Results from the Greater Irvine Chamber’s semi-annual member survey, conducted in July and August 2026, provide a snapshot of members’ business priorities, emerging challenges, and the programs and services they value most—insights that will help the Greater Irvine Chamber continue to strengthen its support for members and Orange County’s largest business community.
Business growth remains the clear priority. Among respondents, 86% identified growing sales and revenue as one of their top three priorities for the next 12 months, followed by finding new customers at 63% and business networking and partnerships at 50%. Leadership development (22%) and artificial intelligence adoption (19%) also emerged among business priorities.
The results reinforce the importance of business connections and visibility. Networking events ranked as the Greater Irvine Chamber program or service providing the greatest value, selected by 78% of respondents, followed by marketing and promotional opportunities at 39%, community visibility and sponsorship opportunities at 31%, and Leads Group participation and educational workshops, each at 29%.
Looking ahead, respondents identified artificial intelligence and automation (55%) and the cost of doing business in California (52%) as the two emerging business challenges they most want the Greater Irvine Chamber to focus on over the next two years. Talent attraction and retention followed at 27%, with housing affordability/workforce housing and access to innovation and technology each at 25%.
The survey also reflected strong satisfaction with Greater Irvine Chamber membership. Eighty-six percent of respondents rated their overall satisfaction a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, including 61% who selected "very satisfied." Additionally, 91% rated their likelihood of recommending the Greater Irvine Chamber to another business a 4 or 5, including 72% who selected "extremely likely."
Members also affirmed the Greater Irvine Chamber’s continued evolution beyond traditional networking. Seventy-four percent described the direction of becoming a strategic partner that helps businesses grow, solve challenges, and influence the regional business environment as either "very valuable" or "extremely valuable."
As a thank-you for participating, 10 survey respondents were randomly selected to each receive one of 10 limited-edition Irvine, CA Collector Mugs, celebrating the innovation, community, and spirit that define Irvine.
Winners are:
- Carlos Blanco, Altior Advisory Group LLC
- Kevin Burkley, Vernon Belle Sales Academy
- Francesca Chiarini, Fogo de Chao
- William Edwards, Edwards Global Services, Inc.
- Adriana Galdamez, Spectrum
- Kim Granderson, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation
- Robb Hertz, HERTZ Environmental
- Jennifer Huang, Sunstone
- Eric Vonheim, Turned UP Media
- Sunny Xue, Suncare Medical Clinic
Mugs are available for purchase through the Greater Irvine Chamber Store.
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