March 21, 2016
Issue #12

425 Magazine * Airlift * AltaSource Group LLC * Blueprint Consulting Services, LLC
Cascade Game Foundry, SPC * Chameleon Technologies, Inc. * Cirkled in
CMIT Solutions of Bellevue * Dot Feedback Registry * dTOOR Inc. SPC
Evergreen Home Loans * extraSlice * Fresh Consulting * Fuchsia Shoes
GLY Construction * Guidant Financial * Guided Fitness Inc. * Icertis * JayMarc Homes
Limeade * MOD Pizza * Mutual Materials * Neposmart * Pacific Continental Bank
Point Inside * Seattle Humane * skoah * Smartlytics LLC DBA Quantyzd
Tesslan Dog Spa * Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria - Bellevue * Vertafore
Viewsay * Vrstudios, Inc.  * Wagly, Inc. * Washington Federal * Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa

... Goes Out Raining Great Companies! We are fortunate to have diverse economic clusters (Aerospace, Technology, Tourism, Retail, and Telecommunication) that are all continuing to innovate and spin off great ideas. These new sectors are multi-billion dollar economic drivers. So, our optimism is more bullish that in many parts of the country. You might ask - how do I know this? 

 

Bellevue, the Eastside and the Puget Sound Office Market is HOT. Find out about the deals that are happening as Gary Guenther, Senior Vice President and Partner at Kidder Mathews shares insight into how these new deals will transform the Bellevue skyline, bring great companies to our area and grow existing companies leading to more jobs that attract the best talent to our region.  
 



You're invited to Easter Brunch on Sunday, March 27 from 10:00AM-2:00PM at the Embassy Suites Hotel - Garden Atrium, 3225 158th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98008. The event will feature "WORLD CUISINE AT EMBASSY SUITES" Presented by James Lysons, Executive Chef and his Culinary Team. $35.95 for adults, with discounts for seniors and children ages 5-13. Reservations highly recommended - call 425-644-2500 ext. 625. WHERE STYLE AND SERVICE MEET a newly Renovated hotel and Experience!


Paid Feature Content
Advocacy in Action:
Get Engaged!  
Come to Transportation Committee Meeting on April 12 at 7:30 AM and see the proposed investments for Sound Transit 3. Please attend and help shape your Chamber's feedback to the Sound Transit Board.

The Public Affairs Committee will meet on April 14 at 12 Noon - we'll hear the latest from the Port of Seattle on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan.

Contact Chris Johnson to join either of these committees and keep on top of these and other important issues.   
The Regular Session of the Legislature ended on March 10 - with no agreement on a supplemental budget. However, action has been taken towards several key points of interest for Bellevue, including a bill keeping public charter schools open, and a decision by the state Transportation Commission eliminating tolls on 405 during nights and weekends.

 

Young Entrepreneurs Academy Students are Our Future 
425 Business was here to catch our 2016 YEA! Class in action. As Bellevue Chamber President & CEO Betty Capestany says "When I look at all their ideas every year I think, 'Oh my gosh, everyone's worried about the future?"

 


Job Postings Now Available 
Hiring? Your membership now includes FREE job postings! To post, login to the Chamber Site and visit the Career Center. Need help? Call 425.454.2464.

 
The 2016 Eastside Economic Strategy Guide is jam packed with insight about the economy in Bellevue, including top trends in social media!  

   
Washington Startups Prime Target for Out-of-State Investors  
Venture capitalists from out-of-state are finding fertile ground in Washington, outpacing local investors last year 3-1, the PSBJ reports.

 
Lincoln Square Expansion Tops Off
As 425 Business reports, "when tower construction is completed at the end of this year, it will be the largest office building on the Eastside. Rising 31 stories and incorporating 710,000-square-feet, it will perch over Bellevue Way and NW 4th Street overlooking Downtown Park."

 
Member Referral Program Winners
Thanks Lori Morefield-Berg Consultant (left) and Martha Brandel Heritage Bank for your member referrals! Thanks also to Oil & Vinegar Bellevue Square for awarding gift certificates to our wonderful volunteers!






4 Tips to Going Viral
Increasing your company's social media reach can lead to more leads, web traffic and eventually sales. How? Check our these tips plus a visual cheat sheet to create compelling content.
 
The IRS Dirty Dozen: Tax Scams
The Internal Revenue Service has published its annual "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams with identity theft topping this year's list but with phone scams and phishing schemes also deserving special mention.

 
Upcoming
Ribbon Cuttings
LegalShield
Tuesday, March 22
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.  

Embassy Suites Bellevue
Tuesday, April 5
4:00 - 4:30 p.m.

How do You Want to be Remembered Now?
We know that making a good first impression is super important - so let's get back to basic to basics with these tips to the best approach.
 
Welcome New Members
ActiveGiver
BI America LLC
Body Transformations
DuBois Cary Law Group
East West Bank
Fresh Consulting
German Car Specialists
Inabia Software & Consulting
mauSOULeum
People's Acupuncture, Eastside
Real Circles
The HoneyBaked Ham Co. LLC
U.S. Security Associates
VISIONHOUSE
Renewing Members
29 Years: Bellevue Christian School, Puget Sound Energy
28 Years: Overlake Hospital Medical Center
22 Years: Metropolitan King County Council
20 Years: Hopelink
17 Years: Longevity Medical Clinic
12 Years: Cascadia Center at Discovery Institute
11 Years: Netstar, Inc.
5 Years: Golder Associates
1 Year: Minuteman Press, Townhouse Painter  
Morning Business Builder 3/23 * SHOW & TELL! * 7:30 - 8:30am * Bellevue Chamber Office
The Business Lunch: The Latest Office Market Deals 3/24 * 12:00 - 1:30pm * Hyatt Regency Bellevue
Eastside Business Awards Ceremony & Reception 3/31 * 5:30 - 7:30pm * The Golf Club at Newcastle
Morning Business Builder 4/13 * Don't Be Shy! * 7:30 - 8:30am * Bellevue Chamber Office
Morning Business Builder 4/20 * What's in a Name? * 7:30 - 8:30am * Bellevue Chamber Office
Business After Hours at Embassy Suites by Hilton 4/26 * 5:30 - 7:30pm * Embassy Suites by Hilton
Morning Business Builder 4/27 * SHOW & TELL! * 7:30 - 8:30am * Bellevue Chamber Office
Morning Business Builder 5/4 * Your Theme Song * 7:30 - 8:30am * Bellevue Chamber Office
Morning Business Builder 5/11 * Seize the Day * 7:30 - 8:30am * Bellevue Chamber Office
Spirit of Bellevue 12k Run & 5k Run/Walk - 5/22 * Packet pick-up starts at 7:00am * Bellevue Downtown Park