November marks the beginning of the Holiday season. Here in the Puget Sound it also marks the beginning of the cold, dark and rainy months we know and love here. As the days grow shorter, and the nights longer, it’s a perfect time to gather with the ones we love the most and focus on all we are truly grateful for in our lives. Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday to gather with loved ones and practice gratitude.
 
Here at the Chamber, we have been counting our blessings all year as this marks the 30^th anniversary year for our organization as a true regional organization dedicated to economic development and community engagement for all Southwest King County. The business community and our local economy was much different in 1988 when the Chamber first formed than it is today. But, many things have remained the same-our values, our dedication to our members and our community and our focus on building and maintaining a healthy and thriving local economy.
 
We are so very thankful to our members and our community for supporting us these past 30 years. This past year has been a year of looking back. But, also looking towards our future. The board adopted and approved the first ever strategic plan for the organization and launched the Success Foundation. The Foundation will serve as the philanthropic arm of the Chamber as we look forward to serving our community for another 30 years and beyond.
 
We would like to invite the community to celebrate our past and look toward our future at our 30^th Anniversary Celebration that will be a benefit for our Success Foundation on November 10^th from 6pm-9pm at the Seattle Airport Marriott. More information can be found here http://www.seattlesouthsidechamber.com/events/details/seattle-southside-chamber-30th-anniversary-2126. Guests at this event will enjoy a retrospective of the last 30 years of our work, a look towards our future as well as enjoy a festive celebration. The event will include a silent auction, wine pull, dessert dash, raffle for 2 tickets anywhere Alaska Airlines flies, and so much more!
A huge thank you to all our members for your constant support and dedication throughout the history of our organization. Thank you to our passionate Board of Directors, staff and volunteers. Thank you also to our host the Seattle Airport Marriott, our event sponsors: The Port of Seattle, Louise Strander, Alaska Airlines, BNSF Railway, Crain Photography, and Just for Them Gift Baskets and Doc Pixel. We hope to celebrate with you and thank you in person!