Last week, the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce welcomed about 275 business and civic leaders to its 2024 Regional Leadership Conference at Suncadia Resort hosted by Presenting Sponsor Alaska Airlines.

Attendees received candid perspectives on current events in our region: including state of industry, changing political landscape and improving systems. The conference showcased regional leaders everyone should know and created a space to foster collaboration and problem solving between attendees.

Amelia Ransom of Smartsheet was our emcee and highlights included:

DAY 1

  • Attendees started the conference by catching up with old friends and meeting new ones during our opening reception sponsored by Cruise Lines International Association.
  • Chamber CEO Rachel Smith and Alaska Airlines’ Diana Birkett Rakow got the program started exploring the theme of this year’s conference – it was about catching up and getting in the know, and then considering what actional to take once you have new information. Thank you to our dinner sponsor The Boeing Company.
  • The 2024 winner of the Sen. Scott White Regional Leadership Award was Congressman Derek Kilmer, presented by Mayor Angela Birney of Redmond. Kilmer was also our dinner keynote speaker who had us in stitches with stories from his time of serving in Congress.


DAY 2

  • Our first session, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, opened with King County Executive Dow Constantine giving an overview of our region and the issues everyone in the business community should be informed about. Then, Uncommon Bridges’ Andrés Mantilla shared key insights from our Seattle Day event in October where we took a deep look at the top concerns the city of Seattle is facing.
  • A panel looked at the future of healthcare staffing challenges, AI integration & critical care with Fearey Agency’s Aaron Blank, Neighborcare Health’s Rashad Collins, Life Science Washington’s Marc Cummings and Kaiser Permanente’s Carla Costa Sandine. Thanks to our session sponsor Comcast.
  • Microsoft’s Hana Doubrava and the Chamber’s Chief of Staff Lynnette Buffington shared more details about FIFA World Cup Seattle 2026 and the Chamber’s plan to support businesses. Thank you to our session sponsor Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.
  • We explored SeaTac Airport’s crucial role in our region with insights from Port of Seattle Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa, DH’s Marc Berger, Alaska Airlines’ Diana Birkett Rakow and Expedia Group’s Richard de Sam Lazaro. Thanks to our session sponsor Symetra.
  • Lunch keynote speaker Eduardo Peñalver, President of Seattle University, shared his insights on leadership and education’s role in shaping our future. A big thank you to our lunch sponsor Premera.
  • Mayor Bruce Harrell kicked off a conversation about the Chamber’s study missions, followed by Microsoft’s Colleen Kerr, SODO BIA’s Lauren Lundberg, Civic Hotel’s Neha Nariya & Greater Seattle Partners’ Brian Surratt who reflected on their experiences. Thank you to our panel sponsor Port of Seattle.
  • Pacific Science Center’s Will Daugherty and Seattle Symphony’s Krishna Thiagarajan shared the impact of arts, culture, heritage & science in our region. Thank you to our session sponsor Bank of America.
  • Our panel, sponsored by Microsoft, explored workforce development — preparing people for careers and addressing labor shortages with insights from Kinetic West’s Marc Casale, Washington Roundtable’s Steve Mullin, Washington State University Provost Dr. T. Chris Riley-Tillman and HNTB’s Amy Scarton.
  • For our final speaker Thursday, Sen. Marko Liias brought us up to speed on transportation infrastructure challenges in Washington state. Thank you to our session sponsor Verizon.
  • Attendees spent time together at our evening reception, sponsored by Expedia Group, and then wowed each other with karaoke during our nightcap, sponsored by Puget Sound Energy.


DAY 3

  • In our final In the Know segment, we heard from Gov. Jay Inslee on the No on 2117 campaign. Inslee shared key updates on this important issue that is impacting our community. And Inslee surprised us by naming Chamber President & CEO Rachel Smith Washingtonian of the Day. Thank you, Amazon, for sponsoring this session.
  • We were treated to a State of the Region panel exploring the political landscape, regional media and how ballot initiatives have an impact, sponsored by Regence Blue Shield.
  • Transportation Choices Coalition Executive Director Kirk Hovenkotter shared about the Seattle transportation levy and our region’s transportation initiatives. Thank you to our session sponsor Zillow.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to all the sponsors, speakers, attendees, and steering committee for this year’s Regional Leadership Conference. We hope to see you at the Regional Leadership Conference in October 2025.

Photos by Alabastro Photography

2024 Regional Leadership Conference sponsors:

Alaska Airlines, Advanced Professionals – Insurance & Benefit Solutions, Amazon, Bank of America, The Boeing Company, Cruise Lines International Association, Comcast, Delta Dental of Washington, DoorDash, Edelman, Expedia Group, Fearey, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Kaiser Permanente, Microsoft, Port of Seattle, Premera Blue Cross, Puget Sound Energy, Regence, Symetra, T-Mobile, Uber, University of Washington, Verizon, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Washington State University, Zillow.