The Whatcom Business Alliance welcomes your comments and/or questions.

You can reach us Monday - Thursday from 9am - 5pm (PST).

Phone: 360.746.0418

Email: info@whatcombusinessalliance.com

For direct staff contact info, please go to the About page.

For list of WBA events, click here.

The year-long webinar series will focus on a variety of topics, including:


  • What the new administration's plans will mean for local businesses
  • The impact of coronavirus on the local economy, businesses, and healthcare systems
  • Local, state, and federal aid and loan programs for Whatcom County businesses
  • The outlook for important local and regional industries
  • Success stories from local companies that have successfully pivoted to meet new regulations and changing customer demand
  • Human resource and employee health and safety requirements in the age of coronavirus
  • The challenges companies, employees, and communities face as the Washington economy reopens
  • And more!

The list of webinar topics may change as the state transitions through various stages of reopening, but we believe discussing these topics—and others—with local business people, thought leaders, health experts and public officials will help ensure our business community stays prepared, informed and capable of navigating a rapidly changing environment.

Thanks to our 2020 sponsors:

2021 WEBINARS:

  • Jan 27, 2021: How Biden's New Tax Laws May Impact Your Business

    Tax questions have become a central point of discussion for many business owners and individuals, as details from the new administration emerge.


    Join Moss Adams’ tax experts Todd Kooiman, Michelle VanDellen, and Shane Griffiths for a free one-hour webinar addressing the potential impacts of President-elect Joe Biden’s tax plan on federal tax laws, as well as local impacts to be aware of. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with them as they answer your questions, address concerns, and expand on key topics, such as:


    • Changes to international, business, and individual tax policies introduced in the Biden Administration’s tax proposal
    • State and local tax matters
    • Updates as they apply to PPP Loans

    To get your specific questions answered by Moss Adams' tax experts, please send to: whitney@whatcombusinessalliance.com by Friday, January 22.


    Did you miss it? View the recording here.

2020 WEBINARS:

  • Dec 17, 2020: Cyber Liability - What's at Risk Could Cost You Your Business

    With all of the recent changes that have taken place, cyber awareness and protection is becoming essential for any organization operating in this new work reality. Please join us as we discuss how cyber threats can affect your organization and steps you can take to mitigate your risk.


    Bell-Anderson Insurance Brokerage has partnered with parent company, Acrisure LLC, to present this one-hour webinar in which you will learn more about:


    • The Numbers Behind Cyber Risk

    • What’s at Risk for Your Organization

    • How Breaches Occur

    • The Cost of a Cyber Breach

    • The Solution


    Did you miss it? View the recording here.

  • Oct 28, 2020: Leaders of Industry Issues Forum

    Join a special 2-hour event as local industry leaders discuss the current and future major issues that are impacting business here in Whatcom County. Sponsored by WaFd Bank.


    ISSUES & PANELISTS: Manufacturing/Fisheries - Doug Thomas, President & CEO, Bellingham Cold Storage; US-Canadian Border - Dr. Laurie Trautman, Director of the Border Policy Research Institute, WWU; Agriculture - Gerald Baron, Communications Director, Whatcom Family Farmers; Cherry Point - Pamela Brady, Director NW Government & Public Affairs, BP Cherry Point Refinery; Banking/Finance - Thomas R. Pozarycki, Regional President, WaFd Bank; Workforce Development - Laura McKinney, Chair, YES Whatcom.

  • Sep 16: 2020: Cybersecurity and the New Risks to Your Business

    Is your company taking appropriate measures to mitigate the risk of a cyberattack?

    How do I protect my business from cyberattacks?

    Is my business prepared with a recovery plan in case of a natural disaster?


    These are the many questions that arise as a business owner. How your team responds and prepares for these incidents has a tremendous impact on your business. Join this webinar with Chase Bank's Merrick Tam, VP Treasury Management and Robyn Hallet, VP Area Manager, as they discuss cybersecurity and business resiliency.


    This webinar was unable to be recorded due to security restrictions.

  • Aug 19, 2020: Infectious Disease/Testing Experts Answer Your Questions

    This special Recovery Whatcom webinar features Chief Medical Officer, Sudhakar Karlapudi, MD and Director, Infection Prevention, Catherine Kroll, MPH Edipemiology from PeaceHealth as well as Roger Stark, MD from the Washington Policy Center on what businesses can do to help control further spread of COVID-19, and help ensure the economy can continue opening.

  • Jul 15, 2020: New Regulations, Laws & Guidelines as Business Reopen

    Attendees will hear elected officials, policymakers, and experts from the Washington Policy Center to learn more about how changes to regulatory requirements during the coronavirus pandemic may impact their businesses and industries—and how they can have a voice in the regulatory process.


    Panelists: Paul Guppy; Don Goldberg; Erika Lautenbach; Tyler Byrd

  • Jun 17, 2020: The Health and Financial Challenges - and Opportunities - of Phase 2 Reopening

    Join local legal, financial and medical experts and business owners and learn about Phase 2 updates as they share insight and advice on the health and financial challenges and opportunities that lay ahead for Whatcom County businesses.


    Panelists: Jeffrey P. Fairchild; Wes Herman; Erika Lautenbach; Adam Lervik; Tanya Silves, CPA

  • May 13, 2020: Navigating a New Health and Economic Reality in Whatcom County

    Featuring local health experts on the public and private side, as well as banking and business experts sharing insight and advice on what companies need to do to prevent another wave of the coronavirus while remaining financially and operationally solvent.


    Panelists: Erika Lautenbach; Doug Thomas; Tany Silves, CPA; Kelly Lloyd, MD

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