solutions showcase

• Association Management Since 2009, HuffmanPA has guided the advocacy, public policy development, and strategic communications for the Chambers of Commerce Alliance of Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties, which recently merged with the Federated Chambers of Commerce of Ventura County to help provide professional development tools to the chambers’ professional staffs and volunteer leaders.
• Association Management In 2012, HuffmanPA was retained to manage the South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce (SBACC)’s advocacy efforts and communications. With renewed emphasis on engaging lawmakers and media, SBACC’s relevance as the region’s primary voice of business continues to grow. In addition, HuffmanPA oversaw the creation and production of the inaugural South Bay Business Hall of Fame event, a new tradition that helps to highlight the South Bay’s economic importance and the SBACC’s leadership.

• Issue Advocacy With small and large food retailers facing illogical and misleading food labeling requirements, HuffmanPA was brought in to rally dozens of civic organizations to oppose this scientifically unsound initiative. Prop. 37 failed 53-47 percent, and HuffmanPA was praised for its effective appearances on TV, radio and public forms to debate passionate proponents usually before hostile crowds.
• Issue Advocacy After two Texas oil companies qualified a ballot initiative to essentially repeal California’s landmark greenhouse gas emissions law, HuffmanPA was assigned primarily to lobby business groups to stay out. Much to the surprise of political observers, many prominent business remained neutral and others even opposed the controversial initiative after hearing persuasive arguments presented by HuffmanPA. Prop. 23 was soundly defeated, 60-40%.

• Direct Mail In 2011 HuffmanPA helped the Ventura Chamber PAC re-elect an independent, pro-business city councilmember in a hotly contested race by coordinating two pieces of positive-themed mail strategically targeting chamber-friendly voters.
• Candidate Development With three incumbents and insiders running for just three seats, HuffmanPA helped to engineer a winning grass roots strategy and effective direct mail campaign that elected Jim Clarke to the Culver City Council.
• Community Relations When PacFed Benefit Administrators sought to raise their profile among opinion leaders and decision makers, HuffmanPA crafted a set of strategies to impress PacFed’s existing client base and open new doors for new prospects, along the way establishing relationships with influential officeholders.