Many Chamber members will remember Bill Bell, who retired in 2004 after 16 years as the Chamber's marketing and membership executive. Bill passed away Sunday after suffering a brain hemorrhage two weeks ago.
Bill joined the Chamber in 1988 after a 30-year career in the airline industry. He brought with him an absolute dedication to customer service and always had a kind word and a smile that welcomed everyone. Chamber colleagues describe him as the "consummate southern gentleman" and recognize his legacy with the Bill Bell Customer Service Award, presented annually to a staff member.
The Chamber's deepest sympathies are extended to Bill's wife Leona, his children Alisa and Brian Bell, and their families. Services and donation information will be posted in an upcoming funeral notice. In the interim, click here for The Seattle Times obituary.
Chamber board members address business issues with key policymakers
"In this next year, ALL OF US will be focusing on our relationships with elected and appointed officials and supporting them as they make the tough votes to balance the budgets." ?Chamber Chair Jim Warjone at the September 2007 Chamber annual meeting
Advancing the business perspective on policy issues and strengthening ties between business and government are the reasons for a series of recent meetings between Chamber board members and some of the most influential policymakers in our area.
In just the past few weeks, discussions took place with Julia Patterson, the new chair of the Metropolitan King County Council; Richard Conlin, the new president of the Seattle City Council; Tim Burgess and Bruce Harrell, both new members of the Seattle City Council; and Sally Clark, the new chair of the city's Planning, Land Use & Neighborhoods Committee. Topics covered specific policy issues, such as SR 520, industrial lands, urban density, and public safety, as well as the general outlook and concerns and opportunities for our region.
Next, Chamber leaders plan to talk with King County Councilmembers Jane Hague and Larry Phillips. A delegation of about a dozen Chamber board members will also travel to Olympia next Wednesday, February 27, where they will meet with senior legislators and Governor Christine Gregoire for a final discussion of priorities before session ends.
Chamber and SBC Economic Forum at City Hall, Feb. 26
The Chamber collaborates with other Seattle business organizations on issues concerning the city of Seattle's economic competitiveness through the Seattle Business Coalition (SBC).
SBC priorities include enhancing collaboration between the City Council and the business community. As part of this effort, SBC and the Chamber will hold an economic forum with Seattle City Councilmembers next Tuesday, February 26, from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
The genesis for this brown-bag discussion occurred last fall during a meeting with outgoing Council President Nick Licata. Topics to be discussed include findings from two Washington Research Council studies commissioned by the SBC on the City of Seattle's competitiveness and how best to strengthen the city's key industries through sound public policy.
The meeting will be open to the public and aired on the Seattle Channel. Results will also be shared in a future edition of eNews. For immediate questions about SBC and the Chamber, contact the Chamber's Director of Government Affairs, Vitoria Lin, at 206.389.7268.
UEC focuses on business development and economic empowerment
The Chamber's multicultural business arm, the Urban Enterprise Center (UEC), is off to a strong start for 2008 with a distinguished team of volunteers from business and community organizations in place to lead the program's five major initiatives.
"UEC's efforts are designed to increase participation and growth opportunities for minority-owned and small businesses and to promote economic empowerment throughout the metro area," explains Dr. Leon F. "Skip" Rowland, who took over as UEC's executive director in September. "What makes our agenda so exciting is the dedicated team of volunteers that have stepped forward to give their time and energy to UEC, and to our broader vision of a more holistic and multicultural business community for the metro Puget Sound region."
Here's a snapshot of the five UEC initiatives and their volunteer chairs:
Puget Sound Connections: Phyllis Mayo of The Seattle Times Company is chairing the volunteer committee planning events and programs to assist with recruitment and retention of minority business executives in the metro region.
Herman L. McKinney Forums on Race: Craig Dawson of Retail Lockbox is chairing the volunteer committee that will be facilitating small group discussion sessions analyzing successful multicultural business models.
Minority Business Development: Shaunta Hyde of The Boeing Company is chairing the volunteer committee promoting minority business development projects including business-to-business partnerships and small business and public policy development. A major focus for the committee will be a supplier-diversity conference for about 50 minority businesses on April 16 presented by The Boeing Company and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Business Resources Network/Strategic Alliances: Michael Sotelo of the Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is chairing the volunteer committee responsible for collaboration with business resources and other minority business organizations, including the UEC's four strategic partners: the African American Partners for Prosperity, the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest, the Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Tabor 100.
Community Relations: Ruben Del Valle of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest is leading the volunteer effort to reduce the distance between minority and mainstream businesses and promoting economic literacy throughout the business community.
Watch eNews for updates on these UEC initiatives and details on how you can participate in their programs. For immediate questions, contact UEC Executive Director Skip Rowland at 206.389.7231.
Chamber co-presents CityClub event on Seattle's changing neighborhoods, March 7
Support for urban density and affordable housing is one of the Chamber's four policy priorities for 2007-08, and the Chamber is pleased to co-present this CityClub discussion on Friday, March 7:
Urban Development: Do we recognize the changing face of our neighborhoods?
Unprecedented development is reshaping Seattle's neighborhoods unlike any other time in the city's recent history. From Ballard to Capitol Hill and South Lake Union, neighborhoods are adapting to a new, denser urban reality. What do these developments say about the future of Seattle and how we define vibrant, livable urban neighborhoods?
Panelists to date:
Jim Diers, Author, Neighbor Power
Ada Healey, Vice President of Real Estate, Vulcan Inc.
Leonard Garfield, Executive Director, Museum of History and Industry
Diane Sugimura, Director, Department of Planning & Development, City of Seattle
Moderator: Jim Vesely, Editorial Page Editor, The Seattle Times
Washington Athletic Club, 1325 6th Ave., Seattle
Registration: 11:30 a.m. • Lunch Served: 12:00 to 12:15 p.m.
Program: 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.
$35/CityClub Members; $40/Guests and co-presenting organizations (includes Chamber members); $45/ General Public Register online at www.seattlecityclub.org or call 206.682.7395.
Young Professionals Network quiz night with Mayor Nickels, Feb. 27
Join the Chamber's Young Professionals Network for a lively and interactive quiz night with Mayor Greg Nickels.
Come prepared with your questions on city issues including:
Climate Change: Seattle Climate Action Now
Transportation
Sonics
City Budget
Public Boards and Commissions
Trivia about Seattle and city government... and more!
YPN Quiz Night with Mayor Nickels
Wednesday, February 27
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
FOX Sports Grill, 1522 6th Ave., Seattle 98101
$15 (pre-paid) Register online or contact Larry Pike at 206.389.7215.
Networking event: Expanded Toast of Seattle March 4
Try out the Chamber's structured networking program Toast of Seattle and meet best-selling author Thomas Moore at our Expanded Toast of Seattle event on Tuesday, March 4.
About Toast of Seattle's structured networking format: Participants each have two minutes to discuss their business with eight other people at a table. When everyone's done, you switch tables and start over with a new group. It's a great way to meet new contacts?at least 20 per meeting?and to sharpen your networking skills.
About Thomas Moore: His groundbreaking book Care of the Soul spent almost a year on the New York Times bestseller list. Now Moore has turned his attention to the issue that looms large in our self-regard and an aspect by which many of us define ourselves?our work. A Life's Work is about finding the right job, but it is also about uncovering and becoming the person you were meant to be.
Expanded Toast of Seattle
Tuesday, March 4
Noon to 2:00 p.m. (Note time change from standard morning program.)
Washington Athletic Club, 1325 6th Ave., Seattle 98101
$35 pre-paid for members; $45 pre-paid non-members Register online or contact Larry Pike at 206.389.7215.
The Chamber was the first major business organization in Washington to get in front of the climate change issue. The conversation continues on Tuesday, March 18, with a Community Breakfast featuring Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund and co-author of the new book, Earth: The Sequel.
About Earth: The Sequel: Fred Krupp and journalist Miriam Horn went behind the scenes to tell the stories of the bold innovators and investors who are reinventing energy and the ways we use it. The result is an inspiring story of entrepreneurs poised to remake the world's biggest business and save the planet?if America's political leadership gives them a fair chance to compete.
Community Breakfast "Earth: The Sequel"
Tuesday, March 18
Rainier Square Conference Center, 1333 5th Ave., Seattle 98101
$25 pre-paid; $175 for a table with seven seats Register online or contact Larry Pike at 206.389.7215
Alliance of Angels invests in record number of startups in 2007
Members of the Alliance of Angels, an angel investor organization operated by the Technology Alliance, invested a total of $3.9 million in 44 early stage companies during 2007, setting a new record for the number of deals completed in one year.
Eighty-seven percent of AoA's investments were directed to high tech companies, led by web and software but covering a broad spectrum, including materials science, electronics, and medical devices. The other 13% of investments were in consumer products and retail opportunities. AoA also facilitated $3.3 million in funding from additional sources, bringing the program's total impact on early stage investment last year to $7.2 million.
In its 10-year history, AoA members have directed $35.4 million to more than 140 companies. With indirect funding factored in, AoA has facilitated $70 million in capital to Pacific Northwest startups since 1998.
Recognized in 2006 as one of the most active angel groups in the nation, AoA also produces investor and entrepreneur education events. These include the popular 10 Minute Pitch Clinic, which to date has helped more than 450 individuals understand the essentials for pitching their business plan to prospective investors.
Thanks to Staples for hosting the Chamber's third-annual and best-ever Half-Day Business Conference on January 29.
Thanks to Hotel 1000 for providing Chamber leaders and city officials with a spectacular venue for "Coffee with the Chamber" on January 30 and February 13.
Thanks to Costco Wholesale and Costco Business Center for helping welcome new members with breakfast at Chamber 101 on February 1.
Thanks to the Seattle Aquarium and to the restaurants and caterers that made our February 6 Restaurant After Hours the best yet: Aquarium Cafe; Brella's Restaurant, Lounge & Catering at the Best Western Executive Inn; Buca di Beppo; CaterArts; Cutter's Bayhouse;
Dragonfish Asian Cafe; El Gaucho; Espresso Elegance; Etta's Seafood; Fox Sports Grill; icon GRILL;
Il Fornaio; Ivar's; Jimmy's on First; Luigi's Little Italy;
Pike Brewing Company; Ray's Boathouse; Restaurants To Go; The Melting Pot; Troiani; Union Square Grill;
Waterfront Seafood Grill; Wolfgang Puck.
