etc.) and voice concerns.  There is always a representative from the City Council and City Management in attendance and generally a member of law enforcement.
  • Partner with local businesses to host monthly Mixers.  This is a great opportunity for business people to network and share ideas with other merchants.  It also provides the host business with a way to publicize their business to other Chamber members.
  • Second Saturday Art Night in downtown Sonora (Jan-Dec).  Encourages merchants to stay open from 5-8 and offer music in their businesses (average of 12 businesses provide entertainment each event).  Provides an incentive for tourists and locals to shop locally and eat at local restaurants.  Merchants who participate are provided with a standalone banner to place in front of their business.
  • Host five Second Saturday After 8 Concerts in Coffill Park (June-Oct), again to provide activities for tourists and locals and bring offer an additional reason to stay in downtown after Second Saturday activities are over.
  • Linoberg Art Mart, held on Second Saturday (5pm-8pm, June-September).  Provides opportunity for local artists to demonstrate their crafts and an additional inducement for people to visit the downtown area.
  • Host five Friday Flix interactive movie nights (Jan-May) to provide activities for tourists coming into town for the weekend and locals looking for a fun activity.  This brings patrons to downtown Sonora.  Guests are provided with a goodie bag to allow them to be interactive with the movie. We hold a movie-related costume contest. At each movie additional fun activities are included. No host bar and free popcorn. Admission only $5.
  • Provide grants to local musical artists through the Mountain Performers Fund to assist artists who participate in Second Saturday.  To date, 17 grants for over $5,000 have been made.
  • The Annual Tri-Chamber Golf Tournament is a co-hosted event with Calaveras and Amador Counties.  Hosting is rotated each year and in 2018 the event is being hosted by the Sonora Chamber of Commerce.  The golf course for this event has not been finalized.  This event provides a way to network with business owners in the tri-county area and enjoy a great day of golf and an evening dinner and reception.
  • Partner with and partially fund the Watch Program for our Shine Up Downtown Sonora (SUDS) initiative.  This is one way we help to keep litter picked up on our downtown area.
  • Sponsor the annual Small Town Cheer Holiday Window Contest which is a contest that awards merchants in the downtown area who decorate their storefronts for the holiday season.
  • Additional financial “give-back” opportunities include things like our support of the Red Church Building Fund ($1500 in 2017), Mother Lode Fairgrounds ($20,000 in 2017), continued maintenance of the Sonora High School Steinway Piano which was restored by the Chamber in 2010, and donations to the Cancer Center at Adventist Health Sonora, Project Hope and Meals on Wheels.
  • NEW for 2018  - Provide seminars/workshops on topics that affect your business like our new Business Over Breakfast meet & learn seminars.  More info to follow.
  • NEW for 2018 - Members Helping Members program to assist members with major projects in their businesses.  More info to follow.
  • NEW for 2018 – Partnering with Distrx to provide our own Sonora app.  More info to follow.

How are we funded?

  • The majority of our funding comes through Chamber members and friends volunteering to staff Beer/Wine booths at special events like the Sonora Celtic Faire, the Tuolumne County Fair, All Hallows Faire and similar events.
  • Annual dues paid by member businesses.
  • Gold, Silver, Bronze and Community sponsorships.  Businesses who contribute to the Chamber at the sponsorship level receive additional benefits.  Our current Gold sponsors include Adventist Health, Black Oak Casino, TCEDA, and Chicken Ranch Casino.  Our Bronze Sponsor DBI Beverage.  Our Community Sponsors include Wells Fargo Bank, Sonora Lumber, the Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau, The City of Sonora and Sonora Florist.