Our CEO's Week in Review (5/2/2023)

This past week was a busy one for our Chamber, especially our President/CEO Andrea Reay! It is our vision to make the South Sound the most equitable, inclusive, and thriving place to do business in Washington State, and that requires attending many events and meetings, traveling all over our region, and meeting with countless stakeholders and community members. 

Andrea kicked off the week by attending a welcome reception for a delegation from the Alaska Chamber of Commerce on their Pacific Northwest Outreach Trip. Our Chamber board was also in attendance for this welcome event held at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. Our Chamber Executive Vice President David Schroedel later gave a tour of the Downtown Tacoma business district to the Alaskan delegation. The purpose of this trip was to strengthen relationships with organizations, individuals, and businesses that are closely linked to Alaska through our shared economies and trade.

Then, on Thursday, April 27th, Andrea —alongside the City of Tacoma— met with international business representatives from 30 companies and 9 different countries. These guests were part of an international investment group taking part in SelectUSA, an economic development program hosted by Greater Seattle Partners.

​Nations represented included France, Canada, Korea, India, Taiwan, Poland, Japan, Ireland, and Spain. While in town, the group of senior-level executives toured the South Sound and heard from panels of local business leaders and entrepreneurs sharing why they chose Tacoma for their own business journeys. 

Last but far from least, our Chamber staff, including Andrea Reay, have been excited to begin work again administering the Pierce County Business Accelerator. 

The Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) is a program of Pierce County administered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber that serves entrepreneurs and business owners throughout Pierce County with a focus on underserved communities to help foster innovation and create wealth-building opportunities.

This past week, we kicked off Cohort 10 and 11 of PCBA. Cohort 10 is a Spanish-speaking cohort that will attend classes at Mi Centro in Tacoma. Cohort 11's classes will take place at the Chamber offices in Downtown Tacoma. 
​