March 2006 Volume 90 Issue 3

Produced By

and

Executive Director Report.... 2

President’s Message ............... 3

Community News.......................4

• State of the Chamber

NEW MEMBERS ......................... 5

Business Briefs ........................ 6

• Steven’s Fine Dining

• KMAS 1030 AM Is Sold

• Chamber Day in Olympia

Chamber & County Events .....7

City/County

Map ONLINE!

An Exclusive Invitation to the

Annas Bay Music Festival

See 2006-2007 Chamber Map, Page 7

See Members Invited, Page 4

Chamber Board Develops Plan

for Success in 2006

Monday March 13, 2006 @ 5:00 p.m.

Please join us for this special live performance andinformation reception exclusively for Mason Countybusiness leaders beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday, March13th, at Shelton’s Colonial House. The evening’s mu-sical presentation will feature members of theFestival’s South Shore Chamber Orchestra and Operaprogram presenting a program specially assembled inhonor of Mason County’s rich, but often forgottenclassical history. In addition to being a unique way tocelebrate the county’s 152nd birthday, this is a

MAPS ARE THE#1 requested sourceof local information! Don’t miss yourchance to advertise!

It’s that time ofyear again and theChamber is updatingand improving its mapfor 2006. Thank youto all of you thathave supported thisimportant project.

Again, this yearwe are working withthe City of Shelton topurchase additionalmaps to be given to our guests. We areanticipating producing 13,500 – 18,500

for distribution both locally and to keyaccess points throughout Washington. This year’s map will also be online

and include an interactive way to locatethose members that advertise! An ex-ample at an Arizona chamber—Carefree

Last Year’s Official City/

County Chamber Map

The Chamber Board met atAlderbrook in February to collaborateon the Chamber’s vision and goals for2006. The Board also received a reporton the progress in 2005 from Execu-tive Director Kasey Cronquist.

Similar to the “State of the Cham-ber,” the 2005 Annual Report highlightedthe progress made in the Chamber’sfour focus areas: Membership Value,City and County Tourism, ProfessionalDevelopment and Governmental Af-fairs.

“For a relatively small association,we were able to accomplish significantprojects under each of our focus ar-eas,” explained Cronquist. “Primary ex-amples can be seen in our developmentof a series of valuable web related programs for our members, established a vitalvisitor center in Hoodsport, hosted a professional development seminar atAlderbrook and the Governmental Affairs Committee’s invaluable work that spanslocal, state and federal issues.” In 2005 the Chamber increased by 58 new mem-bers and increased its gross revenues by 33%.

The Chamber’s President, Patti Tupper, announced that this year the Chamber’stheme would be, “doing what we do best, better!” This means the Chamber would

The Board met at Alderbrook to discuss and develop thedirection of the Chamber and the 2006 Agenda. Pictured fromL to R is Jim Davenport, Rob Barnes, Brandon Armstrong,Russ Denney, Dick Taylor, Gilbert Leggett, Bethany Johnson,Kelly Copp, Kasey Cronquist and Patti Tupper.Not Pictured: Michelle Schnitzer, Kathy Guell, Ben Fabig andJaime Howe.

See Chamber Board Retreat, Page 7

PRESIDENT:

Patti Tupper

Tupper’s Floor Coverings & Interiors

VICE PRESIDENT:

Brandon Armstrong

Country Insurance and Financial

PAST PRESIDENT

Russ Denney

Pantorium Cleaners

TREASURER:

Michelle Schnitzer

Heritage Bank

BOARD MEMBERS:

Kathey Guell

Wal-Mart

Rob Barnes

Sensaria

Bill Taylor

Taylor Shellfish Farms

Jaime Howe

Union Square Deli

Gilbert Leggett

The Office Supply Store

Ben Fabig

West Realty - Hoodsport

Dick Taylor

City of Shelton Commissioner

Jim Davenport

Jim Davenport Consulting

Kelly Copp

Olympic College

Bethany johnson

Hood Canal Communications

2006-2007 Chamber Mapcontinued from page 1

March 16th

Chamber Membership Meeting“Building Partnerships”

6:00 p.m.Pavilion at Sentry Park

March 17th

Governmental AffairsCommittee Meeting

7:30 a.m.Burgermaster

March 23rd

Chamber Board Meeting7:30 a.m.

Alpine Way

March 23rd

Chamber “After Hours”5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Arnold Smith Insurance

March 31st - April 2nd

Shelton Old Time Fiddler’s FestShelton High School

Chamber Board Retreat

continued from page 1

Each year the Board Retreat is anopportunity for me to collect and pre-pare all of the information from thepast year’s effort and report on oursuccess and failures. Fortunatelywe’ve continued to have more successthan failures, but success is clearly rela-tive. So how does our success relateto you?

In March we will be sending out a survey to our members asking alot of questions related to our efforts. This will be sent out via email.We send out approximately 383 emails and approximately half of thoseare opened, why is that? Well when you see our survey come through,please take a moment to answer these important questions like, “doyou appreciate the weekly email communication?”

This is an attempt to ensure that our association is focused onthe areas that our members consider the most valuable. The surveyis completely anonymous and your answers will be reviewed by theBoard for use in future planning and discussion.

Our surveys are an easy way to quantify what are members arefeeling and thinking about whatever issue is being presented. In 2006we are planning on using the survey resource to gauge a variety ofissues. Please help us by taking time to answer these questions.

I would also like to hear from you directly. If you have specificcomments or concerns you would like the Chamber to understand oraddress, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy tomeet with you at your place of business. Your participation is vital toour success!

Cave Creek Chamber—can be seen at http://maps.usachamber.com/map.asp?n=azCarefree.

Pam Hargis with Lawton Publications is currently selling advertisementsto our members. If you’d like to advertise in this year’s Official City/County Map,contact Pam toll free at 866.326.4640.

PURCHASE YOUR OWN STOCK! Members are encouraged to purchase ad-ditional maps from the Chamber. Get in on this year’s new low price and pur-chase quantities in multiples of 500 for just $.25 each! This is half of last year’sprice! Contact the Chamber office for more information, 426.2021 orgregg@sheltonchamber.org.

* This is an official Chamber project. If you ever have any questions or doubtsrelated to an unapproved solicitation or Chamber related project, please contact theChamber office immediately. Your membership helps to ensure against fraud.

be focusing on its current efforts to ensure that members are getting all theycan out of what they have. “We need to focus on reaching out to our currentmembers and enabling them to participate and take advantage of all of theChamber’s new benefits,” said President Tupper.

The Board is slated to approve the Chamber’s Vision and Goals for 2006 attheir next scheduled board meeting. Unofficially they are again working withinthe same four focus areas, having made specific amendments that will help toestablish direction and a framework for success in 2006.

March 1st - 25th

Missoula Children’s TheatrePerformance on the 25th

Shelton High School

March 2nd

Chamber Ambassador MeetingNoon - 1:00 PMChamber Office

March 13th

Annas Bay Music FesivalConcert Event

5:00 p.m.Simpson Colonial House

Meeting Sponsor

From the desk of Patti Tupper

KMAS 1030 AM recently

announced the sale of its business toDale Hubbard and Gerry Eckenrode.KMAS’s current owners, Harold andMarian Greenberg, have spent the past19 years developing the AM stationinto “the Voice of Mason County”with a strong commitment tocommunity programming.The anticipated transition of owner-ship, after FCC approval, should takeplace the second week of April.

Steven’s Fine Dining

announced that they had a recordyear in 2005. Improvements such asthe “Loft,” the cosmopolitan designedbar above the restaurant, have helpedto welcome and introduce moreguests to the restaurant.

Business Expo/Bite of Shelton

March “After Hours”

Wow, I can’t believe it is March already. Howdid that happen?

I am energized for the rest of this year. YourBoard of Trustees met last week and let me tellyou — their optimism about our community is con-tagious. There was so much enthusiasm that ateam of people offered to meet right off the batto brainstorm ideas for marketing Shelton andMason County as a great place to shop and visit.

We started with the idea of “Do what we dobest, Better!”. Every board member contributed with thoughtful, con-structive ideas, and specific offers of help to follow through with thistheme. We will not be adding more programs this year. We will spendthe year looking at each event and making improvements as needed.

So, there are 14 of us, ready to go, along with 12 Ambassadors,along with 10 committee chairs. Many of you also help the Chamberin a variety of ways. We can’t do it without you and we thank you. Wehave 353 members and we are asking for your help in one way oranother:

· Join a committee· Attend the monthly membership dinners· Attend and/or host an “After Hours”· Bring in a new memberBut most of all, talk up the community in which you live and work.

Shelton and Mason County really are something to boast about. Whereelse can you live that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg AND is sur-rounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains and water everywhereyou turn?

If you can help, dial 426-2021 and let us know what you like to do.It takes a business community that cares to make a great Chamber

of Commerce.

Planning for this year’s BusinessExpo/Bite of Shelton is underwayand WE WANT YOUR BUSINESS tobe included! This year’s Expo is May18th from 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Eachyear the Expo grows bigger and largerin attendance and participation. Thispremier Chamber event is designedto connect the community to your business, so don’t delay in reserving your spacefor this year’s Expo!

To see more information and/or to sign up, see the insert in this month’sChamberNews or visit: http://www.sheltonchamber.org/22.php.

The committee is working hard to make this year’s Expo the best Expo todate. This year’s committee is chaired by Patti Tupper, Tupper’s Floor Coveringand Interiors. Feel free to contact Patti with any questions or comments,360.426.2499 or contact the Chamber office directly at 426.2021.

Thursday March 23, 2006 @ 5:00 p.m.

NETWORKING ALERT:Arnold and Smith Insurance Agency Inc. has

recently changed ownership, updated its officeand would now like to invite everyone to comeand experience the difference at the Chamber’sMarch “After Hours.”

Today the agency consists of Chris Ladnerand Jeff McHargue, as owners, and a team ofdedicated Insurance Professionals, working hardto serve their clients in our community.

Plenty of food and drinks will provided in celebration of this transition. Inorder to better plan, we are asking that members please RSVP for this event at426.2021 or gregg@sheltonchamber.org.

Each year the Washington Chamberof Commerce Association and the As-sociation of Washington Business part-ner to host “Chamber Day” in Olympia.This year 8 members of our Chamberparticipated in the special days events,which included an address from Gover-nor Gregiore, a scheduled meeting withRepresentative Kathy Haigh and a Sym-posium on the issues surroundingHealth Care for business.

Thank you to Alpine Way for theirsupport in transporting our group fromShelton to Olympia!

Chamber Day

WHEN: Thursday March 16, 2006

TIME: 6:00 p.m

PLACE: Pavilion at Sentry Park

PROGRAM: “Building Partnerships”

www.mankelumber.comwww.mankelumber.com

Bringing You a New Generation of Wood ProductsBringing You a New Generation of Wood Products

Land - Lumber - Logs

Shelton Office

360.426.5536

Land - Lumber - Logs

Shelton Office

360.426.5536

Manke Lumber is a traditionalfamily-owned company and ithas thrived by excelling in thevery things that make America’sbusinesses great - by foreseeingand responding to changes inthe marketplace.

Manke Lumber is a traditionalfamily-owned company and ithas thrived by excelling in thevery things that make America’sbusinesses great - by foreseeingand responding to changes inthe marketplace.

Lumber Company

Members Invited Chamber Hosts

“State of the Community”special opportunity for you to learnabout the Annas Bay Music Festival,meet some of its artists, and learn howyour business can directly benefit fromsome of the 5-6,000 affluent visitorsthe Festival is expecting to draw annu-ally during it’s inaugural seasons.

Wine and light hors d’oeuvres fromTravaglione Ristorante Italiano will beprovided by the evening’s sponsor,Hoss & Wilson-Hoss, LLP, the doorswill open at 5 p.m., and the 45- minuteprogram will begin at 5:30 p.m.

RSVP to the Chamber office at426.2021 or gregg@sheltonchamber.org.Attendance will be limited so reserveyour spot now!

Approximately 70 members and guestsattended the “State of the Community” atFebruary’s membership meeting. The City’sMayor, John Tarrant and County CommissionChair, Lynda Ring-Erickson, gave optimisticreports on the future of Mason County andthe City of Shelton.

Mayor Tarrant touched on the City’s con-tinued focus to address critical needs thatface the health of the city’s infrastructure,including streets. The City continues to de-velop a comprehensive plan that outlines aschedule of work that allows business andresidents to plan on improvements in andaround their homes and business. The cityis also forming a community advisory board

that will work with the commission on how to best address the funding for theseprojects.

Commissioner Ring-Erickson explained that the state of the county is in greatshape. The county is basically debt free and, thanks to the State’s transportationimprovement plan, is in the position to make significant improvements to theCounty’s infrastructure in the coming years. The County has also focused onretention of employees, explaining that in 2005 they only lost one person out ofthe planning department, but that it was planned prior to 2005. “These folks couldbe out making up to twice as much as theydo for us out in the private sector, but theyare community oriented people that likewhat they do and the difference they canmake right here in Mason County,” sharedCommissioner Ring-Erickson.

Each Commissioner answered a seriesof three questions that were provided fromthe Chamber’s survey. Hood Canal Com-munications taped the evening’s programand will rebroadcast the event on channel46. If you were not able to attend, we willbe announcing the schedule of times thatmembers can watch the event on HoodCanal’s channel 46.

County Commission Chair, Lynda Ring-Erickson shares

her thoughts on the County’s progress and future direction.

City of Shelton Mayor John Tarrant answers questions from

Chamber members.

Chamber Office

Is Moving

In Marchthe Chamberwill be relocat-ing its officefrom Suites5&6 in the1912 Buildingto Suites 8&9.This move willgive the Chamber better visibility, allowfor an additional desk for volunteeringefforts and give better access to visi-tor information about our area.

Stay tuned for a special event towelcome everyone to see the new of-fice.

Thank you to Aires Electric and theSimpson Door Company for their do-nation and support of this project.

continued from page 1

HOT DEALS! FREE JOB POSTINGS!

LOGIN TODAY!

Your Benefits Just Got Better!

www.mankelumber.comwww.mankelumber.com

Bringing You a New Generation of Wood ProductsBringing You a New Generation of Wood Products

Land - Lumber - Logs

Shelton Office

360.426.5536

Land - Lumber - Logs

Shelton Office

360.426.5536

Manke Lumber is a traditionalfamily-owned company and ithas thrived by excelling in thevery things that make America’sbusinesses great - by foreseeingand responding to changes inthe marketplace.

Manke Lumber is a traditionalfamily-owned company and ithas thrived by excelling in thevery things that make America’sbusinesses great - by foreseeingand responding to changes inthe marketplace.

Lumber Company

Members Invited Chamber Hosts

“State of the Community”special opportunity for you to learnabout the Annas Bay Music Festival,meet some of its artists, and learn howyour business can directly benefit fromsome of the 5-6,000 affluent visitorsthe Festival is expecting to draw annu-ally during it’s inaugural seasons.

Wine and light hors d’oeuvres fromTravaglione Ristorante Italiano will beprovided by the evening’s sponsor,Hoss & Wilson-Hoss, LLP, the doorswill open at 5 p.m., and the 45- minuteprogram will begin at 5:30 p.m.

RSVP to the Chamber office at426.2021 or gregg@sheltonchamber.org.Attendance will be limited so reserveyour spot now!

Approximately 70 members and guestsattended the “State of the Community” atFebruary’s membership meeting. The City’sMayor, John Tarrant and County CommissionChair, Lynda Ring-Erickson, gave optimisticreports on the future of Mason County andthe City of Shelton.

Mayor Tarrant touched on the City’s con-tinued focus to address critical needs thatface the health of the city’s infrastructure,including streets. The City continues to de-velop a comprehensive plan that outlines aschedule of work that allows business andresidents to plan on improvements in andaround their homes and business. The cityis also forming a community advisory board

that will work with the commission on how to best address the funding for theseprojects.

Commissioner Ring-Erickson explained that the state of the county is in greatshape. The county is basically debt free and, thanks to the State’s transportationimprovement plan, is in the position to make significant improvements to theCounty’s infrastructure in the coming years. The County has also focused onretention of employees, explaining that in 2005 they only lost one person out ofthe planning department, but that it was planned prior to 2005. “These folks couldbe out making up to twice as much as theydo for us out in the private sector, but theyare community oriented people that likewhat they do and the difference they canmake right here in Mason County,” sharedCommissioner Ring-Erickson.

Each Commissioner answered a seriesof three questions that were provided fromthe Chamber’s survey. Hood Canal Com-munications taped the evening’s programand will rebroadcast the event on channel46. If you were not able to attend, we willbe announcing the schedule of times thatmembers can watch the event on HoodCanal’s channel 46.

County Commission Chair, Lynda Ring-Erickson shares

her thoughts on the County’s progress and future direction.

City of Shelton Mayor John Tarrant answers questions from

Chamber members.

Chamber Office

Is Moving

In Marchthe Chamberwill be relocat-ing its officefrom Suites5&6 in the1912 Buildingto Suites 8&9.This move willgive the Chamber better visibility, allowfor an additional desk for volunteeringefforts and give better access to visi-tor information about our area.

Stay tuned for a special event towelcome everyone to see the new of-fice.

Thank you to Aires Electric and theSimpson Door Company for their do-nation and support of this project.

continued from page 1

HOT DEALS! FREE JOB POSTINGS!

LOGIN TODAY!

Your Benefits Just Got Better!

Meeting Sponsor

From the desk of Patti Tupper

KMAS 1030 AM recently

announced the sale of its business toDale Hubbard and Gerry Eckenrode.KMAS’s current owners, Harold andMarian Greenberg, have spent the past19 years developing the AM stationinto “the Voice of Mason County”with a strong commitment tocommunity programming.The anticipated transition of owner-ship, after FCC approval, should takeplace the second week of April.

Steven’s Fine Dining

announced that they had a recordyear in 2005. Improvements such asthe “Loft,” the cosmopolitan designedbar above the restaurant, have helpedto welcome and introduce moreguests to the restaurant.

Business Expo/Bite of Shelton

March “After Hours”

Wow, I can’t believe it is March already. Howdid that happen?

I am energized for the rest of this year. YourBoard of Trustees met last week and let me tellyou — their optimism about our community is con-tagious. There was so much enthusiasm that ateam of people offered to meet right off the batto brainstorm ideas for marketing Shelton andMason County as a great place to shop and visit.

We started with the idea of “Do what we dobest, Better!”. Every board member contributed with thoughtful, con-structive ideas, and specific offers of help to follow through with thistheme. We will not be adding more programs this year. We will spendthe year looking at each event and making improvements as needed.

So, there are 14 of us, ready to go, along with 12 Ambassadors,along with 10 committee chairs. Many of you also help the Chamberin a variety of ways. We can’t do it without you and we thank you. Wehave 353 members and we are asking for your help in one way oranother:

· Join a committee· Attend the monthly membership dinners· Attend and/or host an “After Hours”· Bring in a new memberBut most of all, talk up the community in which you live and work.

Shelton and Mason County really are something to boast about. Whereelse can you live that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg AND is sur-rounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains and water everywhereyou turn?

If you can help, dial 426-2021 and let us know what you like to do.It takes a business community that cares to make a great Chamber

of Commerce.

Planning for this year’s BusinessExpo/Bite of Shelton is underwayand WE WANT YOUR BUSINESS tobe included! This year’s Expo is May18th from 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Eachyear the Expo grows bigger and largerin attendance and participation. Thispremier Chamber event is designedto connect the community to your business, so don’t delay in reserving your spacefor this year’s Expo!

To see more information and/or to sign up, see the insert in this month’sChamberNews or visit: http://www.sheltonchamber.org/22.php.

The committee is working hard to make this year’s Expo the best Expo todate. This year’s committee is chaired by Patti Tupper, Tupper’s Floor Coveringand Interiors. Feel free to contact Patti with any questions or comments,360.426.2499 or contact the Chamber office directly at 426.2021.

Thursday March 23, 2006 @ 5:00 p.m.

NETWORKING ALERT:Arnold and Smith Insurance Agency Inc. has

recently changed ownership, updated its officeand would now like to invite everyone to comeand experience the difference at the Chamber’sMarch “After Hours.”

Today the agency consists of Chris Ladnerand Jeff McHargue, as owners, and a team ofdedicated Insurance Professionals, working hardto serve their clients in our community.

Plenty of food and drinks will provided in celebration of this transition. Inorder to better plan, we are asking that members please RSVP for this event at426.2021 or gregg@sheltonchamber.org.

Each year the Washington Chamberof Commerce Association and the As-sociation of Washington Business part-ner to host “Chamber Day” in Olympia.This year 8 members of our Chamberparticipated in the special days events,which included an address from Gover-nor Gregiore, a scheduled meeting withRepresentative Kathy Haigh and a Sym-posium on the issues surroundingHealth Care for business.

Thank you to Alpine Way for theirsupport in transporting our group fromShelton to Olympia!

Chamber Day

WHEN: Thursday March 16, 2006

TIME: 6:00 p.m

PLACE: Pavilion at Sentry Park

PROGRAM: “Building Partnerships”

PRESIDENT:

Patti Tupper

Tupper’s Floor Coverings & Interiors

VICE PRESIDENT:

Brandon Armstrong

Country Insurance and Financial

PAST PRESIDENT

Russ Denney

Pantorium Cleaners

TREASURER:

Michelle Schnitzer

Heritage Bank

BOARD MEMBERS:

Kathey Guell

Wal-Mart

Rob Barnes

Sensaria

Bill Taylor

Taylor Shellfish Farms

Jaime Howe

Union Square Deli

Gilbert Leggett

The Office Supply Store

Ben Fabig

West Realty - Hoodsport

Dick Taylor

City of Shelton Commissioner

Jim Davenport

Jim Davenport Consulting

Kelly Copp

Olympic College

Bethany johnson

Hood Canal Communications

2006-2007 Chamber Mapcontinued from page 1

March 16th

Chamber Membership Meeting“Building Partnerships”

6:00 p.m.Pavilion at Sentry Park

March 17th

Governmental AffairsCommittee Meeting

7:30 a.m.Burgermaster

March 23rd

Chamber Board Meeting7:30 a.m.

Alpine Way

March 23rd

Chamber “After Hours”5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Arnold Smith Insurance

March 31st - April 2nd

Shelton Old Time Fiddler’s FestShelton High School

Chamber Board Retreat

continued from page 1

Each year the Board Retreat is anopportunity for me to collect and pre-pare all of the information from thepast year’s effort and report on oursuccess and failures. Fortunatelywe’ve continued to have more successthan failures, but success is clearly rela-tive. So how does our success relateto you?

In March we will be sending out a survey to our members asking alot of questions related to our efforts. This will be sent out via email.We send out approximately 383 emails and approximately half of thoseare opened, why is that? Well when you see our survey come through,please take a moment to answer these important questions like, “doyou appreciate the weekly email communication?”

This is an attempt to ensure that our association is focused onthe areas that our members consider the most valuable. The surveyis completely anonymous and your answers will be reviewed by theBoard for use in future planning and discussion.

Our surveys are an easy way to quantify what are members arefeeling and thinking about whatever issue is being presented. In 2006we are planning on using the survey resource to gauge a variety ofissues. Please help us by taking time to answer these questions.

I would also like to hear from you directly. If you have specificcomments or concerns you would like the Chamber to understand oraddress, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy tomeet with you at your place of business. Your participation is vital toour success!

Cave Creek Chamber—can be seen at http://maps.usachamber.com/map.asp?n=azCarefree.

Pam Hargis with Lawton Publications is currently selling advertisementsto our members. If you’d like to advertise in this year’s Official City/County Map,contact Pam toll free at 866.326.4640.

PURCHASE YOUR OWN STOCK! Members are encouraged to purchase ad-ditional maps from the Chamber. Get in on this year’s new low price and pur-chase quantities in multiples of 500 for just $.25 each! This is half of last year’sprice! Contact the Chamber office for more information, 426.2021 orgregg@sheltonchamber.org.

* This is an official Chamber project. If you ever have any questions or doubtsrelated to an unapproved solicitation or Chamber related project, please contact theChamber office immediately. Your membership helps to ensure against fraud.

be focusing on its current efforts to ensure that members are getting all theycan out of what they have. “We need to focus on reaching out to our currentmembers and enabling them to participate and take advantage of all of theChamber’s new benefits,” said President Tupper.

The Board is slated to approve the Chamber’s Vision and Goals for 2006 attheir next scheduled board meeting. Unofficially they are again working withinthe same four focus areas, having made specific amendments that will help toestablish direction and a framework for success in 2006.

March 1st - 25th

Missoula Children’s TheatrePerformance on the 25th

Shelton High School

March 2nd

Chamber Ambassador MeetingNoon - 1:00 PMChamber Office

March 13th

Annas Bay Music FesivalConcert Event

5:00 p.m.Simpson Colonial House

March 2006 Volume 90 Issue 3

Produced By

and

Executive Director Report.... 2

President’s Message ............... 3

Community News.......................4

• State of the Chamber

NEW MEMBERS ......................... 5

Business Briefs ........................ 6

• Steven’s Fine Dining

• KMAS 1030 AM Is Sold

• Chamber Day in Olympia

Chamber & County Events .....7

City/County

Map ONLINE!

An Exclusive Invitation to the

Annas Bay Music Festival

See 2006-2007 Chamber Map, Page 7

See Members Invited, Page 4

Chamber Board Develops Plan

for Success in 2006

Monday March 13, 2006 @ 5:00 p.m.

Please join us for this special live performance andinformation reception exclusively for Mason Countybusiness leaders beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday, March13th, at Shelton’s Colonial House. The evening’s mu-sical presentation will feature members of theFestival’s South Shore Chamber Orchestra and Operaprogram presenting a program specially assembled inhonor of Mason County’s rich, but often forgottenclassical history. In addition to being a unique way tocelebrate the county’s 152nd birthday, this is a

MAPS ARE THE#1 requested sourceof local information! Don’t miss yourchance to advertise!

It’s that time ofyear again and theChamber is updatingand improving its mapfor 2006. Thank youto all of you thathave supported thisimportant project.

Again, this yearwe are working withthe City of Shelton topurchase additionalmaps to be given to our guests. We areanticipating producing 13,500 – 18,500

for distribution both locally and to keyaccess points throughout Washington. This year’s map will also be online

and include an interactive way to locatethose members that advertise! An ex-ample at an Arizona chamber—Carefree

Last Year’s Official City/

County Chamber Map

The Chamber Board met atAlderbrook in February to collaborateon the Chamber’s vision and goals for2006. The Board also received a reporton the progress in 2005 from Execu-tive Director Kasey Cronquist.

Similar to the “State of the Cham-ber,” the 2005 Annual Report highlightedthe progress made in the Chamber’sfour focus areas: Membership Value,City and County Tourism, ProfessionalDevelopment and Governmental Af-fairs.

“For a relatively small association,we were able to accomplish significantprojects under each of our focus ar-eas,” explained Cronquist. “Primary ex-amples can be seen in our developmentof a series of valuable web related programs for our members, established a vitalvisitor center in Hoodsport, hosted a professional development seminar atAlderbrook and the Governmental Affairs Committee’s invaluable work that spanslocal, state and federal issues.” In 2005 the Chamber increased by 58 new mem-bers and increased its gross revenues by 33%.

The Chamber’s President, Patti Tupper, announced that this year the Chamber’stheme would be, “doing what we do best, better!” This means the Chamber would

The Board met at Alderbrook to discuss and develop thedirection of the Chamber and the 2006 Agenda. Pictured fromL to R is Jim Davenport, Rob Barnes, Brandon Armstrong,Russ Denney, Dick Taylor, Gilbert Leggett, Bethany Johnson,Kelly Copp, Kasey Cronquist and Patti Tupper.Not Pictured: Michelle Schnitzer, Kathy Guell, Ben Fabig andJaime Howe.

See Chamber Board Retreat, Page 7