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Looking for local gifts or experiences this holiday season? Check out our Covington Holiday Gift Guide featuring some of our Covington Chamber members! Shop local.
Annual SSCCLC Legislative Breakfast Returns Dec. 16 with Keynote from Attorney General Nick Brown12/3/2025
 The South Sound Chambers of Commerce Legislative Coalition invites local legislators, government officials, businesses, and community organizations to attend their annual legislative breakfast. This year’s event will take place at Emerald Downs (2300 Ron Crockett Dr., Auburn, WA 98001) on Tues., Dec. 16 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. The breakfast will feature special guest speaker Attorney General Nick Brown and a legislative caucus panel with Senator Chris Gildon, Senator Tina Orwall, Representative Chris Stearns, and Representative Drew Stokesbary. In addition, executives from each of the participating chambers of commerce – Seattle Southside, Auburn Area Connect, Kent Chamber, Puyallup-Sumner Chamber, Vashon Island Chamber, Covington Chamber, and Renton Chamber – will share the coalition’s priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Focus areas include public safety, attainable housing, education, transportation, small businesses, budget and taxes, and more. "This is an important event that allows members of the business community throughout the South Sound to hear from statewide elected officials and local legislators about what to expect during the 2026 legislative session," said Sam Pace, the coalition's secretary, who also served as its founding president when the coalition formed 20 years ago. "This annual legislative preview breakfast has proven to be a tremendously important opportunity for the business community to convey its expectations and hopes for legislative policies and restraint that will be important for the survival of businesses,” Pace added. “Working with our legislators, our goal is to continue to preserve and enhance economic vitality and quality of life in South King County, and North and East Pierce County." The breakfast is made possible by local sponsors, including platinum sponsor Comcast Business; gold sponsors Boeing and Seattle King County REALTORS; and table sponsors Renton Technical College, the City of Auburn, Renton Chamber of Commerce, and Covington Chamber of Commerce. Tickets and additional information about sponsorships for the event are available at SSCCLC.org/events. Following the event, SSCCLC’s 2026 issue paper will be available for review.  About South Sound Chambers of Commerce Legislative Coalition (SSCCLC)
The coalition unites Chambers of Commerce from South King County and North and East Pierce County to advocate for business-related legislation and public policy that support economic prosperity. By amplifying the collective voice of the region’s business community, the coalition develops annual legislative priorities and engages in policy efforts that advance the interests of local employers. The coalition represents more than 3,262 businesses, employing over 185,977 workers and generating more than $100 billion in revenue across South King and North Pierce counties. Key industries include manufacturing, retail, services, and warehousing. SSCCLC focuses on economic vitality, job creation, competitiveness, and regional productivity by advocating for fully funded transportation infrastructure, investment in education and workforce development, attainable housing, better access to health services, and improved public safety. We love the holidays. It is a great time to connect with friends and neighbors and to support local businesses and our community. Here are a few events we'll be involved in. We'd love to see you. Visit the links for each event to RSVP. Joint Holiday Mixer with Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber @ Edline-Yahn: Dec. 2, 2025 (4:30-6 p.m.) Edline-Yahn & Covington Funeral Chapel is hosting a holiday mixer for the Covington and Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chambers at their beautiful facility (27221 156th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98042), just over the Covington border. We hope you'll join us for...
Don't miss the fun. RSVP today: https://form.jotform.com/253068855233158 Morning Meetup @ Nikki's Restaurant & Lounge: Dec. 4, 2025 (8 to 9 a.m.) For our early risers, this is a great opportunity to network and make new connections before starting your work day. Nikki's will provide morning everages and a light treat, and we'll kick off the networking. Everyone will get a chance to introduce themselves and say a few words about what they do. Bring business cards! RSVP here: https://covington.chambermate.com/event-detail/RP9bKgEAR9aB_IrYVR0YYA2/monthly-morning-meetup-nikki-s Ugly Sweater Luncheon This event is an annual favorite. Don your ugliest holiday sweater, and join us for our final luncheon of the year. This year, we are collecting nonperishable food and hygiene supplies for The (Covington) Storehouse and Vine Maple Place. This year's event is sponsored by Edward Jones.
Members: $35 Nonmembers: $40 Sign up here by EOB, Fri., Dec. 5: https://form.jotform.com/253155283165053  On Monday, we kicked off our 2nd annual Covington Restaurant Week, a celebration of our community’s vibrant dining scene and the incredible local businesses that make Covington such a special place to live, work, and play. 10 restaurants and 7 days of deals! Get all the deals, including each restaurant's special offer, at CovingtonRestaurantWeek.com. This week-long event shines a spotlight on 10 participating restaurants that bring unique flavors and friendly service to our community:
Restaurant Week is all about encouraging our community to drink local and dine local — because every meal, coffee, or treat you enjoy here supports local jobs, fuels our economy, and helps small businesses thrive. We couldn’t make this event happen without the incredible support of our sponsors and partners:
📅 Covington Restaurant Week runs Nov. 10–16, 2025. Be sure to visit your favorite spots — and maybe discover a new one!   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. |
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