Let’s start with this: Chamber Day 2023 is Wednesday, May 3.
And then there’s this: Can we top the 2022 record-setting total of $181,420??? (We certainly can’t if you don’t pitch in to help.)
As COVID hopefully has settled down to manageable levels, we are pleased to announce that we’re again live and in-person this year, both for Chamber Day on the dive boats and for Chamber Evening at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. But, because we realize some of you are still not comfortable attending these types events in-person, we’ve got virtual options as well.
It’s important to remind that you even through the height of the pandemic, your Chamber remained open and operational. So while other businesses may have been able to cut expenses during this pandemic, that’s NOT the case with your Chamber. Our expenses generally stayed the same as they would have in a normal year, so YOUR support is still vital.
It’s also important to remind you that every dollar raised from this event goes directly towards funding our Chamber for the coming year. Our Chamber relies on our diving community for roughly 50% of the annual operating funds. Chamber Day is not only a vital fund-raiser for our Chamber, but is also the largest single-day scuba charity event in the U.S. and we’re hoping you’ll help us make this one another resounding success.
Here’s what we have planned for 2023:
CHAMBER DAY
Once again, we want to take you diving and walking.
We’ve got seven boats ready to plop you into underwater SoCal on May 3. In alphabetical order they are: Cee Ray, Explorer, Giant Stride, Pacific Moon, Pacific Star, Sundiver, and Sundiver Express. We plan to run most of the boats again with somewhat limited loads (roughly 80% of normal diving capacity – and who doesn’t like a less-crowded boat?) as a mitigation measure. But this also means we don’t have as many spots available as we normally do. The number this year will be around 120 boat diver spots.
All of our May 3 boats will do two dives as well as a walking tour of our Chamber. Some boats will do the tour first and then dive. Others will do their dives and then come in for the tour. All participating divers will receive a Chamber Day 2023 t-shirt, ten daytime raffle tickets, food and an airfill on the boat, and a walking tour of our Chamber facilities, which will include a chance to talk with various rescue and first-responders. The cost this year is again $150 total, which breaks down as $115 going to the event and $35 going back to the boats to cover their food and airfill costs. (This is the same as last year.) Generally boats will leave their respective docks at 7AM and return no later than 5:30PM.
THE FLYING DUTCHMAN – FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T TAKE THE DAY OFF
We know not everyone can play hooky on a Wednesday and go diving. We also know that some of you simply don’t like diving cold water anymore. And that’s why we’ve got the Flying Dutchman, our mythical boat that lets you “dive” Chamber Day without actually having to take off work or go in the water. And we’re holding the price for the Dutchman at $95. You’ll get the unique Flying Dutchman t-shirt (only available to those who sign up for the Dutchman) along with 10 daytime raffle tickets as well as a ticket for the “on-board” boat raffle as well. When you sign up, give us your “pirate” name and also indicate your regular shop/club affiliation (we’ll post a running tally – there’s also an “unaffiliated” option) and you’re good to go.
CHAMBER CHALLENGE
This is a major factor in our record-setting total from last year as the Challenge exceeded $100,000 for the second year in a row. Can we do it again? We can with your help. Every Challenge donation – big, small, and in-between – makes a difference. Companies that offer matching grants help increase the value of your contribution. Please contribute whatever you can. We absolutely appreciate – and need – the help.
CHAMBER EVENING – IN-PERSON AT THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
We are delighted to invite you again to join us in-person at the fabulous Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach for Chamber Evening. (There’s a virtual option too. More on that in a moment.) The date is also Wednesday, May 3, and the Aquarium doors will open at 7PM. Last year we limited attendance to 300 people (30 tables of 10 - in previous years, we’ve had as many as 450) and since everyone seemed to enjoy having a little more room than usual, we’re doing that same limit again this year.
As with last year, the cost of a seat which will be $150 (the same as the total price for the Daytime portion). For those in attendance, you’ll have a chance to wander around and explore the Aquarium from 7-8PM. We’re working on another fabulous feast that will start a little after 8PM. You’ll also get five evening raffle tickets and you’ll have an opportunity to buy more at the Aquarium. We’ll have interesting and different Blind Bid items available as well. Our program of raffle prizes and recognitions starts a little after 9PM, and we’ll send you home around 10:15PM.
Speaking of prizes, would anyone like to win a week of diving with the fine folks at Manta Ray Bay in Yap in Micronesia??? Because that’s what our Grand Prize is this year and ONLY people who attend Chamber Evening (or sign up for the virtual version) will have their names in the hopper with a chance to score this wonderful dive experience. Note that you must be present to win (except for virtual attendees).
CHAMBER EVENING V.G.D. (VERY GENEROUS DIVER)
If you’d like to enhance your evening experience, sign up for the V.G.D. package as an add-on to your Chamber Eve ticket. For an extra $75, you’ll get early access to the Aquarium (starting at 5PM), 10 extra raffle tickets, 2 extra Grand Prize tickets (Yap is calling your name), a Chamber Eve t-shirt, a private outside lounge area (Harbor Terrace Veranda) with appetizers, complimentary soft drinks, and a cash bar for alcohol. We limit this to roughly 75 people so if you’re interested in getting the ultimate Chamber Eve experience, make sure you get the V.G.D. package.
But if you’d rather stay home . . .
VIRTUAL CHAMBER EVENING – TAKE THE WORRY OUT OF BEING CLOSE
As we have done for the past two years, we’re offering a virtual version of Chamber Evening. This is perfect for those of you who either can’t spend the evening in Long Beach or who still aren’t comfortable with this type of an indoor event. As we did last year, we’ve got sponsored tables as well. (Some organizations have both an in-person table as well as a virtual one.)
Cost for the virtual version of the event is the same as the Flying Dutchman - $95. Virtual attendees will get ten raffle tickets (since you can’t buy more) and will also be entered in the drawing for the Yap grand prize. Plus, you’ll get a Chamber Evening t-shirt mailed to you (after the event) as part of your package. And because we want you to feel connected to what’s happening at the Aquarium, you’ll receive a private link to our live-stream of the event. So you can observe and enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
Once again in 2023, we have both in-person and virtual options for both the Day and Eve events. All the monies raised go to benefit our Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber, which in turn benefits our diving community. For more information about all of this, visit our website at
www.chamberday.org. You can sign up there using our secure server, or you can call Chamber Day HQ at (310)652-4990.
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 3 and Chamber Day & Eve 2023.
