Last Tuesday evening, we welcomed the Spaceworks Fall Business Plan Cohort at their first session at the Chamber office!

This cohort includes businesses like; Illustrator, Clothing designer, Ceramicists, Art Therapist, and Tattoo Artist, to name a few. We’re excited to walk them through their business plan development and look forward to inviting you all to their graduation!

About Spaceworks Business Plan Cohort

The Business Plan Cohort is the backbone of Spaceworks Tacoma's Incubator and results in a formal business plan. Participants meet once a week for 12 weeks (3 hours/week).

This cohort focuses on those businesses that have tested their product or service in the market (friends, family, markets, Etsy, brick and mortar, etc.) and have a clear understanding of what they are providing to the customer. At the end of this 12-week cohort, participants will have gained the knowledge to successfully run your business, a completed business plan, and will have presented your pitch at your Graduation. 


Photo of Incubator alum, BirdLoft:

The Business Leadership Academy of Tacoma-Pierce County aims to connect both current and emerging leaders with our business community, fostering leadership development and interaction with exemplary figures in their respective fields. This program is sponsored by the Chamber and Pacific Lutheran University and has been a regional community leadership program since 1978.
 
This program kicked off its 46th year last week as we welcomed 19 excited leaders into the Business Leadership Academy community! There are many things to look forward to over the next several weeks as these leaders explore leader development, assess their leadership strengths and weaknesses, learn from leaders that contribute to the vitality of our community, and visit organizations at the heart of our regional business community.

During the first day of class, students received the chance to hear from Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber President & CEO, Andrea H. Reay. She shared more on her career journey, valuable leadership insight, and what led her to our Chamber. Thank you, Andrea, for taking the time to speak to our BLA students!

What's Ahead

We are excited to engage with Tacoma's Downtown community through an extensive tour led by JD Elquist, Retail Advocate at Downtown Tacoma Partnership. Additionally, our Economic Development Tour will take participants through the Port of Tacoma, showcasing the vibrant economic opportunities in the region. These tours will highlight the dynamic business environment and offer valuable insights into Tacoma's economic landscape.

​Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in August 2024:​

The Covid-19 Pandemic was a time of entrepreneurship exploration for many people and Alicia Hall, Owner of Bomb Charcuterie is one of those people. During the pandemic, Alicia and her daughter took a zoom-course on ‘charcuterie-how-to' and building creative cheeseboards quickly became her favorite hobby. Alicia started small by sharing her craft with friends and family. However, once she realized what a great opportunity it presented, she set out to make it her full-time job.

Hall graduated from the Pierce County Business Accelerator Program ready to break ground on her new vocational journey and in January of 2024, claimed 919 Kincaid Avenue in the heart of Downtown Sumner as her new headquarters. Husband, Aaron, and Alicia started renovating what used to be a clothing boutique, expecting it to take only three months or so to finish. Unfortunately, three months turned into eight.

However, on August 28th, Bomb Charcuterie celebrated their grand opening with a crowd full of family, friends, Sumner residents, and some special guests! Attendees included the City of Sumner’s Mayor, Kathy Hayden; Lori Waltier, Executive Director of the Sumner Main Street Association (who partnered with the Chamber to put this on); and many other administrative folks from the City of Sumner. The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber thanks Alicia Hall for inviting us to commemorate the opening of Bomb Charcuterie with a ribbon cutting ceremony.  
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If you are in the market for cheese and other charcuterie provisions, sandwiches, tartines, catering at a variety of events, workshops on charcuterie 101, or other gifts inspired by the rich tradition of France and Italy, then travel by car, foot, or train to get a taste of this Bomb Charcuterie!

Website: Charcuterie Boards Puyallup, WA | Bomb Charcuterie​

​Contact Information:
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber
Andrea H. Reay
President & CEO
253-627-2175

TACOMA - August 28, 2024 - This past June, The City of Tacoma, in collaboration with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce and EMC Research, launched its first-ever Economic Development Business Climate Survey.

"Our local businesses are the backbone of our community, and this survey gives us valuable insights into their needs and challenges,” said Mayor Victoria Woodards. “By understanding these results, we can work together with our business community to continue to create a thriving economic environment that supports growth and innovation supported by city policies and actions.”

The primary objective of the survey was collecting wide and comprehensive data to help ensure that the economic development work we do is truly centered in and for our local business community. These valuable insights will help inform the City Council and Economic Development priorities for 2025.
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Tacoma Pierce County Chamber President and CEO, Andrea H. Reay “The Tacoma Pierce County Chamber was excited to work with the City of Tacoma to understand firsthand the needs of the business community. We look forward to using this valuable insight to strengthen the local economy and improve the outlook for all of Tacoma’s businesses.”

Feedback from this survey will play a crucial role in ensuring that the City of Tacoma continues to meet the needs of its business community while prioritizing future investments.

All businesses within the city were encouraged to participate in the survey, which focused on their experiences as members of Tacoma's business community. The survey was offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean. 221 businesses completed interviews; 174 of the businesses had a physical location in the City of Tacoma. Outreach and support of the survey was provided from community partners including Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Korean Women’s Association, The Black Collective, Tacoma Urban League, and Mi Centro.

Primary findings from the survey indicate that the Business Health Index is doing “okay”, 6.34 on a scale of 0-10. There were strong positive results in terms of the commitment businesses have to Tacoma as a great place to have a business.

The most important factors in choosing a business location are safety, cleanliness, and the cost of doing business, specifically taxes. Improving communication from the City of Tacoma on policies that could impact business was important to 87% of businesses.

“As Chair of the Economic Development Committee, ensuring that the City of Tacoma is an exceptional partner for local businesses is a top priority,” said Council Member Kiara Daniels. “This survey provides important insights into what our local businesses need to achieve their goals and the challenges they are facing. I’m eager to ensure that we translate this information into action and continue to make Tacoma an ideal environment for our businesses.” 

 Link here​ for the full survey result report. 

About the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber is the voice for business and a catalyst for prosperity in Tacoma. Our vision is to support a thriving business environment that promotes economic growth and livability in our community.

About the City of Tacoma
The City of Tacoma is committed to fostering a vibrant business environment. In line with Resolution 41069, the City is conducting this Business Climate Survey with a diverse group of businesses to deepen our understanding of their needs, optimize existing resources, and prioritize anti-racism in policy recommendations.

What is the go-to food any day of the week, on holidays, and of course the morning after a night out? If you guessed Chinese food, you’d be correct! Panda Express has been serving freshly prepared American Chinese food with real ingredients since 1983. Launching in California, they have now spread to over 2,500 locations spanning across the United States and in eleven international countries. Here in Washington State alone, we have over 70 stores. Local to Pierce County, Spanaway just got their first Panda Express on August 15th!

Residents flooded the complex forming a line of several dozen people-deep, well before 8:00 o’clock in the morning! Guests were greeted by not only a giant blow-up Panda, but a mascot named ‘Pay’ ready to pose for a photo with a “thumbs-up”.  While waiting for the doors to open, they were also entertained by the talented Spanaway Lake High School Cheer Squad, ‘Sway’*. 
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The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber was able to introduce Josie Cervantes, Area Coach of Operations; Janine Lorenzo, Training Leader; along with several more Panda Family team members to commemorate the grand opening. After the speeches were given and the ribbon was cut, the first customer was welcomed and given a special prize from Pay for the accomplishment. Also, the first 88 guests were given a swag bag with a Panda Express branded t-shirt inside.

If you are wanting to indulge in some delicious American Chinese favorites such as The Original Orange Chicken or Chow Mein, head over to the newest Panda Express in Spanaway-nicknamed ‘Panda Home’ because it is an invitation into the store that which takes on traditional Chinese architecture elements. Things like red lanterns, a moon gate portal, Chinatown signs and more, gives the restaurant a sense of home and hospitality. Inside the store, guests can get a glimpse of who Panda Express is as a brand, experience the culture, and meet the Panda Family of associates.

*Each member of the squad gave verbal consent for photos/videos to be taken and shared. 

What started as a young boy’s dream of owning a confectionery shop in Germany, where he could work in the shop pouring fresh chocolate into bars whilst children stood outside gazing in through the window in amazement, turned into owning Boba Tea Island (BTI), a boba tea cafe in Lakewood where people of all ages come in to enjoy delicious bubble tea! Hakan Yilmaz is not only the proud Owner of BTI, but also a Pierce County Business Accelerator Program Graduate, and quite the entrepreneur.

Hakan invited the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to celebrate the new-ownership, renovation, and renaming of the business with a ribbon cutting ceremony. What sets Boba T Island apart from the rest is the fact that they are partnering with Tacoma’s Sister City Fuzhou, China, to import the tea that they sell at the shop. They have partnered with The World Trade Center Tacoma, Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Tacoma Sister Cities, and Tacoma-Pierce County EDB, along with several other organizations to make this possible.

With an incredible staff, fun and playful environment, along with sweet treats for sale, BTI is the best cafe to meet a friend, have a quick day-date, or just relax and read a book while you enjoy your boba beverage. Thank you Hakan for allowing the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to be a part of your big day, and good luck on your new endeavor! 

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobatisland/ 

​We love our ambassador team and are very grateful to have their support! Our Chamber ambassadors are an extension of the Chamber staff, allowing our members to have more points of contact. We want to highlight each ambassador as a 'thank you' for their continued support and dedication that they put into the ambassador team.

We asked each ambassador a set of questions in an effort to become better acquainted and get a preview of their life outside of ambassador work. For September, we will be highlighting the wonderful Sarah Asay!

Friends, family, and community connections gathered on Saturday, August 24th, to commemorate the official launch celebration of MK Creative, a local marketing agency and proud new member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber.

Founder and Creative Director, McKensey R. Domas, has experience working with businesses, nonprofits, artists and makers, movers and shakers:

“I come alongside you to help build your brand, grow your business, and reclaim time to focus on your clients and do what you do best.”

As a business owner and artist herself, McKensey knows what it’s like to wear all the hats in a business. With a background in corporate marketing and communications, McKensey brings her unique skills to provide approachable marketing solutions curated for you and your business.

MK Creative specializes in brand development, graphic design, website design, and implementing strategic marketing plans. Visit mkcreativemarketing.com to learn more and book a free 30-minute discovery meeting.

Website: https://www.mkcreativemarketing.com
Email: [email protected]

Chamber After Hours at the Washington State Fair Events Center, falling on the second week in August, has become a yearly affair for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber!
 
Taking place just before the start of the notable Washington State Fair, aka the Fall Fair, Chamber After Hours is the perfect time for attendees to get excited for the upcoming festivities. This year, guests got to experience the event in the Fair View Club, located between the Blue and Gold Gate on the grounds, and adjacent to the Pavilion Marketplace. This private room can be used for corporate events, receptions, special events, and much more. Charcuterie-style food was provided along with beverages and most importantly, scones.
 
Andrea Reay, President & CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, alongside Cari Dixon, Chief Growth Officer of the WA State Fair management team shared, a few words about the partnership between the two entities, and the amazing projects and events that have blossomed from it. They finished with a giveaway drawing for 12 lucky winners! Among the prizes were tickets to the Umpqua Bank Concert Series, Emerald Downs, and a Tacoma Rainier’s baseball game.

Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber member and Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) graduate, Arabia Essence, had the grand opening of their Olympia store on Monday, August 12! Arabia Essence offers a variety of Middle Eastern perfume oils and bottles, jewelry, and home decor. There is a selection of women’s formal wear, as well.  
 
The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber was able to partner with the Thurston County Chamber to celebrate the business milestone of Astou Sow, owner of Arabia Essence. 
 
Jessica Houchin, Operations and Events Coordinator for the Thurston County Chamber was able to share photos from the special day. Thank you, Jessica, and fellow Thurston County Chamber staff, for taking the lead on this event! 
 
Arabia Essence also has a store in the Kitsap Mall in Kitsap County, which will celebrate their grand opening on Tuesday, September 10. We are excited to partner with the Greater Kitsap Chamber to commemorate this additional milestone. 
 
Congratulations, Astou, on your two amazing business milestones! We look forward to seeing you continue to thrive and grow in our community. ​

Website: https://arabiaessencellc.com
Email: [email protected]

​We love our ambassador team and are very grateful to have their support! Our Chamber ambassadors are an extension of the Chamber staff, allowing our members to have more points of contact. We want to highlight each ambassador as a 'thank you' for their continued support and dedication that they put into the ambassador team.

We asked each ambassador a set of questions in an effort to become better acquainted and get a preview of their life outside of ambassador work. For August, we will be highlighting the great Laura Etscheid! ​

Learn More About the Ambassador Program
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​​Interested in learning more about what it takes to be a Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber ambassador? Learn more here.

​Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in July 2024:​

   • 4EVRGRN
   • A1 Financial Services
   • Aichas Wholesomes
   • AMP Studio LLC
   • Anchor Puzzles LLC
   • Black Bishop Financial Group
   • C & C Electric Connected & Continuity
   • Cafe Pacific Catering, Inc.
   • Cedar Gate Creatives
   • Cinman Consulting
   • Degesch America
   • EL visionZ
   • EXIT SUCCESS Solutions
   • FRN Corp.
   • Girls Hearts on Fire
   • Harbor Freight - Frederickson
   • Hello, Beautiful
   • Hunt's Services
   • Mark Lindquist Law
   • MD'S Hauling
   • MK Creative
   • Mr Racks LLC
   • Origin Medicine
   • Soulberry Coffee House LLC
   • Steepmeadow Solutions
   • Toby Murray
   • Tresha's Treasures
   • Yates Enterprise Solutions
   • Youngblood Plumbing & Radiant LLC
   • Yours Truly

Tacoma Propeller Club was the gracious Chamber After Hours host this month! The event was held at the Fabulich Center, where attendees could enjoy the building’s shaded garden space and open first floor plan, which made for a comfortable atmosphere to network in the mid-summer heat.  

Tacoma Propeller Club has been supporting the community and Port industries of Tacoma since 1936. The organization is passionate about their mission to promote and support the Puget Sound maritime industry through adult and youth education. Each year, the Tacoma Propeller Club hosts a large Salmon Bake which becomes the perfect opportunity to teach the public about who they are and what they do.  

​Similarly, this month’s Chamber After Hours was also a great opportunity to share the wealth of knowledge. Several guests hadn’t known what Tacoma Propeller Club was, and others had also never visited the Fabulich Center. By the end of the night, everyone left with a better understanding of the day-to-day operations of Tacoma Propeller Club. It was wonderful to see several of their Board Members also attended the event and they were eager to share more about their organization.  
 
Thank you to all who attended July’s After Hours, as well as a special ‘thank you’ to Tacoma Propeller Club for being a fantastic host! Learn more about Tacoma Propeller Club and their work by visiting their website. 

Website: https://www.tacomapropellerclub.com  ​

​If you were unable to attend July’s Chamber After Hours and want to join us in August, please register here. This next After Hours event will be held at the Washington State Fairgrounds!  ​

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 two recent PCBA cohorts reached their graduation milestone, we are thrilled to celebrate with them and welcome them as Chamber members.
 
In the PCBA program, participants undergo a six-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. As these graduates embark on the next stage of their entrepreneurial journeys, we take a moment to celebrate them and all their achievements.

View photos from the Cohort 17 & 18 graduations below and learn more about the Pierce County Business Accelerator at www.pcba.biz!

​We love our ambassador team and are very grateful to have their support! Our Chamber ambassadors are an extension of the Chamber staff, allowing our members to have more points of contact. We want to highlight each ambassador as a 'thank you' for their continued support and dedication that they put into the ambassador team.

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​We asked each ambassador a set of questions in an effort to become better acquainted and get a preview of their life outside of ambassador work. Our ambassador highlight for July is the amazing Jessica Johnston!

Life as an Ambassador

Three words Jessica used to describe being an ambassador were “Gratitude, Honor, and Connection.”
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Jessica has only been a member since January of this year but has already proven to be a valuable member of the ambassador team. She says “I take pride in sharing the tools and opportunities the Chamber provides with those considering joining. Making these connections and witnessing entrepreneurs turning their dreams into fully supported businesses brings me great satisfaction.”
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Jessica’s great grandparents were the owners of the first TV and Appliance store in West Seattle, influencing her family to advocate for small businesses and inspire others for the community. This has prompted her passion for being an ambassador because of the support and involvement for local businesses in Tacoma-Pierce County.


Life Outside of Being an Ambassador

Outside of Ambassador life, Jessica is the Director of Court House Square in Downtown Tacoma and the KSP building on Hilltop. She also volunteers as the Chair of the City Events and Recognition Committee (CERC) for the City of Tacoma. This committee organizes the annual MLK celebration, City of Destiny Awards, Special Events Funding program, and much more. For her, this holds significance as she contributes to recognizing and celebrating the positive differences made by individuals within
​our city.
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Additionally, Jessica continues to be heavily involved with the City of Tacoma by working with Tacoma’s Venue and Events. It is abundantly clear how dedicated Jessica is to her community and its people!
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The Chamber looks forward to continuing to work alongside Johnston to make a positive and meaningful impact together.

Connect with Jessica
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If you would like to get in contact with Jessica to gain more information about the Chamber or Court House Square, you can reach her here: [email protected]

​​Interested in learning more about what it takes to be a Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber ambassador? Learn more here.

​Surrounded by family and friends, Alicia Ortiz, owner of ‘Hey, Beautiful LLC’ celebrated the grand opening of her makeup and beauty shop in the Point Ruston Market on July 12th. In this shop, you will find a range of beauty and skincare products with brands such as Anastasia Beverly Hills, The Creme Shop, Haus of Glam, Beauty Creations, and much more.
 
Point Ruston Market makes the perfect host venue for Hey, Beautiful LLC since hundreds of people come to the market every day. Stepping into Alicia’s portion of the market transforms you into a pink wonderland filled with glam decor, florals, and even a vanity for you to look in the mirror. Inventory is fully stocked with each product for varieties to fit every style and skin tone, making you really want to treat yourself!
 
Alicia is so excited about this new journey and the Chamber wants to thank her for inviting us to celebrate with her. The next time you want a good facemask or aren’t sure what to get someone as a gift, check out Hey, Beautiful LLC and you’ll quickly find what you need!

Phone: (253) 468-2224

Back in March 2024, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber hosted a handful of Pierce County middle school students in the National Civics Bee Local Bee competition. The three finalists from this Local Bee were then invited to compete in the Washington State Civics Bee, in which participating Chamber’s from across the state would bring their Local Bee finalists to compete as well. The Association of Washington Businesses (AWB) administers the Washington State Civics Bee.
 
Thirteen of the state’s most civic-minded middle schoolers came to Olympia, WA, on June 29th, ready to put their knowledge to the test. Three of those students came from Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Local Bee: Troy Smith, Eatonville Middle School; Benjamin Wu, Curtis Junior High School; and Brayden Fieber, Harbor Ridge Middle School.
 
The Minnaert Center for Performing Arts was the perfect venue for the Washington State Finals. The theater was full of supporters, all sending good wishes to their respective students. Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck served as emcee for the two rounds of competition, followed by announcing the five names who would be moving onto the third round.
 
We are very proud of each student for their hard work in the two rounds. We were excited to see Benjamin Wu placed in the top five for round three go on to win second place in the Washington State Civics Bee. Third place went to Athena Strickler of Garrison Middle School (Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce). First place went to Ilyannie Gonzalez from Washington Virtual Academy (South Kitsap Chamber of Commerce). Gonzalez will move onto the National Civics Bee in Washington D.C., this November.
 
Students and attendees of the Washington State Finals were invited to stick around after the competition to take a private tour of the Capitol. On the tour, attendees visited Lieutenant Governor Heck’s office and the observation deck, while learning more about each room. An exclusive peek to the private reception room was provided, which is usually not part of standard tours. The tour guide made an exception, and guests were able to sit on the luxurious couches and learn what types of events took place in the ballroom.
 
After wandering the halls observing the chandeliers, marble walls, and stonework, the tour ended at the gallery of construction photos. These photos showed the Legislative Building being erected back in the 1920’s from start to finish. It was fascinating to see just how quickly the building went from the ground up.
 
Overall, it was a wonderful day to celebrate the hardworking students who have dedicated many months, both while in school and on summer break, to honing their engagement in civics topics.

Around The Clock Child Care Center (ATC) has grown yet again – with facilities already in Fife and Tacoma, they opened their new building in Lakewood on Monday, July 8!
 
We always appreciate Erika Snell, founder of ATC, for always including us in their grand opening celebrations, and this is no different. This new care center is brightly colored, full of various toys, games, and curricular activities, and has multiple large rooms for the children of each age group respectively.
 
Joined by future care children and their families, the extreme heat was no match for the air-conditioned facility, which everyone received a sneak peak of. Although it looks like a brand-new establishment, it has quite a history. What started as the Thunderbird Shopping Center in 1960, the strip is now called Oakbrook Plaza. Previous tenants include Blockbuster, Jackson Hewitt, a different childcare center, and even had proposals for a softball team’s batting range.
 
Pierce County Councilmember, Jani Hitchen, shared a few words during the ribbon cutting ceremony and touched on how important it is to have customized childcare in this day-and-age where many parents aren’t working the typical 9-to-5 job. ATC will be, exactly as the name implies, a 24/7 care facility. Their program values cultural and social differences, takes a Montessori approach, and goes beyond the four learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing preference, and kinesthetic. The teachers and caregivers are highly experienced and are passionate about child development. They also offer scholarships for families in need.
 
Erika mentioned there will be a future ribbon cutting ceremony for another location, so be sure to follow ATC’s journey!
 
Website: https://atccenter.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 253-368-9705

​Booktrovert: [book-tro-vert-noun] A person who prefers the company of fictional characters to real people. Shannon Grover, owner of The Lakewood Bookstore, is a self-proclaimed booktrovert.

After many years of following her spouse's vocational journey, Shannon knew she was ready to start her own. Being the booklover she is, Grover decided to open her own bookstore; a place where she would be happy to come every day and pour her passion of reading into.
The Lakewood Bookstore is in an old cellphone store, but you’d never know that once you step in. There are two floors: the main floor carries the books, and the second floor is a fun hangout spot for people to read, play games, build puzzles, or just chat. Not only are there plenty of books in the store, but there is also stationery, stuffed animals, book accessories, puzzles, and more.

On the day of the ribbon cutting, the store was full of eager guests all in awe of the inventory, the design of the store, and the overall atmosphere. Grover is a graduate of the Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) Program, which is also something to be celebrated! There were fellow graduates at the ceremony, and one of them even provided reuseable shopping bags for attendees, with The Lakewood Bookstore logo proudly displayed on the face of the bag.
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We were honored to be part of this exciting business milestone and look forward to a ‘happily ever after’ for The Lakewood Bookstore!

Website: https://thelakewoodbookstore.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: ​253-625-7913

If you have been following the Chamber for a while, you probably have attended a few of our signature events. Occurring quarterly, Chamber signature events take months of planning and significant collaboration to make them meaningful, memorable, and successful. Those events also gain the highest attendance. Our 2024 Happy Hour Business Expo was no exception – we expected over 400 attendees to come out and we were happily surprised to have 500+ people attend!

The Happy Hour Business Expo is arguably the most favorite for members (and staff) amongst our signature events. This year’s event helped kick-off summer with sunshine throughout the day, which perfectly highlighted the venue’s location at the Tacoma Narrows Marina. This was our third-year hosting HHBE at The Waterfront Venue, and guests got to experience a few new aspects this time around.

As guests entered the venue, attendees were able to receive a door prize upon entry, sign-up for special giveaways, and grab an exclusive swag bag filled with goodies to get the evening started. Live music performed by Chris Jones filled the hall, welcoming guests into the main room where 70+ local businesses awaited to network, conduct giveaways, and share amazing food and beverages. 
There was no shortage of entertainment for the night as guests took selfies in front of the giant ‘HHBE’ neon letters, savored food and desserts from beloved South Sound businesses, and enjoyed the event’s signature cocktails – the Chamber margarita and huckleberry lemon drop.

Thank you to our sponsors, vendors, attendees, and staff who helped make this year’s expo a memorable night. We can't wait to see what surprises await in next year’s Happy Hour Business Expo! ​

Event Sponsors

Title Sponsor: Amazon

Supporting Sponsor: Verizon

Swag Bag Sponsor: Business Health Trust (BHT)

Parking Lot Sponsor: GTM Transformations LLC

Community Table Sponsors: BECU & Umpqua Bank

Silver Sponsor: Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront

Media Sponsors: Lamar Advertising & South Sound Business (PMG)

Door Prize Sponsor: Emerald Downs

Giveaway Prize Sponsors: Brassfields Salon and Spa, MaidPro Tacoma & Lemay - America's Car Museum