washington business
Inside AWB
It doesn’ t matter whether you’ re a small-business owner hiring your first full-time employee, or the manager of a corporate division of thousands. For more than 100 years, AWB has been your voice in Washington state.
What’ s Going On at AWB AWB Hosts 1st 2016 Gubernatorial Debate
An election-year tradition that began in 1992 continued this summer as AWB and Greater Spokane Incorporated hosted the first gubernatorial debate of 2016, sponsored by Avista.
Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee and Republican challenger Bill Bryant headlined the event, which also featured a debate between Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman and her Democratic challenger, Tina Podlodowski.
Television anchor and news reporter Sean Owsley moderated the gubernatorial debate, and KHQ live-streamed the event, which was held at Spokane Falls Community College. Spokesman- Review Olympia Bureau Chief Jim Camden moderated the secretary of state debate.
This event followed a live debate at AWB’ s Spring Meeting between the full slate of lieutenant governor candidates. AWB also hosted debates for auditor, commissioner of public lands, and superintendent of public instruction at the Policy Summit in September.
Video of all of AWB’ s debates is online at www. awb. org / awb-debates.
AWB has hosted gubernatorial debates in every election since 1992’ s race between Mike Lowry and Ken Eikenberry.
Spring Meeting Brings a‘ Vote for Business’ to Spokane
With the theme“ A Vote for Business,” the 2016 AWB Spring Meeting in Spokane naturally focused on the year’ s state and national elections.
The sold-out event was held in June at the Historic Davenport Hotel in Spokane.
One highlight was a debate between eight candidates for lieutenant governor, including the two candidates who went on to win the Top Two primary: Sen. Cyrus Habib, D-Bellevue, and Republican Marty McClendon.
The evening dinner included remarks from Spokane Mayor David Condon and the graduation of the Leadership Washington Class of 2016, followed by a keynote address from CNN commentators and authors Margaret Hoover and John Avlon. This husband-andwife team discussed the presidential election, the impact of independently-minded millennials on the future of the Republican and Democratic parties, and how to restore civility to politics.
Grassroots Alliance Continues Growth, Meets in Spokane and SeaTac
The partnership between AWB and local Chambers of Commerce continues to grow. The Grassroots Alliance, founded in 2014 with 35 chamber partners, now has more than 60 members.
This two-way partnership connects AWB’ s expertise in government affairs and advocacy with the on-the-ground connections and relationships of local chambers.
To help solidify those connections, AWB recently held mini-summits with Grassroots Alliance members in Spokane and SeaTac.
The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives has taken note of this innovative partnership, profiling the Grassroots Alliance in the Spring 2016 edition of Chamber Executive magazine.
The next step for the Alliance: expanding a database of local employers who can testify in Olympia and speak to the news media about issues particular to their field or with widespread impact.
To learn more, visit www. awb. org / local-chamber-grassrootsalliance or contact Bobbi Cussins at 800.521.9325.
First-ever AWB Evening of Excellence to be Held at Benaroya Hall in Seattle
AWB is rolling out the red carpet to honor Washington’ s most outstanding employers during a new awards ceremony in downtown Seattle’ s elegant Benaroya Hall.
The Evening of Excellence ceremony will honor businesses who help enhance and support AWB’ s five pillars: Achieve, Connect, Employ, Compete and Place. Awards will also go to the Entrepreneur and Employer of the Year.
This black-tie event will be held Nov. 30, with a member appreciation reception in the Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby before the awards program in the Nordstrom Recital Hall.
Contact AWB at 800.521.9325 for ticket information.
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