At its 2008 kickoff meeting in mid-January, the Greater Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce will get to hear about the future of the Greater Queen Anne business community from economist and consultant Matthew Gardner of Gardner Johnson. The meeting will be held Thursday, Jan. 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ponti Seafood Grill, located at 3014 Third Ave. N., off Nickerson near the Fremont Bridge. Lunch is $25 per person for members, $30 nonmembers.
Members and the public who wish to attend the Jan. 17 meeting at Ponti Seafood Grill should contact the Chamber at www.qachamber.org or call 283-6876.
This meeting is one of several actions planned for 2008 to focus on the challenges of growth. According to a recent survey of GQACC members, transportation and traffic are major concerns of the Queen Anne business community.
Other plans to address member concerns about the delivery of goods, services and customer mobility include working with a group of business and community leaders on proposed transit routes for streetcars or trams and maximizing the role of board members who interface with other agencies. For example, board member Peter Philips of Philips Publishing Group is an appointed member of the tri-agency state, county and city task force dealing with the viaduct. He will represent the Greater Queen Anne Chamber and the Seattle Maritime Business Coalition. Chamber president Don Lagerquist of Edward Jones and treasurer Phil Webb of Bay Bank will continue meeting with Port of Seattle, Vulcan, Gates and Fremont business representatives to discuss the Two Way Mercer Proposal and extending it from Ninth Avenue North to Elliott Avenue.
On Jan. 26, board members will participate in their fourth annual leadership workshop facilitated by Steve Snyder, vice president of local chamber relations of the California Chamber of Commerce. The all-day retreat is an opportunity for the board to discuss concerns, prioritize issues and map the path of action for the coming year.
Chamber board members for 2008 are: Fran Calhoun, Coldwell Banker Bain; Arlene Cherwin, Writer & Editor; Isabel Egglin, Queen Anne Historical Society; Mike Garner, Law Firm of Stokes Lawrence; Bill Hoffer, Wardrobe
Design; Jane Horowitz, OpShop Queen Anne; Don Lagerquist, Edward Jones; Matt Long, Long
Retirement Management; Ann Pearce, Church of Scientology of Washington State; Peter Philips, Philips Publishing Group; Dave Peterson, Midlakes Insurance; Phil Webb, Bay Bank; Craig Wilson, Video Isle; Hossein Soleymani, HomeStreet Bank; and Christopher Togawa, Christopher Togawa Insurance Agency.
Submitted by Ann R. Pearce
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