Grab the Spotlight, Host or Co-host a Notorious Networking Night (N3) Event

Do you want your business to be seen?  Do you want your business to be noticed?  Want to make more contacts?  Then the chamber has just the opportunity for you.  Sign up to host or co-host a Notorious Networking Night Event. 

There are several spots to host or co-host an N3 event still available for 2010!

Dates still available in 2010 are:

Month	Host	Co-host 1	Co-host 2
May 2010 -	Harbor Point Excavating	More Than Just Errands	Open
June 2010 -	CenturyLink	Open	Open
July 2010 -	Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound	Open	Open
August 2010 -	Peninsula Retirement	Open	Open
September 2010 -	Open	Open	Open
October 2010 -	Open	Open	Open
November 2010 -	Open	Open	Open
December -	No	Event

You’re probably thinking, “What’s in it for me?”  If you host an N3 event, attendees come to your place of business.  This means more exposure for your business, and more chamber contacts in the chamber.  Chamber members are looking to contact you, they want your business, your services. This is a great way to connect and let the community know all about your business and what you have to offer.

If you’re thinking, “I have a small office, I don’t have the space to host an event,” then co-hosting an N3 is just the thing.  Co-hosting an N3 event ensures that you still get the front-and-center attention as you would if you had hosting space.  Working with the co-host, you will be able to display your business promotional material, and introduce all attendees to the event to your services.  What could be better than that?  Grab your spot while it’s still available, call Barb Sykes at 253-851-9921 to

CHAMBER GETS A CARROT

The Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that it has signed an agreement with CarrotStick Marketing (CarrotStick) as the Chamber’s advertising and marketing agency. The Chamber selected CarrotStick for its expertise in building brands and identities, as well as increase membership, involvement and participation.

The Chamber Board of Directors, recognizing the need to update The Chamber’s identity and improve the services it provides its members, conducted an extensive search for firms that provide these kinds of services. CarrotStick is excited to have been chosen by the Chamber. Work has already begun redefining the Chamber’s identity. CarrotStick will be, in collaboration with Tacoma’s Site Crafting, revamping the Chamber’s web site to give it greater functionality, make it more robust, and to better serve its members and their needs.

CarrotStick Marketing, a Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce member, is located in Gig Harbor. The firm specializes in advertising and brand building. Their mission is to help their clients raise the quality and level of their communications, which will increase their visibility and make their marketing efforts and activities in the community more successful.

The principals of CarrotStick bring years of experience to the harbor, having started their careers working for the world’s top ad agencies in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Their portfolio of clients includes many of the fortune 500. In addition to the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce, some of CarrotStick Marketing’s clients include The Harbor History Museum, The City of Gig Harbor, LeMay - America’s Car Museum, Experience Music Project as well as Choice Carpentry, Six Ingredients or Less – cookbook series and many other local and regional companies.

For more information about CarrotStick Marketing, please visit their website at www.carrot-stick.com or call Al or Virginia Abbott at 253.853.4424.

Why Attend Networking Events?

Q: Why is it a good idea to attend networking events and what are the benefits of attending?

A: The Chamber provides essential member–to–member networking opportunities as well as frequent occasions to meet with civic leaders and lawmakers to discuss issues affecting your business and your community.  What does this mean for you?  This means that you have several opportunities to meet with your fellow business and civic leaders to increase your chamber contacts.  

Meeting with your fellow business leaders also gives your business more exposure within the chamber and the business community.  Members are looking for your services and what you provide.  Members are also looking to refer your business to their own clients. 

Along with making chamber contacts, you also have an opportunity to win the Member Spotlight in our Weekly Snapshot.  More than your business listing on the chamber website, the Member Spotlight is a feature article about your business and services you offer.  This is a fabulous opportunity for any of our chamber businesses. 

As you can see, attending chamber events is just one of many benefits of joining.  Why not attend the next upcoming chamber events.  Go to the chamber calendar to see upcoming events and call the chamber at 253-851-6865 to RSVP to an event and increase your visibility today!

Why Should I Join the Chamber?

Have We Got a “Gig” For You

Why would you want to be a part of the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce? The Chamber can be a vital asset to your business or organization in so many ways.

Market Your Business and Expand Your Customer Base

The Chamber of Commerce is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chamber staff and volunteers operate a community Welcome Center providing information about the harbor area and referrals to more than 500 Chamber member businesses.

Get to Know Your Local Business Leaders

The Chamber provides essential member–to–member networking opportunities as well as frequent occasions to meet with civic leaders and lawmakers to discuss issues affecting your business and your community.

Join a Greater Force

The mission of the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce is to take strong leadership positions for business and community interests that create and maintain economic opportunity and goodwill for its membership. When you join, we help you buy down essential products and services, attend affordable professional development seminars and join a sometimes animated dialogue between civic leaders and COC members.  We are the community leaders who provide a vibrant economic base creating jobs to ensure our community is a desirable place to live.

Our Benefits Help Your Bottom Line

• Medical & Dental - Your membership with the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce provides you access to exciting benefits from the Affiliated Associations of America (AAOA). There are no additional fees – your Chamber membership already qualifies you to access AAOA’s great benefits. Use your personal PIN number to login online to take advantage of your new member benefits. The Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce - AAOA program provides members a suite of benefits including Group Medical, Group Dental, and discounts on Travel, Communications, and Business Services. Your membership in the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce can give your company a competitive edge with the AAOA group medical and dental plans. The plans take an innovative and exciting approach to group medical coverage, with fixed administration and a full compensation disclosure to show where your dollars go. You can now purchase healthcare like the big companies and rein in runaway costs. The AAOA group healthcare program truly sets a new standard in employee benefits by providing members quality service and products. The AAOA group healthcare partners in the Gig Harbor area are United HealthCare and Washington Dental Service, a Delta Dental affiliate.
• Members Only specials - The weekly online ChamberGram informs members of current Chamber news, including product and service discounts for Chamber members only.
• Advertising - The Discover Guide published yearly in partnership with the Peninsula Gateway and the City of Gig Harbor is a compendium of useful information about the Gig Harbor area. The Discover Guide also includes the Chamber’s annual membership directory. Join a greater force for special "co-op" ads in various publications; for tourism or local events.

New Businesses Get a Jump Start

• Ribbon-cutting ceremonies - The Chamber helps celebrate the grand openings of new businesses that join the Chamber, the relocation of an existing business or to welcome a business to the Chamber.
• Local regulations - The chamber can obtain current copies of city codes, environmental impact statements and tax information.

We market your business to customers

• Referrals - Each month, thousands of Welcome Center guests are referred to local chamber members.
• Community Guide - Members get a free listing in our member directory and can also purchase advertisements.
• Website listing -Chamber members are linked for FREE on our website.

You can network with fellow professionals

• Public Affairs Forum - Join a long-standing dialogue with civic, educational and business thought leaders held every Thursday, 7:30-8:20 a.m., Cottesmore of Life Care, located at 2909 14th Ave NW.
• Business After Hours - These networking events on last Wednesday of each month, increase your Chamber member contacts.
• Direct Mail labels - Purchase the Chamber membership list and send your info to nearly 600 businesses in the area.
• Special events - Help plan or sponsor events at the Chamber of Commerce. It's a fast and cost-effective way to get to know your fellow members.

This dynamic organization boasts a membership of 500 businesses, associations and individuals -- all focused on making this community a great place to work, live and play. We encourage you to become a vital part of the Chamber - join today!

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MESSAGE FROM SENATOR DEREK KILMER RE: TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE TOLLS

Earlier this week, the Transportation Commission announced that they would not be increasing tolls on the Narrows bridge this year. I’m very pleased by the commission’s decision. Folks are struggling enough in this lousy economy without having to pay higher tolls on a bridge they’ll cross hundreds of times each year.

This is why we worked so hard this legislative session to defer the Narrows Bridge startup loan and change the way tolls are collected and how fines are administered. This is why we scrub the bridge budget so hard to make sure dollars that are supposed to be spent on bridge operations are actually spent for that purpose.

I want to extend my gratitude to the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce and its members. The Chamber was actively engaged throughout the process – sending in a resolution to the Transportation Commission, getting people to show up and testify at the Commission’s meeting, and encouraging folks to send in letters opposing toll increases this year. Having the business community actively engaged on this issue made a real difference. Thanks for being involved – it paid off!

Derek Kilmer
State Representative, 26th District

HIT THE BRAKES BEFORE ACCEPTING THIS RV AND CAMPING OFFER

*This article courtesy of the Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington*


Research and Verify Before Subscribing To Vacation and Travel Programs

DuPont, Wash. – March 9, 2010 – With camping season just down the road, RV owners are planning their vacations and some travel programs may be trying to capitalize on consumers' hopes to land a good deal.

In the early months of 2010, Better Business Bureau received 219 consumer inquiries on Ultimate RV Camping—a documented increase compared to 35 inquiries in the last half of 2009. Due to its failure to respond to complaints, this business has an "F" rating with your BBB.


Ultimate RV Camping also goes by Ultimate RV Tool, Internet Camping, Internet Camping Family and JAD Holdings. It advertises the 'Ultimate RV Travel Tool' as "the quickest, easiest way to search, browse, and reserve North America's most popular RV parks … INSTANTLY!" Sites like ultimatervcamping.com, internetcamping.com, and internetcamping.net entice vacationers with a free limited time offer of a RV park computer program guide with a directory of over 17,000 camping sites, including discounts at participating resorts.

Complainants allege that upon contacting the supposed directory members, they discovered the listed camping sites and resorts are not affiliated with the 'Ultimate RV Travel Tool' and no discounts are available. Additionally, consumers say they paid for the "free" offer and are unable to obtain a refund or take advantage of the advertised money back guarantee.


According to BBB's research, Ultimate RV Camping claims locations in University Place, Buckley and Bonney Lake, Wash. and is operated by Craig Kirkland.


Tucson-based Internet Camping appears to be affiliated with Ultimate RV Camping and has accrued several unresolved complaints, resulting in an "F" rating from BBB serving Southern Arizona.

With spring break rapidly approaching, BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington cautions vacationers to be on the lookout for travel offers that seem too good to be true:

Steer clear of vacation programs that solicit with high pressure limited time offers.

Beware of companies that claim affiliation with big name resorts or camp sites, but can't provide proof. Contact the resort to confirm affiliation.

Look out for companies with overhyped products, services, or fabricated testimonials on Web sites. If in doubt, ask for past-customer references.

Be careful when signing up for free offers and make sure not to click links and checkboxes for costly, unwanted offers. Carefully read the fine print and any disclaimers before pressing 'submit.'

Before making a purchase, look up the company and program name online. Always check on http://www.bbb.org/ for free business reliability reports and tips.

Say "NO" to State Tax in Washington State

HERE WE GO AGAIN; ANOTHER PROPOSAL IN THE WRONG DIRECTION

A STATE INCOME TAX: Thursday at 12 noon, the public was made aware of SB6250, a bill that would impose the first ever income tax on Washingtonians. SB6250 was not made public before it was read in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, and with just hours to prepare, Washington's business community did its best to speak out in opposition.


There is much speculation that this proposal is a very politically motivated ploy, designed to cause uproar and test the public appetite for a tax that Democrat leadership has wanted to advance for a long time. It does represent another ornament on their tree of tax and fee proposals.

Justifiably, there are a thousands of Washington residents who are angry about this income tax, but in the end, it's just another revenue generating proposal that reminds us of the fact that our state legislators are not debating the right issue.

Even if the idea of an income tax goes no-where this session, we want to give you the opportunity to get "on the record" about how you feel about the proposal. Let your legislators know that you don't appreciate yet another well crafted, political distraction away from the real solution to the budget deficit. It's not about how to extract more tax money from Washingtonians and their private sector businesses; it's about reigning in spending and getting back to the priorities of government so that Washington and its citizens can succeed!

Take Action! Let your voice be heard! Enterprise Washington has set up a special link so you can contact your representatives. Follow this link to let your voice be heard.


TAKE ACTION - SAY NO TO A STATE INCOME TAX FOR WASHINGTON.


This special link will help you generate either electronic or printed letters to send to all representatives for the State of Washington. Take action now!

City of Gig Harbor Receives Standard and Poor’s AA- Rating

Gig Harbor, Wash. – March 3, 2010 – Today the City of Gig Harbor received word it has been upgraded to AA- long term rating by Standard and Poor’s. The rating increase will mean a significant saving over the years to the City and its rate payers – about $92,000 in interest savings over the life of the bonds.

The Standard and Poor’s Report justifies the rating upgrade on;

• Location in the economically diverse Pierce County service area with above –average income levels

• Track record of maintaining adequate debt service coverage (DSC) and good liquidity
• Implementation of rate increases

The reports says the foregoing strengths are partially offset by the city’s additional debt needs to fund its current capital improvement plan and near-term need to expand capacity in both its water and sewer system.

The stable outlook reflects Standard and Poor’s expectation that the city will maintain sufficient system net revenues to ensure good DSC and cash on hand; and the stability of the rating will depend on the city’s ability to pass along future rate increases and remain in line with its forecast.

“I would like to thank Finance Director Dave Rodenbach” said City Administrator Rob Karlinsey, “as well as City Engineer Steve Misiurak, and all their staff for their outstanding work in demonstrating professionally and conservatively run city finances and a well-planned capital program in order to make the case for a higher bond rating.”

The report from Standard and Poor’s is available at http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/

Connect the Dots...

From Don Brunnell, President, Association of Washington Business

Connect the Dots, Then Do the Math


By Don C. Brunell

Too often, elected officials forget to connect the dots and do the math. Put another way, they fail to look at the complete picture and add up all the costs of government to taxpayers.

It happened in 1993 when then Gov. Mike Lowry and state lawmakers increased taxes, enacted a pricey new health-care program, raised permit fees, and added more workers’ compensation and unemployment costs. In total, our state’s businesses faced $1.1 billion in new costs, half of which were tax increases.

This year, Gov. Chris Gregoire and lawmakers are staring at a struggling economy which, at last check, is producing $2.8 billion less tax revenue than budgeted. That is like a family facing the same amount of bills as last year with 10 percent less money.

Something has to give.
Generally in a bad economy, families and small businesses have no choice but to cut expenses and go without. However, that isn’t the traditional remedy for government. Elected officials opt for a combination of program cuts and tax increases.
That isn’t the best approach.

At the Association of Washington Business Policy Summit, the governor rightly said, “Tell me a tax that we are going to increase that will give you $1 billion that doesn’t hurt business, hurt individuals, hurt our economic recovery.” Now, as the Legislature gets down to re-balancing the two-year budget, Gov. Gregoire and lawmakers are considering anywhere from $700 million to more than a billion in new taxes.

We all recognize that the governor and lawmakers are between a rock and a hard spot. The recession has reduced tax revenues while increasing the need for state services.
But lawmakers should remember that, just as a rising tide lifts all boats, a growing economy brings in more tax revenue for our schools, colleges and people in need. By hobbling employers with higher taxes and fees, lawmakers are inadvertently shooting themselves — and our fragile economic recovery — in the foot.

Private sector employers are the engine of our economy. So the focus in Olympia needs to shift to stimulating the private sector so it can get stronger and produce more jobs, which in turn will reduce unemployment, lessen the need for state services and produce more tax revenue.

Legislators also need to focus on the total costs to families and employers at all levels of government: federal, state and local. Congress and the president are borrowing more money and plan to hike taxes and fees to pay for the trillions they are spending. State lawmakers want to hike taxes and expand unemployment benefits. Local governments are looking to raise taxes as well.

Each group sees their increases as minor, but added together, the burden becomes unsustainable. It is the total of all these tax and fee increases that will send the economy into a tailspin.

If we are to restore our economic vitality and create jobs, all levels of government must act in concert, carefully prioritize spending and connect all the dots.
In addition, if elected officials want to fix the economy and put people back to work in the private sector, they need to worry about how much they are spending.

For example, the national health-care reform and global warming proposals each add well over a trillion dollars in new costs when our national debt is more than $13 trillion and growing. That is nearly $40,000 of debt for every man, woman and child in America.
Gov. Gregoire rightly points out that each statistic in the state budget represents a real person. Similarly, each tax and fee hike also takes money out of the pockets of a real person — the taxpayer — who is struggling to get by.
The decisions will be gut-wrenching, but these are hard times. There are no magic solutions, only hard choices. But to make the best possible choices, politicians must first connect the dots and do the math.

About the Author


Don Brunell is the president of the Association of Washington Business. Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 6,800 members representing 650,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.

Lawmakers Need to Hear From You!
Town Hall Meetings Scheduled for This Weekend

This weekend, lawmakers will head home to talk about what they've been doing in Olympia. In order to balance the current state budget and bridge the $2.8 billion gap, legislators and the governor are planning to suspend I-960 to allow a simple majority vote for new taxes. (It was a two-thirds vote.)

They've proposed increases in unemployment insurance benefits. Raising your UI taxes -- again.

They've also introduced nearly 80 new taxes and fees.

It's critical that employers -- whether they are Main Street businesses, hospitals, major employers or nonprofits struggling to survive -- talk about how they are being affected by the current economy and how additional costs will hurt our recovery efforts. This week, AWB joined the Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy (WashACE) in an attempt to reinforce that employers are struggling, jobs are being lost and higher costs will only make problems worse.

Your input is critical to this debate!

Tell legislators to rein in spending, make government more efficient and let employers do what they want to do: put people back to work. Contact your legislator and the governor TODAY, toll-free, at 800.562.6000 or send them an e-mail. (Click here if you're not sure who represents you in Olympia.)

The remaining days of the legislative session will determine how quickly Washington emerges from the Great Recession.

Contact your legislator today!

Rotary of Gig Harbor Provides Scholarships for Active Retirement and Senior Club

Tacoma, WA (February 8, 2010) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound is pleased to announce a gift from Rotary of Gig Harbor which will provide scholarships for senior memberships to the Active Retirement and Senior Club of Gig Harbor.  The Active Retirement and Senior Club is housed in the Jim and Carolyn Milgard Family HOPE Center and provides a wide range of activities and programs for persons 60 years young. Activities include Tai Chi, computer classes, pinochle, Wii sports, lunch program, book club, and a wide range of special guests speaking on topics such as mental health. Thank you to Rotary of Gig Harbor for their generous contribution!  Please call Joyce Schultz at 253.502.4670 for more information about the Active Retirement and Senior Club of Gig Harbor and to learn how to join.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound benefits 11,001 children and teens at 9 branch Clubs as well as 7 outreach sites throughout Pierce, Kitsap and Mason Counties. The Clubs offer programs designed to enhance personal growth and education, tutoring, computer skills, delinquency prevention, the arts, sports training, league involvement and much more. Through quality professional staff and a fun positive environment, the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound assist thousands of kids to develop much needed life skills, self-esteem and positive values. Read the Boys and Girls Club of South Puget Sound newsletter here. For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, please call (253) 502-4600 or visit their website at http://www.bg-clubs.com/.

Tell Olympia Workers' Comp Can't Wait

Tell Olympia Workers' Comp Can't Wait

Ask your lawmaker for a hearing on HB 2950

Our workers' compensation system needs reform.
An independent audit confirms that despite a 7.6 percent average rate increase in 2010, major part of our system stand a good chance of becoming insolvent in two years. Officials say a 33 percent increase is necessary to break even. Another independent report shows the financing of the system is not sustainable and without controlling costs, major rate increases on employers are likely in 2011 and beyond.

A bipartisan package of common-sense workers' comp reforms has been introduced to control costs without diminishing protection or care for injured workers. House Bill 2950 would lower the cost of the state's industrial insurance system by:

• Authorizing voluntary medical provider networks
• Allowing voluntary settlement agreements
• Changing the definition of occupational diseases to make sure it only covers conditions that are primarily work-related

Defenders of the status quo are determined to stop even these modest reforms and are blocking the bill from receiving a hearing in the House of Representatives this session.  Contact your legislators toll free today at 800.562.6000. Tell them we have a problem with our workers' compensation system and that we have a solution. Now we need a hearing.  If you need help identifying your particular legislators, click here .

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Happy New Year! As we move into 2010, I wanted to share my thoughts with you for the year. The Chamber is here for the benefit of its members. I remember that and want you to know that. Normally, someone would ask you to keep watching and stay up on what is happening. I am going to suggest that is not enough. This is a member organization. We need your participation to give the Chamber a loud voice in Gig Harbor, Pierce County, and Olympia.
We have the Legislative send-off this Friday and we will be aggressively representing your business. Did you know that we already sent letters to L&I opposing the increased tax? We represented your interests during the public meetings about the bridge tolls.
We have some fun things coming up, too. The luncheon, business after hours, and notorious networking night are great for building professional contacts and growing your businesses. Bottom line- we are working for you and with you for a prosperous 2010. Please feel free to contact me or any board member with any comments, concerns, or questions.

Contact your legislators with WashingtonBusinessVotes.com

AWB’s WashingtonBusinessVotes.com is a great new resource that helps you get the information you need to stay informed and provides the tools to make your opinion heard by lawmakers. This site allows employers to find out what legislation is affecting them on a state and national basis and facilitates communication between AWB members and elected officials.

With UI taxes skyrocketing, lawmakers consider piling on more costs

AWB joined the Washington Roundtable and National Federation of Independent Businesses last week in opposing a pair of bills that would increase costs to the state’s already generous unemployment insurance system. HB 2553 and HB 2647, both sponsored by Rep. Steve Conway, D-Tacoma, would expand unemployment benefits to some part-time workers and some workers who voluntarily quit their jobs.

UI taxes are rising dramatically this year for many Washington businesses – as high as 1,300 percent for some – as a result of continued high unemployment. That means it is especially important that lawmakers carefully consider the consequences of adding even more costly benefits to the system, AWB’s Donna Steward told lawmakers. "Both of these measures will lead to an unknown greater payout from the fund, creating more pressure to raise rates to keep the fund solvent, which will only hinder job creation." said Nancy Hiteshue of the Washington Roundtable.

Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch or contact AWB’s Donna Steward for more information.

AWB pushing ahead with urgent workers’ comp reform – contact your representative today!

A bill that would bring badly needed reform to the state’s workers’ compensation system was introduced today in Olympia. HB 2950, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Mt. Vernon, and co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of legislators, has three main features, all aimed at reducing costs, treating injured workers fairly and eliminating fraud.

A new report by the Washington Research Council said workers’ comp reform is essential to bringing the state into the competitive mainstream and cannot be ignored or postponed. As it is, workers’ comp costs are going up an average 7.6 percent this year and they could skyrocket in 2011 as officials try to keep the system solvent.

But we need your help — union officials have made it clear they oppose reform. Contact your representative today to ask House leadership to make sure this bill is heard. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch or contact AWB’s Kris Tefft for more information.