President’s Report

As usual when the Chamber gets involved with community level discussions on economic and business development there is always questions about what a Chamber does and is. This questioning is good because it brings out both specific and general answers on very important topics that are important for the community and all Chamber members. So, in our research on a variety of communities, we came across what I think is a wonderful description of the mission of this and any Chamber of Commerce, and so I thought I would share this with you. The quote comes from the U.S Chamber’s hugh file of basic information.

 

Chambers in Communities

Chamber of Commerce

At the heart of the local economy and the backbone of the nation’s economy, one will find a chamber of commerce. Celebrating and promoting the diversity and uniqueness of their communities, chambers of commerce form the fabric of America.

Chambers are the primary source for businesses and individuals seeking information on the business climate in a community. Representing the vocal point for businesses, chambers often are the catalyst for business opinions and represent business needs in the community. As the collective voice, chambers speak from a much broader economic framework than individual businesses or politicians ever could.

The work of local chambers of commerce is vital to the community’s business life. Chambers provide bottom line programs for businesses large and small. They fight for pro-business legislation and form public and private alliances. With the support of chambers, small businesses open their doors…prosper…and grow.

But chambers not only address economic issues, they provide leadership in civil and social programming as well. Through innovative programs, chambers address health care concerns, education, and crime prevention – because community issues become business issues and have a great impact upon the overall business climate.

A strong dynamic business community benefits the entire community. Chambers directly involve themselves in the community to create the environment where people want to live and work.

Special Thanks to our
4th of July sponsors:

One of the special events that allows lots of small sponsors the opportunity to participate is the Haggen 4th of July Celebration. This great community event is one of Whatcom County’s largest single day events bringing nearly 100,000 people to Bellingham to watch the spectacular fireworks show over Bellingham Bay. People watch from Ferndale to Alabama Hill, and all around Bellingham Bay.

This year’s event was huge and we want to thank the following Chamber members and local business people for their contribution to the show.

Haggen Food and Pharmacy – our
prime sponsor

Russ Westhaver, Pacific Trim

The Bellingham Central Lions Club

Sound Beverage

Art & Frames

Bay Trophies

Duane Sammons Insurance

Lummi Fisheries

William Follis Realty

Saratoga Commercial Management

North Washington Collections

Our House Publishing

Data Link West

Banner Bank

US Bankcorp/Piper Jaffray

Larson Gross PLLC

Orphalee Smith CPA

The Boys and Girls Club

of Whatcom County

Yvonne Goldsmith

Daryl McClelland, Realtor

Steve Moore, Moore & Company

Mike and Fran Hudson

Barbo Furniture

Paul and Mary Grey

Puget Sound Energy

Georgia Pacific West

Wilder Construction

 

Thanks to you all, you made the event possible….

 

NEWS NOTES…..

A what’s happening at the Chamber. If you have an interest in participating…call us at 734.1330 for more information

 

The Retail Committee and their out of County advertising effort

The Chamber Retail Committee has been working for nearly six months on an effort to combine the advertising energies of the various merchant districts from all over Bellingham. They are interested in advertising in Pierce, King and Snohomish Counties, and have been working on the effort quite successfully. Bid proposals from TV commercial producers have been received and the committee is working with Yvonne Cartwright of the Cartwright Zeiler Group to make their final image choices and ad buys. This is a very important project with a huge return potential.

 

Community Branding...

On September 5th, a branding task force composed of City, Port, Convention & Visitors Bureau and Chamber will be visiting Tacoma to review their process, concept and success. This venture should be the first step in forming a comprehensive brand for Bellingham.

 

The Governor’s Conference on Economic development..

This September 11-13, our President, Mike Brennan, will be attending the Governor’s Economic Development Conference in Spokane. The conference seeks to put some cooperative efforts around this state’s overall efforts, while better identifying the capacities and specialties of the local areas. Mike will be wearing two hats for that conference, one for the Chamber and one as a board member of the local Workforce Development Council.

 

Chamber Board ‘s annual planning session...

The Chamber Board of Directors will be holding their annual planning session on September 18th. The Chamber will be looking to restructure programs and services to better serve their members and our community. There will be lots to talk about and some great examples to follow as the Chamber gears up for a number of years into the future

 

Come on Downtown for Halloween and bring the kids…

The Chamber will continue its participation in the Downtown Halloween Walk for Children on October 31st. The Downtown Halloween Walk is a great program for kids and adults, and the Chamber is pleased to be a part of this excellent program. Come on down and see if you can tell who Pat is..

 

Autumn Border Business Conference Set…

The Autumn Border Business Conference is scheduled – October 18th. We are presently working with the US Federal Reserve Bank to bring their regional economist from San Francisco to be the key speaker during lunch so we can get a better picture of this region’s economy and its future.

 

Chamber works with the Governor’s Office...

The Chamber will be working with a variety of Washington State and British Columbian Officials to coordinate a visit between Gary Locke, our State Governor and British Columbia’s Premier Gordon Campbell in Vancouver, B.C..

This would be the first ‘official” meeting between these two leaders in quite some time. The meeting is to further coordinate the relationships of these two neighboring communities.

 

The U.S. Chamber is coming to Bellingham… and it’s the Chamber Annual Meeting and Luncheon too..

The U.S. Chamber is bringing a team to present in a ? day conference on international trade on November 14th.. The conference will conclude with the Chamber’s annual membership meeting/luncheon. The US Chamber team will include Leslie Schweitzer, Senior Trade Advisor; Ed Mortimer, Director for “Americans for Transportation Mobility; and Teresa Brown, Director of the Americans for Better Borders. That’s quite a team of very influential people from Washington D.C., be sure to mark your calendars

 

Chamber CD showcasing events available

The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber offers a 5 -minute CD presentation showing various ways to enjoy and benefit from Chamber participation. It was filmed over a several month period at Chamber events. If you would like a copy to view, stop by the Chamber office at 1435 Railroad Avenue Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call the Chamber at 734-1330 and we will send you the CD for your PC, OK!

 

EXPLORE BRITISH COLUMBIA

Vancouver, Canada
October 22-23, 2002

Explore British Columbia is your gateway to the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC) and the Pacific Rim. By participating in Explore British Columbia a U.S. firm can establish a presence in this market and increase its export sales.

British Columbia’s population of 4 million represents the third largest consumer market in Canada. British Columbia’s GDP surpassed 100 billion dollars in the year 2000, larger than that of many countries. The dynamic newly elected provincial government has established an aggressive pro-business environment to stimulate economic growth and activity.

• BC is one the United States’ largest trading partners, with bilateral trade in excess of $25 billion per year.

• BC’s $1.6 Billion ENVIRONMENTAL industry is experiencing rapid growth.

• BC’s HIGH TECH sector represents $3 billion of total provincial GDP.

• BC imports 70% of its FORESTRY equipment from the United States.

• BC’s fastest growing industry, AQUACULTURE, accounts for $635 million of total provincial GDP.

• For a fee of US$750.00 Explore British Columbia participants will take part in a program which includes:

• One-on-one meetings with pre-screened potential business partners who meet your objectives

• Briefing on “Doing Business in Canada”

• Networking and hospitality event

It is time for you to explore your international sales opportunities by participating in Explore British Columbia, October 22-23, 2002. Due to limited space and time constraints, it is important to advise us immediately if you are able to participate.

Please contact the following to reserve your place in this highly effective market development program: Cheryl Schell, Commercial Specialist, Tel: (604) 685-3382, Fax: (604) 687-6095, Email: cheryl.schell@mail.doc.gov

Interested in trading into Canada ? Consider attending EXPLORE BRITISH COLUMBIA… October 22nd and 23rd, in Vancouver, B.C.

The Chamber has joined forces with the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver, B.C. and so we are supporting this fall’s EXPLORE BRITISH COLUMBIA program. This excellent program puts the U.S. Commercial Service division of the U.S. Department of Commerce on the forefront of making business connections in British Columbia FOR YOU. The program supports direct connections for your business based on your business profile and your requests to Canadian business that is looking for a positive relationship. There is no better connection opportunity than this program.

Local businesses that are interested should contact Mike at the Chamber’s Business Service Center (734.1330) or Cheryl Schell, Commercial Specialist at the U.S. Consulate (604.685.3382).

 

NETWORKING EVENTS SCHEDULED

The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce networking event is being held at Northwood Hall on Friday September 13th. The networking event is a great way to meet other business people in the community. It includes networking, breakfast and a chance to win wonderful prizes all for just $11. Reservations are required by calling 734-1330. Chamber Members and their guests are invited to attend. Non-members can attend twice prior to joining the Chamber.

This months Business after Business is being held Business Expo at Best Western Lakeway Inn in Bellingham, from 5 to 7 PM on Thursday September 26th. Note the different date. The Business after Business is generally held the third Thursday of every month but we have moved it one week later this month. Chamber Members and their guests are welcome to participate in this monthly event.. Refreshments, networking, prizes and a nice time. Please join us on September 26th.

 

Chamber Membership Grows

The following businesses, individuals and organizations became members of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce in March:

ActualNetworks

William Bounds, MMCSE, CCNA

PO Box 5182

Bellingham, WA 98227

360 756-1336

Providing computer networking services for Skagit & Whatcom counties. Design of highly available & secure networks to fit customers specific needs. Skilled Systems Engineers assist in finding solutions that fit customers needs and budget.

 

Bult, Faith DDS

Dr. Faith Bult

Dan Bult, Mgr.

405 - 32nd Street Ste: 100

Bellingham, WA 98225

360 715-3333

Patient centered dentistry.

 

Burkland Business Consulting

Peter Burkland, Owner

2008 Vendovi Lane

Bellingham, WA 98229

360 303-8976

Management consulting services to improve corporate effectiveness & manage change.

 

Fred Sexton/Windermere Real Estate

Fred Sexton, Associate

892 N. Lake Samish Dr.

Bellingham, WA 98229

360 820-1198

Real estate sales & business broker.

 

Gigi’s Donuts & Sandwiches, Inc.

Gottfried (Ted) Klement

4073 “B” Hannegan Rd.

Bellingham, WA 98226

360 738-8096

Retail & wholesale sandwiches & donuts - delivery to large companies by contract.

 

Horseshoe, Inc.

Travis Holland, President

113 E. Holly St.

Bellingham, WA 98225

360 734-0380

Restaurant & Bar & Tobacco Retailer. Open 24 hours. High speed wireless internet. Fully air conditioned. Smoking and Non-Smoking areas. Meeting rooms.

 

KC Coonc/Realtor

KC Coonc

1100 - 11th Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

360 676-8990

Residential & Commercial real estate sales.

 

Office Max #887

Mr. Michael Feuer, CEO

Mr. Peter Kaloudis, Mgr

1055 E. Sunset Dr.

Bellingham, WA 98226-3510

360 738-6606

Office supplies, furniture and electronics.

 

Pacific Enterprise, Inc.

John Borders, CEO

Stefan Thueringer, MBA/Mrkting Dir.

114 W. Magnolia Ste: 140

Bellingham, WA 98225

360 392-3940

Through a joint venture with Crown Plaza Executive Suites, owns & operates “Offices Anywhere, LLC” www.officesanywhere.com

 

Patrick Coe, DDS

Dr. Patrick Coe

1225 E. Sunset Dr. Ste: 140

Bellingham, WA 98226

360 255-5000

Dental office

 

RG Media

Romney Gibson, Principal

444 - 14th St.

Bellingham, WA 98225

360 714-0345

Public relations/marketing/advertising

 

Seattle Manufacturing Corp. (SMC)

Kathy Hughes, President

6930 Salashan Pkwy.

Ferndale, WA 98248

360 366-5534

Manufacturer of mountaineering & rescue equipment.

 

Wholesale Auto, Inc.

Jerry Thomas, Owner

Linda Montgomery, Off. Mgr.

1100 Iowa St.

Bellingham, WA 98226

360 734-1850

Auto recycler/retail parts.

Businesses
Renewing
Memberships

Bev Dawes, CPA

Birch Bay Golf Club

Boundary Bay Brewing Co.

BP Cherry Point Refinery

Buyer’s Market/CBK Ent., Inc.

Evolutionary Visions

Eileen Gribble Therapies

Frontier Bank

G. Kenneth Phillips

K&E Moving & Storage

KBCB TV 24 World TV of WA

Mt. Baker Plywood

Regal Tanks USA, Inc.

Running Shoes.Com

Small Business Development Center

The Swanson Group @ Windermere

Real Estate

Washington State Dept. of L & I

Western Washington University

Whatcom Coalition for Healthy

Communities