2026 Events

Past Events

2026

Whatcom Business Awards Black & Gold Gala — SOLD OUT!

Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 5-9:00 p.m. | Hotel Bellwether

OUR BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR! The celebration and recognition of local businesses and business leaders for their efforts in improving the economic and civic vitality of Whatcom County.

EVENT PROGRAM

5:00pm Cocktails

6:30pm   Dinner

7:30pm   Awards Program

Start-Up Business of the Year Finalists

Small Business of the Year Finalists

Business Person of the Year Finalists

Jon B. Strong Employee of the Year Award
Public Service Award
Lifetime Achievement Award

Presentation of Category Award Winners

Lunch & Learn — Free Event!

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. |  Virtual

How local leaders are using AI

Expect practical examples, a safe space for questions and ideas you can implement right away into your workday!

WBA Annual Member Meeting — Free Event!

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 8:00-9:00am | Bellingham Golf & Country Club

Meet the board and start your new year with the WBA!  Join us to hear Dann Mead Smith talk about the legislative update. We will also discuss the latest on WBA's plans for 2026.

Bring a potential WBA member! Includes a Q&A session and networking.

2025

Economic Forecast Breakfast —  SOLD OUT

Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | 7:00 - 9:00 am | Bellingham Golf & Country Club

Hear what’s in store for 2026! Expert economists will present and discuss the economic predictions for the upcoming year.

Nicole Cervi is an economist with Wells Fargo Corporate and Investment Banking, focusing on the U.S. macroeconomy, particularly labor and inflation. Based in Charlotte, she contributes regularly to the firm’s economic commentary, with insights featured by Bloomberg News, Reuters, and NPR. Her work has also appeared in Business Economics. Nicole holds a B.S. in business administration from UNC–Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and an M.A. in economics from American University.

Hart Hodges is a Professor of Economics at Western Washington University and Director of the Center for Economic and Business Research. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Washington and previously taught at the University of Puget Sound. His experience includes serving as a natural resource damage assessment economist for the U.S. Department of the Interior and consulting in Alaska. Since joining Western in 2000, his research has focused on natural resource, environmental, health, and applied business economics. Hart also serves on the Northwest Workforce Council board and works closely with regional businesses and public agencies.

This event sells out early! We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance. Breakfast buffet included!

Individual ticket: $80.00 | Table of 8: $600.00

This event is sold out. Please contact barbara@whatcombusinessalliance.com if you have any questions. 

Thanks to title sponsor Wells Fargo and co-sponsors Peoples Bank, bp, Saturna, WRS, Larson Gross and AltaGas.

Lunch & Learn

THIS IS A FREE VIRTUAL EVENT

Upcoming Lunch & Learn: How Local Leaders Are Using AI

Curious how AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude are showing up in Whatcom County businesses? 

Join us for a one-hour Lunch & Learn where commercial banker Rob Camandona from Washington Trust Bank and AI consultant Dana Rozier will share how they’re using AI in their daily work—and what it could mean for yours.

Expect practical examples, a safe space for questions and ideas you can take back to your business the same day.

Date: October. 21, 2025
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Location: Virtual via Zoom

Registration is free.  Please register here and watch your inbox for the Zoom link, which will be sent out a few days before the event.

Leaders of Industry Issues Forum

Thursday, October 16, 2025  |  3:00 - 6:00 p.m.  |  Hotel Bellwether

A close look at policies impacting your business and our economy in 2025 and beyond.

In an ever-evolving economic and regulatory landscape, staying informed about key policies is essential for business leaders. Join local and
state experts as they explore the critical local, state and national issues shaping the future of business in Whatcom County.

Ticket price includes appetizers. Cash bar.

3:00 - 3:30 p.m. — cocktails (cash bar)/appetizers/networking
3:30 - 5:30 p.m. — program
5:30 - 6:00 p.m. — Q&A/networking

Thanks to our sponsors: bp, WRS, Peoples Bank, Larson Gross, Davis Law Group, P.S.

WBA Members-only Networking Cruise — SOLD OUT!

Thursday, September 11, 2025 | Bellingham Bay | 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Come and set sail with us for a WBA members-only cruise on the beautiful Salish Sea!

Enjoy an evening on Bellingham Bay filled with great conversations, new connections, cash bar and hearty appetizers aboard the Salish Express. Whale sightings possible!

Tickets: $70 per person. Registration is now closed.

WBA Business Conference

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 7-9:30 a.m. | Bellingham Golf & Country Club

Mark your calendars ... our popular WBA Business Conference will be held again this May!

With an economic forecast, a legislative update, and a presentation on how every business can use artificial intelligence, the upcoming WBA Business Conference will deliver expert analysis and tools that can benefit attendees. 

Title sponsor Washington Trust Bank brings Chief Economist Steve Scranton as the keynote speaker. Steve will present an economic forecast; Dann Mead Smith —
Co-Founder/Co-Leader of Project 42 — will provide a legislative update; Dana Rozier, who leads Nova Consulting AI, will deliver ready-to-implement takeaways on how every business can benefit from artificial intelligence.

Your morning conference includes a delicious, hot breakfast buffet, fresh fruit and juices and a full coffee and tea service.

Network with other business leaders, and enjoy a Q&A session with panelists.

7-9:30 a.m. Conference and Q&A

Thank you to our sponsors: TITLE SPONSOR: Washington Trust Bank; CO-SPONSORS: Saturna Capital, Mills Electric; CORPORATE SPONSORS: WRS, bp, Larson Gross, Peoples Bank

Whatcom Business Awards Black & Gold Gala — SOLD OUT!

Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 5-9:30 p.m. | Hotel Bellwether

OUR BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR! The celebration and recognition of local businesses and business leaders for their efforts in improving the economic and civic vitality of Whatcom County.

EVENT PROGRAM

5:00pm Cocktails

6:30pm   Dinner

7:30pm   Awards Program

Start-Up Business of the Year Finalists

Small Business of the Year Finalists

Business Person of the Year Finalists

Jon B. Strong Employee of the Year Award
Public Service Award
Lifetime Achievement Award

Presentation of Category Award Winners

9:30pm Closing remarks

Ticket sales and event registration is now closed. Please contact Executive Director Barbara Chase directly for inquiries: barbara@whatcombusinessalliance.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NOMINEES: 

Start-Up of the Year:  Bloomhaven Bottle Shop; Cooper Northwest; Create it Studio; King of Kings Window Cleaning

Small Business of the Year: Avenue Bread; Bellingham Bay Builders; Stemma Brewing; Summit Bookkeeping

Business Person of the Year:  Brad Barron, Barron Heating; Stowe Talbot, Talbot Group; Trip Randall, Superfeet Worldwide; Ty McClellan, Hardware Sales

Employee of the Year Award: Jennifer Boer, Mt. Baker Vision Clinic

Public Service Award:  John Perry, Mayor of Everson

Lifetime Achievement Award: Mike Hammes, RAM Construction

Thank you to our event sponsors: bp Cherry Point, WRS, Larson Gross, Peoples Bank, Hotel Bellwether, SeaFeast, Mills Electric, Chocolate Necessities.

For finalist info before the event, keep an eye on our social media platforms! To see a list of past winners, click here.

WBA Annual Member Meeting — Free Event

Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | 8:00-9:30am | Bellingham Golf & Country Club

Start your new year with WBA! Join us to hear the latest on WBA's plans for 2025 and meet the board.

Special guest speakers  Dr. James Everett and Lynette Brower

Includes a Q&A session and networking.