Long time LAX Coastal Chamber President Christina Davis has left her position as President of the LAX Coastal Chamber to become the Executive Director of Gateway Los Angeles Property Business Improvement District.
Venice Paparazzi would like to thank Christina for utilizing our event photography, photo booth, and red carpet services many, many times. From the galas to the expos to the brew cruises, we always had a blast working with you and your team! The first event we did with the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce was at their 60th anniversary party at the Ritz Carlton in 2013. And we just did their Chamber Installation Gala at the MDR Marriott in Dec. 2021.
To Christina! Enjoy going down memory lane with the photos below! Go team!
.Venice Paparazzi is proud to be members of the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce for the last 9 years.
About LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce: Serving the communities of Westchester, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, Playa del Rey, Del Rey, Ladera Heights and surrounding areas within Los Angeles, the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce promotes business and enhances the vitality of community through member services, educational programs, strategic partnerships, community outreach and legislative advocacy.
Here is a message from LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce!
After 17 years at the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, President/CEO Christina Davis has announced that she has accepted the position of Executive Director of The Gateway Los Angeles Property Business Improvement District (PBID). The BID oversees 40 properties adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport where property owners tax themselves to make their community cleaner, safer and more vibrant for visitors, employees and businesses. The Chamber Executive Committee is excited to announce that Chad Maender, Vice President of Membership, has been promoted to the role of President/CEO.
“The LAX Coastal Chamber and the communities we serve hold such a special place in my heart. The Chamber has made great strides during my time here, and it has truly become a force in supporting business and community in our area and beyond,” said Davis. “I am incredibly pleased with the work we have accomplished, but what I am most proud of is our financial stability, Leadership Academy program, and the formation of the LAX Coastal Education Foundation. I feel truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to lead the Chamber and work with some wonderful local business leaders.”
Christina started her career with the Chamber in December 2004 and was promoted to the role of President/CEO in April 2006. During her time at the Chamber, she has grown the organization’s budget, membership numbers and prestige, earning the LAX Coastal Chamber one of the L.A. Business Journal’s top 15 spots for Largest L.A. County Chambers and countless accolades, including AMCS’ Community Builder Award. Always working to promote members and the vitality of local business, she is responsible for launching a multitude of programs to support small and large businesses including LAX Coworking, State of LAX, Power Hour, Protectors’ Appreciation Week, City of Angels Awards Gala, DEI initiatives, Binge Live!, the LAX Coastal Magazine, increasing Corporate memberships and more.
She also continued to grow the chamber’s community initiatives including the beloved LAX Coastal Fourth of July Parade and the Teacher Eddy Awards. During the pandemic when many chambers suffered, Christina led her team through navigating the quick move to virtual programming, creating a robust offering of ways businesses could connect, network and find support, while keeping the membership and budget stable. Most recently, Christina and incoming Board Chair, Joe Coleman have overseen the organization’s first comprehensive strategic plan, ensuring the organization continues to thrive, remain relevant, and most importantly, serve its 500+ membership.
“Of course, none of our accomplishments could have happened without our amazing team, members and partners,” said Davis. “I could not be more pleased to have Chad step in as the President/CEO. He understands the issues of our businesses and the communities we serve. We have been working side by side since he joined this team and I know the transition will be seamless and the organization will prosper under his leadership.”
Over the last 17 years, Christina says the relationships that have been formed at the Chamber are what she values most.
“I always say our Chamber is about building relationships with people,” said Davis. “I have been honored to serve in this role and be able to connect so many wonderful people and businesses together to create a stronger community. In my new role at Gateway, I will continue to be an advocate and fierce supporter of the Chamber and its programs, including Leadership Academy.”
Her last day with the Chamber will be January 14, 2022.
“Christina has been a dynamic CEO and I know that our membership will miss her leadership in the organization,” said Board Chair, Rae Lamothe. “Under her leadership, the Chamber has flourished and become a vital organization for local businesses to join. Her leadership will be missed, but we know she will continue to contribute to the Chamber in new ways.”
Chad steps into the position with a wealth of experience as the Chamber’s current Vice President of Membership. He previously served as Executive Director of the Mid-Valley YMCA running an operating budget of over $3 million annually.
“We are excited to welcome Chad as the new Chamber’s President/CEO. We are confident in his ability to lead our Chamber. His focus over the past years has been to help businesses find their footprint in the community while growing the Chamber’s dynamic membership,” said Coleman. “Chad has accomplished this by creating value through innovative and relevant programs such as the Chamber’s Development, Design, and Construction Group and the Small Business Enterprise Program.”
“Shifting into the CEO role, I plan to build on the incredible foundation that Christina has built during her tenure,” said Maender. “Christina has left a profound impact on the many businesses and organizations across our community and has built this Chamber from the ground up. All of the great qualities of our organization came from the culture she created. It’s an exciting time in Los Angeles and in particular the LAX Coastal community as we are set to be the ‘front door’ to the world for the next 7 plus years. We will be maximizing our resources to be a relevant and strategic partner so that all of our businesses can thrive and benefit.”
The LAX Coastal will roll out its strategic plan in the first quarter of 2022. The LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce has been serving the community since 1953 and currently serves over 550 members.
For more info: laxcoastal.com/lax-coastal-chamber-of-commerce-president-ceo-announces-transition/
To Christina! Enjoy going down memory lane!
2021 Chamber Installation Gala
60th Anniversary of the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce in 2013
60th LAX Coastal Chamber anniversary party photo: LAX Chamber President Christina Davis, 11th District Councilmember Mike Bonin, Senator Ted Lieu, and LAX Chamber’s Chairman of the Board and Tony P’s Dockside Grill ‘s Tony Palermo
Hometown New’s Stephanie Davis and Christina Davis at the Chamber’s Holiday mixer in 2019.
LAPD’s Adrian Acosta, LAX Chamber’s Kelli Trombley, Gateway L.A. ‘s Executive Director Laurie Hughes, and Christina Davis at Gateway to L.A.’s 12th Annual Holiday Luncheon Concert.
Enjoy your retirement Laurie Hughes! It was such a pleasure being your event photographer for all your Gateway to L.A.’s Annual Holiday Luncheon Concerts.
2019 Chamber’s Holiday Mixer
Cantalini’s Salerno Beach Restaurant’s Lisa Schawb and Christina Davis
AMCS’ Spring into Well-Being Celebration. Photo by @VenicePaparazzi
Playa Venice Rotary Club
2017 Team LAX Chamber of Commerce: Judith Ciancimino, Chamber President Christina Davis, Chamberlain Duru, Christine Ung, , Kirby Israelson, and Sandra Saldana
2016 LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Cruise N’ Brews.
