Pierce County’s top business organization is suited up and ready to play, its CEO told members Wednesday.
“Today I’m excited to introduce you to a new chamber,” said Tom Pierson, leader of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, during the nonprofit’s 127th annual meeting. “We’re going in a new direction.”
Pierson took over the chamber in late June, and said he’s heard a clear message from members since then about what they expect the chamber to do.
“We need to stand up, to take a position, and act sooner rather than later,” he said.
Pierson addressed more than 500 people over a lunch of stuffed chicken and cheesecake at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center.
According to a chamber handout, the organization had a $1.8 million budget last year. About half of the revenue comes from dues, with programs making up the second largest source. The chamber has 1,100 members now, spokeswoman Mimi Jansen said, up from 920 at the end of last year.
Pierson outlined his goals to move the organization into a position of stronger advocacy for businesses.
In addition to becoming the first stop for startups and existing businesses looking for help navigating bureaucracy, Pierson said the chamber would become more politically active.
“A lot of times this is seen as lobbying, but I see it as being a bridge” between business and government, he said. Business owners should be spending time on their work, not figuring out what government agency they need to contact for a specific issue.
As an example, Pierson cited DaVita, which recently “had a roadblock, and we were able to help them. Now they’re starting a pilot program here, in Tacoma, not anywhere else.” He was referring to the City Council’s approval of turning a retail space in downtown’s Pacific Plaza, which was developed in partnership with the city, into a primary care health clinic for DaVita employees and the public.
Pierson also said the chamber “will work to get more business-minded people into office. It’s not going to be easy or quick.”
In an interview, Pierson said the chamber planned to start a six-week political academy for local people planning on running for office. It’s candidate boot camp, teaching people who haven’t campaigned before everything from how to get road signs built to proper campaign finance disclosure.
The first one will be before the November 2012 elections, he said.
Another example of the chamber’s new political posture can be seen in its response to the City Council’s big-box moratorium. Pierson said Wednesday a moratorium isn’t the proper way to address concerns about Walmart specifically or big-box stores generally, and all it does is make the city’s business environment seem unpredictable.
The incoming chairman of the chamber board, Rainier Connect CEO Brian Haynes, echoed Pierson’s remarks about change and issued a challenge.
“Don’t just watch us,” he said. “Help us. Get involved.”
Kathleen Cooper: 253-597-8546
kathleen.cooper@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/business
Twitter: @KCooperTNT
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