The Kirkland Chamber of Commerce is excited to host a informative event focusing on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the housing sector. This event will take place on July 11th at the Heathman Hotel in Downtown Kirkland. Event Details: Date: July 11 Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Venue: The Heathman Hotel, Downtown Kirkland Registration: About the Event: Housing plays a crucial role in shaping our workforce and community. Understanding this dynamic is essential for fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment. This event will provide a platform to discuss the impact of housing on workforce development and explore solutions to enhance equity in our community. Who Should Attend: Real Estate Professionals Representatives from Building Associations Government Officials Policy Makers Community Members interested in DEIA initiatives Featured Speakers: Join us to hear from a diverse panel of experts across the housing industry, to be announced soon. Why You Should Attend: Gain a deeper understanding of the intersection between housing and workforce development. Engage with leaders and influencers in the housing industry. Contribute to important discussions that will shape the future of our community. We look forward to seeing you there and engaging in these important conversations. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of shaping a more inclusive future. Register now to reserve your spot! For more information, please visit www.KirklandChamber.org/DEIA or contact us at info@kirklandchamber.org or 425-822-7066 .

The City of Kirkland is excited to extend an invitation to apply to participate in our upcoming Workshop and Pitch Competition, tailored specifically for small businesses like yours.  Event Details: Application Link: http://tinyurl.com/ypxfz4sp Date: Every Tuesday from February 20 to March 19 Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Venue: Peter Kirk Community Center, Kirkland Pitch Competition: April 3, 5:30 PM at Kirkland Performing Center  Workshops: Basics of Business Date: February 20, 2024 Speaker: Cameron Wong and Christian Switzer, MBA Time: 11 AM-1 PM Location: Peter Kirk Community Center This is a crash course in the investment required of local small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to both compete in a pitch competition and scale their businesses: time, effort, and a little outside help. Specific topics will include basic legalities such as organization, licensing, and taxes; an assessment of skillset, risk, and needed resources; and an overview of the competition, including requirements, schedule, learning deliverables, and prizes. Lean Canvas Business Plan and Market Research Date: February 27, 2024 Speaker: Jim Lopez, MPA, JD, and Christian Switzer, MBA Time: 11 AM-1 PM Location: Peter Kirk Community Center Attendees will learn how to use Lean Canvas to summarize the primary components of a business plan. Emphasized will be identifying customer segments and competition, branding, revenue forecasting, and sustainable profitability. Extensive Q&A to follow. The Business of Finances for Small Businesses Date: March 5, 2024 Speaker: Stephanie Morris, CPA Time: 11 AM-1 PM Location: Peter Kirk Community Center This session will cover the tax, audit, and accounting side coupled with the funding and budgetary side, respectively. The reporting requirements, risks, and common missteps of the small business owner will be reviewed so that attendees learn the value of recordkeeping and accurate financial statements. In addition, attendees will learn how to calculate, plan for, and communicate initial and ongoing capital funding needs to afford them their greatest opportunity for successful launch and growth. Marketing and More Date: March 12, 2024 Speaker: Startup425 Time: 11 AM-1 PM Location: Peter Kirk Community Center Presented by Startup425, attendees will learn how to communicate their vision with potential stakeholders, including customers, lenders, and judges. Entrepreneurs are the consummate do-it-yourselfers: focused, ambitious, resolute. Yet a common challenge remains the “sell”…the effective influence of a target audience toward a desired outcome. Branding strategies, sales techniques, and presentation how-to’s will all be covered. Preparing to Pitch Date: March 19, 2024 Speaker: Startup425 Time: 11 AM-1 PM Location: Peter Kirk Community Center Need assistance with your pitch? In-person coaching sessions will be available to contestants to help refine their presentation for the live pitch in front of the panel of judges. Live Pitch Finale! Date: April 3, 2024 Time: Doors Open at 5:30 PM, Competition starts at 6 Location: Kirkland Performance Center The Live Pitch will be judged by a panel of three judges in a competition for the $5,000 grand prize awards. All contestants will be required to give their pitch in person. Our engaging workshops at the Peter Kirk Community Center will cover essential topics to fuel your business growth, including: Pitch Competition: Participants will have the chance to showcase their businesses at the Kirkland Performing Center, featuring three-minute pitches across three categories: People’s Choice, Start-Up, and Expansion. The top finalists in each category are eligible for prizes of $5,000 Registration: Small businesses across all industries are invited to register online through open forms . The limit is 43 businesses, and applicants will be selected by a random generator. Accepted participants will be notified by February 16, 2024. This event aims to foster growth, innovation, and collaboration within Kirkland's entrepreneurial community. We believe your business has the potential to shine in this dynamic environment. To apply fill out this form . For more information or questions, please reach out to Christian Switzer at cswitzer@kirklandwa.gov . We look forward to your participation and the opportunity to witness the growth of your business! If these dates and times do not work for you, reach out to the Renton Downtown Partnership about their upcoming Workshops and Pitch Competition which is at a later date with evening classes.

Celebrate 105 years at the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Gala, held this year on Saturday, April 20 th at The Westin, Bellevue. Our highly anticipated party of the year will be celebrated with a “Come Glow With Us” theme. Step into neon lights, festive dress, and as always, an amazing line-up of auction items including a Sonoma/Napa package at the Fairmont Hotel, A personal paella party in your home, a millionaire’s perfect date night, a Key West/Bahamas cruise, and so much more. Doors open at 5:30 with a hosted bar, complimentary wine, bubbles, and appetizers, and then on to a seated dinner and dancing. Tickets are on sale here!

Join us for a delightful evening at the Kirkland Wine Walk on March 22nd, a unique event supporting the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and the Kirkland Downtown Association. This 21+ event invites you to explore downtown Kirkland, enjoying tastings from top Washington wineries and breweries within local galleries, boutiques, and businesses. A perfect blend of wine, community, and local culture, this event is a must-attend for wine enthusiasts and those looking to support local businesses. Don’t miss out on this memorable night—tickets are limited!  Confirmed Wine , Beer & Spirit Vendors: 2 Towns Ciderhouse Bellissimo Cellars Copper Cat Distillery Drum Roll Wine House of Smith James Bay Distillers Market Vineyards Mastrogiannis Distillery & Winery Parejas Cellars Patterson Cellars Rider Cellars RR Poet Swede Hill Distilling T2 Cellar Whidbey Island Distillery Wohlfert Craft Distilling Woodinville Ciderworks Zerba Cellars zzaphoria spirits

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to usher in the holiday cheer than with a delightful twist on tradition? This December 1st, The Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and the Kirkland Downtown Association invite you to a whimsical winter soiree that promises to warm your hearts and spirits. Join us as we […] The post Ugly Sweaters and Elegant Sips: The Kirkland Winter Wine Walk Experience appeared first on Kirkland WA Chamber of Commerce.

Hey there, Halloween enthusiasts and party aficionados! Can you feel that chill in the air? That’s not just the approach of fall; it’s the infectious excitement brewing for one of the most anticipated nights of the year! This Friday, October 27th, the serene streets of Kirkland will be transformed into a Halloween haven! No, not […] The post The Ultimate Spook-tacular Night in Kirkland Awaits! 🌃🎃 appeared first on Kirkland WA Chamber of Commerce.

Exciting news! The Kirkland Chamber of Commerce is in the process of preparing our annual directory. If you want to boost your visibility, ad sales are open now! We’ve partnered with Town Square Publishing for this endeavor. Please reach out to Sue Tibbits at stibbits@tspubs.com for ad inquiries and details. Not only will the directory […] The post Kirkland Chamber of Commerce Annual Directory appeared first on Kirkland WA Chamber of Commerce.

The Kirkland Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the inaugural Vitality Trade Fair. For the first time, we’re blending healthcare, business services, and employment opportunities into one exciting event. Please mark your calendars for October 11th and join us at the Lake Washington Technical Institute in Kirkland for an unforgettable experience! In the rapidly evolving landscape of […] The post Join the Vitality Trade Fair: Building Resilience in Business and Wellness! appeared first on Kirkland WA Chamber of Commerce.