Chamber's Top 10 Accomplishments of 2019

As 2019 is coming to an end, the Chamber has accomplishment many things - celebrated 135 years of making South Sound the best place to do business, standing up for industrial jobs, and bringing thousands of Tacomans to shop locally. See where these rank in the Chamber's top 10 of 2019!


1. Representing the Tacoma-Pierce County business community since 1884
The Chamber was organized by 100 Tacoma’s groundbreaking leaders in 1884 and since then, the Chamber transformed Tacoma-Pierce County in making it the best place to do business in Washington State, celebrating our 135th anniversary.


2. The Manufacturing Industrial Council lifts up businesses in the Port and Tideflats
With the evolution of Place for Jobs, to the Manufacturing Industrial Council in 2018, the Chamber continued its support of the industrial business community. In 2019, this effort focused on the liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility (1) and interim regulations (2). The MIC also highlighted the variety of businesses through a partnership with South Sound Business and Impact Washington with the Made in South Sound photo series (3).

Learn more about MIC South Sound


3. Thousands of jolly Tacomans shopped Downtown
The Chamber's Downtown Tacoma Partnership, partnered with over 100 businesses to shop locally and activated spaces with a snow globe photo booth, holiday pop-up shops, carol-oke contest, and much more! (4) 

See photos from this year’s Holiday Haul Crawl


4. Grit City takes a piece of Steel City back home
The Chamber hosted an inaugural intercity leadership conference, Aspire (5), and brought elected officials and business leaders to Pittsburgh - by connecting, gaining an understanding of how to move our city forward, and establishing what is Tacoma’s story. (6)

Learn more about Aspire


5. Happy 40th anniversary, Janice!
The Chamber celebrated Janice on her 40th-year anniversary with the Chamber!

Read Q&A reflection from Janice


6. The new direction of the BIA, the Downtown Tacoma Partnership
The Chamber’s Downtown Tacoma Partnership conducted feedback, conversations with the Board, and worked with downtown stakeholders to rebrand the Business Improvement Area (BIA), which evolved to the Downtown Tacoma Partnership, a resurgence to market and promote downtown businesses and attract new businesses to grow here. 

Read Downtown Tacoma Partnership announcement


7. The W.A.C.E overall communications awards go to…
The Chamber was recognized at the 2019 Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) annual conference as the best and brightest in the chamber industry with the overall communications award, website (1st place), and eNews (honorable mention). (7)

2019 WACE Communications Awards Page


8. Over $50,000 raised for Tacoma’s creative community
The Chamber's Spaceworks Tacoma hosted their first dinner gala CACHET (8), which the community learned about their impact, networked with business and art leaders, and supported one of Tacoma's most innovative programs combining the love of arts and entrepreneurship.

Read the impact of Spaceworks Tacoma


9. 22 emerging leaders graduate from Business Leadership Academy
The Chamber’s Business Leadership Academy took a different approach in 2019 by bringing the cohort to businesses that add to the vitality of our region (9). Our participants learned valuable skills to further develop their leadership skills now and into the future. (10)

Watch Business Leadership Academy cohort testimonials


10. Chamber offices remodeled to open-concept, opening to members
The Chamber offices needed a little updating, breaking down the cubicles to create a collaborative working environment with all departments. The office is available for Chamber members to use as well - office sponsorship opportunities are also available! (11)

Watch transformation video of Chamber offices 


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LINKS

1. Cleaner Fuel for a Cleaner Tacoma:  https://www.tacomachamber.org/chamber-blog/cleaner-fuel-for-a-cleaner-tacoma
2. A Huge Win for Business - Interim Regulations Renewed: https://www.tacomachamber.org/chamber-blog/a-huge-win-for-business-interim-regulations-renewed
3. Photo series - Made in South Sound: https://southsoundbiz.com/made-in-south-sound/
4. Holiday Haul Crawl: https://downtowntacomapartnership.com/downtown-tacoma-holiday-haul-crawl-12-14-19/
5. Press release: https://www.tacomachamber.org/chamber-blog/help-move-our-region-forward-at-chambers-intercity-leadership-conference
6. Photos from Aspire: https://www.facebook.com/pg/tacomapiercecountychamber/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2494205890615507
7. Photos from WACE:
   https://www.facebook.com/tacomapiercecountychamber/photos/a.145367525499367/2119234334779333/?type=3&theater https://www.facebook.com/tacomapiercecountychamber/photos/a.145367525499367/2119465081422925/?type=3&theaterhttps://www.facebook.com/tacomapiercecountychamber/photos/a.145367525499367/2119465111422922/?type=3&theater
8. About CACHET:  https://www.spaceworkstacoma.com/cachet/
9. Business Leadership Academy photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/tacomapiercecountychamber/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2131323623570404
10. South Sound Business article, Business Leadership Academy of Tacoma Wraps up 41st Year: https://southsoundbiz.com/business-leadership-academy-of-tacoma-wraps-up-41st-year/
11. Chamber offices sponsorship opportunities: https://chambermaster.blob.core.windows.net/userfiles/UserFiles/chambers/1361/Image/Documents/Office-Sponsorships-Opportunities.pdf ​