tacoma chamber of commerce
DESCRIPTION
2013 Annual ReportTRANSCRIPT
2013 Annual Report
Table of Contents
6 Letter from the President & CEO
8 Executive Summary
15 Business Plan
17 Chamber Branches
23 Signature & Monthly Recurring Events
25 Ambassadors
27 Board of Directors
29 Chamber Staff
31 Executive Committee
32 Publication Credits
How do you cultivate a healthy economy?
The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber believes that a productive economy starts with a
strong root system—all organizations working together with a common goal.
At the Chamber we work hard to put business in motion using our core competencies.
We are a voice for business, protecting budding small businesses to full grown companies,
within the halls of government.
We act on behalf of businesses by educating elected off icials of the impact of their decisions
on the business community.
We help nurture businesses through referrals and keep them f lourishing by creating
monthly opportunities where our members can connect, learn and grow their businesses.
We also keep the soil clear of weeds by tackling issues that negatively impact our way of
life keeping Tacoma-Pierce County a fertile environment where businesses can thrive.
We do this to strengthen and protect the eco-system that grows an economy that yields
businesses, jobs, and investments for the Tacoma-Pierce County Area.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber...Business in Motion.
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“Whether it is a City of Tacoma issue that impedes your business, a regional issue like the completion of SR-167, or a JBLM issue taken to our nation’s capitol, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber has taken the leadership role.”
John ParrottTotem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc.
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Letter from the President & CEO Our last fiscal year started with a huge boost to membership thanks to a Membership Event in October. Community and business leaders stepped up and helped the Chamber reach a milestone of 102 new members in two and a half days.
While the event seemed to spark an upward trend, the results are actually indicative of all the efforts and all the behind-the-scenes work that your Chamber staff and leadership had put in to keep building a valuable organization that you would be proud to be a member of. We are still working hard on this.
Your growth and achievements are our motivation, your success stories, our fuel. To this end, I am happy to say we worked on and continue to work on programs, services and advocacy for businesses that have netted positive and heartening responses in the past year.
We launched innovative programs like the first-in-the-state YEA! (Young Entrepreneurs Academy) and a first-ever Candidates Academy. The year also saw us forging new partnerships with WorkForce Central for a Veterans and Business Service and Downtown On the Go with Zipcar. We also brought on board expanded Spaceworks Tacoma team, in partnership with the City of Tacoma, where the entrepreneurial track of their mission was realized.
Advocacy tools like Advocacy Action Alerts, the creation of the SR-167 Completion Coalition, two Legislative Days and a legislative agenda unveiling were introduced. The way the world does business is changing—what does not change is the need to represent the interests of business with government. With our broad base of members and the resources we are equipped with, chambers are the perfect conduits to serve and represent the Voice of Business to key decision makers in their community.
Connecting leaders and influencing decisions is a natural role for chambers of commerce. We are the only entity in our community that represents business of all sizes, industries and stages. This gives chambers a unique market niche to be the leading voice on public policy. There is probably no more important function for chambers than to be the voice for business in their community.
When chambers focus on policy and politics, members can do what they do best --- running their companies!
Best wishes,
Tom PiersonPresident & CEO 6
“The Chamber’s programs and advocacy have helped small businesses in Pierce County have a f ighting chance.” Monique Trudnowski Adriatic Grill Italian Cuisine & Wine Bar
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After another eventful year the Chamber continues to solidify its effectiveness as the community’s voice for business.
• Acting proactively on emerging issues – the Chamber addressed a potential Mandatory Paid Leave mandate from Tacoma’s City Council by setting up a monitoring group, purchasing the domain name tacomaemployeesf irst.org and creating a provisional webpage for reference and resource.
• Educating policymakers on business priorities – a full year (and counting) of Tacoma City Council scorecards tallied councilmembers’ vote records alongside Chamber recommendations on resolutions and ordinances.
• Convening stakeholder groups to tackle business concerns – the Chamber initiated a SR-167 Completion Coalition with the Port of Tacoma and businesses to secure funding for completion of SR 167. The Chamber raised $137,500 for coalition activities. A Transportation Package may be possible in this fall’s special session.
• Initiating political-action programs – the inaugural launch of the Candidates Academy in April was designed to support and encourage candidates for off ice while educating them on business perspectives.
Throughout the year, Chamber board, members, volunteers and staff testif ied on behalf of business at Tacoma City Council, Pierce County Council, Port of Tacoma and state hearings; took the Pierce County business agenda to Washington, D.C.; traded information with Alaska, a key economic partner; held numerous behind-the-scenes meetings with decision makers; and weighed in on business issues through several media sources. All this and more add up to a productive year supporting and promoting a pro-business climate for our area.
Executive Summary
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Building on Our Strong Programming
The Chamber added services and expanded programs that promote a higher quality of life for our community.
• Downtown: On the Go! - Worked with downtown organizations to promote commute options. Added two part-time staff to support business outreach and events; promoted car sharing downtown; and grew programming to include downtown walks serving over 600 people.
• Spaceworks Tacoma - Transitioned operations of its three tracks under the Chamber umbrella: Creative Enterprise Start-Ups, Special Project Residencies and Artscapes (art installations) as strategies to activate streetscapes and energize communities. Since moving to the Chamber, Spaceworks’ staff ing grew, allowing for expansion of its service area beyond downtown and establishing a new business training program for its start-up businesses.
• Veteran & Business Service - A new partnership between the Chamber and WorkForce Central, the service strives to assist member employers in understanding the benef its and the skills, knowledge and abilities that veterans bring to a workplace as well as direct avenues to access veterans as employees.
• YEA! (Young Entrepreneurs Academy) - YEA! is a year-long afterschool program that teaches local high school students how to start and run their own businesses. The Chamber is the f irst to hold the program in Washington State.
In order to give even more value to our members, the Chamber also “re-visioned” several key areas through reformatting and enhancing existing aspects.
• Transitioned the South County and University Place-Fircrest Divisions to South County and West Side Branches. This marked a transformation to ref lect broader County business community reach and more inclusivity.
Executive Summary
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• Turned a quarterly event, City Center Luncheon, to a must-attend monthly event with renewed and wide-ranging programs. These popular events, known as Chamber Luncheons, enjoy a monthly average of nearly a hundred attendees.• The addition of a second Small Business Roundtable serving businesses in downtown Tacoma.
These renewed elements and excitement for an invigorated Chamber also led to increased attendance at events and accelerated membership growth. The October 2012 Membership Event grew the Chamber by 102 new members. The event, plus a steady rise in growth, expanded our membership to nearly 1,500 by the end of September 2013 and took us from 3rd largest local chamber to 2nd in the state.
A Leading Force on Public Policy
The Chamber has strategic political insight, timely knowledge of business issues, knows all the participants, and is a positive force to promote business interests with government.
When Chamber Membership Survey respondents were asked what, besides the economy, “kept them up at night” a top answer was government regulation and taxation.
The Chamber addressed that pressing concern with these action items:
On a local level -
• Successfully supported 12 City resolutions/ordinances on behalf of business.• Recommended actions on City budget for cost controls, administrative reorganization, economic development, and revenue generation.• Encouraged live-work friendly regulations, like asking the City to amend its developmental regulations and reviewing building code regulations by looking at other municipalities’ successful code regulations.
Executive Summary
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On ballot issues, successfully supported -
• I-1240 - creation of a public charter school system• Pierce County Charter Amendment 40 – Requiring a two-thirds vote of the Council to levy or increase a new councilmanic tax.• SJR 8221 (Managing State Debt) – Gradually reducing the state debt limit• Tacoma Public Schools Prop 1 - $500 million for neighborhood school improvements and safety upgrades
On ballot issues, successfully opposed -
• Pierce Transit Prop 1 – 0.3% sales tax increase
On the state level -
• Over $33 million for a new Pierce County Readiness Center• $1.9 million for UW Tacoma• $3 million for the missing link connecting Ruston Way to Point Defiance Park• Over $23 million for Bates Technical College• Over $11.5 million for the Pierce County Skills Center• Preservation of $1.5 million in CTR tax credits for businesses
On the federal level, successfully supported -
• A $90.7 million grant for f inal completion/renovation of schools in JBLM• Passage of the Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia
As the Chamber’s membership grows, so does its voice in the community Through our active board and volunteers, the Chamber will break the ground for a more business friendly region.
Executive Summary
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Financials
Chamber’s f iscal year ended September 30, 2013The Chamber’s 2012-2013 total income was $2.1 million.
Members
Executive Summary
0
300
600
900
1200
1500
2011 2012 2013
1,191 1,283 1502Staff 49.8% Operations 23.3%
Programs 26.9%
Rent 4.8%
Dues 50.6%
Misc 0.3%Service Fees 8.3%
Programs 36%
Revenue
Expenses
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Jobs & Wealth
Industrial DevelopmentVoice for Business
Workforce ServicesBusiness & Community Leaders Tacoma+Pierce County
Destination Marketing
Retention & Business Climate Improvements
International Trade & Investment Workforce Development Stimulate Tacoma’s
Economic ActivityLocal Chambers & Trade Associations
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Tacoma+Pierce County Destination Marketing
+ Visi tors
TACOMA-PIERCE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & JOB CREATION ECO-SYSTEM
Jobs & Wealth
Industrial DevelopmentVoice for Business
Workforce ServicesBusiness & Community Leaders Tacoma+Pierce County
Destination Marketing
Retention & Business Climate Improvements
International Trade & Investment Workforce Development Stimulate Tacoma’s
Economic ActivityLocal Chambers & Trade Associations
+
Tacoma+Pierce County Destination Marketing
+ Visi tors
TACOMA-PIERCE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & JOB CREATION ECO-SYSTEM
Strengthening Our Local Economy
In an evolving ecosystem, the Chamber serves as the leading voice on public policy for our community’s businesses. We harness our collective power of membership and unite as one voice to inf luence outcomes in government. The bottom line is our members want to be prof itable and stay competitive and who better to carry this message than the Chamber?
Collaborating in the eco-system of economic development entities to bring dollars and jobs into the Tacoma-Pierce County economy has resulted in over $1.5 billion of investment and job creation for the f irst half of 2013 alone. With each entity working on their respective mission, including the Chamber, our area’s prospects for a thriving economy are looking up.
The Chamber has stepped up efforts to enhance the economic success of the region and will continue to do so. This means job creation, growing local businesses and building on our region’s inherent strengths. Our core competencies of Representing Business Interests with Government, Taking Political Action for Business, Providing Networking & Referral Opportunities, and Building a Prosperous Community, all support our foremost goal: Strengthening Our Local Economy.
Business Plan
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Representing Pierce County Business Interests with Government
As the voice for business, we advocate for solutions to key business issues; educate policy makers on business priorities, values and perspectives; and leverage our collective clout for an improved business climate.
The Chamber works to hold government accountable, simplify regulations, minimize taxes, and build leaders who understand business. Increasing our member’s access to elected off icials while keeping the community informed of pending local, regional, state and federal legislation are also components of our advocacy efforts.
When our membership joins together as one voice we:• Drive public policy for the business community• Take a lead on critical business issues and make a lasting impact• Actively communicate issues that impact Pierce County • Position the Chamber as a progressive and effective force in our community• Give creative solutions that protect taxpayers, provide essential services and improve the business and economic conditions throughout Tacoma and Pierce County
Business Plan
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Building a Prosperous Community
The Chamber’s programs are geared toward community visioning with strategic partnerships that bridge important issues for retaining businesses—commerce, education and quality of life. Maintaining relevancy with today’s marketplace includes following trends that make sense in providing the best service to our members and investing in ideas that make a difference in our community.
We feature Chamber-managed programs and partnerships that improve business performance and advance the attraction of talent and capital to the Tacoma-Pierce County community:
• Business Improvement Area (BIA)• Downtown: On the Go!• Spaceworks Tacoma• TacomaAngel Network (TAN)• Veteran & Business Service• YEA! (Young Entrepreneurs Academy)
Business Plan
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“I think everyone in the Chamber and the business community realize how important education is. From the business perspective you need to have a talented, educated, skillful workforce and you also need to have people who are engaged in the civic processes that really make a community vibrant.”-Tom Siegel, Superintendent, Bethel School District
Business Plan
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South County Branch
To reflect a broader county business community reach and more inclusivity, the Chamber renamed the former South County Division to South County Branch. If members live, work or do business in the south county area, Branch participation is a great way to share their business with other Chamber members.
South County Branch offers Chamber members another outlet to maximize the benefits of their membership by:
• Solving problems, discussing issues and implementing special projects and events for the benef it of the south county area and business community.• Offering opportunities to prioritize and bring focus to the specif ic business needs of the south county area.• Providing a way for stronger representation on area issues and allowing more Chamber leadership roles to members through serving on the South County Branch Board.
“We look forward to a great year promoting the value of Chamber membership through informative lunch programs, morning & evening networking opportunities, rewarding community events and supporting a revitalized attractive business community beginning with the new PLU Garfield Station.” - Darrel Bowman, Office In An Icon, LLC, South County Branch Chair
Business Plan
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West Side Branch
To reflect a broader county business community reach and more inclusivity, the Chamber renamed the former University Place-Fircrest Division to the West Side Branch. If members live, work or do business in the West Side Branch participation is a great way to share their business with other Chamber members.
West Side Branch offers Chamber members another outlet to maximize the benefits of their membership by:
• Solving problems, discussing issues and implementing special projects and events for the benefit of the west side area and business community.• Offering opportunities to prioritize and bring focus to the specif ic business needs of the west side area.• Providing a way for stronger representation on area issues and allowing more Chamber leadership roles to members through serving on the West Side Branch Board.
“The West Side Branch Board is looking forward to the opportunities our name change has given us for continued growth in the west side region.”- LeAnn Riegel, Vision Care Associates, PLLC, West Side Branch Chair
Business Plan
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Taking Political Action for Business
The Chamber promotes the business agenda with political action programming. Elected off icials that understand business are key in the areas of governmental accountability and f iscal responsibility. These leaders make a difference on budget priorities, keeping the cost of doing business low; they also understand the need for consistent regulation and what is needed to grow jobs in our communities. We are there to hold them accountable and mindful of business needs and impacts.
By keeping our members informed on upcoming elections, candidates, ballot measures and issues, we help them make educated voting decisions.
• Identify business-minded leaders as potential candidates for elected off ice.• Promote connections between businesses and policy makers.• Train future leaders on how to run for off ice.• Ensure elected off icials and decision-makers are educated about the impacts of their actions on Pierce County businesses and economy.• Inform the business community about elected off icials’ stances on key business issues.• Provide opportunities for business leaders to be more involved in the elections process.
Business Plan
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Providing Networking & Referral Opportunities
Businesses want to partner, spread the word, build clientele, share advice, and develop business networks. With a Chamber membership of 1,500 and increasing attendance at our events, you can be sure we are the organization for business networking in Tacoma-Pierce County.
The Chamber offers many opportunities to increase businesses’ prof iles and build a stronger referral base. Members can:
• Post events, offer member-to-member discounts and add searchable keywords that will help drive clients to them through our website.• Attend some of our numerous networking events held before work, over lunch and after-hours at businesses throughout the county.• Participate in our educational business sessions. • Advertise in the Chamber’s printed business directory, often referenced by members and the community along with our other advertising options: our website, Chamber Calendar, “Vision” publication and e-newsletter.• Sponsor events—an excellent name-branding tool for all businesses. Ranging from $150 to $10,000, there are sponsorships available that will f it most marketing budgets.
Business Plan
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Events
Signature Events
Horizons Economic Forecast Chamber Golf ClassicEvergreen Fleet CruiseChamber Luncheon Featuring: WorkWell AwardsChamber Luncheon Featuring: New Tacoma AwardsChamber Luncheon Featuring: Environmental Business AwardSouth County New Educators BreakfastSpotlight! On BusinessAnnual MeetingPublic Off icials Holiday Reception
Special Events
Advocacy EventsCandidates AcademyCandidates ForumCandidates Reception Chamber OrientationLeadership Tacoma-Pierce CountyLegislative Advocacy DayManufacturing-Industries-MaritimeMilitary Welcome ReceptionsSouth County Golf TournamentTrivia Team Challenge
Monthly Recurring Events
Chamber After-HoursChamber LuncheonCoffee & ConnectionsLunch & LearnMilitary Affairs ForumRAMP (Regional Access Mobility Partnership)Small Business RoundtableSouth County ConnectionsWake Up!
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Chamber’s Ambassadors Club Members
Monique Trudnowski, Adriatic Grill Italian Cuisine & Wine BarJerry Tuisl, Advocare Health and NutritionDave Andrews, Andrews Financial ServicesMelissa Martin, Brookdale Senior Living-Villas at Union ParkCharlene Harris, Charlene’s Baskets & BowsNicole Dale, Costco WholesaleCarolyn Osborne, Creative ForcesJudith Martin, Harry & David Koreen Thompson, Home Makeovers Made SimpleSherri Murry, IgniteU365.comNicole Fisher, Jeff Baker & Associates, PSMitch Anderson, Morgan Stanley Wealth ManagementBeth Delmore, Opus BankAndrew Mina, Opus BankTess Mandapat, Pearly Whites Laser DentistryJamie Diemer, Propel InsuranceLorraine Chambers, Rainier ConnectJan Fernandez, Rapport Benefits GroupAustin Patjens, Seattle BankLen Ganduglia, Shilo Inn & Suites Hotels - TacomaRose Mednick, Signs by Tomorrow - TacomaBen Canales, Sound Security dba Sonitrol PacificMel West, West Business Concepts, Inc.
Ambassadors
The Chamber’s Ambassadors Club provides a public relations liaison between the Chamber and its members.
Ambassadors:- Welcome new members to the Chamber
- Greatly help member retention
- Assist at events with a discount event registration rate
- Gain visibility for their companies
- Enjoy fun opportunities to grow personal contacts and guide members on maximizing their membership.
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Dr. Ethan “Rick” AllenUnited Way of Pierce CountyPresident
Mitch AndersonMorgan Stanley Wealth ManagementFinancial Advisor
Janet BarkerBank of AmericaVice President Small Business Banker Manager
Lois BernsteinMultiCare Health SystemSr. VP, Community Services
Bill GainesTacoma Public UtilitiesDirector/Utilities
Terry HayesGoodwill Industries – TacomaCEO
Hans HechtmanComcast CableDirector of Government Affairs
Col. H. Charles Hodges, Jr – Ex Off icioJoint Base Lewis-McChordDepartment of the ArmyCommander
Judi HymanTWOKOI Japanese Cuisine RestaurantOperations
Bruce KendallEcon. Dev. Bd for Tacoma-Pierce CountyPresident & CEO
Col. David L. Kumashiro – Ex-Off icio62nd Airlift Wing Commander
Jim LeonardMultiCare Health SystemVice President Tacoma Market
Tim McLaughlinKeyBankSr VP South Puget Sound District
David MoeThe Boeing CompanyDirector Frederickson Site
Board of Directors
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John ParrottTotem Ocean Trailer Express, IncPresident
Harlan PattersonUniversity of Washington TacomaVice Chancellor, Administrative Services
Kevin PhelpsPierce County Executive Off iceDeputy Executive & ExecutiveDirector of Operations & Infrastructure
Michael T. Smith Tuell & Young, P.S.Attorney
Clint SteinColumbia BankSVP/Acting CFO
Tom StocksWeyerhaeuser Real Estate CompanyChief Investment Off icer
Janine TerranoTopia Technology, IncPresident/CEO
Pamela TransueTacoma Community CollegePresident
Bill TrudnowskiAdriatic Grill Italian Cuisine & Wine BarChef/Proprietor
Eddie WestmorelandWaste Connections, Inc.Western Region VP of Governmental Affairs
John WolfePort of TacomaExecutive Director
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Administration:Tom Pierson, President & [email protected] | 253.682.1736 Cathy Thompson, Executive [email protected] | 253.682.1727 Lisa Galoia, Finance [email protected] | 253.682.1725
Business & Advocacy:Gary Brackett, Business & Political [email protected] | 253.682.1720 Michael Transue (State & Local Issues)Government Affairs Lobbying & Advocacy [email protected] | 253.223.2508 Mike Weinman (Local & Federal Issues)Weinman Consulting [email protected] | 253.565.3693 Veteran & Business ServiceGreg Mowat, Veteran & Business [email protected] | 253.682.1724
Metropolitan Development:David Schroedel, Metropolitan Development Director & BIA [email protected] | 253.682.1723 Jim Burgess, BIA Maintenance [email protected] | 253.682.1731
Downtown: On the Go!Kristina Walker, Downtown On the Go [email protected] | 253.682.1739 Meagan Kula, Downtown On the Go [email protected] | 253.682.1734 Laura Wisdom, Downtown: On the Go Intern & Carshare [email protected] | 253.682.1738
Chamber Staff: We are your resources!
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Spaceworks Tacoma:Heather Joy, Spaceworks Tacoma [email protected] | 253.682.1722
Gabriel Brown, Spaceworks Arts & Economic Development [email protected] | 253.682.1735
Membership Outreach:Lynnette Buff ington, Membership Outreach Manager & Human [email protected] | 253.682.1726 Dawn Doyle, Membership & Fund [email protected] | 253.682.1728
Brenna Johnson, Membership [email protected] | 253.682.1733
Savannah Kimball, Membership Outreach & Events [email protected] | 253.683.4881
Natasha Johnson, Membership Outreach & Events [email protected] | 253.682.1737 Janice Hutchins, Customer Experience Specialist [email protected] | 253.683.4882
Communications:Mimi Jansen, Communications [email protected] | 253.683.4883 Christina Kitchens, Graphic [email protected] | 253.682.1729
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ChairJeffrey BrownCreoWorksPresident & CEO
Chair-ElectDave McEnteeSimpson Investment CompanyVice President Operational Services and External Affairs
TreasurerBob HintonMoss Adams, LLPPartner
SecretaryJoanna MonroeTrueBlue, Inc.VP, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Off icer
Immediate Past ChairBrian Haynes Rainier ConnectPresident
Legal CounselValarie Zeeck - Ex Off icioGordon Thomas Honeywell LLC Attorney/Partner
President & CEOTom Pierson - Ex Off icio
Vice-Chair, Business & Trade DevelopmentGeorge Cargill Cargill & AssociatesCEO
Vice-Chair, Government & Community IssuesGary NomensenPuget Sound EnergyManager-Government & Community Relations
Vice-Chair, Small BusinessRose MednickSigns by TomorrowPresident
South County BranchDarrel BowmanOff ice In An Icon, LLC
West Side BranchLeAnn RiegelVision Care Associates, PLLCVision Therapist
Executive Committee 2013-2014
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Publication CreditsPublisher: Tom Pierson
Writers: Tom Pierson, Mimi Jansen
Designer: Kari Hilderbrand Design
Photography: April Greer, Chip Shot Photography, Patrick Hagerty, Riandi Photography and Vivid Images Photography.
Printer: Printing Control
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web: tacomachamber.org
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