Simi, Moorpark, Conejo & More Unite for the Most Ambitious Business Networking Event Yet
Sylvie Belmond 
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — As the summer sun dips behind the Moorpark hills, the fairways at Tierra Rejada will buzz with more than golf swings — they’ll be alive with deals, ideas and handshakes. Four local chambers of commerce—Simi Valley, Greater Conejo Valley, Moorpark and North West Valley—are joining forces to host the Summer 2025 Mega Mixer, promising the region’s most dynamic night of networking.
Set for Thursday, June 26, from 5:30 to 8 at Tierra Rejada Golf Club, the Mega Mixer will bring together professionals from across East Ventura County and the northwest San Fernando Valley. Sponsored by UCLA Health, the evening will feature live music, a putting contest, samples from local favorites like Enegren Brewing Company and Balcom Canyon Cider and what organizers describe as a lively, come-as-you-are atmosphere. The entertainment lineup includes Jenna the Singing Realtor and the band Wild the River.
“This is one of the most exciting business events we do all year,” said Elizabeth Zachary, a board member of the Simi Valley Chamber’s Emerging Leaders group. “Our Mega Mixer is the perfect mix of great people, great food and a beautiful setting. You really can’t beat it for summer networking.”
But this isn’t just another after-work happy hour. Chambers of commerce play a powerful role in shaping local economies — helping entrepreneurs grow, advocating for business-friendly policies and offering programs that help individuals develop their careers. “Events like this open doors,” said Anthony Angelini, Director of Tourism and Government Affairs for the Simi Valley Chamber. “Whether you’re looking for a job, scouting for collaborators or just want to be more rooted in your community, it starts with showing up.”
The economic case for showing up is strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura metro area generated nearly $66 billion in gross domestic product in 2023, with growth driven by healthcare, manufacturing and tech.
Simi Valley is home to a workforce of about 65,700, with top employment in healthcare and social assistance (8,053 workers), manufacturing (7,412) and retail trade (6,798), according to Data USA. The city also reports a median household income of $117,703, reflecting a relatively stable and prosperous population base.
Moorpark’s workforce of roughly 18,300 is bolstered by the city’s recent adoption of its Economic Development Strategic Plan, which aims to attract investment, support local businesses and preserve the community’s small-town character even as it grows, according to DiscoverMoorpark.com.
Thousand Oaks continues to shine as a regional economic leader, with a median household income of $139,172. High-paying industries such as information services, manufacturing and corporate management push average salaries well above state norms — $149,818, $129,391 and $122,400 respectively, per Data USA.
And in the northwest San Fernando Valley, where the North West Valley Chamber draws its membership, industrial activity is humming. As of the third quarter of 2024, the Moorpark/Simi Valley submarket reported more than 13.7 million square feet of industrial inventory and a direct vacancy rate of 6.3%, according to a report from Kidder Mathews — a clear sign of strong demand and growth in logistics and light manufacturing.
These local economies are interconnected, and chambers of commerce create the networks that hold them together. The Emerging Leaders program, one of the driving forces behind the Mega Mixer, is designed for professionals ages 21 to 40, but welcomes all who want to get involved. Through speaker events, volunteer projects and mixers like this one, the group fosters real connections in a world increasingly ruled by digital noise.
Admission to the Mega Mixer is free, but registration is required at this link. For more about the Emerging Leaders or the Simi Valley Chamber, visit www.simichamber.org or call 805-526-3900.
