Programs

B2B Show

Connecting To Success is a high impact workforce preparation program in a business conference format. Over 100 volunteer mentors from the business community lead students through role-playing, case studies, group discussions, and individual assessments to build workplace professionalism, and the ability to influence others as responsible adults.

Connecting to Success was developed in the Santa Clarita Valley through the partnership of the Valley Industryl Association of Santa Clarita (VIA) and Junior Achievement of Southern California (JA). From 2003 - 2008, VIA and JA partnered to deliver this unique and innovative program to high school juniors in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Since 2009, the VIA Foundation and the Valley Industry Association have been producting, planning, and funding the project in its entirety. 

Beginning with a few hundred students from Valencia High School, Connecting to Success has grown into a program that is replicated in communities across the nation. Six high schools and nearly 2,000 students participated in the 2011 Connecting to Success in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Participating High Schools in 2011:

• William S. Hart
• Bowman
• Golden Valley
• Saugus
• Valencia
• West Ranch
  
  

For more information contact:
Kathy Norris, CEO/President of VIA
661.294.8088
kathy@via.org

VIA Star

In keeping with the goal of the VIA Foundation to provide a link between education and business, this project is an ideal platform for outreach to all grade levels and provides relationships and learning experiences for all participants. 

Students will create a new product or service in partnership with a member business. Student teams will consist of between 3 and 5 students and will work with a teacher coach. Students will present final project to a panel who will then judge and select winners. An awards presentation will take place in March and the top team will present its project at the monthly Valley Industry Assocation luncheon meeting in April. Prizes will be awarded to team members and to Teacher Coaches.

This project will improve the community by utilizing the creativity and intellect of our youth to enhance businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley. Students will benefit by gaining experience to the business world and how corporations operate. Relationships will be solidified between students and businesses encouraging our students to seek careers locally and remain in the Santa Clarita Valley. Our Corporate Partners will benefit by gaining the insight of the student team members, which can be applied towards business product development. Members of these student teams will be the future leaders of the Santa Clarita Valley – participation in this project will provide the experience that our students need to set them on their way.

For more information contact:
Laura Kirchhoff, VIA STAR Committee Chairwoman
laura.kirchhoff@hotmail.com
 

CEO Forum

Local Chief Executive Officers will had the opportunity to think about their future needs at the upcoming “CEO Forum for the Future”, held on August 27, 2009 at the Tournament Players Club in Valencia. Organizers of the 2009 CEO Forum were very successful in learning what new priorities were important to local CEOs, Presidents and Business Owners.

To help chief executives look into the future, a CEO Forum will likely be scheduled for the latter part of 2012.  Watch for survey and announcements to be sent during the summer months.

For more information contact:
Kathy Norris, CEO/President of VIA
661.294.8088
kathy@via.org

VIA Rocks

The Valley Industrial Association has been the voice of business and industry in the Santa Clarita Valley for nearly 30 years.  VIA Rocks! connects local business people with each other, promotes key business-to-business and business-to-consumer initiatives, and provides sponsorship opportunities and exposure.  Don’t miss it!

VIA Rocks! is based on the old folk tale, “Stone Soup.”  The story of “Stone Soup” has become a metaphor for cooperation and collaboration assimilating across many cultures and situations. Bringing that same premise to the local business community, VIA Rocks! will promote the health and success of business and industry in the SCV.

VIA Rocks! is open to the public. VIA members, business and networking group members, employees, residents, and all others are encouraged to attend this event for the purpose of making connections and exchanging business cards.

For more information contact:
Kathy Norris, CEO/President of VIA
661.294.8088
kathy@via.org