Robert Heidt: [00:00:00] When you invest in an organization like ours, you may not see a one-to-one transactional return instantly. We're in it for the long game. We're in it for the regional advancement. What we're doing today may not pay off until a year from now. When we understand that we can speak the language, but we sort of remind them that yes, the curation of what we do makes the propensity for you to have those sort of transactional sales much greater 'cause.

When we grow business and we grow economy, your ability goes up.

Jeff Holden: Welcome to the Nonprofit podcast Network. Our purpose and passion are simple to highlight the incredible nonprofits that make our communities stronger. Each episode is a chance for these organizations to tell their story in their words, sharing not just what they do, but why it matters. [00:01:00] To the people they serve, to their supporters, and to all of us who believe in the power of community.

Through podcasting, we hope to amplify their voices, inspire connection, and give them one more tool to impact the hearts of donors, partners, and neighbors alike. This work is made possible through the generous support of our incredible partners. CAPTRUST offering fiduciary advice for endowments and foundations, Western Health Advantage, a local not-for-profit health plan that believes healthcare is more than coverage.

It's about caring core executive leadership and comprehensive support services. They work in IT so you can work on it. And Five Star Bank, a local trusted advisor to community nonprofits for over 25 years. The Sacramento Metro Chamber has been shaping the business community in our region for more than 130 years.

What that [00:02:00] role looks like today is very different from what it was even a decade ago. In this episode, I sit down with Robert Heidt, president and CEO of the Sacramento Metro Chamber to talk about how the Chamber is evolving to meet the needs of a modern business community that spans six counties and 22 cities across the capital region.

We talk about the power of convening leaders, the role of advocacy through programs like CAP to Cap, the importance of collaboration with organizations across the region, and why storytelling and relationships still sit at the heart of economic growth. Robert shares what it really takes to lead an organization that serves nearly 2000 businesses, why Chambers of Commerce still matter, and how the sacramental region can continue to grow stronger when business, government and community partners work together.

If you've ever wondered how the Metro Chamber fits into the broader ecosystem of Sacramento's economic future and why the growth trajectory has been so positive, this [00:03:00] conversation gives you a clear and thoughtful look behind the scenes to answer those questions. Robert Heidt, welcome to the Nonprofit Podcast Network.

Thank you, Jeff. This has not been an easy accomplishment to get you in here. You have been running a hundred miles an hour since you arrived a little over two years ago to run the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and what a job you've done. I cannot wait to get into this conversation, but for those who aren't familiar, could you give us the 30,000 foot view of the chamber, who it is, who it serves, and why it exists?

Robert Heidt: Absolutely. So, as you know, Jeff, the Chamber is 131 years in existence this year. We serve six counties and 22 cities here in the Capital region, and you know the chamber. Industry has evolved greatly, you know, over the last hundred years of what the Chamber was to what we've become. 'cause innovation and evolution is a part of every industry.

Every business and the chamber's no [00:04:00] different. You know, the Chamber is really designed to foster a strong local economy, to make sure that we're advocating for business, to championing those issues that make the great quality of life that we all come to know for a great community to live, work, play, invest in.

So the Chamber comes in many different shapes and forms to different people, but ultimately I think it's one of the best business decisions that anyone can make an investment in. 

Jeff Holden: Well, and what I like, we're gonna get into some of those specifics of what that investment provides. 131 years is amazing.

'cause when you think about that, that literally is coming outta the industrial incredible, you know, part of the country's economy into technology and where we are today with, with ai. What are some of the pivotal moments that you've seen in. Chamber history, knowing you've only been here for a couple years, but you've probably gotten a lot of information having been involved in seeing the business leaders in the community talk about their relationship to both the Chamber and its economic force in the community.[00:05:00] 

Robert Heidt: You know, for me, because I've served multiple chambers, you know, it brings a fresh perspective and a different lens to how I view this. You know, a veteran in this industry, you know, shortly after I got here, a few folks said to me, oh, well great, nice to meet you. What, what? What do you do next? What are you gonna do next?

And I'm like, Hmm, no, this is what I do. I'm a chamber nerd, right? Like I'm a chamber guy, this is what I do. 

Jeff Holden: And from a bigger market, Phoenix, for those who don't know 

Robert Heidt: Phoenix, I was in Austin, just outside of Boston and Vegas. And so what's interesting is, I think in the chamber industry, like you talk about the evolution and innovation.

When I first started in the chamber to get invitations out to attend our programs and events, it was through our fax machine. And fax machines at that time were not able to memorize numbers. So it was a lot of boop, boop, boop, and you know, send a fax and you wait for it to go through and you send the next and you sort of hope for the best.

So we as an industry have evolved. What fascinates me is how. Community leaders, young professionals, entrepreneurs, innovators who are engaged in a chamber [00:06:00] of commerce can tell the story of how they started off and they sort of weave their way through and then they sort of blossom. And they credit a lot of that through the Chamber network because we don't have all the answers.

You know, we're not the expert in every facet of, of commerce and business, but we're connected to. So I believe that we're a strong conduit to what needs to happen in a marketplace. 

Jeff Holden: You know, it's funny that you mentioned faxes because I remember the day we got a fax at one of the radio stations here.

When we got our first one, it's like we all stared at it waiting for it, something to come through it, and, and it did. And then a week later, the paper, there was nothing on it. If, if you recall, those first papers were thermal type papers. Mm-hmm. And if it got sun or light on it, the messaging was all gone and it was.

Such a neat piece of technology that I'm sure a lot of the people listening today have no relationship whatsoever to. But for those of us who do, and it's funny that. The technology is what's changed. It's the messaging that's still the same. Absolutely. [00:07:00] The messaging is what's important. It's not how we get it.

And we went from that fax piece of paper or to text to now what is, you know, some sort of an app or a, a cloud-based 

Robert Heidt: well 

Jeff Holden: service. 

Robert Heidt: And I think you make a good point about the, the messaging and what we represent still remains the same, you know, as an industry for a long time. I think chambers across the nation, Italian USA may have taken for granted a little bit because it was ingrained in the DNA that you should belong, you should belong to your local chamber.

You should be a part of Rotary, you should be part of Kiwanis or Optimus, all those different organizations that are community-based, service-based. Mm-hmm. Giving back. Mm-hmm. And not that that doesn't happen today, but we also have to think differently of how people prioritize their time, their investment, and sort of that loyalty to organizations like us or others.

And so we really have to craft our messaging. A little bit differently to tell the story. Mm-hmm. And so that's one of the things that's more challenging for us. 'cause we're so busy [00:08:00] every day and we go from one thing to the next to the next, that telling our story is something that we sort of suck at.

And we have to do a better job at reminding people what the chamber represents and the value it brings. Because even if you're a non-member of the organization, you benefit from the work of the collective. Good. 

Jeff Holden: And it's interesting you say that, the storytelling part of it. 'cause this is all about storytelling.

Robert Heidt: A hundred percent. 

Jeff Holden: And you could go back three or four years ago it was, but it wasn't called that. Now everybody is using that vernacular. That's the language. It's about storytelling. And storytelling is everything. Then it's getting it heard and seen. Absolutely. So it's one thing. You have great stories then what?

You know, how do you get it out there? How do you perpetuate it? 

Robert Heidt: And it's also what's in it for me. Yes. Right. How does this benefit me? So the messaging has to be unique. 'cause if you're talking to someone who is building a business and they're working out of their home-based office to someone that you know is running a major corporation, [00:09:00] the conversations that we have need to be tailored to that individual, that unique industry segment.

We have some universal language that we generally use all organizations, right? Sort of have that. But you know, that relationship based approach is what makes us successful. 

Jeff Holden: You know, and there's a second part of that too that's really challenging, is you have these generational gaps because you have seniors who may be 60, 70, 80 years old who are involved in the chamber speaking one language.

And then you have the youngest entrepreneurs coming in at 25, 30, 35 years old speaking complete different language. And you have to reach them differently, which gives you a complexity that's. Unique 

Robert Heidt: It is. You know, and that's where I mentioned earlier when you talk about people, you know, in my last chamber, I was there a little over a decade.

Mm-hmm. And I'll give you a quick story. There was a, a woman who worked in a credit union who was a branch manager and she was assigned as the chamber representative and her name was Maria. And so she started getting involved [00:10:00] and she would come to programs and things and she was sort of, she was a professional, she knew her industry inside and out, but it was intimidating to walk into the room of 75, a hundred, whatever that magical number was of business professionals from industries.

And it was, she was maybe a little bit soft spoken and she didn't know how to voice her, her thoughts and views, you know, she did, but she wasn't comfortable in that. And I watched through her engagement of us through different committees and ly, she became a board chair. And now that I'm gone and I look back, she is thriving and her words not mine, she has essentially said things like.

The chamber helped me become this. She was already the professional. Mm-hmm. The financial industry. But what we gave her was the platform and the conduit and the, and the ability to lead. 'cause leaders aren't born Right. People who are successful, they don't just, you know, it's, it's the community around them.

I mean, there's brilliant people who come up with these masterful ideas, but in order to be seen as a leader in the region or [00:11:00] in a community mm-hmm. You know, that happens over time and it doesn't happen because you have all success. Because there's a lot of failures in there too, 

Jeff Holden: right. 

Robert Heidt: That you, you sometimes don't talk about.

But you know, that is a part of growth. 

Jeff Holden: And to your point, we hear so often, boy, it's an overnight to sex. Look at how fast they've grown. And then you start to realize, yeah, it's the last two years that you've seen of the business that's been struggling and scrambling and scrapping for 15 years and they finally got it.

Robert Heidt: It's like that image when you see the iceberg and you see, you know, the person there smiling and then you don't see under the water, but the image shows the under the water and, and kind of gives that remind, reminding us of like the challenges and the sleepless nights. And I think any entrepreneur, any business owner, you know, you have to work in your business and owning your business.

Yes. And then when people have a family life and you know, sometimes they just wanna, you know, disconnect altogether. There is a lot that goes into that. And so we owe a lot to small business America, mid business America, that puts our heart and soul every day into [00:12:00] whatever product and service they offer, 

Jeff Holden: which is the majority of business in the country.

Robert Heidt: A hundred percent. 

Jeff Holden: Let's talk a little bit about programs. You mentioned that with the Maria in, in Phoenix, I'm assuming. Who, who grew through the programs grew personally through those programs. She had her professional part down, but it was the personal growth and I'm sure the connectivity to people and friends and people that built relationships as a result of the Chamber programs that she attended.

What are some of the programs that the Chamber provides? For businesses, generally speaking. 

Robert Heidt: So for us, we have, I'll kind of define it in two different ways. We have our signature programming and then you're gonna have kind of your member lineup of events and programs. Right. And then our foundation has a number of programming opportunities as well.

Mm-hmm. And so on our signature programs, we have our cap to cap, which is our advocacy program, where we will take leaders and community champions back to DC to advocate with one voice for six counties in 22 cities. No easy feat because everyone's [00:13:00] got their own, you know, 

Jeff Holden: agenda. 

Robert Heidt: Agenda. They've got their own priorities at which we, we love, but we also know that if we're gonna be effective in DC we've got to sort of speak within one voice and, and prioritize what we're, what the ask is for the Sacramento region.

So that's a unique program in itself. We have our study mission, which is where we will go to sort of a sister city, 75 to a hundred people every year. And we wanna study the ins and out, learn the pros and cons. What are the parallels? What are, what have they done to be successful? What. It also reinforces what we're doing well.

So it's not necessarily to say that we're not leading, but it's another way for us to see what, what's happening. So that's a, that's a one that, again, it's a fact-finding journey 

Jeff Holden: and similar size cities, right? 

Robert Heidt: Generally similar sized cities. 

Jeff Holden: Like, like in Austin and Indianapolis? 

Robert Heidt: Correct. 

Jeff Holden: Okay. 

Robert Heidt: So this year we'll be traveling to Detroit, so we're super excited Yes.

About that city. And I think they've been a comeback kid because they were on the verge of bankruptcy. Yep. And then what they have done for revitalization, I think is gonna be a lesson to learn from. You know, the other programs that we offer [00:14:00] are our annual dinner business awards. I know you've been a guest there and many people are familiar with that.

And that's really our opportunity to put the spotlight on those regional partners and leaders that make this community thrive. And we try to get a little story in there about what we're doing at the Chamber, but their knight really is about the recipients that are being honored. I'll switch gears over to our foundation.

And our foundation is really designed currently today with the emphasis around the young professional and how we have an obligation as an organization and a region to help grow and nurture the young professionals because they're the leaders of tomorrow. They're who are gonna be sitting in your, in my seat at someday.

Mm-hmm. And we need to do a good job at making sure that we keep that homegrown talent here. We also have our leadership program, which again, is designed in that facet. And then one of the newest programs we brought in under our foundation is the Sacramento Speaker Series. When we have member events, those are really designed kind of that coffee connect, that's that networking side of things.

It used to be Chambers really well known for a lot of their networking events. 

Jeff Holden: [00:15:00] Mm-hmm. 

Robert Heidt: I think Chambers are really trying to. Find the, what's in it for me when we're thinking about programming, because if you wanna attend an event in this region, you can go seven nights a week, right? Every day of every month.

Um, there's an event out there. We're really focusing on the strategic reason of why we're gonna convene a group of partners, business leaders, entrepreneurs, what we want them to get out of this, what is the benefit to them and why it matters. 

Jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Robert Heidt: So a little bit about kind of the different programming under our different programs that we have.

Jeff Holden: That's a lot, 

Robert Heidt: quite a bit. 

Jeff Holden: And, and I want to compliment you on cap to cap because that last few cap to cap's, friends who have attended sold out events. We're talking almost 500 people. You are carting to the capital, which is no small accomplishment. That's hurting cats. I know a lot of these people, and that's crazy.

Robert Heidt: It's, 

Jeff Holden: it, it's got to be a, a massive logistical. 

Robert Heidt: Yeah. Process. Here's a couple things about that program. You know, it is very common for chambers to go back to DC to advocate because we've gotta have our [00:16:00] voice heard and our elected officials will tell us, we need you at the table. We need to hear from you.

We need to hear, you know, the what's happening. What if these decisions are, are made in DC that the cause and effect that that occur. So for us to unify a region that you are here, you're a part of this community, six counties in 22 cities. Mm-hmm. Right? They're all amazing in their own right. But we've gotta go back with that one voice.

Now there are niche projects and nicking we're working on. We divide that group into 13 different policy teams. So that's a feat in itself because what we wanna do is we wanna work within those teams to craft, and we have policy papers for each of those teams so that we're speaking again, with a unified voice around healthcare, around environment, around whatever the public safety, whatever the issue may be, that we're focused, targeted this chamber.

Proudly takes the largest delegation of any chamber of commerce in the nation. Back to dc 

Jeff Holden: Thank you for that 

Robert Heidt: and 

Jeff Holden: [00:17:00] thank you for that. Pay attention to Sacramento county. 

Robert Heidt: It, it really is when you think about that, and it's not to, you know, look, I am a chamber guy by heart, so I want to be the best. So it's not to say that other chambers out there aren't doing great work.

It is, but that's a badge of honor for this region to carry. Also, administrations change and within that change comes a lot of turbulence, uncertainty, shifting priorities, and so sometimes organizations like ours could go back sort of with a vengeance and angry and frustrated. We're in unique times, and so some people align with administration currently, some people don't.

Sacramento is unique and I think that's what makes us special is because the people who are here, we have a lot of different creativity in terms of people. Mm-hmm. And beliefs. And so we actually got complimented quite a bit when we were in DC this past year for our approach to going in with the new administration because if you don't align, sometimes you think, let's go in blazing, you know, we're right, you [00:18:00] are wrong.

Jeff Holden: Yeah. 

Robert Heidt: That's not the approach. I think it's around education and us making sure that if they don't align with our views as a community and as a region, that we're sharing with them that, Hey, when decisions like this happen. This is what it means to our constituents. This is what it means to the residents.

This is what it means to our workforce. This is what it means to our environment. This is what it means to our transportation system. Mm-hmm. So we really find ourselves going back to storytelling. We have to do a better job at educating our elected officials, those federal agencies, about why Sacramento's issues should be of importance in their decision making process.

Jeff Holden: Because they influence so much. They influence so much. The largest state in the union, one of the most influential from an economic standpoint for sure. And what we say has value a hundred percent. And you're right, that story has to be crafted properly for them to listen appropriately. And, you know, knock on wood, we're making some, some headway there.

Robert Heidt: And what's also [00:19:00] interesting is the program has changed greatly over the 50 plus years that we've gone back. You know, initially it was around, you know, brack base realignment committee. Mm-hmm. Yes. And the for, you know, the closure of bases on the horizon. And so that was the unifying voice back in 1970 around this.

Mm-hmm. And so this program's long in existence. You know, we're fortunate we maintain such strong relationships with our congressional representatives and so, you know, we're, we see them here and sometimes we hear the argument, well, why do you have to go back to DC to do the work? We need to be there so that they, their counterparts also see that they've got a strong business coalition behind them.

Um, but it's the federal agencies. But we took it a step further within some of the teams last year where they were not just looking at having the conversations with our federal officials. They were looking at, okay, who serves on those committees that are making decisions? Mm-hmm. And do we need to spread it out a little bit further and, and sort of dive in to different conversations with other elected officials that are willing to take a meeting from outside of our region that are on a select committee making decisions.[00:20:00] 

And so that approach, I think, could help to prove, to be effective for us, again, in communicating what does this mean? Or have they talked to their community? Have they talked to their businesses? Have they talked to their residents to find out that if those decisions are made, this is what would happen.

Jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Robert Heidt: So I think that we are definitely a leader in this and the example for other communities to follow. 

Jeff Holden: And congratulations on that. You know, one of the other things that we hear too, from that captive cap as you and I were speaking, it's not just the political side of it and the influence at the capitol.

It's what takes place afterwards. And yeah, you can say, yeah, we hear some more what takes place afterwards, but those relationships that get built. And the conversations that get had that people just don't have the time when we're in our busy day to day in Sacramento. But when they're confined at a hotel or at a a, a lobby of a restaurant or however it occurs, mm-hmm.

It's, Hey, I've been wanting to [00:21:00] talk to you for however long, let's have that conversation. And that comes back and then it gets acted. We know these are the people who are making things happen in the community, otherwise they wouldn't be going, 

Robert Heidt: you, you are so accurate. This is about regionalism and you know, you think we were just chatting before we got one on air, but that, you know, we are sometimes 20 minutes an hour, 45 minutes apart from one another.

This should just happen and it does. But sometimes again, the makeup is. It's about a hundred and so a hundred or so each year. Freshmen. So first time attendees, a hundred plus elected officials throughout the entirety of the region. And then the makeup of the balance is what we call the veterans. They've been a number of years and there are people with a badge of honor, like a Roy Brewer who I think he has the longest tenured attendance in history of cap to cap, and there's many others.

But you know, the idea is that when we're home, our calendar sometimes can be so demanding and some of our elected officials and some of our business folks are going from thing to thing to thing. And then intentionality is there. We've [00:22:00] gotta get together. And I'm sure like you look at when we talked about first coming on this program, yeah, let's do it.

And then it takes a little bit of time and then all the best intentions happen. And then six months go by. A year, go by cap to cap is one of those unique opportunities where you have sort of everyone captive. You know, nothing happens without working across. You know, kind of boundaries and jurisdictions and the collaboration.

So when folks are there together, there is something magical where conversations do happen and then you sort of hold yourself accountable. Like, we're gonna do this when we get back home. Yes. But also, deals happen outside of the advocacy and we hear that over and over. Like I was in there and when we had that reception, I was finally able to connect with someone.

'cause your, your guard is down a little bit. You're in a different frame of mind. We're away from home. And then you have a different type of conversation and you're building that relationship. 

Jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. And I'm sure the study mission and leadership, Sacramento, a hundred percent. Every one of those is the, the convening of people who are leaders in the community that are significant.

Robert Heidt: It speaks to the three Cs of Chamber. We are a [00:23:00] convener and we were a champion and we are a catalyst for business. 

Jeff Holden: Love 

Robert Heidt: it. So three Cs and conveners. One of those top ones for us 

Jeff Holden: in terms of programs. I wanna address one, because this is something you brought in, you actually bought the speaker series.

And it, it's a little near and dear to my heart because I used to run KFBK and there was this thing called Perspectives. And we had this guy who was, you know, Sacramento, darling Rush Limbaugh, who came and he spoke and he hosted it and that was a big deal. And then it was Tom Sullivan and it was just a wonderful event.

And, and I'm, this is a self-serving comment here. I remember being at one of the events. The first one was really kind of fun 'cause I got to meet Sarah Palin, uh, you know, backstage with a conversation amongst a few people. But the other one was, there's this, this guy who just runs a station in Sacramento.

And I'm sitting on a stool in the lobby of the convention center at the time, and I'm sitting with two other people, Bibi Netanyahu and Walter Cronkite. [00:24:00] And I'm, I, I'm awed that I'm, it's just me. How did I end up with these two? And you know what the conversation was, their tennis game. I not 

Robert Heidt: little did you know that's what it would be about, right.

Jeff Holden: I don't play tennis. I didn't have a lot to offer, but we had a little bit of the conversation. To this day, I don't have a photo of it. I would kill for that photo maybe in the archives somewhere if somebody hears this at the Sacramento Bee, has got to have a picture of that someplace, but I will never forget it.

It was one of those days and one of those events and so many of them had significance and I see that with the speaker series today, where we have the ability to bring these incredible speakers into town that we would never have the opportunity or the the wherewithal to do it. It has to come through an organization that serves the greater community in that way.

So I'm pleased to see that it will be sustained through the chamber. 

Robert Heidt: You know what's interesting there, to comment on that just a little bit is, you know, Mitch has done a phenomenal job for the past 20 years with this speaker [00:25:00] series, and shortly after I got here, I think it was month one, Dave Roughten, who's the former CEO Yes.

Of State Credit Union. You know, he's a good champion of the chamber. He was the interim CEO until I got here. You know, he's like, Hey Robert, I got this guy. I know, you know, 'cause I'm new, I don't know many people. And he's like, you know Mitch, he wants to talk about this if you have an idea. And thought it was month one.

And I'm like, oh my goodness. Like this could be phenomenal. I'm thinking I've got 1,000,001 other priorities. I don't know how I'm gonna figure this out. So long story short, it was about almost two years in the making until we made the acquisition. But really what the impetus was is Carrie Thomas, who was our immediate past board chair of Sutter Health, had said, you know, she sort of grew up in the chamber.

So when you talk about people and personalized it, she can remember going to her first cap to cap as a youngster with her dad. And so there's another product of someone who's grown up within the chamber and benefited from what we do. You know, she wanted, as she was come becoming chair to bring back perspectives.

Now what that looked like, I don't know that anyone had any exact [00:26:00] idea because what it looked like back when you knew as perspectives to where we are today, very different. It's gonna be a little bit different. So we were sort of figuring out like, how do we bring this back? This was lingering in the background where Mitch wanted to, you know, kind of get out of the speaker series.

He's got a law firm, pistachio business, and maybe he wants to enjoy some time off. I don't know if he golfs, but you know, he wants to, to lessen his load talk and figuring this out. Ultimately, the conversation led into our acquisition of the speaker series and so we've produced now the first four and it's been remarkable, really exhilarating.

I think for us as an organization to have that as one of our new signature programs and really for the community who we've had in so far has been uniquely different in their own way. And we have another one coming up later this month. But what we wanna do is we really wanna transform Speaker Series into, and I think Mitch really liked the fact that it came over to the Chamber and our foundation, because we have an ability to tap into the region.

Unlike maybe what he and his team did, they did a phenomenal [00:27:00] job. But we're, we have a, a larger sphere to connect into. Mm-hmm. To bring people in because we're gonna bring these people in. To Sacramento, we are losing an opportunity to connect people within the community for organizations and or the under kind of served communities that otherwise might not have an opportunity to come to something like this.

I think as an organization that's our job is to figure out how to get them in the room to benefit from this, to sort of tie in the perspectives piece. We wanna keep the element of what everyone knows with Speaker series, but as we go into our contract negotiations, which we're in currently on speakers for the lineup, next year we're gonna curate something special, which is sort of perspectives like, so when we're bringing in.

A big name. We will curate the opportunity to have him or her join us either the day before or the day after, where we're hosting another event for the most influential leaders around the region. And so it will have a sort of perspectives element, but not a full day. Maybe it's a afternoon, maybe it's a brunch, maybe [00:28:00] it's a lunch.

But the idea is to sort of connect that person and the perspective they bring to the region, to the business community, a little bit different than what we do the night of. Because we don't wanna take away from that because that's a different tonality than what we want. So naturally, I believe our organization is right for the moment.

And who benefits is the community, 

Jeff Holden: right? And what a great tease you just gave. 'cause now we're all, what? What's that gonna look like next year? I can't wait. I can't wait to see what that turns out to be. I cannot wait to return to hear more from Robert Heidt of the Sacramento Metro Chamber, right after we hear from the businesses that help make this program possible.

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Scott Thomas: Hello, this is Scott Thomas with CAPTRUST in our Sacramento office. I specialize in working with local nonprofits and associations annually.

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Jeff Holden: in the progression of questions. Here, we talked a lot about the programs. There are a lot of programs and it's wonderful for, for the community to understand what those look like.

Let's move on to collaboration. 'cause you don't do this alone. Absolutely not. The, the Chamber doesn't exist in a vacuum and we have a lot of other organizations. We have [00:32:00] other chambers, you know, got the Roseville Chamber and the, the Rancho Cordova Chamber. Some of the, the stronger chambers that we see now growing and getting a voice in the economic community.

Uh, greater Sacramento Economic Council and Valley Vision. Even some of those can be confusing with the Metro Chamber. How do you collaborate? Who do you collaborate with? What does that look like? 

Robert Heidt: So you're right, you know, nothing happens alone. It comes, I think, from the culture and tonality that we set, we set for ourselves as a chamber, you know, through our board of directors, through all the volunteers that, you know, we are inclusive.

And I'm a strong believer in if we don't have room at the table, how do we make room at the table? How do we look at who's at the table today? Who's missing what, what perspectives aren't there? You know? And that's the culture we have where people feel welcomed, they belong whether you are whether. A sole proprietor or you're in a suit and tie running a major corporation every day.

The collaboration with the other organizations is vital to the [00:33:00] region's success. Right. It benefits us, but it's not about us. It's about lifting Sacramento up to be the best it can be. And when I say Sacramento, I mean the greater region because I don't wanna leave out any of the other great communities.

You know, when you talk about the partnership with an organization like GSEC , sometimes people get us confused and in some markets we're one in the same. And if you're in a smaller market, it's sort of, you know, a chamber slash an EDC group that's sort of working collectively to try to drive their local economy.

You know, the work that Barry does over at Gsec and his team and and their board is really about promoting. All the assets that Sacramento has to offer. You know, I've been at this a long time, and you know, they really have to cultivate relationships, and they call them site selectors. I really call them site eliminators because when they're looking at moving projects, and we're not gonna get huge projects every single day, right?

We wanna be strategic and what the region has to offer. You know, if they're, if their top five things are, we need, you know, this type of location, this type of [00:34:00] workforce, if we have two out of three, it doesn't matter what city we're competing against, it makes it more challenging. We can still try to fight for it, but it still makes it more challenging.

So as they attract those businesses into the region and show them this is what we've got as they land here, it's our job as a chamber sort of handing glove to integrate them in and help make them successful. Not that they're not successful in their own right. Mm-hmm. But just like me, a newcomer, right?

I've been in the chamber world a long time, two years in, I needed to help of partners and, and, and collaboration to help integrate me in. We're doing the same thing at the chamber, you know, and then you foster kind of the business retention, expansion side of things. And that's where Chambers Excel is that we need to work with partners and businesses to understand what it takes to get there.

You mentioned, you know, a valley vision. They, they're, they, they're great at research, they're a think tank. You know, they're helping to sign up, kind of pull together that data that helps to drive decisions, right? Mm-hmm. So we may not be the primary driver on data, but that's where our [00:35:00] organization, Evan, over at Valley Vision, Barry, I was actually just on a call yesterday with, and also James Corless, because we had worked on it prior to my coming on board.

The Prosperity Partnership. Mm-hmm. And as that sort of is coming into its final iteration of what that first phase was, the four of us are looking collectively to go, okay, it's up to us to figure out where we go from here. So we're now, we're meeting very, very regularly to figure out what does that look like for the region from the 30,000 foot level.

Because all four of those organizations, Secog, GSEC, and Valley Vision, we are all regional. And so we are mindful of what happens in various pockets, but we have to look at the big picture and how to get this organ or the region moving in the right direction. Mm-hmm. You know, when you talk about other chambers, look, I'm a chamber guy by heart.

I would tell any business. Belong to your local chamber. In fact, we had a local business that joined here in Citrus Heights where you're located. And they were a little upset with us at first because our program and events didn't align with the days that worked for [00:36:00] them. And you know, the instant thing to do in the industry might be like, oh, just leave them alone.

Try not to ruffle feathers. No, we're better than that as an industry and we're better than that as peers. So what I did is I picked up the phone and called shared de citrus sites chamber and said, we have a business that joined us. It's not a good fit. Don't want to toss you someone that's, you know, disgruntled.

Would you like to have a conversation and let's get their membership over to you? 'cause we're all independent. But at the same time, for me, it's not about just acquiring a member and saying, great, we have just another member, or it's another few dollars in the bank. It's about recognizing that the business joined sort of the mega chamber in the region.

And it wasn't alignment. But if I can align them to the Citrus Heights Chamber where they have a greater ability to make an impact locally, it will turns out a hundred percent success. Wonderful. They are 100% happy. Sherry couldn't have been more happy. That's just one example. But when it comes to chamber collaboration, we have to [00:37:00] work together.

We want to work together. Retail crime was one where we worked together. Mm-hmm. Collectively as an industry. Many other examples, but if it comes to chamber, you'll always hear me Champion, support your local chamber. And even if that means they're not gonna be a member of the Sacramento Metro Chamber, if they're a member of the Roseville Chamber or the Rancho Cordova Chamber, or any talent chamber here, I'm all for it.

Jeff Holden: And what's great about that is a Chamber member is best when they're engaged. And if they don't have the ability to engage, it is just a dues paying. Card. It doesn't, it doesn't mean anything. Absolutely. And, and they're not gonna be happy. So that compliments to you because that doesn't happen often enough.

Robert Heidt: And engagement comes in different forms. You know, years ago, and this was an analogy we used, and you know, when I was maybe a little younger naive in my chamber day, it was sort of that thing we joke about from the retention of, of membership and businesses is that, you know, chamber's like a gym membership.

If you don't use it, you know, then nothing happens. And so you figure like, oh, okay, in the gym, if I don't go every day and I'm [00:38:00] not, you know, looking, you know, big and buff, like there's no value to it. In my early days at Chamber we used that. And then as we moved along, it's like, you've gotta stop saying that because when you invest in an organization like ours, you may not see a one-to-one transactional return instantly.

We're in it for the long game. We're in it for the regional advancement.  

Robert Heidt: It could take days, weeks, months, years in the making that when you invest. We're putting those dollars to work because it's member money. It's member invested money. And so what we're doing today may not pay off until a year from now.

And so we need people to understand that. Yes, some will have the transactional mindset like, Hey, I'm in the tchotchke business and so I need to sell, you know, my apparel or my, you know, whatever that may be. And that's high value chamber membership. When we understand that we can speak the language, but we sort of remind them that yes.

The curation of what we do makes the propensity for you to have those sort of [00:39:00] transactional sales much greater. 'cause. When we grow business and we grow economy, your ability goes up. Mm-hmm. But we need you to invest in and not sort of value us based on a one-to-one return. Then you have those sort of transformational leaders who understand that they're investing and that's some of those, sometimes the larger companies who, they're not looking at us for networking or, you know, to get their name out.

We've got a lot of household names here in our region. Mm-hmm. So it's important that they're a part of that, but they're looking at us for growing the region, doing the strategic things, doing the advocacy work, the economic development work, um, you know, the business developing of leaders. So they're looking at investment a little bit differently.

So as we were talking earlier about telling the story, we've had to really refine how we talk about what we do. To show that you're not just joining a chamber, it's not just a membership. You are choosing to invest in an organization that's gonna work every day with that collective investment for the betterment of all.

Jeff Holden: I don't think you could say that any better 'cause that's exactly what it is. And so often [00:40:00] we get caught up in what's a subscription? Well, I have a subscription. Yeah, I belong. And then at some point you're like, why do I have that subscription? It's just I'm paying it every month for for what reason? Or every year for what reason?

And eventually it goes away and then you don't see benefit and it's not a good discussion in the community. 

Robert Heidt: A hundred 

Jeff Holden: percent. You want the opposite of, oh my gosh, I didn't realize how much I get out of this benefit, this membership, these people, these programs. Whatever that may be. 

Robert Heidt: You know, it's interesting, I tell people, you know, think about today the way we operate with our technology cell phones.

We don't call people anymore. Right? Like, it's almost sometimes when people call, you're like, why are they calling me? Right? You're a little alarmed. Like, what, who, what? 

Jeff Holden: Must 

Robert Heidt: be 

Jeff Holden: important? 

Robert Heidt: Yeah. Like, what's going on here? You know, so we're, we're always focused on the work and everyone's in the trenches on my team, right?

I've got a great dynamic team. I can do a lot. I can't do anything without them, 

Jeff Holden: right? 

Robert Heidt: So they're in the trenches working and then the phone rings [00:41:00] and sometimes you could view it as like, oh my gosh, like if the phone rings all my time, it's a distraction. But I remind them that if someone's calling us, they have a need.

So we have to flip the gear. 'cause if you're in the zone or you're, you know, you're really laser focused on something, you gotta help to take that call. You have to help them because they're not calling 'cause they have nothing. Rarely do we get a call that says, Hey Robert, just call to see how you're doing today.

We'll welcome that call. But they're calling because they're on a page of their playbook. That they realize the chamber could be the conduit to the answer. 

Jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Robert Heidt: Or could be the connector. And so, you know, our team is challenged with that every single day. And no two days look the same, right? You don't know what calls are gonna come into the chamber, right?

And you don't know what issue someone has. And so we really wanna present ourselves as an organization. Industry is, listen, we're here for you. Your success is our success. And, and that sometimes is, is is difficult to do because you get thrown a lot of curve balls. And so you're sort of like, wait, what now?

This, now that, and you're going in a [00:42:00] thousand directions. But it's important that we are seen as nimble, resourceful, and an advocate for, for everything that business represents. 

Jeff Holden: And on the topic of membership, let's, let's go into funding. How is the chamber funded? I mean, clearly a lot of people will think, oh, well, it's, the membership takes care of everything.

I, I would imagine that's only a small, small part of what funds the operation, 

Robert Heidt: so. Organizations like ours, I think there's, you know, it gets people a little confusing. 'cause we have our pac, we have our foundation, which is the C3, and then you have the chamber, which is the C six. A lot of times it gets blurred and they'll think that we're an extension of government or you know, like, oh, you have a, you know, people, it amaze me, they'll say, oh, Robert, you must have, like, you have it easy.

You got such a cush job as government. And I'm like, no, we're not government. We work very contrary closely with government. We essentially, when we start a budget every year. We write a budget, and then there's a lot of hope and promise in that budget because we are relying on our past work and the future vision that we've set.

Mm-hmm. For your continued investment. [00:43:00] Member dues is one facet where people are investing in a membership that provides them access or some benefits, but really we're focusing on what the results will be out of that investment. The other revenue streams are gonna be in forms of, say, advertising or sponsorships or event attendance and things.

When people have a nominal fee to attend a program or event, there are times that we may venture into some contractual type of work where we'll fee service type grant or something like that, you know, and so it's a delicate balance. Just like any business, you sort of have to look at where your revenue is coming from, how to diversify that revenue, how to kind of manage that so that you don't put all your eggs in one basket.

But at the core, we're a member-based organization 

Jeff Holden: roughly. How many people do you employ? 

Robert Heidt: So right now between our full-time staff and then we have some contractual partners that have expertise in areas that we don't have on. Yep. On staff, because again, we need those collectively, we're 20 employees.

Jeff Holden: Okay. And what, what's the budget roughly this year? 

Robert Heidt: [00:44:00] Uh, between all three entities? Chamber Foundation impact 7.7 million. 

Jeff Holden: So no small budget. That's a significant, you already significant business in town. 

Robert Heidt: Absolutely. 

Jeff Holden: And if I'm not mistaken, when you got here a couple years ago, we had a smaller membership.

Robert Heidt: We did. 

Jeff Holden: And it is much larger today. Congratulations. We're pushing close to 2000, maybe. 

Robert Heidt: We are nearly 2000 members. Our team is figuring out what that looks like and how to celebrate that milestone. But that shows momentum. That shows that business, business leaders, community partners, are recognizing the true value of what we do.

And that they see the leadership of our team, of our board, of our volunteers. And so that's what that represents to me, is it's not just belonging and writing a check to join, like you said, a subscription or things like that. Right. This is about seeing value because those dollars are harder to get today.

Right? Totally. To earn that investment Years ago, 'cause I've done this for a while, it sort of [00:45:00] felt like this is gonna be easy, you've gotta work at that. Mm-hmm. And especially the larger dollar investors, everyone always thinks, oh, it's easy, you know, to have x, y, Z company that has a bigger budget to invest.

They look at their budgets and they're making tough decisions every single day. 'cause the need for investment is all around us. Whether it's in a chamber, whether it's in what they need to do to achieve their goals and mission, whether it's in our nonprofit sector of the economy, which is a vital engine driver force.

So, you know, we have to be very intent and mindful of how we cultivate the ship conversation rather around driving our membership and business engagement. 

Jeff Holden: I'm glad you mentioned nonprofit too, because they are members as well. They are businesses as well, and they should participate. They should engage.

Robert Heidt: Absolutely. 

Jeff Holden: And we are the nonprofit podcast network. That's who we speak to. The majority of people are in the nonprofit space. The Chamber has something to offer them as well. It's business, and that's what every nonprofit is if they don't think they are. [00:46:00] They're missing about, 

Robert Heidt: you know, that's fascinating.

'cause over my years in the chamber world, sometimes you would, when you speak of nonprofits in general, it was sort of like, oh, it's the poor little x, y, z charity. Exactly. And you know, it's mission driven and it's thrown outta heartstring, and don't get me wrong, the work they do, and with some of the funding gaps that happen to fill some of the social programs and all the things that we need, we cannot survive without the nonprofit community.

Correct. They are businesses. And so over the years we've seen, at at least my, my observation is nonprofits continuing to level up and run like a business. 

James Beckwith: Yes. 

Robert Heidt: Right. They, they have to make sure that they're presenting themselves as a business and Yes. Focus on the mission work, but they have to run like a business.

So again, because we have access to such a wide network of industry professionals and leaders, we have a role to play in supporting them. I know there's some other organizations out there that, that really tailor and fine tune some, some resources for nonprofits and that's great 'cause we need that. 'cause that may not be something that [00:47:00] we're providing.

And that's where when you talk about partnerships, it goes hand in glove. It takes the village, it takes all of us to do what we do to make this region thrive. 

Jeff Holden: Agreed. And we know no money omission. A hundred percent. If, if you are not running it like a business, you are not gonna survive. You're not sustainable.

Let's, let's have a little fun here for a second. All 

Robert Heidt: right. 

Jeff Holden: I mean, one of the questions we asked everybody, money, no object. Some big business comes into town and says, Robert, I love the chamber. I'm giving you a blank check. What do you do with it? 

Robert Heidt: Oh my gosh. You know, that is an interesting question, and why I say that is, so in my background, before I went to the chamber world, I was in the casino industry and I ran marketing that's and events.

And so what was interesting is, yes, there were in theory budgets, but there really weren't. And so when I got to the chamber world the first time, and we had Pepto-Bismol Pink Falling Cabinets at my first desk drawer, didn't even have a Dr. A, like a cover on the drawer, and [00:48:00] my chair leaned too far to the one side.

And you know, it's interesting that you ask that question. Look, if money were no object. Part of what we would look to do is figure out how to scale up. There is so much more work that we can do and as a region we can collaborate on. But it takes people, the human capital. So it's figuring out how to leverage the human capital to take on more, you know, intentional work.

I think that's one. I think one, it's a dream come true for some of the chambers that have a space that fosters collaboration and creativity. You know, sometimes it's, you know, we just need a space to house our people. And it's not fancy. We wanna be mindful of member dollars. But I really believe Chambers that have been in a visionary in creating models where they have some coworking space.

Mm-hmm. And they have the space that allows business to come in. 'cause if you're a home-based business or you're a small enterprise and maybe you have a nice little office, but it's only two offices or three offices, but you're trying to land your biggest client, you know. How about host them [00:49:00] at the Chamber?

How about have your meeting there and land your bus biggest client there? And you're talking about how you're affiliated with, you know, the largest business organization in the region. Right. And so some of those aspirations, I think to be able to create, you know, access to capital is tough. So, you know, you hear a lot of businesses talk about that.

You know, I think that when there are situations that come up, figuring out how to build that out in collaboration with our community banks and those partners who work on that, you know, you have. Opportunities where, you know, sometimes just somebody has an idea and they need a belief, you know, people want us to sponsor and, and, and they think that, you know, when you talked about our budget, it sounds large, but when you start parsing it down, it's a number and some zeros 

Jeff Holden: and it's some pass through too.

Not all that's directly through. 

Robert Heidt: And you have to, and there's a lot of cost involved in that. And so I think having that, you know, if we had a blank check, having some money set aside so that when somebody is working so hard, we would have the ability to throw a few dollars behind that to sort of be the incubator to help lift them up.

[00:50:00] Mm-hmm. So there is so much you could do. It takes money, resources, but also realizing that, you know, and this would be self-serving to me, and maybe it's who I am and how I was brought up. If somebody came to me and said, Robert, you said that, I'm gonna write you a blank check. I, I would honestly say, look, let me tell you a couple priorities for me.

But if that blank check can go a little bit further and a little bit wider, how do we tie in a couple other partners. So that could equally level up that we all grow.  

Robert Heidt: Right. So I would never want that to be wholeheartedly like, give me all us at the Metro Chamber. I think I'd rather say to the person, would you be creative with me and allow me to bring a few other partners in because their work is predicated on my work and our work and together we sort of are puzzle pieces that build the region.

And maybe not everybody would do that. 'cause they might call me crazy and maybe my board is like, what if that ever happened? But I think that that's how you lift it up. That's all boats rise. The tide rises, all boats rise. 

Jeff Holden: Well we, we [00:51:00] ask that question so often because it gives the listener the, and the ability to see your vision.

And I think by incorporating other organizations. Your board would applaud it, and they're gonna get to hear this, so you're gonna get to know, 

Robert Heidt: you know, well, we'll, we'll see. He'll tell you. Right, right. You know, and, you know, I think it's, you know, you think of all the things that we don't, I don't wanna say that we don't have the time for, but I don't have a dedicated person Yes.

To lead that for us. You know, because, you know, there's tons of things out there we can do, whether it's a business bootcamp or it's focusing on, you know, how to develop the young professional even more. We have great programming, but there's always more you can do. Right. It comes down to time, resources, and the talent to bring it forward.

Jeff Holden: Yes. 

Robert Heidt: But ultimately that collaboration and finding some other people to bring into the mix, that'd be at the top of my list. 

Jeff Holden: And something you said that, that really struck me. You, let's say you're a, a fast growing business. You don't have the wherewithal, you, you're not focused on your facility per se.

But if you have a big account that you wanna bring in, if you could bring it into that, that coworking space or that maker space, whatever that [00:52:00] looks like, and they see you walking in, or they are walking into an association that's perceived with the Chamber of Commerce for you. Your thriving business.

Budding business. Oh wow. Something's a little bit, there's some credibility, there's some authority that. Oh, the chamber lets him come in and, and do this, or lets her come in and do this? Well, 

Robert Heidt: there's, 

Jeff Holden: wow. 

Robert Heidt: There's two things there. There's some national studies out there that will align and say that when a business is belonging to the local chamber, someone generally is 85% more likely to do business with them because that instant tag of credibility.

You're investing in an enterprise and organization, so you must be trustworthy. You must be at the top of your gaming your business. Mm-hmm. You must be, you know, a leader in whatever services you provide. So I think that's great. We're actually working on expansion now at our office, so that we we're growing, we're gonna do one phase, but what I talked about that second phase, that's something as we continue to grow, my vision is we will have that there at the metro chamber [00:53:00] so that when you have a need, a place to meet, we can provide that to you.

Or again, we serve a six county region if you are downtown or Rayham Capital Mall and your next meeting is two hour difference, sure you might want to go to a local coffee shop or someone grab a quick bite, but maybe you don't have that luxury and you need to buckle down and make a few client calls. We wanna make sure that we're seen as a destination that businesses can pop in, open up a laptop, and get some work done.

Right. And then who else pops in that they can have that kind of not forecasted. Thought of like, oh, I'm gonna bump into Jeff today. Right? And then what happens from there? So that's part three of our expansion phase. That, again, as we grow some revenue and I can make sure that we can staff it and sustain it, I believe that is a value add for the region.

And for business 

Jeff Holden: Greatest need, what's the greatest need right now? 

Robert Heidt: Ooh. I think it really depends on who you talk to, right? I mean, I, there's some general things that come, you know, we're, we're battling with [00:54:00] so many different things, you know, time, uncertainty, you know, cost of healthcare, you know, inflation.

I mean, it depends on who you talk to and what the greatest need is. You know, the challenge for an organization like the Chamber is we've gotta be operating in so many different verticals to be successful. And so we also have to have the fortitude and empathy to understand the need that you or another business owner has, may not be our top issue.

But we need to make sure that you see you, you're, you're heard, you are understood, and then we can sort of connect the.to what we can do or what we can't do. Because at the end of the day, I don't ever want us to send false expectations for not the cure all, for everything. I don't have a magic wand. So when you talk about need, again, it depends on the person, what page of the playbook they're on.

We don't have the luxury as organizations say, there's only one need. Now, we certainly understand the need to prioritize 'cause you can't do everything all at once. Mm-hmm. So we certainly have to prioritize, [00:55:00] you know, kind of our primary focus, but we cannot discount that if someone reaches out to us that their need is not important or it has no merit, it just may not be one of our top four or five priorities.

But we still have to work to try to help them address that need. 

Jeff Holden: As we get close to a wrap here, one of the questions that I like to ask everybody is, you have a lot of responsibility. You can't get away from what your job is because anywhere you go, there's business. You see business, it's, could that be a business, could that be somebody we could benefit?

It never stops, but somewhere there has to be a relax and refresh. So what does Robert do to chill? What do you do for fun? 

Robert Heidt: You know, you, you, you talk about that 'cause business is all around, right? And I go places and people recognize me as the chamber guy, you know? So if I'm in the supermarket or I'm going places and someone's like, oh, hey, are you, you stop and you have a conversation.

So you have to, I think [00:56:00] if you find what you're passionate about, we all work. But it's not necessarily work. Do I have my tough days? Do I have my cha? A hundred percent. But when it resonates with you and you find your niche, it doesn't feel like work. So I'm never bothered when I'm at dinner or I'm at different places and people wanna talk chamber.

It's, it's part of the fabric of who I am. It's in my DNA, you know, you, you talk about that in the sense that I mentioned, we have a foundation, a chamber, and a PAC board collectively between those, those three boards, if they're all filled, about 130 bosses. So, you know, imagine, you know, you've got 130 people and then you have your team that your account.

'cause I work for them. Like I, you know, really they're, my job is to support lifting them up to be successful. And then our members a non-member. So the pressure is high, the stakes are high. You know, for me it is when, when I can get home at a reasonable hour, unplug, relax, maybe have a nice dinner. You know, go to the gym and try to [00:57:00] focus on my health.

You know, your, sometimes your circle of friends is very tight and small that are the people that you call and talk to and you sort of, you know, lay out, out on the line. Mm-hmm. You know, have nat access to those people that I can like, oh my gosh, today was one of those days. And it doesn't make it less than like, you're not gonna go back and you're not gonna fight for business or whatever, but you don't win every day and you don't succeed every single day.

And you have your trip ups and so you've gotta find your tribe, so to speak, that you can call upon and you can, you know, commiserate with and celebrate with and high five with, and they can sort of kick your butt and round you. Right. Because 

Jeff Holden: yeah. A bear 

Robert Heidt: accountability is a bear. And some in this industry, sometimes people will let the ego get to them.

Jeff Holden: Yes. 

Robert Heidt: Right. And that's not who I am. Right. Like it's a shared spot. I tell our, our team all the time, our members and our partners are the stars of the show. And by virtue of my role as the present, CEOI will be put into that spotlight at times. But our job is to be humble and [00:58:00] remember who we are. So you have to find what you do.

You know, I read, but generally I read either early morning or late at night and then the book will fall and hit me as I'm falling asleep. So you have to find those moments, levity, uh, for you. I love to get outdoors, you know, so whenever I can get outdoors, I just got a new e-bike over the holidays, so I'm looking forward to taking a little bit more longer journeys.

'cause you know, pedaling sometimes gets a little tiring, tiresome, but, uh, good exercise. But I will say when you're in a fast paced role like this, you don't have a lot of downtime. So you have to find those moments. And you sometimes, you know, it might only be five minutes. Mm-hmm. And then maybe you sort of stop.

You're breathing, you're reflecting, you're taking a moment. It's hard to say no. Right? And there are calls I'll take at seven, eight in the evening because it's the only time I can connect with that person. So the boundaries get blurred and it's not a nine to five. And you have to be okay with that. So you have to know that the amount only have 10 minutes to catch your breath today.

Jeff Holden: Yeah. 

Robert Heidt: And that's okay. Right. But then tomorrow it might be a little bit more time block. So I think it comes down [00:59:00] to how you integrate your life into what you do, because it's not just a, you know, a nine to five, uh, path. 

Jeff Holden: Right. And when we love what we do, it's not work. 

Robert Heidt: Absolutely. 

Jeff Holden: So, as a relative newcomer, I'm gonna let you know when you get that ebike.

We do have Bike Trail that's called, it's 32 miles from downtown to Folsom Lake. It's one of the best things you can do, 

Robert Heidt: have not done it. But it is on my list to do. 

Jeff Holden: Right, to learn more, to join, to visit, to attend a mixer or a a gala event. Where does somebody go? 

Robert Heidt: You know the easiest thing to do, pick up the phone, call us, send us a message.

Jeff Holden: Oh, you're inviting. You're inviting trouble right there, 

Robert Heidt: Jeff. I will tell you, when we took our speaker series, the very first program, I threw my name, my phone number, and my email up on the screen and the team was like, are you sure you wanna do this? I did. And I will tell you. Every person got a personal response from me.

That's who I am. 

Jeff Holden: Good for 

Robert Heidt: you. Right. And so if you wanna reach out to us, you know, there are people who know who we are. Our numbers are not sacred, [01:00:00] our cell phones are not sacred. Listen, we're here to serve a community, uh, a subset of a region that you know is thriving. We need to be accessible and accountable.

Uh, so you can call, you can email, you can go to our website, uh, which is metro chamber.org. 

Jeff Holden: Okay. And we'll put that in the show notes. 

Robert Heidt: Absolutely. Thank you. You know, and your 

Jeff Holden: phone number. 

Robert Heidt: Thank you. Perfect. And then anybody that knows us, right? So if someone says, oh, hey Jeff, you know, I wanna learn bit more of the chamber.

Hey, I'm gonna text Robert. I'm gonna shoot a message over to them. Yeah, right. It's as easy as that. And then we're gonna follow up. I met with a gentleman yesterday and he said to me three times, he goes, I can't thank you enough for taking time to meet with me. That's my job. 

Jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Robert Heidt: My job is to be entrenched in the communities we serve.

Talking to the businesses, hearing them out. Now I can't meet with everyone. I would love to talk and sit down with everyone, but that's why I've got a dynamic team around me. So if I can't do it, they're gonna be able to do it. But one way or another, we're here, we're ready to serve, and we're ready to take Sacramento and this region to the next level.

Jeff Holden: And that's why we're seeing membership approaching 2000. That's [01:01:00] exactly why. Robert, thank you for joining me. Helping me clarify how our esteemed Sacramento Metro Chamber functions within and strengthens Sacramento's business community. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for all your team does. Thank you for all the time and the commitment and the energy that's going into helping make this a better economic city in terms of its vitality, in terms of the businesses that we bring and the collaboration that you've got with the organizations that you do.

We appreciate you. 

Robert Heidt: Thank you. We are unstoppable as a region. 

Jeff Holden: Robert. Thank you. 

Robert Heidt: Thanks Jeff. 

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