Tell It Like It Is!

The Chamber's 27th annual Washington-to-Washington, D.C. delegation will once again carry the local business advocacy agenda to our state's Congressional delegation and federal agencies.

Here is your opportunity to help us set the Chamber's business and community agenda that will be carried to the nation's capital so that we may effectively be your advocates to our Congressional delegation. 

Click here to take the survey now!

Delegation Prepares for Washington, D.C.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's first conference trip to Washington, D.C.

Sponsors for this year's conference include the Port of Tacoma, Totem Ocean, MultiCare, Waste Connections, Comcast and The Boeing Company.

Originally conceived by US Rep. Norm Dicks and Chamber President/CEO David Graybill, the annual pilgrimage to the nation's capital began as a way for the business community to prevent our local bases from being closed. Decades later, the Chamber has organized this event to include local civic leaders as well.

All told, this year's delegation will consist of 25 leaders representing the Port of Tacoma, City of Tacoma, City of Lakewood, Pierce County as well as businesses like Simpson, Totem Ocean, BCRA Design and Cornerstone Financial.

The delegation will meet with military officials and congressional representatives to discuss community issues like SR 167 funding, infrastructure development, the Alaska trade relationship, schools on base and IMPACT aid, just to name a few.

For some delegates, this is their first time on the trip. But regardless of experience, all the delegates are looking forward to trip. Keep checking to get updates of the trip as it happens.

U.S. Chamber Under Attack Appears on Fox

You may watch FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace this weekend, as U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President, Bruce Josten discusses the U.S. Chamber's position on recent legislation and targeted attacks against the organization.

The U.S. Chamber has been recently singled out for their efforts to protect American jobs, American employers and the economy. And people are taking notice.

Tune in on Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. ET to hear Josten's remarks on the attacks and the Chamber's steadfast commitment to common sense policies - regardless of partisan politics.

Rep. Norm Dicks visits the Chamber

The Chamber’s Simpson Room was the site of a lively interview between Rep. Norm Dicks and Mike Weinman, the Chamber's contracted community relations director, as cameras captured the footage for the Chamber’s Annual Meeting video.

Mike Weinman took Rep. Dicks down memory lane as he recalled how the idea for the Chamber’s Washington-to-Washington, D.C. trip was hatched. Rep. Dicks relayed how he and David Graybill, Chamber CEO, were talking about “how the Tri-Cities and the Puget Sound Naval Bases Association in Bremerton were going back there” to Washington, D.C. to discuss issues with congressional members. Together, they wondered about doing a similar thing to advocate for “our own incredible bases here in Pierce County.”

“We wanted to tell key officials, ‘Thank You,’” said Rep. Dicks, “We had lots to talk about and the C-17s were a good one to start with.”

Rep. Dicks went on to say how there were now 44 cargo lifting C-17s based out of McChord Air Force Base. He felt the Washington-to-Washington, D.C. annual trip was one of the best advocacy programs the Chamber "accomplishes year in and year out."

The subject of the economy was reviewed as well. Citing large numbers of area military personnel, civilian employees, and retirees, Rep. Dicks stated “their sheer numbers act as a stabilizing effect” on our economy. “The millions of dollars in construction contracts and resulting numbers of local workers,” he added, “provide additional certainty during economic downturns.”

Rep. Dicks ended the interview with several statements about how the Chamber has maintained a great relationship with local officials like himself under the guidance of CEO David Graybill. He discussed how the Chamber has played a major role in the revitalization of downtown and how it has been a positive force for job creation e.g. working with him and others to convince Boeing to develop a plant site in Frederickson. He believes the overall position in the business community is well represented by the Chamber.