2012 Chamber Agenda Busy, Meaningful

"Many hands make light work" goes the saying that underscores the worth of broad involvement on large tasks.  With what is on our chamber agenda for 2012, I would add "of meaningful and important goals."   Bear in mind, all of what the chamber does has a role in enhancing the viability of business in our community. Earning uppermost importance on our agenda is the Armed Forces Festival, a huge community celebration honoring our active duty, retired and former armed forces personnel and our area's remarkable military heritage.

An annual event since 1948, the festival includes a range of activities over a period of weeks, culminating in the AFF Parade May 19.  Conducted by the chamber, and in particular Festival Chairperson Cris Larsen, the Armed Forces Festival carries significant value to our community, value both economic and emotional.  Among the many, many ways your business could participate in the festival is serving as a sponsor in any one of a number of such opportunities.   Details of the range of sponsorships is available at

 www.bremertonchamber.org and click on Armed Forces Festival.   Or, attend a sponsor information reception to be held at the Toro Lounge on Tuesday, January 17 at 5:30 p.m.. You may RSVP to the reception at chamber@bremertonchamber or

479-3579.

Other key work of the chamber includes growing and retaining membership, primarily through assuring a return on member financial investment. Providing and encouraging member/business visibility rests at the heart of that objective.

Other events will call for special efforts.  Among them is the West Sound Business EXPO to be held 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, February 16, at the Kitsap Sun Pavilion. We'll encourage honor civic involvement and achievement with the Hyas Tyee/Thunderbird awards a couple of months after that.  Our planned monthly luncheons and after-hours event provide warm and enjoyable means of valuable member interaction and networking.

And then...well, I could go on, but we all have work to do, business to conduct and goals to reach.   We can reach them and fulfill meaningful work together through this chamber of commerce.  Follow our calendar of meaningful work and opportunities planned for 2012 through this newsletter, our web site and Facebook page, among other means.  I thank you for your involvement, and remain...