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Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in October 2024:
The News Tribune has officially announced the winners of the 2024 Best of Pierce County! The magazine and program showcase the effort to discover and celebrate the businesses, people, and places the community loves most – as voted by you! Best of Pierce County had over 5,000 businesses, organizations, and individuals competing to be named in the top three spots of 204 categories. During the voting, more than 125,000 votes were cast, an amazing response in the first year, and a testament to how customers, fans, and friends feel about their favorite local businesses and the pride they have for the area. Congratulations to all Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber members winners! Chamber Member Winners
Every year in late August through September, Puyallup, Washington takes on a massive undertaking – the Washington State Fair. The Washington State Fair is not only the largest fair in the Pacific Northwest, but one of the largest in the world. Hundreds of thousands of visitors each day have so much to experience from concerts in the Umpqua Bank Grandstands, a showcase of agriculture and farming, and 13 plus buildings to walk through all offering a variety of activities.
This year, the fair had something that has never been offered before – the Pierce County Business Accelerator vendor section. Every three days, six new PCBA program graduates had the chance to share their unique businesses with Fair guests. Located in the Pavilion Marketplace right inside the Gold Gate on the fairgrounds, it was the perfect venue for these booths. The Pavilion Marketplace historically hosts small ‘maker’ businesses, 4-H contestants, and much more. PCBA vendors offered a variety of products including custom painted glassware, season-trendy clothing, handknit plushies, self/body care products, jam-filled jars, laser cut wood ornaments, handmade jewelry, beard oil, perfumes, Croc charms, and more! If you were unable to walk-through the Pavilion Marketplace and shop these PCBA vendors, then head over to the PCBA Website, Pierce County Business Accelerator (pcbamap.biz), to check out not only these grads, but also the other 450+ graduates. The PCBA is a program of the Pierce County Economic Development Department funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and administered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce. The City of Lakewood is a municipal partner. The PCBA is managed in partnership with Next Consulting, Asia Pacific Cultural Center, The Black Collective, Mi Centro, and Korean Women’s Association. To learn more visit PCBA.biz. Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in August 2024:
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. September 2024 Chamber After Hours
If you missed the excitement of August’s Chamber After Hours and want to attend the next one, be sure to register for our September After Hours on Thursday, September 19, hosted by Court House Square. Please note this event begins 30-minutes later than usual (i.e. 5:30 – 7:30 PM). We look forward to seeing you there! 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!
Thank you, Laura, for sharing your valuable insight and feedback to our ever-growing ambassador program! We value getting to work alongside you and are grateful to have you as a Chamber ambassador! Connect with Laura If you would like to connect with Laura to discuss information about being an ambassador or 1st Security Bank, you can reach her here: [email protected]. Learn More About the Ambassador Program
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
Learn More
For more information and questions regarding Chamber sponsorship opportunities, please contact Emily Cook, Director of Membership and Development: [email protected]. 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. 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 Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in June 2024:
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 Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in May 2024:
The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber is very grateful to have our wonderful ambassador team. These 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.
Connect with Bob If you are wanting to meet Bob or seek his wisdom about the legal system, you can reach him at his email address, which perfectly captures his boating lifestyle: [email protected]. Learn More About the Ambassador Program
Interested in learning more about what it takes to be a Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber ambassador? Learn more here. In April, we welcomed new and current members to our office for a New Member Mixer!
This event provided attendees a chance to learn about the benefits of a Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber membership in an Open House style format. Activities included learning more about Chamber programs and partnerships, such as Spaceworks Tacoma, World Trade Center Tacoma, and Downtown Tacoma Partnership. Members mingled with Chamber staff, ambassadors, and fellow members over drinks and catering. It was a wonderful evening connecting with members and building relationships! Our next New Member Mixer will be in September (9/24/24) and registration is now open. We hope you’ll join us to meet new members and celebrate our growing business community! The Tacoma Art Museum was the venue for April’s Chamber After Hours with Georgio’s Catering providing a comfort style food buffet dinner, a well-stocked bar, and even custom branded cookies for attendees to enjoy. During a regular day at the museum, you may mistake the room where the reception was held for a simple wall, but the wall is a huge sliding door that opens to a private room that can accommodate many styles of meetings. It has brightly colored soft seating and greenery to contrast the monochrome interior. The pull-down screen had a slideshow projected on, which flipped through the many offerings of TAM, including a monthly yoga meet up, every Thursday being free to attend, and more. It was many guests’ first Chamber After Hours, and for some it was the first time in a long time that they had been to the Art Museum. Luckily, they were able to take advantage of the opportunity and walked through the halls filled with the creative work of hundreds of artists. The Tacoma Art Museum is a wonderful addition to the museum walk that Tacoma is lucky to have. Just a short walk from the Link Union Station, and open Wednesday through Sunday, go check out this unique museum! If you were unable to make this month’s Chamber After Hours, you can join us in May for the After Hours at our very own Chamber Office. Registration is required and limited due to the capacity restraints. Sign up early to be sure to make it!
Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in February 2024:
The Chamber’s annual Horizons Economic Forecast event took place on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, and saw over 400 guests in attendance! The program featured expert economists, industry executives, and local business leaders to candidly discuss the economic outlook of 2024, as well as offer insights and advice to business owners. Some of the top topics on everyone’s mind this year were workforce, interest rates, and community investments. The event speakers covered these topics and more through presentations and live discussions. Take a look at the top 10 takeaways from this year’s Horizons Economic Forecast: 1. Pierce County: A Hub of Investment & Growth The program commenced with an address from Bruce Dammeier, Pierce County Executive, during which he underscored Pierce County's reputation as an attractive destination for both investment and employment opportunities. Highlighting two notable investments within the county, encompassing over seven million square feet of leased property, he emphasized the success of these ventures, with one property achieving full occupancy and the other surpassing the 70 percent mark. This emphasizes Pierce County's enduring appeal as a robust investment hub and vibrant community that continues to attract new residents.
3. Legislative Initiatives Aimed at Tackling Economic Challenges Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland of Washington's 10th District began her address by acknowledging the significant developments witnessed by the South Sound and Washington State at large over the past year. She further acknowledged widespread concerns voiced regarding labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, infrastructure needs, and the evolving marketplace dynamics necessitating continuous adaptation. In response to these challenges, she highlighted key federal legislative initiatives aimed at addressing these pressing issues:
While acknowledging the positive strides made through these legislative efforts, Congresswoman Strickland emphasized the ongoing commitment to further legislative action, promote continuous progress, and advocacy to address emerging challenges.
6. Collaboration & Progress in the South Sound Congressman Derek Kilmer of Washington’s 6th District delivered a memorable address focusing on the power of community collaboration and shared progress in the South Sound region. He highlighted a few significant achievements, including the $54 million investment in the Husky Terminal at the Port of Tacoma, enhancing the region's global economic standing. He also emphasized the tangible impact of federal investments in areas such as affordable housing through the Tacoma Housing Authority and expanded services at the Tacoma Rescue Mission, addressing crucial needs ranging from addiction recovery to workforce development. Furthermore, Kilmer celebrated the secured funding for the preservation and enhancement of Puget Sound, a vital environmental and economic resource for the region. Concluding his address, he urged continued innovation, partnership, and a steadfast commitment to preserving the spirit of collaboration, as he believes that through collective action, there are boundless opportunities for progress and prosperity.
8. Housing Activity to Decline in 2024 Dr. Johnson also delved into the analysis of housing activity outlined in the PCEI Report. Throughout 2023, housing activity notably underperformed initial projections, with new listings and closed sales experiencing declines of 30 percent and 27 percent, respectively. Moreover, the Pierce County Housing Affordability Index witnessed a substantial 28.7 percent decrease by the conclusion of 2023. Looking ahead to 2024, the housing market is expected to maintain its subdued trajectory, contingent upon potential reductions in mortgage rates. Projections indicate that the Pierce County Housing Activity Index is poised to decline by 9.5 percent by the culmination of 2024.
10. JBLM Addresses Recruitment Challenges
JBLM serves as a significant economic driver within the South Sound region and Washington State at large. As part of the local panel, Lt. Col. Dane Franta of the 62nd Airlift Wing at JBLM provided invaluable insights into the military community's resilience amidst global uncertainties and ongoing challenges in labor and recruitment. A key emphasis by Lt. Col. Franta was the revitalization of community outreach initiatives, recognizing the importance of re-establishing connections lost during COVID. JBLM is actively engaged in attending hiring fairs, organizing air shows, and participating in Armed Forces Days to reinforce their commitment to engagement and recruitment efforts. Remarkably, statistics for 2023 indicate that JBLM currently hosts the smallest military personnel presence in its history. Consequently, recruitment efforts have been intensified to meet operational requirements. As part of their recruitment messaging, JBLM fosters a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose, emphasizing the unique benefits of a military career path. Downtown Tacoma welcomed a new business to the area on Friday, February 2, 2024. Located off Pacific Ave, you will find Maxwell Synové Photography! Krystian Francuz-Harris holds many titles including Photographer, Wife, Mother of two young boys, and now proud Downtown Tacoma Business Owner.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, there were delicious doughnuts for the attendees, and best of all, Krystian’s friends and family. Also present to support Krystian were a few Chamber Ambassadors, The Downtown Tacoma Partnership team, and other fellow photographers. Jon Rossman, Board Chair for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, and Owner of another business in Tacoma, Chuckals Office Products, had the chance to say a few words to welcome Maxwell Synové Photography. When Krystian had the chance to speak, she shared the meaning behind the studio’s name. Maxwell is the middle name of both her sons, and Synové is Czech for Son. It was important for Krystian to bring her culture into the company name, and of course, her precious children’s middle names. The studio itself is spacious and has large windows at the front to let in natural light. There are plenty of areas within the studio to create different sets, and the soft colors of the room make for a great canvas to get creative with. Along the walls are many prints from past photoshoots that show the variety and skillset Krystian has…you may even find her oldest son toddling around if you’re lucky! Next time you need some photos taken, be sure to check out Maxwell Synové Photography! Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in January 2024:
Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in December 2023:
2023 was an exciting year for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and our local business community! This past year we were thrilled to host sold out signature events where we strengthened relationships with friendly faces — many familiar and many new! The conferences we took part in gave local leaders chances to learn, grow, and be inspired with ambitious ideas for the South Sound. We were honored to play a role in leadership development programs for business owners and entrepreneurs on the rise in our region. Advocacy to protect business interests and ensure a thriving local economy was a top priority for us on a local, state, and national level. Throughout the year, we enjoyed many different opportunities to celebrate the successes and accomplishments of our vibrant business community. Thank you to everyone who joined us this year to make an impact for business in the South Sound. We can't wait to have you alongside us for everything 2024 has in store! Read our recap of the Chamber's Top 10 accomplishments, events, programs, and moments from 2023 below!
On December 6, the Chamber held the Annual Public Officials Holiday Reception, an event where the public and local politicians can meet and network in a more casual environment. The event was held at the Tacoma Art Museum, and was attended by 375+ elected officials, Chamber members, along with non-Chamber members. Several food stations were provided from Carr’s Restaurant and Catering, offering appetizers from crabcakes to crackers and a wide selection of cheeses. Music was played by Violinist Holly Eckert, and Accordion-Master Toby Hanson. Halfway through the night, attendees shared a toast to the amazing work that our elected officials do; Andrea Reay, President/CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County, and Jon Rossman Owner of Chuckals Office Products, and Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Directors, did the honors. Overlooking a lit-up Downtown Tacoma, the Dome in the distance, and being under the twinkling fairy lights in the foyer of the museum, the night literally was glowing. View event photos taken by Sage + Soul Photography: bit.ly/2023-POHR-Gallery.
In case you missed it, be sure to attend the Horizons Economic Forecast on January 31st. Learn more and register here. A round table luncheon was held on November 30th at the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber celebrating the THRIVE Tacoma Business Fund recipients. THRIVE Tacoma embodies a collective commitment to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within the local business community. Twenty Tacoma-based small businesses were selected as recipients of the 2023 THRIVE Tacoma Business Fund grants through the lottery system, each being awarded $5,000, made possible by the generous financial support and partnership with Comcast. The recipients are:
Uncle Al’s Texas BBQ, a graduate of the Pierce-County Business Accelerator, served up a delectable Texas BBQ lunch for the delighted recipients.
Jamison Harris, Manager of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Comcast and Andrea Reay, President and CEO, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber spoke at the event. Both speakers underscored the significance of investing in our small business community, emphasizing that such investments are pivotal for creating the most equitable, inclusive, and thriving business environment in Washington State. Zshoni Nalls, Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Comcast was also present to support the recipients. For more Information on Comcast’s Digital Equity work in the community: Comcast RISE – Elevating small businesses. 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:
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