April 18, 2016
Issue #14
Can you feel it? There is something about more daylight, flowers in bloom, birds singing and the pitter patter of feet hitting the pavement that jump starts my day and makes me feel alive. Whether it is the fun of a new route, the buzz from a great run, quiet moments to solving problems or just the magic of capturing the sunrise - I love running. My only regret is that I didn't start running earlier in life. Running long distances has analogies to business - you are in it for the long haul. Special offer inside...

 
 
 
    
Hear Young Entrepreneurs Pitch Investors Tomorrow Night!
Ever wanted to help fund a startup? New companies are being launched in Bellevue through the 2016 class of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!). Join us tomorrow evening at Bellevue City Hall and hear YEA! middle and high school students pitch their business plans to an Investor Panel and have the opportunity to help fund their companies through the Bellevue Chamber Foundation!

Read more about the YEA! program from this recent article in 425 Magazine! 

 

East King County Chambers Coalition Legislative Wrap-Up
The Special Session is over and legislators have left the state capitol. Here is your chance to catch up with them and get the straight story on the Supplemental Budget, Charter Schools, the pathway to funding basic education and more.

Come join Delegates to the East King Chambers Coalition, local business leaders and our Eastside legislators for the Coalition's annual Legislative Wrap-Up. Emcee Randy Bannecker will moderate a panel of legislators, as they review bright and shining moments from the past Session, take a look ahead to 2017 and respond to your questions.


Eastside Business Award Winners!
Outstanding businesses on the Eastside that uphold a strong commitment to quality, community and innovation were recognized at the 27th Annual Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Eastside Business Awards reception and ceremony on March 31. This years winners include:
Check out videos from the event on our Facebook page, and download the 2016 Eastside Entrepreneur Magazine to get all the details about the winners and nominees!
You're invited to Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 8 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. 693.

WHERE STYLE AND SERVICE MEET a Newly Renovated Hotel and Experience!
 

Paid Feature Content
Advocacy Round Up: SeaTac Airport; New 520 Bridge Closure; Construction Alerts
Learn the latest about SeaTac Airport Expansion, a weekend closure heralding the opening of the new Evergreen Point Bridge and a Sound Transit construction alert for Downtown Bellevue.

 
Downtown condo sales started the year off strong through the first quarter. 32 condos sold averaging $734,365 and $589/sq. ft., up from $685,480 and $518/sq. ft. a year ago - an increase of 7% based on average price. With limited inventory, many buyers had to compete to buy with 31% of the condos selling for more than the list price in about a week or less. 
Courtesy Leslie Ota, Windermere Reak Estate 
Grand Connection Offers Bold New Vision
Plans to transform a stretch of Bellevue between the Meydenbauer Bay waterfront and the Eastside Rail Corridor into a "Grand Connection" took a leap forward with ideas suggested over the weekend by top architects, planners and artists.

 
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.

 
Puppy Power!
So what do puppies have to do with business? Well apparently they draw more attention in marketing than any other furry creature!

 
The Bellevue Chamber celebrated the opening of Embassy Suites Bellevue (above) on April 5, 2016! 

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings: 
Club Champion Golf
Wednesday, April 27
5:00 - 5:30pm

Wednesday, May 11
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.


Tax Day Trivia
One item of trivia - why is Tax Day later this year? For the answer and for more trivia read on!
 
Welcome New Members
The Aldridge Company
Asterride, LLC
Christie's Catering
Club Champion Golf
Coldwell Banker DanForth
CVS Pharmacy
Developing Minds, PLLC
DevelopmentWise
DuBois Cary Law Group
East West Bank
Hass Hojjati - John L. Scott
The HoneyBaked Ham Co. LLC
Independent Financial Group
mauSOULeum
VRstudios, Inc
Renewing Members
41 Years: Len's Automotive, Inc.
21 Years: Lakeville Construction Inc.
19 Years: Sound Credit Union
18 Years: Amica Mutual Insurance Co.
10 Years: Red Lion Hotel Bellevue
9 Years: Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS
8 Years: Residence Inn by Marriott - Seattle/Bellevue/Downtown
7 Years: Express Employment Professionals
4 Years: Home Depot
2 Years: Her Interactive