On December 18, 2024, more than 350 business, nonprofit, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the season and strengthen the ties that bind us together at our annual cocktail party honoring elected officials. This year's reception was a dazzling evening of connection and celebration.

Guests joined us at the iconic LeMay-America's Car Museum, where they enjoyed delicious food and beverages, stunning ice sculptures, intricate paper cranes, and captivating calligraphy artistry. The ambiance was festive and elegant, providing the perfect setting for meaningful conversations and new connections.

During the VIP Hour, Chamber President and CEO Andrea Reay and Board Chair Kierra Phiffer recognized the remarkable contributions of exiting Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier. In her remarks, Reay highlighted Dammeier’s dedication to the community, emphasizing his role in fostering growth and collaboration throughout Pierce County.

The evening was made even more special by the vibrant mix of leaders in attendance, including prominent public officials, business executives, and nonprofit champions. The opportunity to mingle, share stories, and celebrate the season together showcased the strength and unity of our community.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible sponsors for their generous support and to everyone who attended and contributed to the event's success. Your participation and enthusiasm make events like these possible.
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As we welcome the new year, we encourage you to stay engaged with the Chamber’s upcoming events and initiatives. Together, we will continue to build a thriving community for all.

2024 was a year of impact, progress, and innovation for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and the South Sound business community. From advocating for businesses to fostering leadership and supporting creative entrepreneurs, we accomplished so much together. Here are our top 10 highlights from 2024:

This year marked an incredible milestone--140 years of the Chamber being the unifying voice for businesses in Tacoma-Pierce County. For over a century, we have championed economic growth, supported leaders, and strengthened our region. All the while, the Chamber has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of the Tacoma-Pierce County business community. Thank you for being part of this legacy!

Access to capital is a major challenge for small businesses, but we made a difference. Through partnerships like Kiva, the Chamber facilitated $983,000 (and counting) in 0% interest microloans to help small businesses grow and thrive. These loans fill a critical funding gap for emerging entrepreneurs in Pierce County that can help make businesses, rather than break them.

The Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) program continued to empower over 450 BIPOC, veteran, and women-owned businesses. By providing coaching, training, and technical resources, the PCBA fostered innovation and opened doors to wealth-building opportunities for diverse business owners. It is a travesty if you missed the PCBA Showcase this year as it was stupendous; filled with amazing food, wonderful business ideas, and business owners who embody the spirit of the South Sound in their work.

Inspired by solutions explored during our Aspire Intercity Leadership Conference, the Good Neighbor Village project is now underway. By 2030, it will provide permanent housing and supportive care to 257 chronically homeless residents in Pierce County, restoring dignity and stability to our community members.

Spaceworks Tacoma continued to elevate our region’s creative economy by connecting creative entrepreneurs and artists to economic opportunity. This year, the program invested $41,860 in local artists, delivered training to creative entrepreneurs, and facilitated rotating public art installations across Tacoma. Spaceworks is transforming commercial spaces and creating new opportunities for artists and creative entrepreneurs to thrive.

Our events reached new heights this year, welcoming 4,936 attendees across meetings, forums, and signature events like the Horizons Economic Forecast and Happy Hour Business Expo. These gatherings fostered connections, celebrated successes, and inspired collaboration among local leaders.

The Chamber led advocacy efforts to address critical business challenges and drive policy change:

• Protecting key transportation projects like the Puget Sound Gateway.
• Supporting workforce development and manufacturing growth.
• Promoting policies that encourage housing construction and public safety.

 
These wins helped create a stronger, more resilient business environment for the South Sound.

The Chamber and the Manufacturing Industrial Council for the South Sound partnered with local businesses to establish the Tacoma Manufacturing Incubator. The program is aligned with Chambers commitment to support entrepreneurship and the State’s goal to double manufacturing within a decade. 
 
The Tacoma Manufacturing Incubator will create scalable manufacturing spaces, support capacity building for existing businesses, and develop a manufacturing centered curriculum designed to empower manufacturing startups with a pilot cohort scheduled for 2025. The launch of the incubator is funded in part by the Washington State Department of Commerce and the City of Tacoma. 

The World Trade Center Tacoma connected local businesses to global opportunities through international trade missions and educational programs. This year, businesses benefited from partnerships forged in East Asia, helping the South Sound remain competitive on the global stage. World Trade Center Tacoma also conducted its annual flagship event, the World Trade Center Tacoma Globe Awards, in September, which recognized excellence in international trade. 

We continued investing in leadership development through programs like the Business Leadership Academy and the foundation of the Candidates Academy. By equipping future leaders with skills, mentorship, and connections, we are building a strong foundation for the next generation of business and community leaders.

As we celebrate these milestones, we are excited for what lies ahead. Together, we will continue to strengthen our economy, foster innovation, and empower leaders in the South Sound. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey—cheers to a bright year ahead!

​Autumn is here and what is cozier than a historic courtroom and an elegant ballroom to gather for September’s Chamber After Hours?
 
Court House Square, located in the heart of Downtown Tacoma, opened their fourth floor for attendees to walk through the courtroom and network in the ballroom. Jessica Johnston, Director of Court House Square and Chamber Ambassador, was there to share knowledge of the 114-year-old venue over upbeat music and delicious food catered by fellow Chamber member, Cafe Pacific Catering.
 
Guests enjoyed sandwich-sliders, pasta salad, and a charcuterie station where they could make their own spread. On a sweeter note, there was Almond Roca sprinkled cannoli, crème brulée, and peanut butter pie to top off the night. To accompany the food, bartender Derek was happy to pour you some wine, or pop-the-top off a cold one. There was a punch as well that was a hit amongst the crowd!
 
Thank you, Jessica, for hosting September’s Chamber After Hours! We look forward to more events taking place in your beautiful venue and the hallowed halls. 

​October 2024 Chamber After Hours
 
If you missed September’s Chamber After Hours and are looking to attend October’s, registration is now open! October’s Chamber After Hours will be held at New Tacoma Cemeteries Funeral Home & Crematory. Halloween costumes / themed clothing is optional!

Many consider the butterfly to be a symbol of transformation, freedom, new beginnings, and hope amongst other lovely descriptors. Despite being so fragile, the butterfly can flutter gracefully to great lengths for survival, with the Monarch butterfly traveling over 1,000 miles for hibernation. This little insect is best known for the way they change shape as they grow, displaying their beauty and charm every step of the way.

At HopeSparks Family Services, they have been on the same journey for 125+ years to help families in Pierce County grow, transform, experience new beginnings, and most importantly give them hope. The butterfly can be seen in the logo for HopeSparks, and scattered all around the Children’s Developmental Services building located off Union Ave in Tacoma.

The Chamber was recently invited to celebrate the grand opening of the outdoor playground for said building. Being completely designed by the team at HopeSparks, the playground is the perfect space for kids to run around. Of course, the playground would not be complete without the symbolic butterfly, which can be seen not only in the rubberized ground cover, but in a whole climbing statute.

Dozens of guests came to witness the cutting of the ribbon and heard thoughtful words spoken by Heather Moss, Director of Pierce County Health Services; Joe LeRoy, President and CEO of HopeSparks; and Vianeth Zubrod, Director of HopeSparks. Calling it a “collective effervescence”, Joe and his crew could not wait for the playset to be enjoyed by generations of Pierce County tots for years to come.

The Chamber extends its thanks to HopeSparks for allowing us to be involved in their big day and wishes them well and good weather for playtime of course! To learn more about HopeSparks and how to get involved visit their website.

Website: https://hopesparks.org
Phone: (253) 565-4484
Email: [email protected]

Learning to drive is a big step in a person’s life. There's a new sense of freedom with the ability to travel anywhere you set your mind to. Those learning how to drive usually enroll into a driver’s education course where they are taught the rules and laws of driving, receive their learner’s permit to practice, and then an official driver’s license. Now there is a new resource in Tacoma for those looking for a driver's education program!

Complete Driving Experience, also known as CDX, is the perfect place for student drivers to learn the rules of the road in a safe and welcoming environment. At CDX, both teens and adults are welcome to join the program. They offer several services including defensive driving lessons, Washington State approved driver license exams, teen and adult driving courses, and even a driving simulator!

CDX has been helping student drivers for three years and the Chamber was proud to be invited to celebrate their anniversary. Surrounded by family and friends, Mrs. Dubois, the owner of Complete Driving Experience, cut the ribbon to commemorate the milestone. CDX started with the help of The R.I.S.E. Tacoma, but quickly grew and are now located in the historic Tacoma Armory. The office is decorated with hot wheel cars, cute signs with driving puns, and motivational quotes, welcoming visitors and hopeful drivers.

CDX is a family, woman, and black-owned business that is ready to help tailor driving lessons to each student respectively, giving them the skills, knowledge, and confidence to drive safely and legally on the road! To learn more about Complete Driving Experience and what they have to offer, visit their website or contact them via email or phone.

Website: https://www.completedrivingexp.com
Phone: (253) 387-7733
Email:  [email protected]

Last week, SelectUSA Seattle Spinoff welcomed 50 delegates from 11 countries to showcase opportunities in the South Sound! The group visited Tacoma on June 20th as part of the memorable trip.
 
The two-day program provided international companies and investors with research and analysis of the regional economy, tours of innovation and R&D centers, local competitive advantages, and engagement with leaders in both public and private sectors.
 
The Chamber’s CEO and President, Andrea H. Reay, joined the delegates for their Tacoma visit, along with Michael Fowler, Executive Director & Senior Trade Consultant of World Trade Center Tacoma. The sun also made an appearance, which was greatly enjoyed during the waterfront tour in Tacoma!

“Invest in your community and your community will invest in you."

This motto is what owner, Kieth Dashofy, of Pella Windows & Doors follows every day. A Tacoma native, Dashofy knew he wanted to expand Pella into the Grit City when faced with the incredible choice of expansion. With a showroom in Bothell, which serves Seattle, Bellevue-Eastside, Sammamish, Everett, and Mount Vernon, the Pella team was ecstatic to travel South into Pierce County to offer their services.

As the full name implies, Pella is a windows and doors installation company. The Chamber was excited to celebrate the opening of the new Tacoma Showroom on May 16th! The new showroom has an array of door styles, window frame selections, and even a stocked mini fridge of the teams’ favorite beverages.

Keith was beaming with pride during his ceremony speech and expressed his gratitude for having an excellent team behind him. He is looking forward to connecting with his fellow Chamber members, so be sure to seek him out at future Chamber events to exchange business cards.

Whether you need new windows, doors, or want to make new Pierce County connections, you should take a trip to the new showroom to say 'hi' to the Pella team and wander through their product offerings. You will find yourself entertaining the thought of remodeling the kitchen windows that you’ve been putting off for years!

Website: https://www.pella.com/locations/wa/tacoma
Phone: (253) 563-3339

Spaceworks Alum and Chamber member, HIVE Co., celebrated their grand opening in April at 5436 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 9840. HIVE Co. is small maker, small batch vibes “gift” shop.
 
Founder, Michele Jones, created a place where vendors, artists, and makers can sell wholesale, lead workshops in the specially designed gathering space or participate in a vendor pop-up market. Be sure to check out what’s going on via the event calendar available on their website.

Congratulations to Jones on this achievement and be sure to visit HIVE Co. to peruse all their goodies!

On May 3, 2024, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, Communities for a Healthy Bay, and Port of Tacoma partnered to launch a new annual award program designed to recognize local Pierce County business that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to environmental excellence and sustainability in our region.

Congratulations to the following winners:

Environmental Excellence Business Innovation Award
Winner: Aquagga
Aquagga is a cleantech startup firmly headquartered in Tacoma, developing portable, containerized systems that safely and cleanly destroy PFAS "forever chemicals" with zero emissions or toxic byproducts. Aquagga is currently engaged with projects sponsored by the DoD to bring their "HALT" PFAS destruction technology to market and are one of the world's leading PFAS destruction companies.
Aquagga just completed their second commercial-scale PFAS destruction demonstration project.

Aquagga is working with the City of Tacoma and the University of Washington Tacoma on a PFAS removal and destruction demonstration project at the City's wastewater treatment plant, a first-of its-kind.
                             
Environmental Excellence Business Award
Winner: Radius Recycling
Radius Recycling operates 54 metals recycling facilities, including 7 shredding operations, and 3 with deep water access on the West Coast. They also own 50 auto dismantling and retails stores, and a state-of-the-art electric arc steel mill that produces finished steel products made from recycled ferrous metals. 

In Tacoma, Radius Recycling has recycled 592,303 tons of ferrous metals and 28,245 tons of non-ferrous metals in the last year. This supports new infrastructure projects and low-carbon, metal-intensive technologies such as wind, solar, and electric vehicles. In January of 2023, Radius was ranked #1 on Corporate Knights’ 100 Most Sustainable Companies and Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Companies. Radius Recycling is also a proud contributor in Tacoma Public Utilities Evergreen Options Program Radius is committed to a future with less waste, turning old into new, and supplying the essential materials for critical industries to foster more resilient communities.

Honorable Mention: LRI: A Subsidiary of Waste Connections
LRI owns and/or operates seven waste disposal facilities in Pierce County. The LRI Landfill collects over 5,000 Standard Cubic Feet per Minute of landfill gas. Gas is piped to a Landfill Gas to Energy Facility that creates enough power for 4,000 homes.
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The Hidden Valley and Purdy Compost Facilities receive nearly 100,000 tons of yard waste from throughout Pierce County per year. It is transformed into certified organic compost!

In the second week of April, we kicked off our third year administering the Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) program. Cohorts 15 and 16 began classes at the Rhodes Center in Downtown Tacoma. Cohort 16 is a Spanish-speaking class.
 
So far, 339 small business owners have graduated from the award-winning program. Discover unique goods and services by visiting the online directory featuring all graduates at PCBAmap.biz.

Fawcett Avenue in Tacoma is buzzing with construction of new businesses on the street. What used to be a MultiCare facility, now homes the most recent addition, Comprehensive Life Resources’ new care center.

Dating back to 1957, CLR has been in Tacoma helping those seeking treatment for substance abuse, and behavioral and mental health matters, to name a few. The Chamber was proud to celebrate the grand opening of the care center and had a wonderful turnout from the community.

Even while still being an active construction site at the time of the ceremony, the building felt welcoming, and the sunshine was a perfect touch to the brisk morning. Some furniture and artwork were already placed in the lobby, and the big floor to ceiling windows on both floors let in the warm sunshine.

CLR’s CEO, Kim Zacher, was able to share more about the history of care they have provided over the last several decades as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. Zacher thanked the investors that played a large role in the relocation, including Umpqua Bank and more. She also recognized those who are experts in the fields of medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health who will be hard at work every day providing treatment to their patients.

Slated to officially open on Monday, April 22, 2024, we are excited to see the new footprint they will make in Downtown. If you or a loved one is wishing to learn more about the services Comprehensive Life Resources offers, please visit their website, or give them a call:

Website: www.comprehensiveliferesources.org
Phone: (253) 396-5800

On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, Executive Bruce Dammeier presented the State of the County, which reviewed the challenges faced and successes achieved for the people of Pierce County in 2023. Also shared were the steps being taken to help create a brighter future for Pierce County residents - especially the youngest ones.

To watch the entire State of the County address, visit Pierce County's website.

Since 2006, the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Governor of Washington have been acknowledging the people behind efforts that make their communities flourish. It takes a lot to make a community vibrant; planning in areas of parks and recreation, job growth, housing affordability, economic development, homelessness, transportation, and subarea development are at the forefront of every community leader. But each city in Washington State has proven time and again that they are capable and willing to do what it takes.

To really recognize and thank these local governments, the dynamic duo, Washington State Department of Commerce, and the Governor of Washington, created The Governor’s Smart Communities Awards. Seven categories of achievement are available:

1. Smart Vision Award-for a Comprehensive Plan, Subarea Plan, or Countywide Planning Policies.
2. Smart Projects Award-for Project Implementing a Comprehensive Plan.
3. Smart Partnership Award-for a Joint Public Project that Implements a Comprehensive Plan.
4. Smart Housing Strategies Award-for Creative Plans, Policies, Programs and/or Actions.
5. Smart Equity Strategies Award-for Plans, Policies, Programs and/pr Actions Addressing Impacts to Community Equity.
6. Smart Climate Change Strategies Award-for Plans, Policies, Programs and/or Actions Addressing Community Climate Impacts. Finally,
7. Planning Legacy Award-for Successful Places.

Manufacturing Industrial Council (MIC) Program Director, Ryan Spence, states:
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"Thank you to the governor for recognizing the City of Tacoma’s Green Economic Development Strategy as a pioneering effort to build a greener economy. The strategy identifies manufacturing as a key opportunity to provide low barrier high wage jobs for a greener, more equitable and more prosperous Tacoma.” 
 
Thank you, Governor Inslee, and the Washington State Department of Commerce, for the homage. The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and the City of Tacoma will continue to work on the betterment of our community and the beloved place we call home. ​

​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.
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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:

• The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, poised to generate high-paying jobs that will invest in mass-broadband, mass-transit, roads, and clean water.
• The CHIPS and Science Act, designed to repatriate manufacturing jobs to the United States while bolstering technological advancements to maintain global competitiveness.
• The Inflation Reduction Act, intended to alleviate financial burdens through provisions such as tax credits, support for clean energy endeavors, and measures aimed at reducing the cost of essential medications like insulin.

 
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.

Attendees of the Chamber After Hours in February - the month of Valentine’s and burning love - had no wild flames to worry about thanks to Patriot Fire Protection, our amazing host!

The venue, equipped with a gym, wet bar, and even a putting green, was the perfect spot to spend the evening. Guests were welcomed by Chamber Ambassadors, along with Patriot’s Mascot, Sprinkler Man.

Catering offered by Gallucci’s was exquisite; flat-bread pizzas, lettuce and pasta salads, meatballs, and more delicious bites to enjoy. In the glow of the (flameless) tealight candles and homemade marquee sign, conversations ranged from which snow sport was best, to the father-son duo who have been with the company for many-a-year and all the great changes they have seen within the company to get it to where it is today.

Thirty-four years of servicing new construction (commercial and residential), conducting inspections, testing and maintenance, and fire alarm monitoring to name a few of the many operations Patriot Fire Protection’s team handle day-to-day. With locations in Vancouver, Spokane, and of course Tacoma, the PNW can rest easy knowing that Patriot Fire Protection has been (and will continue to) “protecting lives and property” for years to come!

If you missed this Chamber After Hours and want to join in, please visit our event calendar to discover more.

On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, over 400 members of the business community joined us for the 2024 Horizons Economic Forecast!

​The morning kicked off with coffee and networking, then moved into the main program where local and regional leaders discussed the Pierce County economy. Thank you to all you attended, especially our event sponsors and speakers!

Sponsors
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• Presenting Sponsor: Port of Tacoma
• National Economist Sponsor: Edward Jones
• Speaker Sponsors: Amazon & Boeing
• Breakfast Sponsors: Pierce County & Financial Insights Wealth Management
• PCEI Report Sponsor: Eight Twenty-Eight Consulting & Jera Compensation Consulting
• Coffee Connections Sponsor: J Squared Investments
• Premier Table Sponsors: BNSF Railway, Commencement Bank, Downtown Tacoma Partnership, KeyBank, MultiCare Health System, Tacoma Public Utilities, TOTE Maritime
• Corporate Table Sponsors: All City Fence Co., Banner Bank, Bates Technical College, City of Tacoma, Clover Park Technical College, Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County, GTM TRANSFORMATIONS LLC, Heritage Bank NW, Kitsap Bank, Moss Adams, Neil Walter Company, Pacific Medical Specialty Group, Llc, Pierce College, Pierce Transit, Sound Credit Union, Tacoma Community College, Tacoma Venues & Events, Umpqua Bank, University of Puget Sound, University of Washington Tacoma, Milgard School of Business, Washington State Fair Events Center & WSP in the U.S.
• Media Sponsors: KBTC Public Television, Lamar Advertising Company, South Sound Magazine, MadCap Marketing + Creative & Showcase Magazine

Speakers

• Mona Mahajan, Senior Investment Strategist, Edward Jones
• Bruce Dammeier, Pierce County Executive
• Commissioner Kristin Ang, Port of Tacoma
• US Congressmember Marilyn Strickland, WA 10th District
• US Congressmember Derek Kilmer, WA 6th District
• Richard White, Boeing
• Tom Layson, Managing Editor & Host, KBTC PBS
• Dr. Neal Johnson, Principal, Sound Resource Economics
• Brenda Miller, Velvets Big Easy
• Teresa Delicino, WorkForce Central
• Synthia Melton, Dimension Law Group
• Jessic Johnston, Court House Square
• LtCol Dane Franta, 62nd Airlift Wing, JBLM

​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! 

Spaceworks’ partnership with the Washington State History Museum kicked off last month with a ribbon cutting at their museum shop (1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402)!
 
Participants from the Spaceworks Incubator and Artscapes programs have been invited to sell their art and products in the WSHM shop. This will give the creative entrepreneurs real-life experience working with a museum and navigating consignment opportunities/contracts, while creating an additional revenue stream for them. Check it out the next time you are visiting the museum or are downtown!

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! 

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:
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• AMP Studio

• Around The Clock Child Care Center

• Culture Barber Salon Gallery

• Dental Village

• Good Vibes Vintage & Resale

• Head Case

• Home by Home

• Linda Sholberg Art & Design

• Loft 9 Pilates

• Megan Scizzorhandz

• Melon Seed Deli & Frozen Yogurt

• Night Market

• NW Beauty Supplies

• Peacock Event Production

• Perpetual Positive Vibes

• Platinumreign Inc

• Q Nail Spa

• Regal Hair Studios

• Sound Fitness and Training

• Speak Through Collective​

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.

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!
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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.