 For the past five years, we’ve kept our dues the same while continuing to grow our programs, events, and community support. Like many of you, we’ve seen our expenses increase, and it’s time to make an adjustment so we can keep serving you and the Covington business community at the level you expect.
Starting December 1, 2025, our membership rates will increase as follows:
These new rates will apply to new members starting December 1 and to current members when it’s time for your next renewal. In addition, we are reducing the early bird discount for calendar year renewals from 10% to 5%. We will phase out the discount next year. We understand rate changes aren’t easy, and we appreciate your continued partnership. This update will help us cover rising costs while still offering the advocacy, networking opportunities, events, and resources that make being part of the Covington Chamber so valuable. Our goal is to avoid any further rate increases in the foreseeable future. Thank you for being part of the Covington Chamber family. Your support helps our local business community thrive!  At last week's Member September luncheon, members voted unanimously to approve the board slate for the 2026 Covington Chamber board, previously approved at the chamber board's last meeting. Congratulations to these awesome directors for agreeing to serve another term!
This will leave one seat as of January 1, 2026. We are recruiting candidates for that seat. Interested in getting more involved in the Covington Chamber? You can apply to be considered for the board position here.  At yesterday's Member September luncheon, Dana Neuts and the Covington Chamber of Commerce were given the "Advocate of the Year" award for exceptional advocacy on behalf of the business community they serve. Dru Garson, director of chamber relations for Association of Washington Business's Grassroots Alliance, presented the award to Dana at our quarterly luncheon and annual celebration of our members. In addition to the "Advocate of the Year," the Covington Chamber board presented Dana with a caregiver award for her commitment to the Chamber and the Covington community.   The Covington Chamber of Commerce and the City of Covington invite the community to the 10th Covington Makers Market, presented by South East Asian Mart, on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Town Center Lawn, the site of the former Covington Elementary. Admission and parking are free. Started in 2022 with support from Real Life Church and the City, Covington Makers Market has become a beloved tradition, celebrating the creativity and talent of 80+ vendors including makers, bakers, creators, artists, artisans, small businesses, nonprofits, and food vendors. In addition to shopping and dining, guests can enjoy family-friendly activities that make the market a perfect day out for all ages. “This market is more than a place to shop — it’s where our community comes together to celebrate local talent, enjoy great food, and connect with neighbors,” said Dana Neuts, Chief Ambassador & CEO of the Covington Chamber. “We’re thrilled to be celebrating our 10th event with so many amazing vendors and partners.” Covington Makers Market is made possible through the generous support of South East Asian Mart (S.E.A. Mart), Covington Rotary, Smith Brothers Farms, Jean Wall State Farm, Pooja Anoop Photography, Republic Services, Real Life Church and Walmart. Event Details:
Contact: Keylona Temeyosa, [email protected], 253-780-1557 by Christina Metcalf  Some people think chambers of commerce work magic—and in many ways, they do. But to see real results and get the most from your membership, you need to be involved. Joining is a smart move, but the true value comes when you actively engage. If you’ve been wondering whether you’re making the most of your membership—or if you’re just starting out and you’re not sure how to get the most out of it—here are ten practical ways to tap into the value your chamber offers. 1. Show Up and Be Seen The simplest way to maximize your membership is to attend events. Networking mixers, ribbon cuttings, educational workshops, and signature luncheons put you face-to-face with other members, community leaders, and potential customers. Visibility builds trust, and trust builds business. 2. Introduce Yourself Online Most chambers offer a member directory, website listing, or social media shoutout for members. Take advantage of it! Ensure your business profile is up to date, includes a compelling description, and links to your website and social media. If your chamber tags members online, engage with their posts to boost visibility. Not sure what they’ll do for you on social—ask. Some chambers have tiers that give more social media and marketing exposure, while others are happy to give you a shoutout. 3. Use Member-Only Marketing Perks Chambers often provide exclusive opportunities to advertise in newsletters (or on their website), sponsor events, or be featured in business spotlights. These are often far more affordable than traditional advertising and directly reach a targeted local audience. Ask about low-cost or free ways to get featured. 4. Host or Sponsor Events Sponsorships aren’t just about logos on banners—they’re about association and visibility. Whether you sponsor a lunch and learn, co-host a networking mixer, or provide space for a meeting, you position your organization as a local leader and supporter of the community. Not into event sponsorships? There may be other opportunities such as naming conference rooms, sponsoring giveaways, or in-kind donations. Many chambers are doing some innovative and fun events with creative sponsorship opportunities. They may even be open to you suggesting your own. 5. Participate in Advocacy Efforts Your chamber is your voice at city hall and beyond. Stay informed about local legislation, zoning issues, and economic development initiatives that affect your business. Many chambers host candidate forums, legislative briefings, or policy committees—get involved to shape the future of your local economy. Additionally, voice your concerns and opinions so your chamber knows best how to advocate for you and your industry. 6. Leverage Learning Opportunities From business planning to digital marketing to hiring best practices, chambers often host workshops, webinars, and panel discussions to keep you abreast of trends and best practices. Use them. These sessions can save you hours of research—and sometimes thousands of dollars. Plus, you know the products, services, and companies presented in these learning ops are vetted and (usually) chamber members. 7. Connect with Other Members Chambers are a goldmine of potential partnerships. Need a CPA? Looking for a nonprofit to support? Want a trusted supplier? Look to your fellow members first. When you do business with others in the chamber, you contribute to a stronger, more connected local economy. These new partners may also send business your way. 8. Tell Your Story People want to do business with people they know, like, and trust. Share your milestones, success stories, or community impact with the chamber staff. Many chambers are happy to highlight member achievements in newsletters or on social media—it’s great exposure and helps build your reputation. Get personal. If your chamber asks you for a new member writeup for your business. Give it some thought. What do you want people to know most about you? How can you make them more curious about you so they’ll sample your offerings? Don’t just copy and paste your website’s about page. You want to give people moments where they feel connected to you. Ask yourself what is it about you and your business that people will identify with or find interesting. 9. Get Your Team Involved Your membership isn’t just for you—it’s for your whole team. Encourage staff to attend networking events, professional development events and leadership programs, or industry roundtables. It can boost morale, expand your reach, and help with talent retention. 10. Ask Questions and Offer Ideas Finally, know chambers are member-driven organizations. If you’re unsure how to plug in or have an idea for a new program or service, speak up. Chamber staff are usually eager to help and love hearing member feedback. Your input could lead to new initiatives that benefit the whole community. Your Chamber is a PartnerChamber membership benefits your business even if you don’t participate in all its offerings, but you’ll get a lot more if you’re an active member. Whether you’re a solopreneur, a nonprofit director, or the CEO of a growing company, your chamber is there to support your success. Get involved, build relationships, and use the tools available. You’ll not only grow your business—you’ll strengthen your community in the process. Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle, rediscovering the magic within.  The Covington Economic Development Council (CEDC) is hosting the city’s first-ever Restaurant Week, May 20-28, 2024. A partnership between the Covington Chamber of Commerce, the City of Covington and CEDC, the nine-day event is a celebration of Covington’s local dining scene. It will kick off on May 20 at 4:30 p.m. at Covington City Hall. The kickoff, which officially launches Covington Restaurant Week, will include fun surprises, giveaways, and free goodie bags to the first 25 people.
Covington Restaurant Week will feature nine participating restaurants that are offering special menus and different deals and promotions throughout the week. Seven of the participating restaurants are located in Covington – Applebee’s, Bruchelle’s Bagel Bistro, Cosmic Bottles, Just Poké, Nikki’s Restaurant & Lounge, The Rock Wood-Fired Pizza, and Grill In The Woods at Druids Glen. Two restaurants are not in Covington but they border the city limits and are Covington Chamber members, so they were invited to participate. Restaurants do not need to be members of the Chamber to be involved. The idea originated last fall by Diana Patterson of the Patterson Real Estate Team, a member of the Covington Chamber and CEDC. “Our restaurants have struggled the last few years, navigating the pandemic and dealing with rising costs and staff shortages. I wanted to find a way to uplift them while also bringing the community together,” Patterson said. “I approached Dana Neuts at the Covington Chamber, who got CEDC involved. We formed a planning committee and here we are!” “As we get closer to kickoff, it is so rewarding to see how excited the restaurants are to be a part of this event and the buzz that’s building in the community,” Neuts said. “It has been a lot of work, but our committee and CEDC came together to make it happen. We owe a big thanks to Diana for having the vision to try something new and supporting it 100% to see it through.” To encourage diners to visit participating restaurants multiple times throughout Restaurant Week, the team created a passport program. Each time a diner goes to a participating restaurant or dines at their favorite restaurant more than once, they’ll get a stamp. Each stamp represents an entry into a random prize drawing for restaurant gift cards to keep customers coming back after Restaurant Week is over. The event is supported by the Patterson Team, the presenting sponsor, as well as Red Canoe Credit Union, Auto-Chlor System, SpotOn and UW Valley Lifestyle Medicine powered by Pinnacle. Many of the restaurants have also donated gift cards to be used as prizes at the end of Restaurant Week. More information about Covington Restaurant Week, including how the passport program works and what diners can expect, is available at CovingtonRestaurantWeek.com. Each individual restaurant page includes details about their offer(s), location, hours, links to online menus, and more. Contact the Covington Chamber at 253-780-1557 or [email protected] with questions. by Erica Miller of EDM Consulting LLC  We are almost two-thirds into the first quarter, and it’s a good time to reflect on the plans we set in the final quarter of 2023 and see how they’re taking shape. If progress is lacking, it’s okay; you still have plenty of time to make all your business dreams come true. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking at a local chamber event, where I led attendees through a transformative exercise aimed at hitting the "RESET" button on their business. Here, I will highlight some of their insights in hopes of inspiring you! We talked about three key questions:
Let’s break down these questions to guide your RESET journey. What are your top achievements for 2023? Focus on the Review & Evolve stage of your RESET R - Review: Begin by reviewing the past year. What worked well? What didn't? Reflect on your achievements and setbacks to understand the bigger picture. Use these insights to guide your decisions moving forward. While doing this, remember to compartmentalize each area of your business to avoid getting overwhelmed. E - Evolve: Change is necessary and inevitable. Look at how your business, customers, and the market are evolving. Adapt your strategies, products, and/or services to stay relevant and competitive. Make sure your pricing represents your value in the marketplace. Look at your systems and processes to make sure they are efficient. Attendees shared their wins, here are a few highlights: becoming consistent with daily habits, expanding their network, finding a new location, staying accountable, and learning a new skill. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Just be honest with yourself and remember to celebrate all wins, big or small. Where do you want to be at the end of 2024? Focus on the strategizing stage of your RESET S - Strategize: With a clear understanding of the past and present, it's time to strategize for the future. Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and create an action plan. Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish! Our attendees envisioned ambitious goals, which were a great foundation for setting smaller SMART goals. Some of their responses were to provide financial education in underserved communities, get connected to the community, help others reach their goals, publish multiple books, have a better work-life balance, and build a storage facility. What resources do you need to reach your 2024 goals? Focus on this to help with execution and time management. E - Execute: Put your plans into action. Execution is the most difficult part of any plan. You have to be honest with yourself and determine how much time it will take to execute your action plan. Also, if you have a team, make sure they understand their roles and the goals ahead. Accountability for yourself and your team will turn your strategies into successful outcomes. T - Time Management: Finally, master the art of time management. Prioritize tasks, delegate when necessary, and use tools to stay organized. Delegate when necessary! In 2024, we will stop trying to do it ALL. Efficient time management will boost productivity and allow you to enjoy a better work-life balance. During the session, I emphasized the importance of being open and honest about the resources needed. I encouraged participants to listen actively, not only for their own benefit but also to identify opportunities where they could lend assistance or connect others with the resources they need. Recognizing the need for support is a significant challenge in entrepreneurship. It's essential to acknowledge what you need and where to seek it. Resources play a huge role in executing plans and maintaining effective time management. The attendees had many similarities in their responses, including referral partners, funding, accountability, and collaborative relationships. When looking for resources, be persistent and try various avenues of support. Many people are more than willing to offer guidance or point you in the right direction. Now you are fully equipped with the tools to RESET your business and make the rest of this year everything you wanted it to be and more! If you are looking for support in Resetting your business, we should chat! Schedule a free discovery call today. by Erica Miller, EDM Consulting LLC  It's our anniversary!
As I look back over this year, I am truly amazed at all that I've achieved. I have learned so much about myself while building my business. Transitioning to a full-time entrepreneur in 2022, wasn't an overnight decision but a culmination of experiences, learnings, and the evolution of my first business, which also celebrates its second anniversary! My initial business aimed to empower small businesses with tools for success, such as workbooks, planners and spreadsheets. However, I soon recognized a deeper need – direct assistance. This realization led to the birth of EDM Consulting, a decision I cherish every day. Starting my consulting business was the best decision; I have learned so many things while developing my business and assisting others! I've had the opportunity to work in so many new industries, and my client base continues to expand. I want to share with you the tips that got me to where I am today. If I were to start all over again, this is what I would change: Don’t be afraid to take risks and embrace failure. Only through trying new things will you find success. Your failures are the stepping stones to success. Fear almost held me back, but I'm grateful I pushed through. Every challenge has been a lesson, making me stronger and wiser. Understand what makes you unique and be comfortable in that. Show up as your most authentic self. Your unique perspective, skills, and abilities are what give you an edge. I spent so much time trying to be more like successful entrepreneurs in my field. I didn't think my personality worked for my line of business. That was so far from the truth! Once I accepted who I am as a person and let that shine, clients were drawn to my authenticity. I'm more comfortable and confident speaking to prospective clients, and I know my worth. Do your research! What you think your client needs may not be what they want. I've spent over a decade in management; problem-solving and creating solutions to increase productivity and efficiency. I used that experience to create my first set of products for clients as well as my first processes for assisting my clients. Despite having the knowledge and experience, my services were not in high demand. I learned that I had to understand how to speak the language of my ideal clients and not just offer products and services that I thought they needed. What I offer hasn't changed, but my delivery has. Play to your strengths and leverage your talents and skills. Outsource or delegate what you aren't as good at. When you are starting or running a business, you are most efficient when you learn your strengths early on. Don't waste time perfecting a skill that you aren't good at. Your time is just as valuable as your money. Determine which tasks make sense to outsource instead of trying to do it on your own. Then, you can dedicate your time to the areas where you excel and have more time to focus on serving your clients. I hope these tips will help you in your journey to success. Don’t be afraid to take risks and make mistakes; it’s the only way to grow. Always be yourself and trust the process! Find resources that can help you get through challenging times. There's no need to do it alone. There are so many avenues of support, both paid and free. Please feel free to reach out to me for support at any time. If I cannot assist you, I have a network of people who can. Raising my glass, toasting to many more years of success for your business and mine! |
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