Pleasanton Chamber Cancels Events Due To COVID-19

Press release from the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce:

July 2, 2020

The 2020 events calendar will have a different look for the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce and the business community with an announcement to cancel its annual golf tournament as well as its two tradeshow mixers for 2020 due to the uncertainties of COVID-19.

Those decisions come after careful consideration by the Chamber Board of Directors and staff and the responsibility to follow guidelines that have been set forth by the Alameda County Public Health Department for social distancing and limited attendance. In addition, those events are funded through sponsorships and participation from the business community. Due to the economic impact many have felt, the Chamber feels it is best to hold off at this time and focus on coming back strong.

The Golf Outing was set for August 7, 2020 at Callippe Preserve Golf Course in Pleasanton. The tournament, which has taken place on the first Friday in August for many years, has served as the main fundraising event for the Chamber, attracting around 115 golfers and countless sponsors.

The Tradeshow Mixers were slated for May 13, 2020 at The Club at Ruby Hill and November 4, 2020 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. The spring event had been postponed originally, with the hope of it taking place this summer. The tradeshow mixers traditionally attract more than 200 people and around 40 vendors, with food, drinks, networking and prizes.

The Chamber understands that many of the organizations and businesses who would typically participate in the golf tournament and the tradeshow mixers are enduring challenges that they never have faced before: uncertainty, limited financial resources and reduced workforce, just to name a few. “These are challenges that we know would have had an impact on the participation of these events,” said Susie Weiss, Events & Communications Manager for the Chamber. Weiss said the Golf Outing will be back in 2021, and they are planning for the first Friday in August at Callippe.

Cancellation of the golf tournament and the tradeshow mixers are disappointing for a number of reasons. After months of social distancing and sheltering in place, the Chamber understands people are eager to attend social events again. Many of these large events will not be occurring in 2020, due to remaining county health restrictions. “Even if we were to have people willing to participate in these events in a modified format, there is no guarantee the current health orders would allow them,” Weiss said.

“The safety of our members, businesses and community is our top priority,” said Pleasanton Chamber President/CEO Steve Van Dorn. “The Chamber is currently focused on the overall health of our members and the recovery of the Pleasanton business community,” he said.

Weiss said those who had registered and paid for any of these cancelled events will be contacted by Chamber staff to make arrangements.

This press release was produced by the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author's own.