Governor's Mansion hosts 2017 Lunch with Legislators

The Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce's annual Lunch with the Legislators last week included a formal lunch at the Governor's Mansion. From the 25th and 31st Districts, Sen. Hans Zeiger, Sen. Phil Fortunato, Rep. Drew Stokesbary, Rep. Melanie Stambaugh and Rep. Joyce McDonald all attended the lunch and gave legislative updates about issues they are involved with including education funding, transportation (specifically the Puget Sound Gateway Project and completion of SR 167), ST3 and car tab valuation schedules, public records requests, grant funding, tourism bills, new data center legislation, internet privacy and more.  

Lunch included chicken cordon blue and a special rhubarb dessert in honor of the 31st District attendees.  Executive Chef Quan Hoang made a special trip to Leslie Farms in Sumner a year ago to procur a rhubarb root ball which was planted in the community garden located on the mansion grounds.  The rhubarb was harvested specifically for the lunch and served fresh as part of the lunch menu at this year's lunch.

Attendees included Mayor John Hopkins and Councilwoman Robin Farris of Puyallup, Mayor Dave Enslow and Councilwoman Kathy Hayden from Sumner and Carolyn Logue, SSCCLC Lobbyist.  A big thank you to our transportation sponsor, Wesley Homes Bradley Park and Jamie Gregory for agreeing to chauffeur the Pierce County delegation to our state's capital.  Also a thank you to Nick Russell in Sen. Zeiger's office for his help in coordinating the lunch and to all our legislators who attended the lunch and provided information relative to our communities and businesses.

Anyone can attend this annual event.  If you are interested in attending next year's Lunch with the Legislators, contact the Chamber and we will send a reminder for our 2018 event.

Pierce College Gala Celebrates 50 Years of Excellence

Pierce College pulled out all the stops and delivered a first class community Gala celebrating their 50 years of quality education in Pierce County.  Held on the Ft. Steilacoom campus, Seahawks All-Star, Shawn Springs, was Master of Ceremonies and local celebrity, Jerry Korum, delivered a great message about leadership and the college's impact in our communities.  Chancellor Michelle Johnson also delivered an inspiring message about realizing possibilities, which was also the theme of the event.  More than $300,000 has been raised for the Pierce College Foundation as a result of this year's anniversary celebrations. 

Congratulations to Pierce College, Michelle Johnson, Marty Cavalluzzi, Denise Yochum, and the foundation board for a memorable event showcasing our communities and student success.

Chamber Hosts Statewide Visitor Center Conference

SCONES AND RHUBARB PIE

The Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2017 annual conference of the Association of Visitor Information Centers of Washington.  Attendees represented over 30 cities statewide and the conference included tours of The Rhubarb Pie Capital, Puyallup and the Washington State Spring Fair, as well as tastings of some of our favorite local foods, scones and rhubarb pie.

Guest speakers at the conference included:

•   Kathryn Hedrick, Washington Tourism Alliance
•   Denise Dyer, Pierce Co. Economic Development
•   Jill Andrews, Certified Folder Display Service, Inc.
•   Michelle Strom, Strom Media
•   Hunter George & Phedra Redifer, Metro Parks
•   Symone Salvino, Washington State Fair, Visitor Information Coordinator
•   Kent Hojem, CEO, Washington State Fair

Next year's conference will be held in Kingston, Washington.  A big thank you to Dave Radcliffe at the The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse for a great tour and samples from the fudge bar, and to Kent Hojem and the Washington State Fair for co-hosting a dinner and providing attendees with an opportunity to enjoy the Spring Fair. 

AVICW members pose for a 2017 group photo at the Old Cannery.

AVICW members crossing the street during a retail therapy tour
in the Rhubarb Pie Capital.

AVICW members window shopping in Sumner.

Elma and Conconully pose for photo at Berryland Cafe

Checking out the Chirpy Top Wine Pourer at
Simple Tidings & Kitchen.  Amazing and cute.

Retail Therapy at A Picket Fence

Dave Radcliffe in "Tour Guide" mode.

Dinner at Crockett's Public House

Meatballs recommended by Diners, Drive Inns and Dives

Thumbs up for the cilantro and jalapeno margaritas

Chet tries out the ribs.

Conference at the Fairfield Inn & Suites.

Jill Andrews, Certified Folder Display Service, Inc.

Michelle Strom, Strom Media

Hunter George & Phedra Redifer, Metro Parks

Kathryn Hedricks, Washington Tourism Alliance

Symone Salvino, Washington State Fair

Great time at the Spring Fair!

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May 2nd Government Affairs: Paid Sick Leave

Join us at our May 2nd Government Affairs Meeting and hear from Rod Stephens, The Stephens Law firm, regarding paid sick leave.  Employers of all sizes will be interested in the information presented.  

The first draft of the administrative rules regarding paid sick leave and implementation came out on April 7, 2017.  There will be a comment period before L&I implement the final regulations.  The draft regulations provide a good indication of what's in store for employers and some of the changes will be significant.

Attend the Government Affairs meeting and learn more about this topic.

J. Roderick Stephens, J.D.
Attorney and Counselor at Law
The Stephens Law Firm
253.863.2525
rod@stephenslawfirm.com

Government Affairs Meeting Tuesday, April 4th

Senator Hans Zeiger

Join our Government Affairs meeting tomorrow at 7:30am here at the Chamber office.  Our guest speakers will be:

• Sen. Hans Zeiger | 2017 Legislative Update
• Rob Andreotti, Public Works Director, City of Puyallup | SR 167 Update

Carmax Grand Opening in Puyallup

Puyallup Mayor John Hopkins, Shelly Schlumpf, CEO Puyallup Sumner
Chamber of Commerce, Chasidy Murphy, GM Carmax Puyallup and
Tom Pierson, CEO Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

Local and regional Chambers of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of the Puyallup CarMax last week.  Located on the corner of Valley Avenue and Meridian, many of our local business members enjoyed coffee and breakfast as they heard from Chasidy Murphy about the CarMax business model.  Opening with more than 80 new employees, they plan on hiring up to 300 employees in the next two to three years.

CarMax also announced that the CarMax Foundation will be providing $25,000 in grants and donations to local organizations, including Junior Achievement of Washington and Communities in Schools of Puyallup.  After visiting our Chamber office last year to become a member, General Manager, Chasidy Murphy, explained that CarMax is very interested in supporting local community organizations and inquired if we could recommend a few local non-profits that support youth and education.  We provided the names and introductions for several local organizations, including Communities in Schools of Puyallup, and were pleased to hear the announcement of their generous local donation at the grand opening.

Mayor John Hopkins presented Ms. Murphy with a photo of the original farm once located on the CarMax site which included a large tree growing out of the roof.  

Tom Pierson, President and CEO of the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce commented on the local economic impact the new CarMax facility will have in Puyallup and Pierce County.

Congratulations to Chasity Murphy and her entire CarMax team on a spectacular event and a shout out to Chamber member, Brooke Bourn, GM of the Fairfield Inn & Suites, for hosting the CarMax management team operations for over three months as they hired more than 80 employees.