OBMA Member & Business News

Is your facility prepared for an influx of electric vehicles?

From SDG&E: The San Diego region is about 10 percent of the state. If Governor Brown’s goal of 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on California roads by 2025 is reached, our region could see 150,000 electric vehicles on our streets. We already have over 23,000 EVs in San Diego. It’s not a question of “if” you will be asked to install charging, it’s a question of “when”?  SDG&E’s Power Your Drive program is installing 3,500 electric vehicle charging stations at apartments, condos and businesses across our service area. Interest in the program has been strong with over 400 properties on the interest list and only 350 sites available as of now. Sign up on our interest list or learn more on sdge.com/PowerYourDrive.

OBMA Member Event: Social Media Workshop (Business Development Series)

Join us for "Setting Your Business Up for Success" -- our next Business Development Series event, a social media workshop sponsored by local experts Aliro Marketing, Intrepid Network, and Brown Marketing Strategies. Delicious breakfast will be provided by Wonderland Ocean Pub with coffee by Pirates Cove Tiki Port. Bring your business cards for our prize raffle! This event will take place on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at Wonderland Ocean Pub, 5083 Santa Monica Ave., Suite 2B (upstairs). Registration and breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m.; the program will be from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Free and open to all OBMA members and their employees.

A new energy analysis tool for medium-sized businesses

From SDG&E: Try SDG&E’s newest online energy tool, the Business Energy Analyzer, designed to help medium-sized businesses. It can help you make sense of complex energy data and guide you in creating an action plan to save money. It also tracks your energy-efficiency efforts and offers high-level reports on bill and energy use patterns for multiple meters and accounts. Enrollment is free. Learn more at sdge.com/bea.

SDG&E Energy Showcase

From SDG&E: Attend SDG&E's 12th Annual Energy Showcase at the San Diego Convention Center on May 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Browse dozens of state-of-the-art products, compare electric vehicles, get inspired by local business success stories, and talk to an energy service specialist at the Energy Solutions Center about ways SDG&E can help meet the needs of your business. For more information, visit sdge.com/2017ES.

EcoChoice℠ is a productive choice for businesses

SDG&E’s EcoChoice program gives customers the option to purchase up to 100% clean, renewable energy. The program may be a good option for those who lease or don’t have the ability to adopt solar due to costs or the inability to put panels on their rooftop. With Ecochoice, there’s no upfront installation cost and you’re supporting clean, renewable energy in our community. Those who enroll will pay a small premium every month depending on their subscription level. Customers can visit our online calculator to estimate how much it will cost each month to purchase renewable energy through the program. Customers can also enroll online. For more information, visit sdge.com/ecochoice.

North OB Committee Mixer/Happy Hour at Voltaire Beach House

The OBMA North OB Committee cordially invites North Ocean Beach merchants to a mixer/happy hour at Voltaire Beach House, 4934 Voltaire St., on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, from 5:30pm to 7pm. Attendees will receive a complimentary well drink. Please join the committee members to learn about their efforts to improve North OB! (This event is in lieu of the regularly scheduled North OB Committee meeting, typically the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10am.)

Secrets to Getting Money Back for Employee Training with North Park Main Street

North Park Main Street presents: "Get your money back" HAPPY HOUR! Secrets to Getting Money Back for Employee Training! Wednesday, March 15, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mike Hess Brewing, 3812 Grim Avenue Enjoy complimentary beer and food provided by Mike Hess Brewing and City Tacos and Tostadas restaurants! REGISTER AT: http://bit.ly/npmsworkshop Come and learn how to receive free monty for training your current employees or for hiring new employees. Improve employee performance with improved skills to help them and your business succeed. Employers are invited to learn how to apply for training subsidies, wage reminbursements, free HR help and other hiring resources at this workshop.

Business Development Series: Health & Finance Program

Please join us for the next 2017 Business Development Series event on Thursday, March 2, at 8:00 a.m. at Wonderland Ocean Pub, 5083 Santa Monica Ave. Hosted by Erik D. Karlson, financial advisor at Edward Jones, this Health & Finance Program will include information on promoting your physical and financial health. Don't miss the delicious free breakfast and top-notch class! To reseve a space for yourself and a guest at this educational workshop, please call 619-223-8357 no later than Friday, February 24, 2017.

Prepare for Heavy Rain

Merchants: A series of heavy storms are headed to San Diego. High tides and a storm surge are expected. Please take proper precautions TONIGHT to protect your building including sandbags and any other measures your particular location requires. Do not wait for the deluge in the morning!

Cooperative Advertising Opportunity: San Diego Magazine Visitor's Guide

Hi Ocean Beach businesses! I’m working together with the Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association to help promote your Ocean Beach business to San Diego visitors through the San Diego Tourism Authority’s Visitors Guide!  Would you like to be a part of this co-op with your fellow Ocean Beach businesses? This is the premier official guide for all of San Diego County through the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) and is ‘the’ guide people get at the Visitor Centers, Airport, Car Rental Facility, hotels, etc.  It is available in print and online.  And they can request a copy via mail before arriving to San Diego.

Vote NOW for OBMA People's Choice Awards!

OBMA members are invited to vote for People's Choice selections for our committee awards for the 2017 OBMA Annual Awards Celebration! Winners will be announced at the event. VOTE HERE by noon on Monday, January 16, and don't forget to join us on Thursday, January 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Point Loma Masonic Center, 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, for the big night!

New Sales Tax Rate for 2017

California City & County Sales & Use Tax Rates (effective January 1, 2017) San Diego (City) – 7.75% Sales Tax Rate This is .25% lower than the rate in 2016.  Please make sure to adjust your sales tax rate on your online stores and your in-store registers.  

Save the Dates - Annual Marketing Breakfast, Annual Awards

Training funds available for retail employers

Sage Business Education has shared with us that the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP) received a grant to help retail employers conduct employee training to increase their skills in a wide variety of areas, from customer service to leadership to software. So, they have "FREE MONEY" for training current employees, but the money must be allocated before the end of February.

2016 Merchant Holiday Packet

The holiday season is here! To help you take advantage of the spirit of the season, increased foot and online traffic, and advertising opportunities, we've prepared the 2016 Holiday Packet for you. The packet includes information on our popular storefront decorating contest, OB holiday events, advertising info, and the holiday homes contest.