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Get Out & Play!
Your Decidedly Different Guide to Summer Fun in Thurston County
GROWING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY & VIBRANT COMMUNITY
magazine PUBLISHER Thurston County Chamber of Commerce
EDITORIAL David Schaffert 360-357-3362 dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com
CONTRIBUTORS David Schaffert Doug Mah Dinea dePhoto Natasha Ashenhurst Michele M. Horaney
ADVERTISING Sales & Marketing: Krystal Barkus Elizabeth Bretschneider Susie Greene Blake Knoblauch
SUBSCRIPTIONS 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com
DESIGN Mosaic Marketing Studio
COVER ART Hands On Children's Museum. Photo by Flowstate Creative .
PRINTING Print NW
CONTACT THE CHAMBER PO Box 1427 809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com thurstonchamber.com
COPYRIGHT All material appearing in the VOICE Magazine is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. The VOICE Magazine takes all care to ensure information is correct at time of printing, but the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained in the text or advertisements. ©2019 VOICE Magazine, Thurston County Chamber.
Public Investment in Outdoor Spaces Helps Communities Thrive by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates and Thurston Chamber's Public Policy Advisor
The Thurston County Region is fortunate to have an abundance of public parks, trails, and open space. The breadth of community resources dedicated to encouraging an active lifestyle is diverse and it reflects our community’s collective desire for multiple outdoor activities. There are no shortage of venues to help you get outside to play. Our region can boast about a premier regional athletic complex, a championship caliber golf course, hundreds of playgrounds, miles of recreational trails and corridors, incredible fresh and saltwater access, thousands of acres of parkland and open space, and even a quarry swimming pool. These spaces, combined with our proximity to the Pacific Ocean, Cascade and Olympic Mountain Ranges, create a truly unique place to conduct business and raise a family.
These regional spaces, or assets, are managed by Federal, State, County, and City governments for the benefit of the public. In addition, many areas we consider parks are managed by special use entities such as the Port of Olympia, school districts, and even the LOTT Cleanwater Alliance. In fact, in survey after survey, many of our “favorite places” are operated by public agencies to provide access, enjoyment, and sometimes educational opportunities for public benefit. The Public Policy Division of the Thurston County Chamber recognizes that the decisions made by our elected officials have a direct bearing on the quantity and quality of our shared parks, arts, and recreational assets and opportunities. We recognize that public investments in parks can help some businesses thrive, provide a high quality of life for employees and families, and create Continued on page 3
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY INVESTORS
DIAMOND INVESTORS
SCJ Alliance
Community
Capital Medical Center
GHB Insurance, Inc.
PLATINUM INVESTORS
The Evergreen State College
South Puget Sound Community College The Rants Group
Great Wolf Lodge
America's Credit Union - Lacey
Greene Realty Group L & E Bottling Company, Inc.
GOLD INVESTORS
Hometown Property Management, Inc.
Morningside
American Workforce Group
Hooper Financial Services
Olympia Federal Savings
Caliber Home Loans
Mills & Mills Funeral Home
Charter College
Nisqually Red Wind Casino
Port of Olympia
Olympia Nissan Commercial Vehicle
Olympia Furniture Company
TwinStar Credit Union Corporate Office
Phillips Burgess, PLLC
Commerce Home Mortgage LoanStar Division
Pardiman Productions
Providence St. Peter Hospital
Community Youth Services
Radia Inc., PS
Washington Business Bank
Puget Sound Energy
The Creative Office
Timberland Bank
Wells Fargo Community Bank
Saint Martin's University
The Firs Senior Living
Venables Pest Management
FORMA Construction Company Little Creek Casino & Resort Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, PLLC
Heritage Bank - Olympia
Grays Harbor Fair & Tourism
THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER BUILDING COMMUNITY PROSPERITY SINCE 1874
a healthier and happier community. Yet, we are also mindful that communities must strike a balanced delivery of services to address multiple interests and needs. We encourage Chamber members to take an active interest in our park and recreational programs and how they are operated, prioritized, and sustained.
to help direct your ideas and perspective concerning our regional system of parks, arts, and recreational activities and investments. Email us at info@thurstonchamber.com and let us know what you are thinking. And get outside!
One approach for Chamber members to provide direct influence on parks and recreation is to participate in the development and oversight of our parks systems. Broad community input is sought when new parks are being considered or developed. In addition, virtually every public entity has a citizen advisory committee to provide recommendations and community input on parks and recreational programs and assets. We encourage Chamber members to seek opportunities to provide input and that you always express your thoughts and opinions about parks when asked by cities, the county, and State. Our community benefits when members of the Thurston Chamber of Commerce express their thoughts and opinions about the community’s quality of life. We bring unique perspectives, insights, and observations to any public policy discussion. The public policy division is ready
thurstonchamber.com
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a l r a C
Cook
h wit
saturday, november 2 saint martin’s university lacey, washington
Saint Martin’s University’s Gala 2019 welcomes celebrity chef, author, TV personality & restaurateur
Carla Hall Join us for a black-tie gourmet evening that includes an exquisite five-course dinner, cooking demos, and a live auction benefiting Saint Martin’s student scholarships. Reserve your table at stmartin.edu/GalaCarla2019 or call 360-438-4366.
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July 2019 THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER VOICE MAGAZINE
Every month, the Thurston County Chamber offers several networking events, forums and workshops to the community. Here are some highlights you won't want to miss.
Morning Mixxer at Eric Zabala State Farm Please join our host Eric Zabala State Farm on Tuesday, July 2 at 7:30 a.m.
In This Issue...
for the Thurston Chamber's Morning Mixxer. State Farm will provide breakfast treats, and our sponsor, L&E Bottling, will host the coffee bar, and you can enjoy a morning of networking. Morning Mixxer is free to attend. Where: 5729 Littlerock Rd SW Ste 115, Tumwater, WA 98512.
Forum: Get Out and Play to Create A Happier Life! Join the Thurston County Chamber on Wednesday, July 10 at 11:30 a.m. at Little Creek Casino as we go behind the scenes of Experience Olympia & Beyond (EO&B), Thurston County's official destination marketing organization, and hear why travel
Freedom Boat Club Offers Convenience New boat share program allows boaters access to 40+ boats with no storage, no maintenance, and no worries.
P. 7
makes our lives and community better from keynote speaker and EO&B President & CEO, Shauna Stewart. Cost is $25 for members, $30 for non-members in advance. $30 for members, $35 for non-members at the door. The Forum will include a regional travel EXPO. Where: Little Creek Casino, 91 WA-108, Shelton, WA 98584.
Thurston Young Professionals at La Vida Wine Bar Join Thurston Young Professionals on Thursday, July 11 at 5:30 p.m. at
Get Out & Play! Experience Olympia & Beyond lays out their 'decidedly different' guide to summer fun in Thurston County.
P.11
La Vida Wine Bar. Enjoy a selection of beverages and snacks, meet with other Young Professionals (21-39 year olds) and expand your network. Where: 8650 Martin Way E, Lacey, WA 98516.
Business After Hours at Caliber Home Loans Join the Thurston Chamber on Thursday, July 18, at 5:30 p.m. for Business After Hours at Caliber Home Loans. Business After Hours is a free networking event. Hosts provide light appetizers and beverages, games and raffles. This is a great chance to learn about a local organization and expand your network. Where: 2411 Pacific Ave SE, Ste B, Olympia, WA 98501.
Celebrate Olympia's Brewing Heritage at Brew Fest
July Forum: The Changing Nature of Travel Don't miss July's Chamber Forum featuring keynote speaker and Experience Olympia & Beyond President and CEO, Shauna Stewart.
P. 15 Destination Branding
feature 30+ Northwest breweries and over 60 different beers! Proceeds benefit
Thurston County is creating a united front to promote the region through place making, regional branding storytelling and marketing.
the Thurston Chamber Foundation's Small Business Development (Incubator)
P. 19
Join the Thurston Chamber on Saturday, August 3, from 1–8:30 p.m. for the Chamber Foundation's 8th Annual Olympia Brew Fest at Port Plaza. The event will
Program. Must be 21+ and have ID. No pets. Service animals allowed. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Attendees receive a souvenir mug and six tastes. Designated drivers are only $5, and get all the root beer and water they can drink. Visit www.olybrewfest.com to purchase tickets or register to volunteer at the event.
Caught in the Lens
P. 22 & 23
Where: Port Plaza, 701 Columbia St NW, Olympia, WA 98501.
Thank you Sponsors! thurstonchamber.com
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HIGH QUALITY, COST-EFFECTIVE
SURGICAL CARE
Banking feeling a little ... robotic? Business banking doesn’t have to be all business. Let’s get to know each other. Loosen up. Unwind. We’re Washington Business Bank— your local friendly bank. We’re in your community, partnering with small businesses and vital nonprofits. Banking with us isn’t transactional—it’s transformative.
No better place to choose for joint and spine surgery Capital Medical Center’s Joint & Spine Center of Excellence is the only one of its kind anywhere in Southwestern Washington, and one of only three in the state. Capital is also proud to be recently named by the Washington Health Care Authority as one of two of the state’s only Centers of Excellence for spinal fusion surgery - which means there’s no better place to choose for high-quality, cost-effective surgical service. So if you’re a public employee in need of spinal fusion treatment, look no further than the medical center in your own backyard. Capital Medical Center’s excellent and compassionate surgical team is here to get you back to your normal routine with minimal or no pain as soon as possible.
Business banking with a personal touch.
Learn about the Capital spine surgery advantage at capitalmedical.com
DISCOVER MORE AT
3900 Capital Mall Dr. SW • Olympia, WA 98502 • 360-754-5858 • 888-677-9757 • capitalmedical.com
Capital Medical Center is partly owned by some of the physicians who serve our patients.
wabizbank.com ©2019 BCI
The right fit for your business. The Rants Group is proud to welcome
LOGAN RANTS to the team!
Logan is the second thirdgeneration Rants to join the family company. He comes from a service-oriented background and is excited to assist clients with their investment real estate needs.
One size never fits all. At TwinStar, you’ll have several business accounts and services to choose from, and together we’ll find the right accounts and cash management tools to help your business. Call me today! Alexis Miller
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Freedom Boat Club opened at Swantown Marina in May 2019 and is a boat share club that allows members access to more than 40 boats in six locations around the Puget Sound.
Dockside Convenience for South Sound Mariners at Freedom Boat Club by Michele M. Horaney | Photography by Dinea dePhoto
If it’s July, it’s high season for boating in the South Sound! And a new business in Olympia is getting boaters out on the water with ease and luxury for a delightful experience. Freedom Boat Club, which opened in May at Swantown Marina and Boatworks, offers a boat share program that allows members access to more than 40 boats in six locations around the Puget Sound area. That’s access with no maintenance, no storage, no preparation, no worry. Owners of the Freedom Boat Club are Tracy and Shawn Ottenbreit, who also operate Freedom Boat Club locations in Bremerton and Tacoma. “This is ideal for anyone who is new to boating and who wants to get to know which boat may be best for them,” Tracy said on a recent afternoon during a break at the company’s office. “And also, if you want to go out regularly with convenience and confidence, this is thurstonchamber.com
the way to do it. “We provide the boat, clean it, maintain it, repair it, store it, fuel it, help you load your gear, see you off and meet you at the dock when you come back in,” she said. “It is a true club experience.” “Also, very important, we change out the boats every three years. The boats are always new and in great shape.”
Freedom Boat Club’s fleet opened with four boats in Olympia, offering a bowrider, pilot house, fishing boat and pontoon boat (which is amazingly popular, Tracy noted). The Club adds another boat each time 10 new members join which ensures great boat availability. There are 19 boats available among the three locations owned by the Ottenbreits. Club members – who number more than 20,000 - have access to
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the more than 2,000 boats in 190 locations across the United States, Canada and France. The club was founded in 1989 and is the oldest members-only boat club. Among the benefits are unlimited hands-on training which includes new member orientation, intermediate and advanced training, locks training and local orientation. Tracy and Shawn said Freedom Boat Club also provides tremendous support to its franchisees. Benefits
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for location owners include franchisee orientation, marketing assistance and designated business services such as insurance, which allow franchise owners to spend more time with members and make sure the boating experience is the best. The economic benefits of each location are tremendously important, Shawn said. To date, three full-time crew members have been hired, the boats – which range in cost from $40,000 - $130,000 - with some purchased
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
locally, and major boat maintenance and repairs are done at Puget Marina in Lacey. “Our mission is to grow boating by making it more accessible and our relationships with key partners locally, including Swantown Marina and Port of Olympia, help drive the huge Maritime industry in this area,� said Shawn. Last year, across six Puget Sound clubs, 35,000 gallons of fuel were
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used on 4,000 boat trips. They forecast members will use 60,000 gallons of fuel and take 6,000 member boat trips in 2019. In May alone, members went on 800 outings. “Then there are the purchases made by the club members at restaurants, shops, hotels. And our sites are beginning to attract members from outside the area. They know they can come here, for all that the South Sound offers, and they can go boating,” said Shawn. There are four membership plans which provide a wide range of opportunities to get out on the water. The Freedom Boating Plan requires a one-time initiation fee of $6,500 and monthly dues of $379. The Weekday Boating Plan offers year-round boating on Monday through Friday, for a one-time initiation of $5,500 and $249 for monthly dues. Two couples can share a membership in the Friends & Family Plan for a one-time fee of $8,500 and dues of $499. A corporate boating plan allows up to four individuals to share one membership with an initiation fee of $9,500 and dues that range from $499 to $699 depending on the number of members, up to four, who are covered. Members have the freedom to maintain their membership for any length of time, with 60 days written notice to cancel. Members can meet other members at social and holiday events and special events, such as the recent day-long
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trip to the Ballard Locks for training and crucial lessons on negotiating the structure to enter Lake Union. Tracy and Shawn opened the Tacoma location in 2017 and the Bremerton site in 2018. Shawn had long wanted to operate his own business, but his career took him to and kept him with large corporate concerns in Washington State and California. Tracy and Shawn and their three children had lived in Gig Harbor and loved it before moving south. Gig Harbor was where their youngest child started high school. As the family contemplated returning to Washington State from California several years ago, their high schooler spoke up when asked his opinion. “We asked him where he’d like to be and he said back in Gig Harbor, back at the school where he’d started,” Tracy said. “This brought us to the South Sound and to the point and place at which Shawn could and has opened his own business!” “It’s exciting for us to be in this new chapter of our lives and new chapter for our family,” Shawn said. “We’re thrilled to be working so closely with the community and providing such a great opportunity for so many to enjoy this beautiful area.” Michele M. Horaney is a writer, editor and communications consultant based in Olympia.
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Tina Carey Founder & Small Business Expert
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
360-754-3338 | ANKLEFOOT.NET CENTRALIA | LACEY | TACOMA | TUMWATER | OLYMPIA | YELM
thurstonchamber.com
Photo by John Callery. Kayaker paddling in Budd Inlet.
Get Out & Play!
Your Guide to Summer Fun in Thurston County Contributed by Experience Olympia & Beyond
Gorgeous weather, lush parks and sparkling water—Thurston County’s summertime natural beauty is undeniable. Naturally, locals want to get outside and explore. Check out some top suggestions from Experience Olympia & Beyond to maximize your summer ...and don’t forget to tag #decidedlydifferent on social media.
Biking Beyond
Grab your family or friends and hit the paved trails on two wheels. The Yelm-Tenino trail is a 14-mile bikeventure perfect for families or beginners. See scenic views of McIntosh Lake, take a dip in the Tenino quarry pool and don’t miss the freshly baked cookies at Main Street Cookie Company. End the day with a movie at Yelm Cinemas. For a full list of suggested stops, check out BikingBeyond.com
Thurston Bountiful Byway
Explore the 60-mile, self-guided scenic adventure along the Bountiful Byway. Visit farms, meet the makers and taste the bounty. The adventure includes farms, farmers markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries and more. Don’t miss the natural attractions and experiences such as Wolf Haven. You can also bike the Byway for extra outdoor adventure. Check out BountifulByway.com thurstonchamber.com
Kayaking & Stand Up Paddle Boarding Get a different view by hitting the water on a kayak or stand up paddle board. If you don’t already own, rentals are available at West Bay Paddleboards for exploring the bay and Northwest Paddle Surfers at Long Lake. If you have your own equipment, make it a goal to explore all of the lakes – we have more than ten!
Explore a Sipping Trail
Learn the origin of the bean at a coffee cupping, tasting the variety of roasts from three local roasters along the South Sound Coffee Trail. Taste more than 100 different beers along the South Sound Craft Crawl or sip your way through the South Sound Wine Trail. For more info, visit SouthSoundCoffeeTrail.com, SouthSoundCraftCrawl.com and SouthSoundWineTrail.com.
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alleviate summer learning loss. Each month includes themed adventures, live performers, unique activities and special guests. Visit https://www.hocm. org/summersplashfestival/ for more information.
On August 3, enjoy beautiful views and brews at Olympia Brew Fest, an annual summer beer festival that takes place at the Port Plaza.
Upcoming Events You can find fun every weekend at events throughout Thurston County! Find your fun on the events calendar at ExperienceOlympia.com/Events.
Summer Splash! is the Hands On Children's Museum’s signature summer-long festival. The event features three months of exciting interactive learning experiences designed to engage children and
Celebrate the Fourth of July with a charming hometown parade and fireworks at the Artesian Family Festival & Thunder Valley Fireworks Show, the biggest and best fireworks show in Thurston County with music, food, games and more! For schedule and events: https://www.ci.tumwater. wa.us/departments/parks-recreation/ classes-programs-sports/specialevents/artesian-family-festivalthunder-valley-fireworks
On August 3, enjoy beautiful views and brews at Olympia Brew Fest, an annual summer beer festival that takes place at the Port Plaza in Olympia and features 30+ hand-picked, northwest breweries and over 60 different beers. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Thurston County Chamber Foundation Small Business Incubator Program. Come and celebrate Olympia's fine brewing heritage! For more information, visit olybrewfest.com.
Celebrate the Fourth of July with a charming hometown parade and fireworks at the Artesian Family Festival & Thunder Valley Fireworks Show.
Every Wednesday evening JULY 3*
JULY 10
MarchFourth
EveryLeaf Band
PURE JOY
The Olympia Downtown Alliance is pleased to announce the lineup for the 40th Anniversary Year of Music in the Park Summer Concert Series.
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COUNTRY ROCK
JULY 24
JULY 31
Platinum Soul
The Roostertails
DANCE, SOUL AND R&B
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
ROCKABILLY, AMERICANA
JULY 17 WineHouse ALTERNATIVE FUNK, ROCK
FRIDAY
AUG 2* Randy Linder CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL TRIBUTE
thurstonchamber.com
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Close out summer days at Olympia Harbor Days! The award-winning maritime festival opens Friday, August 30 and runs through Sunday, September 1.
Have an encounter of a different kind at the UFO Festival held at Thurston County Fairgrounds in Lacey beginning Thursday, August 29 running through September 1. For more info, visit: eeviee.com/events/ olympia/2019-3rd-annual-earth-ufo-fest/ Close out summer days at Olympia Harbor Days! The awardwinning maritime festival opens Friday, August 30 and runs through Sunday, September 1, 2019, Labor Day Weekend, along the Olympia waterfront. This Olympia and regional favorite, now in its 46th year, is a FREE community event produced by the Olympia Kiwanis Club. 2019 plans include past favorites and the showcase of the World’s Largest Vintage Tugboat Show and Races. Enjoy tall ships, steamships, and other historic vessels, hundreds of arts & crafts booths, a food g’alley, harbor boat tours, kids activities including a Lego Harbor Build, live entertainment, sand carving and cultural presentations by the Squaxin Island Tribe. Find more info at www.HarborDays.com.
in Downtown Olympia AUG 7
AUG 14
Tacoma Concert Band
Flor De Luna
CONCERT BAND
LATIN ROCK Sponsored by
AUG 21 The Ethan Tucker Band ACOUSTIC ROOTS
*Indicates the concert will be held at Port Plaza instead of Sylvester Park.
Complimentary "Take out Delivery Service" is offered for concerts located at Sylvester Park. Order at the Olympia Downtown Alliance booth from a participating restaurant and receive a text you when your meal is ready! *Please note that Sylvester Park is a state park and no alcohol is allowed.
thurstonchamber.com
AUG
3
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29 AUG
30 Concerts will follow this schedule of events:
6:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Enter free drawings from participating sponsors.
Youth entertainment.
6:00 p.m. Take out service provided to participating restaurants.
6:55 p.m. Welcome, introductions and raffle drawings.
7:00 p.m. Headliner band!
For more information, visit: DowntownOlympia.org/Events/Music-In-the-Park.
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360-955-1410 ThreeGirlsMedia.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
Deschutes Law Group Construction | Property | Business Landlord-Tenant | Education
360-918-7217
400 Union Ave Southeast, Suite 200, Olympia, WA 98501 info@deschuteslawgroup.com | DeschutesLawGroup.com
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FORUM
Photos courtesy of Experience Olympia & Beyond.
The Changing Nature of Travel: Get Out & Play to Create A Happier Life
“O
ur traditional view of travel is of exploration and adventure, but research shows that travel is this and so much more. Travel makes our lives better in profound ways; it has the ability to break down barriers and can help us find connection with other cultures, the natural world as well as with our friends and family,” said Shauna Stewart, President/CEO of Experience Olympia and Beyond, and keynote speaker at the Thurston Chamber’s July Forum. Join the Thurston Chamber at July Forum on Wednesday, July 10 at 11:30 a.m. at Little Creek Casino and Resort as we go behind the scenes of Experience Olympia & Beyond, Thurston County’s official destination marketing organization and hear why travel makes our lives and community better. You will also walk away with tips for trips to enjoy locally this summer.
for members at the door. The Forum will include a regional travel EXPO.
Forum includes lunch and the cost is $35 for general admission, $25 for prepaid Chamber members, and $30
Thank you to our sponsors, Well Fargo, Charlie's Safari and the Olympia Tumwater Foundation.
thurstonchamber.com
What: Chamber July Forum When: Wednesday, July 10, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Where: Little Creek Casino, 91 WA-108, Shelton, WA. For more information call (360) 357-3362 or visit thurstonchamber.com
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We’ll power you to a personal best. Photo by Grant Clark
Business customers trust Olympia Federal Savings for commercial real estate lending that helps them build on a solid foundation of financial support programs. Talk to Ken Pekola, Oly Fed's Commercial Real Estate Relationship Manager.
KEN PEKOLA
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kpekola@olyfed.com
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360.754.3400
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It’s not in Seattle or Portland. It’s right here in Olympia. 16
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The Rants Group Celebrates Teammates' Distinguished Commercial Real Estate Designation T
From top, left to right: Patrick Rants, Danielle Rants, Shelley Foltz, Carolyn Graden, Cameron Wilson, Becky Samuelson.
he Certified Commercial Investment Member
(CCIM) designation signifies advanced experience
in the commercial real estate industry. CCIMs have
demonstrated extensive experience and success in the commercial real estate industry and completed advanced coursework in financial and market analysis. The Rants Group is proud to have six CCIM certified team members. The challenging process takes several years to complete and includes a series of four courses detailing how to analyze and evaluate commercial investment properties, with a heavy focus on the financial aspect of the life cycle of the investment. Candidates must also submit a detailed portfolio of their real estate transactions, illustrating the implementation of course principles. Upon approval of the portfolio, candidates are qualified to sit for the twice-a-year exam. Less than 10,000 people worldwide have received the prestigious lapel pin given to a Certified Commercial Investment Member. “I don’t look at my brokerage activities on a transactional basis, but rather as an opportunity to help families and companies make the best strategic decisions for the growth
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and preservation of wealth through commercial property ownership,” says Cameron Wilson. “Becoming a CCIM has given me a set of tools and the knowledge to further that goal.” Danielle Rants echoes the statement and feels a particular pride in the achievement. “I’m proud to be a second generation pin holder and to have attained it early in my career. This is a crucial way for me to provide premier service and expertise to our clients while standing out in a heavily male-dominated industry.”
About The Rants Group
Established in 1973, The Rants Group is a comprehensive real estate company that takes full responsibility for the life cycle of a property: idea, development, investment, leasing, and sale. The firm helps individuals and businesses find properties to lease, assists investors in expanding their property portfolio, and manages commercial and residential properties to maximize return on investment. Commercial and residential clients rely on The Rants Group for expert service in listing, leasing, developing, brokering, and managing properties. For more info, visit www.rants-group.com. SPONSORED MEMBER PROFILE. Thurston County Chamber VOICE
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From left to right: Moira Davin, Dan Jones, Natasha Ashenhurst, John Hutchings, Jennie Foglia-Jones, Aslan Meade, Shauna Stewart, Rick Walk, Mike Reid and Nate Burgher.
Collaborative Place Branding Will Help Make Thurston County Competitive in a Global Market
T
hurston County saw 1.2 million people visit in 2018. That’s enough people to fill the Marcus Pavilion at Saint Martin’s University 381.5 times or CenturyLink Field almost 17 times. While tourism slowed overall in Washington State, the state and Thurston County both saw incremental increases in visitors. In 2018, the communities of Thurston County saw $10.4 million in local tax revenue. Tourists visiting the destination fuel the local economy through eating at local restaurants, shopping, staying overnight in hotels and visiting attractions. That direct impact doesn’t just reap the benefits of local tax revenues, but also drove $318 million in direct spending to local small businesses, cultural attractions and more. Experience Olympia & Beyond, the region’s visitor & convention bureau, promotes the destination to visitors, meeting planners and sports groups to help drive economic impact. Key projects such as the launch of a new self-guided tour of the Yelm-Tenino trail, help to map out how a visitor could enjoy the Olympia region.
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“The beauty of what we do, is that it’s not just for visitors. Destination promotion is for the benefit and well-being of every person in the community. It is an essential community investment to develop opportunities and build quality of life for the people of Thurston County,” said Stewart, CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond. In June, Experience Olympia & Beyond convened a group of 11 to attend the City Nation Place conference in West Hollywood California. The group included representatives from Experience Olympia & Beyond, the Thurston Economic Development
Council, the Thurston County Chamber, the Olympia Downtown Alliance, the Port of Olympia, the City of Lacey, the City of Olympia, the City of Tenino, Thurston County, North America Talk, Flowstate and Mosaic Marketing Studio. The group learned strategies to grow Thurston County’s diverse economy and present a united front through place making, storytelling and through regional branding and marketing. The group returned to Thurston County with strategies for engaging citizens, driving investment, attracting talent and developing sustainable tourism.
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Thurston County Parents Rejoice! Day Passes are now available at Great Wolf Lodge
N
o longer will locals have to stay the night at Great Wolf Lodge in Grand
Mound in order to access the 56 thousand square feet of the amazing indoor water park, an especially attractive local destination on rainy Pacific Northwest days. Thurston County is celebrating because day passes to the park are now available.
The park includes:
Your fam ily fun day is almost h ere!
• 12 Explorable Levels in a Four-Story Tree House Water Fort • 8 Thrilling Water Slides for All Ages
(including the Howlin’ Tornado, River Canyon Run and Alberta Falls)
• 4 Refreshing Splash and Play Pools • 1 Gigantic Tipping Water Bucket
Here’s what you’ll need to know before arriving at the water park: •
Buy your pass online & pick it up at the front desk. Passes are available online or at 800-905-9653.
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Little ones are welcome! Waterpark passes not required for toddlers 2 or under.
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Guests are encouraged to bring their own towels.
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Coolers & outside food are not permitted in the water park.
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Lockers are available at a nominal fee on a first-come, first-served basis.
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You are welcome to bring your own life jacket. Great Wolf provides Coast Guard-approved life jackets on a first-come, first-served basis.
To learn more, visit: greatwolf.com/grand-mound 20
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Thurston County Chamber VOICE
thurstonchamber.com
OLYMPIA’S NEWEST & BEST OSTORAGE FACILITY ne Olympia’s Newest Need Space? Month and Highest Quality Call us today! Free! Self Storage Facility features
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Store your RV, Boat or Motorhome with Armor! • 3400 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia, WA 98512
Help shape the way our Port looks, feels and functions in the future The Port has been creating economic opportunity in Thurston County for nearly a century. Over time, we’ve also developed some of our community’s most prized community spaces and places and increased our role as an environmental steward. Now we’re looking to the future once again, and we want you to help map it out.
So, WHAT’S NEXT? Share your ideas and priorities at www.portolympia2050.org
Caught In The Lens
Caught in the Lens is a place to catch up on all of the Chamber happenings over the past month - whether its Morning Mixxer, Business After Hours, Thurston Young Professionals, Chamber Forum, an awards ceremony, fundraising event, or a Ribbon Cutting. For more photos, follow the Thurston Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThurstonCountyChamber.
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Thurston County Chamber VOICE
thurstonchamber.com
thurstonchamber.com
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PO BOX 1427 Olympia, WA 98507-1427