Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Business Connection February 2025 by Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce

Business Connection

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Bonnie Delaney CEO

Navigating the Rapids of Chamber Life

recently came across a meme of a kayaker caught in raging white water—bouncing through the rapids, never quite in control, but somehow making it through in one piece, still upright. That pretty much sums up my time at the Chamber so far! There have been plenty of turbulent moments, but through it all, we’ve managed to stay afloat, right side up, and moving forward.

This past weekend, we wrapped up sQuatch Fest, and I’m happy to report that the event went off without any major issues. Of course, there were things we did well and a few things we’ll tweak for next year. It’s always a whirlwind, but the end result made it all worthwhile.

One thing that amazes me is the sheer dedication of our volunteers. Without them, events like sQuatch Fest—and so much of what we do at the Chamber—simply wouldn’t be possible. We are a small but mighty staff, and it’s the volunteers who truly make it all happen. Their time, energy, and commitment to our community are nothing short of inspiring and I couldn’t be more proud to be associated with them.

Beyond our volunteers, the support of our sponsors and Chamber members plays a critical role in our success. Their financial contributions, promotional efforts, and belief in our mission allow us to grow, adapt, and bring valuable initiatives and events to the community. It’s incredible to be part of such a strong and engaged Chamber family.

So, while the waters may get rough at times, I know we have the right crew paddling together. Here’s to keeping the momentum going and tackling whatever rapids come next—together!

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors

Sean Kiffe

President NORPAC

Pam Whittle

President Elect

Realty One Group Pacifica

Jason Meunier

Treasurer

Fibre Federal Credit Union

Nicole Tideman Legal Counsel Walstead Mertsching

Diane Craft Vice President Koelsch Communities

Rich Coleman Bicoastal Media

Duane Dalgleish Cowlitz PUD

Michelle Domenico St. John/PeaceHealth

Bill Fogarty Twin City Bank

Kristin Gaines Alcoa

Kelly Godden Specialty Rents

Veryl Anderson City Council, Kelso

John Paul KUKN-KLOG-101.5 The Blitz

Ted Sprague Cowlitz Economic Development Council

MaryAlice Wallis City of Longview

Seth McNelly Children's Discovery Museum

Elish Jolma Sho'me Real Estate

Keith Johason Smurfit / Westrock

Hosted by:

A Century of Service in 2025

Tuesday, February 11 | 5 PM - 7 PM

Walstead Mertsching PS has been providing valuable legal services since 1925.

The Walstead Mertsching Law Firm is focused on providing you with the personal attention and representation that you need to solve your challenging legal problems throughout Washington & Oregon.

Each of our seasoned attorneys at the Walstead Mertsching Law Firm focus on several di erent practice areas, allowing us to o er a wide variety of services to clients—everything from personal injury to estate planning.

No matter your needs, our team is committed to helping you understand your rights under the law every step of the way. We pride ourselves on fostering a relationship of trust with each and every one of our clients, so don’t wait. Discover what a century of experience can do for you.

Don’t miss out on the best networking event in Cowlitz county! Meet with fellow chamber and community members

A Legendary Weekend of Fun, Food, and Bigfoot Lore!

A

Huge

Shoutout to Our Amazing Sponsors

This incredible event wouldn’t be possible without the support of our generous sponsors:

• Summerland Catering, Ashtown Brewing Company, Scythe Brewery, Capstone Cellars, Roland Wines –for keeping our spirits high with fantastic food and drinks!

• Fibre Federal, Lower Columbia Longshoremen’s Federal Credit Union, Sleep Inn, Sho’Me Real Estate, Port of Longview, Mt St. Helens Gifts, Atsound Broadband, Cowlitz County Veterans Center – for helping make this event a reality.

• Bigfoot Screen Printing, Bigfoot Society Podcast, Foster Farms, Gibbs & Olson, High Performance Homes, and CalPortland – for their incredible contributions and support.

A Legendary Vendor Lineup

sQuatch Fest wouldn't be complete without its fantastic lineup of vendors! Attendees browsed unique Bigfootthemed merchandise and handcrafted goodies while enjoying an array of food trucks offering everything from BBQ to gourmet coffee.

Media Partners Who Made It Loud and Clear

A massive thank you to our media sponsors for spreading the word and keeping the sQuatch Fest buzz alive: Rocket 107, KLYK, KEDO, KBAM, The Peak, KLOG/KUNK/101.5 The Blitz, and KRKZ!

Whether you came to find proof of Bigfoot’s existence or just to enjoy some incredible food, craft beer, and good company, sQuatch Fest 2025 delivered on all fronts. If you missed it, don’t worry—start growing out your beard now and mark your calendars for next year’s event. Until then, keep your eyes on the woods… you never know what / who might be watching!

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Kristin Stafford Accounting Manager

Rethinking Cash Handling at Events: Past, Present, and Future

As an event like sQuatch Fest comes to a close, it's a perfect time to reflect on past cash-handling practices for events and consider how they’ve evolved—and how they can continue to improve in the future. Each year brings new challenges and opportunities, especially when managing large amounts of cash. Whether overseeing a box office, working as a vendor, or running a registration table at smaller events, implementing best practices helps maintain security, accuracy, and trust with attendees and staff.

How Cash Was Handled in the Past

In earlier years, cash handling at events was often manual and relied on basic systems. Transactions were recorded on paper, and cash was physically counted at the end of each shift or day. Vendors and event staff typically used cash boxes to store money, with frequent reconciliations required to ensure accuracy. While these methods were effective, they also depended heavily on human oversight, carrying a higher risk for mistakes or discrepancies—particularly when large sums of money were involved.

How Cash Is Handled Currently

Today, we’ve seen notable improvements in systems and tools for managing cash. The integration of more advanced point-ofsale (POS) systems and cash tracking software has streamlined the process, making it more secure and accurate. Cash still plays a significant role, but the use of digital tools has helped reduce discrepancies and improved accountability. For example, vendors and even our box office at sQuatch Fest implemented real-time tracking, which made it easier to monitor cash flow and minimize errors.

Security has also been a top priority, with cash stored in secure locations and best practices being followed to reduce the amount of cash on hand at many events. For us, here at the Chamber, this year's approach was more organized, but there’s always room for improvement as we continue to grow.

What Could Change for Future Events?

Looking ahead, several strategies could improve cash handling for future events like sQuatch Fest:

• More Digital Payment Options: While cash remains essential at many events, expanding digital payment options—such as mobile wallets, credit cards, and contactless payments—would reduce reliance on cash. These options would also make transactions faster, more secure, and easier to track.

• Enhanced POS Systems: Larger-scale events could benefit from more sophisticated POS systems that integrate seamlessly with ticketing platforms and vendor sales. These systems could provide instant data on sales and cash flow, allowing event organizers to stay on top of finances in real time.

• Cashless Wristbands or Tokens: For events with high foot traffic, offering cashless wristbands or tokens would provide a safer and more convenient way to handle payments. These systems are already popular at festivals and trade shows, where guests can load funds onto wristbands and make purchases without the need for physical cash.

Best Practices for Handling Large Amounts of Cash: Ensuring Security and Accuracy

Handling cash during high-volume transactions can be complex, but by following best practices, you can help ensure smooth and secure cash management:

• Establish Clear Protocols: Before any event, set clear cashhandling protocols. These should cover everything, from who handles the money to how transactions are recorded and how cash is stored and transferred. Having detailed processes in place helps reduce errors and potential security risks.

• Use a Cash Register or POS System: A point-of-sale (POS) system or cash register is essential for tracking sales and minimizing errors. These systems provide a digital record of transactions, which is helpful for reconciling cash at the end of the day. If you’re working without a POS, use a logbook to track each transaction.

• Count Cash in Secure Locations: Always count cash in a secure, private area away from public view. Set up a “safe zone” where only authorized staff can access the money. This helps reduce theft and ensures the process remains controlled.

• Limit Cash Access: Minimize the number of people handling cash to maintain security and accountability. Assign trusted

individuals to oversee cash handling and keep a log of who has access to the money at any given time. This will help trace any discrepancies.

• Regular Cash Reconciliation: Frequent cash reconciliations are essential during high-volume events. Regularly count and verify the cash you have, comparing it to your sales log or POS report. This helps catch errors or discrepancies early.

• Secure Cash Storage: Always store cash in a locked cash box or safe when it’s not in use. Ensure that the cash storage is accessible only to authorized personnel and is out of reach of the public.

• Prepare for Change: Make sure you have an adequate supply of small bills for making change. Arrive at your event with enough denominations and periodically restock as needed. Running out of small bills can lead to customer frustration.

• Deposit Cash Regularly: To reduce the amount of cash on hand, deposit money into a secure location as frequently as possible. Whether you’re a vendor at a trade show or managing box office sales, make regular deposits during breaks or shift changes to reduce the risk of theft.

• Train Staff: Ensure that anyone handling cash is properly trained on the organization’s cash-handling procedures. Proper training ensures that staff can handle money securely, make accurate transactions, and follow best practices.

By following these best practices, you can ensure the safe and effective handling of large amounts of cash at events. A wellorganized system not only helps prevent errors but also enhances security and accountability. Cash handling has come a long way, but as technology advances and events grow, it’s important to continue innovating and adapting. Whether that means embracing digital payment solutions, upgrading POS systems, or improving cash security, the goal remains the same: to ensure a seamless, secure, and enjoyable experience for both attendees and staff.

Kelso Business and Community Association

Lindsey Cope President

Luck, Legends, and Local Fun: KBCA’s First Quarter Festivities

The Kelso Business and Community Association (KBCA) is gearing up for an exciting start to 2025 with two major community events designed to engage the community, support local businesses, and celebrate the city’s rich history!

First up is our second Progressive Dinner with a Historic Twist, set to take place in late February. This event invites participants to embark on a culinary journey through downtown Kelso, enjoying delicious courses at Kelso restaurants while learning about the fascinating history of prohibition in our area. The event is structured as a choose-your-own-adventure experience, allowing guests to create a customized dining and history tour that suits their tastes and interests around the prohibition program time from an engaging speaker from the Cowlitz County Historical Museum. Last year, the Bites, Brews, and Brothels event sold out so keep an eye out. Limited tickets are available and will be on sale soon!

Following closely behind, KBCA is thrilled to host the 2nd Annual Shamrock Shuffle on March 15. This event is a vital fundraiser that helps support KBCA’s programs and initiatives in Kelso, ensuring continued efforts in community engagement, business support, and local development. The success of last year's event directly contributed to the creation of the Kelso Kids Market, the doubling of our flower planter program and providing two full plantings for participating businesses, the Bites, Brews, and Brothels Progressive Dinner and Walking Tour last summer, and the Holiday Caravan to Lights in the Park.

meeting is on Tuesday, February 25th at 9:30 AM at the Cowlitz County Historical Museum.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to get involved, please reach out to Lindsey at cope@cowlitzedc.com or keep up with us at www.letsgokelso.com or www.facebook.com/

This lively event, which debuted last year to great success, brings together community members for a festive and interactive experience. Participants will embark on an Adult Easter Egg Hunt with a St. Patrick’s Day twist, searching for hidden prizes throughout Tam O’ Shanter Park. Following the frenzy of the egg hunt, they embark to a second location to redeem prizes from eggs with tickets in them. Each egg has a prize valued between $1 and $500+!

We are currently seeking sponsors for the Shamrock Shuffle to help make this event even more impactful. Sponsorship packages offer great visibility for businesses while directly contributing to community programs. Interested sponsors can reach out to Lindsey Cope with the KBCA for more details or check out Shamrock Shuffle | Kelso Business & Com for more information.

Both events reflect KBCA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening community ties, promoting economic vitality, and celebrating Kelso’s heritage. As we work with sponsors and local partners to bring these experiences to life, we invite businesses and community members to join us in making these events a success. Our next

with automated

bankwithheritagenw.com/business-express

Devoted to your care

Serving Cowlitz County for more than 80 years.

Kathy Beebe Witham, RN

Inpatient Nurse providing care to the community for 22 years

PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center

peacehealth.org/devoted-to-you

Legislative Updates

19th & 20th District Delegation

Legislative Updates

19th & 20th District Delegation

It’s that time of the year again, the Chamber’s weekly legislative updates are scheduled to begin on Monday January 13th at 7am, via a TEAMS call. We will receive updates not only from our district 19th and 20th representatives but also from Dave Mastin from the Association of Washington Businesses, on State issues that could impact you.

Everyone is encouraged to attend.