Past Events

Leaders of Industry Issues Forum

October 17, 2024  |  3:00 - 6:00pm  |  Hotel Bellwether Ballroom

Panel discussion with industry experts and Q&A session talking about today's changing business climate and policies that directly affect business leaders.

Event host: Barbara Chase (WBA Executive Director)
Event moderator: Josh Wright (WBA Chair)
Guest Speakers: Mayor Kim Lund (City of Bellingham); Paul Twedt (Northwestern Mutual)
Panelists: Paul Guppy (WA Policy Center); Dillion Honcoop (Save Family Farming); Chris Prokop (AltaGas); Tyler Schroeder (Port of Bellingham)

Tickets $90 per person, or $700 per table.
Includes hearty appetizers and complimentary wine.

3:00 - 3:30pm     Social hour/appetizers/cash bar
3:30 - 5:30pm     Panelist discussions
5:30 - 6:00pm     Q&A session

WBA Member Cruise

September 12, 2024  |  5:00 - 7:30pm  |  San Juan Cruises

Join us for a very special evening cruise with hearty appetizers and a cash bar on the Salish Express. This is a chance to connect with the WBA board and expand your networking with other WBA members in our community. We may even see some whales!

Thank you to our event sponsor, Neeter House of Luxury.

Whatcom Business Conference

May 15, 2024  |  7:00-11:00 a.m.  |  Hotel Bellwether Ballroom

Enjoy a breakfast buffet and learn from expert speakers, including presentations from Mark Harmsworth, WA Policy Center / Artificial Intelligence; Mark-Xavier Treas / EOS; Garry Priam, Diventa Solutions / Leadership; and Dave Mastin, AWB / statewide business issues. Opportunities to network and share ideas with other local business leaders.

Thanks to event sponsors: Saturna, WRS, Larson Gross, Hotel Bellwether

Whatcom Business Awards — Black & Gold Gala SOLD OUT!

March 15, 2024 | Semiahmoo Resort & Spa

5:00pm Cocktails | 6:30pm Dinner | 7:30pm Program

Celebration and recognition of local businesses and business leaders for their efforts in improving the economic and civic vitality of Whatcom County.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NOMINEES (winners in bold):  

Start-Up of the Year: Black Noise Records, Neeter House of Luxury, Plantage, Sasquatch Pest Control

Small Business of the Year: Comphy Co, Elements Hospitality, HighCraft Cabinets, Northwest Navigation

Business Person of the Year: Kent Bouma (WECU), Tiera Nipges (Pacific Facility Solutions), Billy VanZanten (WRS), Ty McClellan (Hardware Sales)

Employee of the Year Award: Karen Dykstra, WRS

Public Service Award: Steven Sundin, City of Bellingham

Lifetime Achievement Award: John & Mimi Ferlin, Brooks Manufacturing

To see a list of past winners, click here. Thanks to event sponsors Bellingham Cold Storage, Peoples Bank, Tradewinds Capital Management, WRS

WBA Annual Member Meeting

Tuesday, January 23, 2024  |  8:00-9:30am | Bellingham Golf & Country Club
Our annual member meeting! FREE EVENT.

Start your new year with WBA! Join us to hear the latest on WBA's plans for 2024 and meet the board. New Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund will talk about plans for her administration. Includes a Q&A session and networking.

Pastries and coffee/tea will be provided.

Economic Forecast Breakfast  SOLD OUT!

December 6, 2023  |  7:00 - 9:00am  |  Bellingham Golf & Country Club

SOLD OUT! Tickets no longer available. Breakfast buffet included.
$65 / individual   |  $500 / table of 8

Thanks to our sponsors: Wells Fargo, WRS and Saturna

Leaders of Industry Issues Forum

October 19, 2023  |  Hotel Bellwether Ballroom

In today's changing business climate it's more important than ever for business leaders to be aware of and understand the policies that directly affect them. This year's panelists include local and state policy and industry experts discussing major issues impacting business here in Whatcom County.

Panelists include: Paul Guppy/Washington Policy Center, Doug Chadwick/Whatcom County Undersheriff, and Perry Eskridge/Government Affairs Director, Whatcom County Association of Realtor

4:00 - 5:00pm  Cocktail/Social Networking Hour
5:00 - 6:30pm  Panelist Discussion
6:30 - 7:00pm  Comments/Q&A

Special thanks to this year's event sponsors:  Haskell Corporation, Larson Gross, WRS

WBA Presidents Club Cruise

August 18, 2023  |  5:30 - 9:00pm  |  Bellingham Bay
An exclusive night of appreciation for our Presidents Club members — Bellingham Bay sunset cruise with San Juan Cruises. Drinks and appetizers. Invitation only.

Member Appreciation Night

July 14, 2023  |  6:35pm  |  Joe Martin Field
Get ready to watch some baseball! As a thank-you to our members, join us for a free family-friendly game of baseball on a beautiful summer evening. Bellingham Bells vs Nanaimo Nightowls.

Join us early for a special pre-game social!
5:30 - 6:30pm - WBA MEMBER SOCIAL
6:35pm - GAME BEGINS

Thanks to our sponsors EnerSys Energy Systems and WRS for making this event possible.

WBA Industry Tour - Chuckanut Bay Distillery

Jun 27, 2023  |  5:30-7:30pm
Whatcom Business Alliance industry tours — the fun way to network with local business professionals — are back!

Tour an emerging grain-to-glass industry and connect in person with business leaders at Chuckanut Bay Distillery's award-winning restaurant, bar and tasting room, in downtown Bellingham.

Appetizers, whiskey tasting, no-host bar at reduced price.

Whatcom Business Awards - Black & Gold Gala - SOLD OUT!

March 23, 2023  |  Semiahmoo Resort & Spa
Celebration and recognition of local businesses and business leaders for their efforts in improving the economic and civic vitality of Whatcom County.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NOMINEES (winners in bold):

Start-Up of the Year: Armory Pickleball, BrightStar Care of Bellingham, Gateway 1890 Taphouse & Grill, Jack's BBQ

Small Business of the Year: Gary's Plumbing, Living Pantry, Rover Stay Over, Vander Giessen Nursery

Business Person of the Year: Jim Haupt, Hotel Bellwether; Drew Schmidt; Dick Skeers, Skeers Construction; Marv Tjoelker, Larson Gross CPAs

Employee of the Year Award: Claire Adams, Bellingham Cold Storage

Public Service Award: Bill Elfo, Whatcom County Sheriff

Lifetime Achievement Award: Bob Bray, Dairy Distributing (in memoriam)

To see a list of past winners, click here.

Special thanks to our sponsors: Bellingham Cold Storage, bp, Mills Electric, Peoples Bank, Tradewinds Capital Management

Saturna Capital, Larson Gross, MSNW Group, PSE, Barron Heating, Lynda Hinton Real Estate

Chuckanut Bay Distillery, Greenhouse, SeaFeast, Tiger Pearson, Drayton Harbor Oyster Company

WBA Annual Member Meeting

Tuesday, January 24, 2023  |  8:00-9:00am | Dorothy Haggen Conference Room
Our annual member meeting - meet the WBA Board of Directors and staff, network with other members and hear from special guest speakers.

Coffee and light pastries will be served. Limited seating, so RSVP is required.

Economic Forecast Breakfast

December 1, 2022  |  Bellingham Golf & Country Club
Hear what's in store for 2023! Wells Fargo economist, Shannon Seery, will present and discuss the economic predictions for the upcoming year. Ticket price includes deluxe buffet breakfast.
Title sponsor: Wells Fargo     Co-sponsors: PSE, Saturna, WRS

7:00 - 7:30am  Breakfast and Networking
7:30 - 8:30am  Speaker, Economist Shannon Seery
8:30 - 9:00am  Networking

Download Shannon Seery's presentation here.

Leaders of Industry Issues Forum

September 22, 2022  |  Hotel Bellwether Ballroom
In today's changing business climate it's more important than ever for business leaders to be aware of and understand the policies that directly affect them.

This year's panelists include local and state policy and industry experts discussing major issues impacting business here in Whatcom County.

PAUL GUPPY - Vice President for Research, Washington Policy Center
MIKE KENT - Real Estate Marketing & Sales, Radio Show Host
FRED LIKKEL - Executive Director, Whatcom Family Farmers
DOUG CHADWICK - Whatcom County Undersheriff

WBA Presidents Club Cruise

August 5, 2022  |  5:30 - 9:00pm  |  Bellingham Bay
A night of appreciation for our Presidents Club members — a special Bellingham Bay sunset cruise with drinks and appetizers.

Member Appreciation Night - Bellingham Bells Game

July 15, 2022  |  6:35pm | Joe Martin Field
Get ready to watch some baseball! As a thank-you to our members, join us for a free family-friendly game of baseball on a beautiful summer evening.

Join us early for a special pre-game social!
5:30 - 6:30pm - WBA MEMBER SOCIAL
6:35pm - GAME BEGINS

WBA's First Annual Golf Tournament

Thursday, May 19, 2022  |  1:00pm Shotgun Start | Sudden Valley Golf Course
Our first annual fundraising tournament benefitting YES Whatcom which helps bridge the gap between local high school students and employers. 4-person scramble. Sign up your team here!

WBA Annual Member Meeting

Wednesday, May 25, 2022  |  8:00-9:30am | Bellingham Golf & Country Club
Our annual member meeting (after pandemic hiatus) - meet the WBA Board of Directors and staff, network with other members and hear from special guest, Dann Mead Smith.

Ken Bell, Port Commissioner, Representative Alicia Rule and Senator Simon Sefzik will also discuss current legislative issues.

Continental breakfast will be served. Limited seating, so RSVP is required.

Business Person of the Year Awards Gala

March 24, 2022  |  Semiahmoo Resort & Spa
Celebration and recognition of local businesses and business leaders for their efforts in improving the economic and civic vitality of Whatcom County.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NOMINEES:

Start-Up of the Year: Storia Cucina, Bellingham Axe, 360 Modular, Carnal Restaurant

Small Business of the Year: Pacific Marine Yacht Systems, Smith Mechanical, Drayton Harbor Oyster Company

Business Person of the Year: Josh Burdick/Veritas Media, Tonja Myers/Christian Health Care Center, John Barron/Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing, John Huntley/Mills Electric

Lifetime Achievement Award: Gary Honcoop/Roosendaal-Honcoop Construction

Special thanks to our sponsors: bp, Peoples Bank, Puget Sound Energy, Tradewinds Capital Management, Larson Gross, MSNW, Muljat Group, Saturna Capital and Veritas Media

2021 Holiday Tree - benefiting Skookum Kids

December 4-31, 2021  |  Hotel Bellwether
This year, WBA is participating in Hotel Bellwether’s 10th Annual Holiday Trees, benefitting Skookum Kids.

The trees are decorated to promote each business — and our tree’s theme is ‘The Future Is Sweet!’.  We’ll be decorating with lots of colorful Christmas candy, lights and...custom 3" ornaments showcasing our member's logos and websites!

The money raised from the ornaments will directly benefit Skookum Kids. All the holiday trees will be on display at the Hotel Bellwether December 4-31. We hope you’ll join us this season in supporting a meaningful cause, Skookum Kids.

Economic Forecast Breakfast

December 2, 2021  |  Bellingham Golf & Country Club
Hear what's in store for 2022! Expert economists will present and discuss the economic predictions for the upcoming year. Guest speakers include Shannon Seery, economist at Wells Fargo and Dann Mead Smith, co-leader of Project 42. Ticket price includes full buffet breakfast. Title sponsor: Wells Fargo Bank.

Leaders of Industry Issues Forum

October 28, 2021  |  3:00 - 6:00pm  |  Hotel Bellwether Ballroom
In today's changing business climate it's more important than ever for business leaders to be aware of and understand the policies that directly affect them. Panelists include local and state policy and industry experts — Mark Harmsworth, Pam Lewison, Wynden Holman and Dave Mastin  — discussing major issues impacting business here in Whatcom County and future expectations.

Event moderator, Brad Goode. Title sponsor: WaFd Bank.

WBA Presidents Club Cruise

August 20, 2021  |  5:30 - 9:00pm  |  Bellingham Bay
A night of appreciation for our Presidents Club members — a special Bellingham Bay sunset cruise with drinks and appetizers.

Member Appreciation Night - Bellingham Bells Game

July 15, 2021  |  6:35pm | Joe Martin Field
We are ready to watch some baseball! As a thank-you to our members, join us for a free family-friendly game of baseball on a beautiful summer evening.

Join us early for a special pre-game social!
5:30 - 6:30pm - WBA MEMBER SOCIAL
Drinks and light snacks will be served.

6:35pm - GAME BEGINS
Bellingham Bells vs Wenatchee AppleSox

WBA Open House

June 3, 2021  |  3:00 - 6:00pm  |  3111 Newmarket St., Ste. 106
Join us as we celebrate our new location in Barkley! Stop in for some refreshments and be entered to win a grand prize!

34th Annual Business Person of the Year Awards Dinner

Did you miss it? View the recording here.

March 25, 2021  |  6:00pm - 9:00pm 
Recognition of local businesses and business leaders for their efforts in improving the economic and civic vitality of Whatcom County. Thanks to sponsors Heritage Bank, Tradewinds Capital Management, Larson Gross and Saturna Capital.

Economic Forecast Forum for 2021

Did you miss it? View the recording here.

February 25, 2021  |  8:00am - 9:00am 
BYOB - Bring Your Own Breakfast! Start your day by hearing from expert economists as they present and discuss the economic predictions for 2021. Panelists include: Tim Quinlan, Senior Economist/Wells Fargo; Dann Mead Smith, President/Washington Policy Center; and Paul Guppy, VP for Research/Washington Policy Center. Sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank.