2017 Annual Economic Forecast & Awards Breakfast Focuses on Technology

More than 220 people gathered in the Pioneer Park Pavilion last week to learn about technology, data centers, retail trends, new county permit processes and upcoming development projects in Pierce County, Sumner and Puyallup.  

The speaker's panel included:  

• Simon Lee, Director, Centeris Data Center
• Jerome O’Leary, VP, Kidder Mathews
• Denise Dyer, Director, Pierce County Economic Development Department
• Tom Utterback, Development Services Director, City of Puyallup
• Ryan Windish, Community Development Director, City of Sumner. 

The Chamber's annual award presentations were also announced at the event and the Chamber would like to congratulate all of our award recipients and all of the businesses which were nominated.  A thank you to all of our members who submitted nomination forms acknowledging the work and contributions our businesses and local leaders who make our communities a great place to live, work and play.

2017 Rising Star Award Recipients:

• Pierce College – Recognition of 50 years of Education in the Puget Sound Region

• Small Business of the Year:   Smiles Orthodontics

• Medium Business of the Year: Evergreen Ground Works

• Large Business of the Year:  Dillanos Coffee Roasters

• Best Company to Work For:  Fix Auto Puyallup

• Young Professionals: Individual:  Cari Dixon

• Young Professionals: Organizational : Brantley, Janson, Yost & Ellison

• Ambassador of the Year:  Kristi Brady, Wild Waves Theme Park

• Volunteer of the Year:  Blaze Drotar, Horiuchi, Zimmerman, Bartels, PS

• Non-Profit of the Year:  Puyallup Historical Hatchery Foundation

• Entrepreneur of the Year:  Steve James, North Pole at the Fair

• Business Innovations:  Centeris Data Centers

*John Porter Memorial:  Jamie Gregory