Bothell-Kenmore chamber holds first general meeting of the year

It took place at the Northshore Senior Center on Jan. 23.

By Blake Peterson • January 28, 2020 8:30 am

On Jan. 23, the Bothell-Kenmore Chamber of Commerce held its first meeting of the year at the Northshore Senior Center (NSC).

The meeting included reflections on what the chamber accomplished in 2019, what it hopes to do this year, the announcement of the Ambassador of the Year and more.

Currently, there are more than 380 members in the chamber representing businesses from 17 cities in total. In addition to Bothell and Kenmore, some businesses have locations in other cities and owners who live in other cities.

“This is our happiest day of the year,” Carmin Dalziel, executive director for Northshore Schools Foundation, said at the beginning of the meeting.

In addition to introductions of new chamber members, the earlier portion of the meeting saw Kenmore city manager Rob Karlinsey share a brief update on his city. He updated the audience on the recently enacted financial sustainability task force in Kenmore, progress on the West Sammamish Bridge project and the status of an in-the-works shell house structure at Rhododendron Park in the city.

“The chamber has been a great partner with the city of Kenmore and we’ve been able to accomplish a lot of great things together,” Karlinsey said. “We just look forward to that continued partnership.”

A state of Kenmore luncheon, during which Karlinsey will delve more into the city’s status, is currently scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 19 at the Inglewood Golf Club.

There were no representatives from Bothell who spoke at the meeting.

Following Karlinsey’s update, chamber executive director Brittany Caldwell presented on what the organization achieved in 2019. According to Caldwell, there were 30-plus committee meetings, five large community events that attracted about 2,500-plus visitors, 30,000 visitors to the chamber’s member directory, 50,000 visitors to the organization’s calendar of events and more last year.

Caldwell said the chamber also raised more than $3,500 for student scholarships at the Holiday Dinner & Auction Fund-A-Need, and raised $1,204 and collected 825 pounds of food for NSC during its annual Chilifest event, which will be celebrating 13 years this year.

“I get so excited for this day to talk about all the wonderful things that we have in store for you in the coming year,” Caldwell said. “We live and breathe this community and it is our job to support you and help you all grow and be successful.”

Five community events, as of Jan. 23, are planned for this year, according to Caldwell’s presentation. The closest is the Bothell Block Party & Brewfest set for May 16. Both community and chamber events are listed on the organization’s website at bit.ly/38xRzUk.

J.D. Davis of Sundance Energy Services, who is one of the founders of the Bothell-Kenmore Chamber, was awarded Ambassador of the Year.

The next chamber event is the grand opening of Cut + Flow, a new fitness studio, from 1-5 p.m. on Feb. 1.

To learn more about the chamber, go to bit.ly/2NTgHwS.