Lorez Bailey, Publisher of the North Bay Business Journal
Our speaker for Thursday, August 10, 2023 was Lorez Bailey of the North Bay Business Journal. Lorez was named Publisher of the Business Journal about 2 years ago. She previously had a distinguished career working with local non-profits, including Chops, Social Advocates for Youth (SAY), among others. She is also on the Board of Directors of Pepperwood Preserve. Lorez was named “Woman of the Year” in 2019 for Sonoma County by Representative Mike Thompson. Lorez earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Sonoma State University.
The Business Journal has been operating for 36 years. It serves Marin, Napa, Sonoma, and now Solano Counties. The Journal helps businesses engage with other businesses. It is a true “B to B”, that is, it is story of businesses that want to know what’s going on in business and want to engage with other businesses. It puts on 16 events each year related to business issues, including the popular 2023 Economic Outlook Summit. Each event offers valuable business marketing opportunities. The Business Journal is published weekly and has a website. Upcoming events and publications include “Best Places to Work,” “Diversity and Leadership,” and “Women in Wine,” among others. The Business Journal also has categories for “55 and Above,” “People with Disabilities,” and ”Neurodivergent people.”
The Journal is owned by Sonoma Media Investments (SMI), which owns a host of other local publications, including the Press Democrat. SMI is one of the strongest news companies the United States. Lorez hears from many other local news companies who are impressed with the SMI news organizations and with the engagement of North Bay readers. Without SMI, Sonoma County would be a “news desert.” Traditional news organizations are struggling, partially because many people no longer engage with traditional news. Younger people tend to get their news on social media and often want quick and fast news. Disinformation and misinformation can flourish under these circumstances, and people need to learn to be critical consumers of information. News sources such as SMI and the Business Journal can help people understand what news is reliable. People in Sonoma County are engaged in news and want to retain their reliable information sources.
Many thanks to Lorez for giving us an update on the Business Journal and SMI. Keep up the great work and we’ll continue reading and discussing!
