Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber

Ring in the holiday season with your Pierce County public officials and Chamber business community! ❄️   Join us to celebrate the new and current Pierce County public officials at the 2024 Public Officials Holiday Reception, on Wednesday, December 18. This is your chance to meet, mix, and mingle with hundreds of public officials in a relaxed and informal setting.   📅 Wednesday, December 18, 2024 ⏰ 5:00 - 7:00 PM 📍 LeMay - America's Car Museum Secure your tickets today ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gWn4h7wz.

At this year’s Annual Meeting, the Chamber announced the creation of two new scholarships to honor Janice Hutchins and David Schroedel, two long-serving staff members who have made an indelible impact on the Chamber and the South Sound community. David currently serves as the Executive Vice President for the Chamber, and Executive Director for the Downtown Tacoma Partnership, and Janice serves as the Chamber’s Customer Experience Specialist. These scholarships will support emerging business leaders and civic-minded individuals, reinforcing the Chamber’s mission to advance the region through local leadership and advocacy. 🧡 Janice Hutchins Stronger Together Membership Scholarship: This scholarship will recognize new Chamber members who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service, exemplifying Hutchins' 45 years of dedication to the organization. 🧡 David Schroedel Leadership and Advocacy Candidates Academy Scholarship: This scholarship will provide resources to individuals participating in the Chamber’s Candidates Academy, helping equip future leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to engage in civil service. More information about the scholarships, eligibility requirements, and deadlines related to applications will be released in 2025. Please join the Chamber in congratulating these two amazing individuals for their long-lasting impact! 🎉 Learn more on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gfTTJ9GF.

Today the Pierce County Council designated Saturday, Nov. 30, as Small Business Saturday. Did you know that local, small businesses and entrepreneurs serve as the backbone of our local economy? Small businesses support the creation of 128K+ jobs at over 25,000 businesses, totaling roughly 38% of all jobs in the County! Our CEO, Andrea Reay, was on hand to accept the proclamation on behalf of Pierce County businesses that we are honored to serve today and everyday. #SmallBusinessSaturday #PierceCounty

🌟 Support Local, Empower Communities 🌟 Small Business Saturday is November 30! Let’s come together to support the backbone of our economy: small businesses. Here’s why shopping small matters: • 47% of consumers choose small businesses to contribute to their communities. • Almost half of every dollar spent locally stays in the local economy. 💡 Resources for business owners: American Express and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have released toolkits to help small businesses thrive this season, including marketing guides and consumer insights: https://lnkd.in/gjKWrjEZ. 📍 Check out local Tacoma-Pierce County events: • Small Business Day Extravaganza (Downtown Tacoma): https://lnkd.in/gtJJ8uvc • Black Night Market-Holidaze (Tacoma Armory): https://lnkd.in/gUuuRrKi • Window Walk and Wassail (Puyallup): https://lnkd.in/gCgGZTTi Help make this season one of loyalty and growth for our local businesses. Learn more about resources for small business and where to go as a consumer via our blog: https://lnkd.in/gjKWrjEZ. #SmallBusinessSaturday #ShopSmall #TacomaPierceCounty Downtown Tacoma Partnership

The Chamber office will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, as we take time to reflect and connect with loved ones. We are grateful to our members, partners, and community for their continued support and collaboration. We’ll reopen on Monday, December 2, and look forward to serving you then.

Earlier this month, the Hilltop District in Tacoma and the Chamber celebrated the grand opening of the new office for Girls Hearts on Fire (GHOF)! Founder and Executive Director, Cecily Croskey, was joined by family, friends, and community members for the celebration. For over a decade, GHOF has been dedicated to empowering young women ages 10-18 by offering solace, opportunity, sisterhood, and economic advancement. At the heart of GHOF’s programming is a powerful mission: to empower young women through leadership, life skills, and entrepreneurship. “I wish there was something like this when I was that age,” shared Jessica Johnston, the November Chamber Ambassador of the Month and Director of #CourtHouseSquareTacoma & KSP Building. “It would have been so helpful and filled that gap.” If you have a young woman in your life that could benefit from joining the GHOF Club, be sure to head to its new community space at 901 S 11th Street, Tacoma, WA, 98405 or follow their journey on social media. Learn more about GHOF on our blog ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g5ckxD6S.

We had a wonderful time hosting Chamber members and guests at our last Chamber After Hours of the year. Thank you to everyone who came to network and celebrate community with us! Visit our website (🔗 in bio) to check out more upcoming events.

Looking for a place to bring the kids or host a memorable party? 🦁🎉 Look no further! Charlie’s Safari Family Fun Center has opened its new location in Central Tacoma. This safari-themed venue offers fun for the whole family with play areas, bounce houses, an arcade, air hockey, and a snack bar (plus a refreshment center serving beer and wine for the grown-ups!). But it’s not just about fun—owners Rob Jones and General Manager Meghan Krissak are giving back to the community through partnerships with Tacoma Housing Authority and other local initiatives. “We believe strongly that as you get more, you give more,” said Krissak. Check out our blog to learn how Charlie’s Safari is making an impact and plan your visit today 👉 https://lnkd.in/gUqfTuGX.

The Chamber proudly presents its 2024 Annual Impact Report, a comprehensive look at its efforts to drive economic vitality, advocate for businesses, and foster an inclusive and equitable South Sound. This year’s report highlights the Chamber’s deep commitment to empowering local businesses, supporting community leaders, and building resilient, sustainable growth across Tacoma-Pierce County. Take a deep dive into the Chamber's impact on the South Sound, and delivery on its commitments from 2024 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gKcucBbq.

On November 19, 2024, the City of Tacoma of Tacoma, led by Council Member Kiara Daniels, recognized small business representatives Jan Parker of Jan Parker Cookery and Dr. Luciano Garofalo, Link Community Clinic, in honor of Small Business Saturday. Jan Parker is an alumni of the Pierce County Business Accelerator, and Link Community Clinic is a Spaceworks Tacoma alum — two programs facilitated by the Chamber. #SmallBusiness #SmallBusinessSaturday #TacomaBusiness