Chamber banquet celebrates accomplishments, opportunities

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce had a good year, outgoing Chair Kim Pope said Tuesday evening at the Chamber’s annual meeting and banquet. 

“There has been a lot of stuff that has happened,” Pope said. “The Farm Family Brunch: We had over 300 people in attendance this year. The Business Expo was our largest to date and was featured with a live remote on the Spanish radio station out of Wenatchee. It (filled) two building rooms this year. Business After Hours (had) record attendance, and we're booked out through all of next year for hosting them. Forty-three ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings. We added the Community Cowboy Breakfast this year and fed over 235 people as we kicked off fair and rodeo week. (At) the (fair) exhibitor breakfast we served over 360 meals. (At the) rodeo contestant slack breakfast, we served over 400 meals over two days. The candidate forums for the general election, the Senior Picnic with more than 800 people in attendance.” 

The Chamber also made strides in workforce recruitment and development, Pope said, and successfully launched the Catalyst Center with five small businesses. 

This was the 84th annual meeting, held at the Grant County Fairgrounds. The theme for the meeting was “Building and Expanding Opportunities.” Michael’s on the Lake catered dinner, which featured baron of beef and roasted half-chickens, and the Chamber hosted a selection of beers, wines and spirits. Covenant Christian School students served and cleaned up.  

Chamber member businesses decorated tables in an astonishing variety of styles, and attendees were invited to browse the tables and vote for their favorites. First place went to Miner Services, second to AgWest Farm Credit and third to Guild Mortgage. 

The Chamber Ambassadors, a team of Chamber members who attend all the ribbon-cuttings and help with events, awarded their first Ambassador of the Year award. That went to Kevin Farias of Cage Cleaning. 

“The man shows up and helps out whenever anybody needs him to,” said Ambassador General Alan Heroux. 

In addition, Heroux thanked Chamber Director Debbie Doran-Martinez and Marketing Director Lori Robins. 

“We don't do nearly enough bragging unapologetically about (these) two people who keep showing up for Moses Lake, rolling up their sleeves and finding one more way to make this community stronger,” Heroux said. “If you've ever walked into the chamber and felt the buzz, you felt their fingerprints over the last few years … Across the country, many chambers are struggling. Membership pressures, changing work habits and shifting expectations have made it tough to keep events full and values obvious. And yet we continue to grow and stay relevant because these two keep innovating, diversifying revenue … connecting people in ways that actually move the needle. This is not an accident. This is leadership. Most importantly, Debbie and Lori do all this the Moses Lake way with heart, humor and a phone number that always seems to work, even on weekends. They don't just schedule events; they steward relationships. They don't just post flyers. They tell a story over and over until the rest of Washington hears it.” 

A third person has joined the team at the Chamber, Heroux said. Christine Haguewood, manager of the Moses Lake Farmers Market, will also serve as the Chamber’s membership director. 

In one of her last acts as board chair, Pope awarded the Chairman’s Award to Miner Services. 

“This year's recipient is a champion of our community, a strong supporter of the chamber and many other organizations in our community,” Pope said. “They consistently participate professionally and personally in community events and activities that strengthen our community …  I look at our community. What are they doing in the community to bring our community together, to make it stronger?” 

Miner Services led the effort to refurbish the fountain that decorated the lake next to the Alder Street Fill, Pope said, with help from the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District, Moses Lake Steel Supply, Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center, Platt Electric Supply, Neppel Electric and Controls, Signs Now, Pro Rentals and Sales and the Chamber of Commerce. 

“It is beautiful,” Pope said. “And we really have those people to thank for that.” 

Part of the Chamber’s annual meeting is the Moses Lake Ag Hall of Fame, which recognizes community members who have contributed to local agriculture. Sid and Dabbie Sackmann and state Rep. Tom Dent were this year’s honorees. 

The evening finished with the passing of the gavel, as Pope handed over the chairmanship to incoming Chairman Roger Silva of Rayburn Group. 

“This year, our theme was opportunities,” Silva said. “For the next year, I want to focus on opportunities. This community has given all of us an opportunity in one shape or form. As this community continues to grow, and we all know that it's growing fast, I want us to all look out and find some opportunities, whether it's just meeting somebody, a business venture, helping someone or something, or … giving somebody some advice. Let's expand and see whatever opportunity comes our way this year, and let's continue to build this wonderful community that we all live in.” 

An earlier version of this story misstated Christine Haguewood's roles with the Moses Lake Farmers Market and the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. It has been corrected above.

    Tables at the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce meeting and banquet Tuesday were decorated with some ornate displays.
  

    Seth, left, and Rachel Miner received the Chairman’s Award at the Moses Lake Chamber banquet Tuesday for their work in the community and especially on restoring the town fountain.
  

    From left: Chamber Ambassador General Alan Heroux and outgoing Chamber Board Chair Kim Pope thank Executive Director Debbie Doran-Martinez and Marketing Director Lori Robins for their hard work and dedication to the Chamber.