Army Opens Listening Session for Citizens to Have Say

Army opens a Listening Session for local citizens to have their say about the impacts of an additional potential 11,000 civilian and soldier job cuts at JBLM.

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Tacoma: The Premier Amateur Sports Destination of the Northwest

Tacoma is fast becoming the premier amateur sports destination of the Northwest. Recurring events, such as various high school state championships and the Hershey’s Track and Field Games, as well as other huge one time events, like the 2011 USA Men’s Gymnastics Region II Championships, take place in or near Tacoma. The list of past and current events is extensive.

Tim Waer, CEO and Executive Director of Tacoma South Sound Sports Commission, has worked enthusiastically to market Tacoma and the South Sound as the destination for tourism-generating amateur sports events.

This area, Waer told the Tacoma City Council’s Economic Development Subcommittee, is an ideal place for amateur sporting events. Tacoma has a rich sports history, diverse venues, large hotel inventory, close proximity to Sea-Tac Airport, access to I-5, university and community colleges, many local attractions, and is a medium sized city, which together form the perfect place to promote amateur sports.

Amateur sports tourism is the largest growing tourism area, and while the tourism industry witnessed an enormous downturn during the recession, amateur sports tourism either kept pace or increased. “It doesn’t matter how bad the economy gets, they just don’t cancel the state wrestling championships,” Waer said. As such, amateur sports hold many community and economic development opportunities for Tacoma. 

What is more, Waer discussed additional opportunities for Tacoma and the South Sound, such as multi-tribe indigenous games or adaptive sports, like the U.S. Paralympics or Wounded Warriors.

Waer noted that the industry touched enough sectors and provided such a huge return on investment that it needed to be a priority for the city. Moreover, while Tacoma has unique and versatile venues, such as the Tacoma Dome and the Convention Center, these venues need updating. Additional challenges include the loss of program funding and the lack of a cohesive strategy with community partners.

Council members in attendance, Marty Campbell, Robert Thoms, David Boe, Ryan Mello, and Lauren Walker, appeared largely supportive for Waer and excited over the great opportunities Tacoma South Sound Sports Commission brings to the area. Thoms noted the importance of recreational sport activities to his family and the community. Likewise, Boe expressed his desire that every high school athlete’s goal be to “Get to Tacoma”, because Tacoma is the place for high school state championships. Walker described her excitement for the Lakewood SummerFEST Triathlon, the first public triathlon in Pierce County.

Be on the lookout for upcoming events in our area. For more information visit the Tacoma South Sound Sports Commission website.

Forum for Women in Business

In the past, the Chamber has co-sponsored this forum for women in business with one of its business community partners, KeyBank.

Register online.

Sound Sound PSAMA Chapter Convenes

Marketeers! Join together for happy hour at the first Puget Sound Marketing Association (PSAMA) South Sound Social! Reconnect with friends, make new marketing contacts and enjoy $5 appetizers and half-price wine from the Harmon Tap Room.
Chat with marketing professionals from local businesses, universities and PSAMA about all things marketing!

Thursday, August 19
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Harmon Tap Room
24 St. Helens, Tacoma 98402

A South Sound AMA is forming in Tacoma area in collaboration with PSAMA to give marketing professionals in the South Sound a place to network closer to home and/or work.

This first ever event is open to everyone. You don’t have to be a PSAMA member. Register!

PSAMA members residing/working in the South Sound area have indicated difficulty to travel to Seattle for monthly luncheons and other networking events (time required), but they enjoy the benefits of PSAMA. These late afternoon/evening sessions will hopefully give them an alternative, providing an opportunity to meet more casually closer to work or home.

PSAMA South Sound is starting out as a social to gather interested members and discuss what would be most beneficial to them.  Future events are envisioned (the next being in September).

About PSAMA South Sound:
Locals marketing professionals are working in close partnership with PSAMA to provide the benefits of AMA to the South Sound.  PSAMA hosts monthly luncheons and other social/networking events for marketing professionals in Seattle and Bellevue, as well as the annual MarketSmart conference in spring.

About PSAMA:
With a history that spans over 35 years, the PSAMA is the largest and oldest professional marketing association in Washington State. Their mission: to promote and advance the marketing profession and industry in Western Washington.

They are committed to excellence in marketing while creating a strong community among local marketing professionals through regular, relevant programming for marketers at all levels. Through the events the current members (more than 500!) have excellent opportunities for networking, access to current and evolutionary marketing methods, and a place to exchange ideas.

Learn more about PSAMA here.

"Unleashing Your Business Potential"

Small businesses and minority-owned businesses in the South Sound can benefit from the University of Puget Sound expo - "Unleashing your business potential." Lenders, business consultants, government agencies and non-profit organizations will offer information and advice to help you start and grow your business. This is a FREE event.

Saturday, November 21, 9:00 am to Noon
University of Puget Sound's Rasmussen Rotunda in the Wheelock Student Center. Click here for map.

For more information click here.