Last Thursday, Chamber After Hours was held at The Benaroya Company's South Hill Business + Technology Center in Puyallup.
This beautiful campus surrounded by Evergreens was a crowd pleaser and guests enjoyed taking tours of the Class A office spaces, seeing the office for the Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, and exploring the art in the lobby. The newly renovated lobby was the center of the buzz, where the attendees had the chance to mix and mingle over some delicious appetizers and an exclusive wine collection generously provided by Mr. Benaroya himself. The highlight of the night was hearing from Puyallup's Mayor, Mayor Dean Johnson, Jon Rossman, Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board, and Owner of Chuckals Office Products, and from the amazing Marketing Director, Lisa Goodman, with The Benaroya Company. They shared more on the "best things about being in Puyallup and Pierce County." Lisa did the honors of pulling a random business card and presenting an incredible prize to a lucky attendee. This prize was a Two Night Stay at The Lodge at Suncadia! At the end of the night, we were graciously thanked for attending by the Benaroya Team and their wonderful Security Staff. Overall, it was a great way to spend a chilly afternoon in the beautiful lobby of the South Hill Business + Technology Center. While there are no more Chamber After Hours in 2023, you will have the chance to network in the New Year at our Chamber After Hours on January 18th, 2024 hosted by Cogir at the Narrows. Register today! Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in September 2023:
Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in October 2023:
Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in November 2023:
The PCBA Showcase, held on November 8, 2023 at the Washington State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, was a vibrant celebration of entrepreneurial success and innovation. The event marked the culmination of two years of dedication and hard work, as over 70 businesses proudly showcased their achievements after graduating from the program. The showcase provided a platform for these entrepreneurs to exhibit their products and services, network with industry professionals, and connect with potential customers. The diversity of businesses on display was awe-inspiring, ranging from eco-friendly recycled products to cutting-edge cleaning solutions, and from innovative networking platforms to dynamic business marketing companies. One of the standout features of the event was the eclectic array of culinary delights. Attendees were treated, with offerings from some of the region's most exciting food entrepreneurs. The Art of Crunch delighted taste buds with an assortment of baked goods, while Trini Plate transported attendees to the Caribbean with its flavorful offerings. Girl Loves Cake showcased an irresistible selection of cookies and cakes, and Bomb Charcuterie tantalized palates with samples of their expertly crafted charcuterie boards. Apaez Shellfish LLC presented the freshest oysters, while Taquiza Chuy provided a taste of homemade chips and salsa. Boba Babe satisfied sweet cravings with a variety of boba tea selections, and Cerellos’s Pizza impressed with its diverse pizza offerings. Panaderia La Placita rounded out the culinary experience with a delightful assortment of baked goods. The vibrant atmosphere of the showcase attracted over 300 attendees, including entrepreneurs, investors, and community members eager to support and engage with the local business community. The event offered a unique opportunity for networking, as participants had the chance to forge valuable connections, sample diverse products, and gain insight into the innovative ventures emerging from the south sound region. As we look back on another year of the Pierce County Business Accelerator program, we are left behind a palpable sense of achievement and community spirit. The showcase not only celebrated the businesses that had successfully completed the accelerator program but also served as a testament to the region's entrepreneurial resilience and creativity. The event reinforced the importance of fostering a supportive ecosystem for local businesses, highlighting the potential for growth, collaboration, and prosperity within the vibrant business community of Pierce County.
The Pierce County Business Accelerator is a program of Pierce County funded through an allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). For more information visit pcba.biz. At the Chamber's Annual Meeting on November 1, the winners of the 2023 Spotlight on Business Awards were announced.
These awards celebrate exceptional businesses and organizations that achieve incredible things in local commerce, in their industries, and in the community. Nominations for these awards were submitted by businesses and community members. Congratulations to the 2023 award recipients! Business Excellence Award: The Doty Group, P.S. Small Business Excellence Award: Bottimore & Associates, PLLC Non-Profit Excellence Award: Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County Representation in Business Award: Acts Pharmacy & Healthcare Services LLC Business Supporter of the Military Award: 27 West On October 19, the 45th Annual Business Leadership Academy embarked on a half day bus tour of the Port of Tacoma focusing on the main economic impact drivers of the South Sound. We focused on the Port footprint and highlighted the history of the Port and major economic impact industries- maritime, military and manufacturing.
We started the morning with a presentation from Kristen Ang, commissioner, Port of Tacoma with a Port Overview. Our next stop was Tacoma Rail where Superintendent Dale King let attendees get up close to working Tacoma Rail. Leslie Barstow, Community Relations, Port of Tacoma took the group on an hour-long tour of Port of Tacoma Road. The tour provided the group with an overview of port operations, equipment and waterways. The Port highlighted efforts to restore critical salmon habitat and ensure that the future of operations in Tacoma will continue to set the standard for economic impact and sustainability, and environmental stewardship. Lastly, the group toured Foss Waterway Seaport Museum with Executive Director Brent Mason. We learned about the historic role the building played in Tacoma’s port-maritime activities, serving as a grain terminal. We were able to learn how Tacoma’s “rails to sales” story evolved over the years, and the influence of the labor movement on Tacoma’s working waterfront. The museum is also home to a marine science program that serves Tacoma Public Schools and a wooden boat shop which offers a range of community programming. It is important to be able to see first-hand how our Port and industrial areas along with a robust manufacturing sector connect with Joint Base Lewis McCord to form the backbone of our economy in Tacoma and Pierce County. Special Thanks to Tour Guide, Ryan Spence, of the Chamber’s Manufacturing Industrial Council. Special thank you to our speakers and tour guides: Kristen Ang, Port of Tacoma Commissioner - Tacoma Rail Superintendent Dale King - Leslie Barstow, Community Relations, Port of Tacoma - Brent Mason, Executive Director of the Foss Waterway Seaport - Ryan Spence, TPCC Manufacturing Industrial Council Education is a powerful tool for growth and development, and when it's tailored to the unique needs of entrepreneurs, it can be transformative. The Pierce-County Business Accelerator (PCBA) program is designed to equip budding entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to take their business ventures to new heights. As the recent PCBA cohort reached its graduation milestone, we are thrilled to celebrate with them and welcome them as Chamber members. In the PCBA program, participants undergo a 6-week class designed to provide them with new skills and mentorship to guide in their entrepreneurial journey, enabling them to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. It's not just about the skills learned during the program; it's also about the optimism and connections it provides. Graduates find value in the relationships formed during the program, and we are excited to provide more networking opportunities as they work to continue to grow and thrive. The graduation commenced with a warm welcome from the Instructors, Pierce County representatives, and the Chamber. After the official welcome, the program was turned over to the entrepreneurs, who had prepared a pitch for their business, showcasing the culmination of their hard work and the skills they had acquired during the PCBA program. These pitches were a testament to the growth and development that had taken place over the six-week cohort.
The success of the recent PCBA cohort is a testament to the program's effectiveness in nurturing and empowering entrepreneurs. With high levels of engagement, skill development, and a focus on mentorship and professional services, the PCBA program is creating a thriving community of entrepreneurs ready to take on the challenges and opportunities in the business world. As these graduates embark on the next stage of their entrepreneurial journeys, we take a moment to celebrate them and all their achievements. Join us for the PCBA Showcase, on November 8th, 2023 at the Washington State Fair Grounds Expo Hall from 5 – 7 pm. Discover potential collaborators, savor outstanding catering services, engage with enthusiastic business leaders, and explore the hidden gems of Pierce County’s innovative products and services you never knew you needed. Event is free and family friendly. Don’t miss out – secure your spot by registering now! On October 17th the Chamber helped celebrate a milestone with a ribbon cutting for Always in Bloom! Also celebrating a grand opening with a ribbon cutting was Sir Grout Tacoma. Congratulations to both businesses on your milestones and we wish you continued success!
October 10-12, 2023
The Chamber was grateful to welcome twenty-four audacious and courageous leaders with us on our Aspire Austin Intercity Leadership Conference as we experienced how that community tackled rapid urban growth, technology and innovation, workforce development and supporting the creative economy and housing and homelessness. We started our conference with a tour of Cruise, an autonomous vehicle company driven to improve life in the communities they serve by safely connecting people with places, things and experiences. These self-driving cars, currently only available in a handful of markets, are setting the pace to truly transform our transportation system. Imagine a city with no need for parking, with fully accessible vehicles, all running on an electric grid. The future is nearer than you may think with the technology advancing rapidly. We continued that first day with set of panel discussions where we paired industry and subject matter experts from Austin with Tacoma to discuss education and workforce development, urban planning and development, and technology and innovation. We also toured the Paramount Theatre and learned more about the impact of the creative economy in Austin, which is so well known for both Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. The final day of the conference awarded us with an opportunity to see and experience what we discussed the previous day during our panels. Part of the focus of Aspire is not only discussing solutions with other communities, but it’s bringing together our own leaders to build trust, grow relationships with each other and truly see the change for themselves. The only way change happens is when people can experience it for themselves. Aspire attendees toured Austin Community College’s Highline Campus and Communities First! Village. Full conference report and information about Aspire 2024 coming soon! Spanning Pierce County, Cohort 14 of the Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) includes a diverse range of 28 unique businesses. From the flavors of charcuterie to the aromas of freshly brewed coffee, from wellness and fitness to cutting-edge networking solutions, printing services, and janitorial services, this cohort represents the rich tapestry of entrepreneurship.
Pierce County Business Accelerator is more than just a business support program; it's a catalyst for economic growth and inclusivity. With a focus on BIPOC, veteran, and women-owned businesses, PCBA is committed to bridging the gap and creating opportunities. Cohort 14, now going into their last week, is excited to use the tools to grow their businesses. Cohort 14's journey through the PCBA is an intensive 6-week, 12-session program. During this time, participants gain access to invaluable tools and resources that are essential for success in today's competitive business landscape. From refining business plans to mastering marketing strategies, each session equips them with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive. PCBA doesn't stop at education; it's a springboard for growth. By nurturing diverse businesses, the accelerator sparks new ideas, drives economic growth, and creates wealth-building opportunities in Pierce County. One of the standout features of the PCBA program is the grant opportunities it provides to graduates upon completion. This financial support is a game-changer for these budding entrepreneurs, allowing them to invest in their businesses, expand their operations, and realize their dreams. Cohort 14's journey through the PCBA is not just an individual achievement; it's a communal success story. The businesses within this cohort are poised to make a lasting impact on Pierce County, creating jobs, driving economic development, and enriching the local community. Pierce County Business Accelerator Cohort 14 is more than just a class; it's a testament to the power of diversity, innovation, and community support. As we wrap up their remarkable journey, we look forward to witnessing the positive transformations these businesses will bring to the region. The PCBA's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship ensures that the future is bright for Cohort 14 and for Pierce County as a whole. Businesses participating in this cohort: Trini Plate Jammin On The One, LLC Bomb Charcuterie Homies Coffee House Fresh Lee NexTech The Garden 777ISH Cookie Desserts Clover Daydreams: A Safe and Inclusive Bookspace Dream Beauty Bar LLC Sugar Faced Sweets DBA Girl Loves Cake Desserts Nakem at the Table, LLC RE Wellness Consulting, LLC MACHOS GYM LLC Glocal Solutions LLC Kristal Klear LLC Promo Up Now Mattice Beauty Supply Nomad Photo Happy Asian Fast Food Lunar Landing Games Inyenga Bella Salon Eco Repurpose Boutique, LLC 5 Star Restoration LLC. Teine Teu Teu Fresh Squeeze Juice Bar Premier Janitorial Service LLC We are honored to announce the list of nominees for the 2023 Spotlight On Business Awards. Each year, these awards celebrate exceptional businesses and organizations that achieve incredible things in local commerce, in their industries, and in the community.
We are thrilled to see the sheer number of amazing businesses nominated this year! We can't wait to celebrate all the nominees (and announce the winners!) at our upcoming Annual Meeting on November 1st. The categories for awards this year are: Business Excellence, Small Business Excellence, Non-Profit Excellence, Representation in Business, and Business Supporter of the Military. Nominations for these awards were submitted by businesses and community members. The 2023 Spotlight On Business Awards Nominees In-Gear Portland Ave. Hair and Beauty Supply The Space Tacoma Bottimore and Associates Rejuvenation Junction Massage and Spa Accident and Injury Chiropractic Dorky's Craft Theory Financial Insights Wealth Management McInnis Engineering Acts Pharmacy Bliss Law Fitness Quest for Women Homewatch CareGivers of Tacoma Indulge Massage Therapy STEP America's Credit Union Rebuilding Hope! Sexual Assalut Center for Pierce County 27 West Sprague Pest Solutions The Doty Group Commencement Bank Our September Chamber After Hours was hosted at TOTE Maritime Alaska's offices in Downtown Tacoma. This event came with a spectacular view of the Port of Tacoma and Thea Foss Waterway. In addition to the amazing view, this event offered delicious catering, giveaway prizes, and plentiful opportunities for networking.
Chamber After Hours is your monthly chance to meet fellow Chamber members, share your business, and develop relationships! Thank you to TOTE Maritime Alaska for hosting us for such a memorable event. View photos from the evening below! Last Thursday, September 14th, our Chamber joined The Art of Crunch to help celebrate its 12-year business anniversary with a ribbon cutting! This marks twelve years in business for The Art of Crunch and two years of having a storefront. This event included delicious samples and deals from The Art of Crunch, a vendor market, and a food truck! Thank you to The Art of Crunch for inviting us to be part of this exciting business milestone, we wish you many more years of success!
View photos from the event below! On Wednesday evening, September 13th, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber hosted a candidates forum featuring candidates running for positions on Tacoma City Council and Port of Tacoma Commission.
The event was held at the Tacoma Art Museum and had around sixty guests in attendance including community leaders, elected officials, and local business owners. The evening began with networking between candidates and guests before the official panels took place. Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber President/CEO Andrea Reay moderated the forum. The first candidate panel featured candidates running for office for Tacoma City Council. This included Chris Van Vechten and Jamika Scott running for District 3, Olgy Diaz and Kristen Wynne running for at-large Position 7, and Todd Briske and Kristina Walker running for at-large Position 8. Attendees in the audience were able to submit their questions to be asked of all candidates, which included questions on the topics of housing, business license fee increases, public safety and policing, the Tacoma Tideflats, and more. Following questions from the audience, the candidates participated in a rapid-fire section of questions during which they were given paddles to hold up to indicate agreeing or disagreeing with statements shared by the moderator. One question asked "Is the City of Tacoma moving in the right direction?" After several moments of consideration, five of the six City Council candidates responded "Yes" with their paddles. The second candidate panel featured candidates running for Port of Tacoma Commission. This included Deanna Keller running for Position 3, as well as Kristin Ang and Dave Bryant running for Position 5. Port candidates answered questions from the audience on the Tideflats Subarea Plan, jobs and workforce development, the economy, workforce housing, and more. These candidates also participated in a rapid-fire question session addressing agree or disagree statements. The event was one of candidates and community members coming together to share ideas and visions for the future of Pierce County. It was clear that everyone in the room was passionate about seeing our region thrive. Thank you to the Tacoma Art Museum for serving as a space for this forum, our sponsors Puget Sound Energy and GTM Transformations LLC, our engaged and respectful audience, and all the candidates who participated. You can learn more about the upcoming elections in Tacoma and Pierce County by viewing our 2023 Vote For Business Guides which feature information on the candidates and exclusive video statements. Elections take place in Pierce County on November 7, 2023. View photos from our Candidates Forum below! Last Thursday, September 7th, we helped welcome PSR Mechanical to Tacoma with a Chamber ribbon cutting! Guests who attended this event were able to view PSR Mechanical's new location in the Port of Tacoma, network with business leaders, and celebrate.
Thank you to PSR Mechanical for having our Chamber join you for this exciting business milestone and to everyone who attended this event. Last Friday, September 8th, our Chamber Ambassadors took their annual trip to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium! The Chamber hosts this excursion every year as a way to thank our Ambassadors for all that they do for our community. This year, our group of Ambassadors got an up-close look at the new polar bear cubs at the zoo! Thank you to our Ambassadors for volunteering so much of your time to our Chamber and thank you to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium for leading us on such an informative and fun tour!
Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in August 2023!
A Advanced Septic & Construction Services Baker Manufacturing Inc Blue Star Families Cruise LLC Darling Ingredients Dorkys Arcade ElectraSpa School of Esthetics Fibrenew Central Tacoma GenCare Lifestyle at Point Ruston Glint Car Wash Gold Standard Landscaping Hammond Knoll OnQ Financial LLC Rotator LLC Suncadia Resort The Sacred Garden LLC U-Haul YSS Dive Welcome to our Chamber the new members who joined in July 2023!
3YNot Company (Comfort Corner Cafe) 4EVRGRN Aichas Wholesomes Always in Bloom Angkor Barber & Beauty Salon LLC The Art of Crunch Atomy Seattle Tacoma Center AuntieSeasonSzn B.I.C. Entertainment & Production Big M Art Glass & Studio C & C Electric Connected & Continuity Cenchrea Barber Shop Cerellos Pizza Cinman Consulting Coaching with Nette LLC Common Ground Coffee Cougarwear Counter Culture Leadership Craft Theory LLC Craft3 CSI Mini Storage Cute Nail EIJAS LLC Elements Eyedentity Studio Gawison Hair Salon Generous Influencers Happy at the Bay & Teriyaki Hee's Best Fades & Haircuts HSY Corporation of NW Island Family Market J & J Nails Spa LLC J.S. Barber Shop Jadawoo Designs Jazzy Curls JC Yeolrinmun Jlee & TK Chiropractic Clinic LLC Lanaya Taylor Hair Studio Locale Modern Plant Design Mindful Health Solutions Mins Crew LLC Musette Piano Studio New Kko Kko Restaurant New York Life Insurance Company-ISABELLA BROOKS, AGENT Operation Red Dot Orchard Cleaners Pho V & V Vietnamese Restaurant Photo Map LLC Portland Avenue Hair & Beauty Supply PostNet Spanaway QS21 LLC Rainier Refills RCF Tacoma Ready Set Go - Kids Club Reclaiming Us Rollin Cafe LLC SE Events Sonny Nail LLC Sunny Barber Susie Investment, Inc. Swae Media The Kindship The Party’s Here LLC The RV Doctor Tiger Taekwondo Academy, Inc. Vanity Esthetics Venus Nails Salon LLC WSP USA Welcome to our Chamber the new members who joined in June 2023!
27 West A & H Tax Services LLC A & N Auto Repair Amel's Care LLC Andrew's Tattoos Annia's Interpreting Services Apaez Shellfish LLC Artur's Salon LLC Auto Reparaciones de Dios AZ Drywall and Painting LLC B's Cleaners LLC Belmont Cleaning Big Dawg Barbershop Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound Brigitte O'Michaels LLC Brown Girl Farmer Cache Hair Salon LLC Comparative Solutions LLC Crown Beauty Supply LLC Eleven Eleven Sauce Father & Son Outreach Fletcher & Sons Logistics LLC Floreria Anita G & G Roofing LLC Genesis Cleaning Services Go Mac Residential Painting Company LLC Great Life Investing Hudson Security LLC Jared & Brothers Enterprises JCarlos Landscaping LLC Josme's Cleaning & More Junkers Nest Vintage Liz Dream Boutique Corp. M1DASTOUCH Man and A Van, Inc. Munem'Ma Fashion Jewelry LLC Panaderia Y Taqueria La Placita, Inc. PCMA Petunia's Cleaning Services LLC PSR Mechanical Quarter Nickel Dime Accounting & Tax Services Relentlux Beauty Restful Reciprocity Salsitas Picositas San Migual Servicios Contables Payroll & Bookkeeping LLC Socials With Spice Tacoma Design Co. Tacoma Soda Works Taquizas Chuy TCE Electric Terrell King of Clean The Barber Lounge The Space Tacoma U.S. Bank-KENT BRANCH Uncle Al's TEXAS BBQ Under The Pine Tree Urban Business Support Valentine Enterprise LLC Vimbai Madya Vision Youth Academy Vivid Creative Co. Voice Tacoma Creative Media LLC Last Thursday, August 24th, we joined the American Red Cross for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of their new office in University Place. The event was attended by local leaders including University Place Mayor Steve Worthington,
University Place Council Member Edward Wood, University Place Council Member Javier Figueroa, Senator Murray's District Representative Juan Beltran, Derek Kilmer's District Representative Courtney Acoff, and City of Tacoma Deputy Mayor Kristina Walker. The South Puget Sound and Olympics Chapter of the American Red Cross serves the communities of Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, and Thurston counties. Thank you to everyone who attended this exciting event and to the American Red Cross for inviting us to be part of this milestone! View photos from the event below and read more in this article from South Sound Business. Calling all amazing South Sound businesses! It is once again time to submit nominations for the 2023 Spotlight on Business Awards. The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber annually recognizes and celebrates businesses in our community that have demonstrated excellence this past year. This is your chance to nominate your business— or another amazing business in our community— for a Spotlight Award!
Nominations must be submitted by 11:59 P.M. on September 22, 2023. This year's five award categories are
What is "excellence"? For the purpose of these awards, excellence can mean many things. It can be your business having a record-breaking year in terms of profits, launching a new service or program, undergoing a rebrand, making headlines, and much more. It could also be overcoming a significant business challenge or discovering an innovative solution to a workplace issue. Excellence can also be demonstrated in the form of giving back to the community through philanthropic contributions or service days. Whatever it is your business has achieved this past year, we want to help you celebrate it. The Spotlight on Business Awards will be announced at the Chamber's Annual Meeting taking place November 1st, 2023 from 5-7 P.M. Businesses must be an active member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber in order to be considered for a Spotlight Award. Last Thursday, August 17th, we hosted our monthly Chamber After Hours at the Washington State Fair! This was a great event full of opportunities to network, connect, and see what's in store at the Fair this year. Thank you to all members of our business community who attended. We hope to see you at our next After Hours! Thank you to the Washington State Fair and The Vault Catering for being part of this event!
View photos from the evening below! This past Monday, July 31st, our Chamber participated in a roundtable event focused on child care and early learning in Washington. Lack of affordable, accessible child care continues to be a top issue for employers and workers in our state. According to the Association for Washington Business, a shortage of affordable child care is "consistently ranked as one of the top ten issues facing Washington employers, and 13% report it’s the number one issue."
This event was part of a statewide bus tour launched by AWB to promote child care and early learning throughout Washington. The tour is part of the Legislator Education and Action Project (LEAP), a collaboration between the AWB Institute and the Children’s Campaign Fund Action. The goal of the roundtable was to "educate elected officials, policymakers, business leaders and stakeholders about early learning and child care" as well as to "gather information about the state of child care in Washington to share in a report after the tour." Thank you to AWB for leading this informative, important event and for choosing our Chamber to host a roundtable on this tour. Our Chamber looks forward to being part of the effort to find solutions to child care access in Washington. On July 15th and 16th, Joint Base Lewis McChord hosted JAWE, a Joint Airshow and Warrior Expo. This event was the first of its kind hosted on the base in seven years and was an important opportunity to connect our local military with the surrounding South Sound community. Military service members and their families are a significant and vital portion of our local population, and JBLM plays a major role in our regional economy. Events like these showcase the skill and dedication of our local service members and give citizens the chance to interact, understand, and appreciate our local military community.
Our Chamber CEO/President Andrea Reay was honored to have been invited to attend this airshow and expo. While there, she was able to view demonstrations from Team McChord’s own 22nd Special Tactics Squadron, the C-17 West Coast Demonstration Team, and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. It was also a great opportunity for networking and building partnerships with our service members and military leaders. Thank you to JBLM for inviting our Chamber to participate in this landmark event! View photos below!
As a family man, Troy Alstead saw a problem. Children’s birthday parties were plenty of fun for kids, but the same couldn’t be said for the parents. There is only so much cardboard pizza, tiny plastic chairs, and fluorescent lighting an adult can handle.
As a businessman, and former chief operating officer at Starbucks, he saw an opportunity. Why couldn’t children and adults both have a good time at birthday parties? Shouldn’t there be a place for a community where everyone can come together to have a good time regardless of their age? On business trips overseas, Alstead had seen an inspiring concept: multi-purpose centers that brought communities together to experience a variety of activities and entertainment under one roof. If this idea could work abroad, why not also in Gig Harbor? While age-inclusive entertainment was the central idea, another lifelong passion of Alstead’s would come to play an equally important role in the development of this concept: protecting and caring for our oceans. From this surprising combination, Ocean5 was born.
Listen to Ocean5 general manager Sarah Michael on the latest episode of Making It in the South Sound!
Since opening in the spring of 2018, Ocean5 has welcomed thousands of visitors through its doors. The entertainment center draws guests not only from Gig Harbor, but from all over the Puget Sound, for bowling, arcade games, laser tag, live music, restaurant offerings, and much more.
Ocean5 has truly become a choose-your-own-adventure experience of entertainment, while never straying far from its goal of protecting the ocean. The name Ocean5 comes from the fact that there are five oceans on the planet. Similarly, the on-site restaurant, Table 47, is named in honor of Gig Harbor being located on the 47th parallel geographically. The connection to the ocean and passion for sustainable business practices goes much further than a name. General manager Sarah Michael shares that a big part of the environmental effort at Ocean5 is to “educate quietly by the practices we do as a company.” This mentality can be found in every area of how the business is run: from the building’s architecture itself, to product sourcing, to events and education. The Ocean5 complex is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certified building. Inside, it houses many unique and ingenious details that incorporate sustainability into everyday operations. The building uses creative “solar tubes” to fill the space with natural light during the daytime and reduce electricity use. Rather than a traditional free fall and mechanical arm method for re-setting pins on the bowling alleys, Ocean5 uses a recent technology called a string pinsetter that is much more energy efficient.
When it comes to sourcing products for the center, whether for the restaurant’s kitchen or arcade prizes, sustainability is also a high priority. Table 47 takes a hyper-local approach to ingredients whenever possible. This can be seen reflected in its bar menu full of local, sustainably produced spirits.
Ocean5 has found a way to make sustainability not just background noise, but part of the entertainment itself. It hosts educational series for kids featuring mascots that share lessons on good environmental practices. Events throughout the year such as bingo and trivia nights contribute proceeds to local organizations helping the ocean and environment. Sustainability at Ocean5 is a concept that applies to more than just the planet. “We also want to sustain our staff, and so we look at training and how we engage with our staff as also a practice of sustainability,” says Sarah Michael. For many employees of Ocean5, it’s their first time entering the workforce. The goal, says Michael, is to retain these employees and grow their leadership and confidence until they potentially go to college, trade school, or enter another industry. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Michael credits the company culture and values that were present from day one as a reason Ocean5 was able to survive. While it had to temporarily downsize its workforce to a small core team throughout the pandemic, it was able to re-hire 60 former employees upon reopening. Michael sees the culinary and kitchen staff as the biggest testament to success in sustainable staffing, as 90% of the same staff remained with Ocean5 throughout COVID. Ocean5 has emerged from the pandemic with an even stronger commitment to its employees, finding new ways to build leadership and take care of one another.
While Ocean5 may be a local leader in environmentally friendly business practices, it isn’t doing the work alone. Michael states that community partnerships play a key role in the business’s sustainability practices. This includes everything from sourcing ingredients from local farms to philanthropy events with environment-focused nonprofits. Additionally, its leadership expects environmental sustainability to be one of the next big issues facing businesses in the near future.
For businesses wondering how to even begin to think about sustainability, Michael says it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. She recommends starting with just a couple of changes that can make a difference rather than a complete overhaul. This can be as simple as encouraging staff to use reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic, or participating in a company beach cleanup. And, as Ocean5 has done, building community relationships with organizations already doing the work, and seeing how you can help. You just might find the opportunities run as deep as the ocean.
This Member Feature story is part of a series by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to promote stronger connections and increased engagement between the Chamber, its members, and the local business community. Member stories are non-promotional opportunities to share members' business stories with the community. If you are a Chamber member interested in being featured for a story, please contact Digital Marketing Manager Audrey Widner at audreyw@tacomachamber.org
Last Friday, July 14th, we joined Inta Vintage in Sumner to celebrate the grand re-opening of all three floors of their retail store! This local business is the place to look for all your vintage goods, from furniture to clothing to music! We were honored to help this Chamber member celebrate this important business milestone with a ribbon-cutting. Thank you to everyone who joined us at this exciting community event!
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