Committees
Ambassadors - One of the more important committees, Ambassadors are the “customer care representatives” of the Chamber. These volunteers contact several member businesses per month, via phone or in person, to obtain comments and ideas for the Chamber to use in improving our services and events. They also assist Chamber staff with the General Membership Lunches, Business After Hours, and Ribbon Cuttings. Ambassadors meet monthly and serve a minimum of one year.
Government Relations - The Chamber initiates participation in Chamber Day in Olympia, the Yakima Valley Chambers of Commerce Coalition (a business advocacy group), the development of Legislative-Business Agendas, Candidate Forums, E-mail Alerts, and other efforts directed at maintaining a business-friendly environment in the state. The Chamber maintains relationships with city and county officials to establish the vital infrastructure needed to retain, attract and grow business in the greater Yakima area.
Leadership Yakima - FOR YAKIMA'S CITIZENS Leadership Yakima is a program designed to develop future leaders for our community. Participants in Leadership Yakima will learn about our community, its history, development, past, present, and future changes. The information received will enable participants to be effective leaders in the community and on the job.
The program begins with a mandatory retreat in September followed by full day monthly sessions held usually on the third Wednesday of each month (October through June). Graduation takes place in June. Attendance during the monthly sessions must be at 80% to graduate from the program. Upon completion of the program, a yearbook is published featuring graduates of Leadership Yakima. This yearbook is made available to all public and private associations as a source of potential leaders.If you are a person who desires more involvement in the community or knows of a person with leadership potential, participation in Leadership Yakima is the answer!
APPLICATION INFORMATION - Leadership Yakima accepts applications for the upcoming class each year to begin in September. Applications may be obtained from the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, 10 North 9th Street .
Business-to-Business Marketing. The Chamber provides opportunities for members to network business-to-business. Some of the networking programs offered by the Chamber include;
- Action Report, a Chamber monthly business journal
- General Membership Luncheons that feature keynote speakers on topics important to business.
- Business After Hours events hosted by a Chamber member at their place of business.
- Business EXPO to showcase Chamber member products and services to the public.
- New Member Receptions
- Ribbon Cuttings, Grand Openings, etc.
Chamber University - Business Seminars. Topics addressed are timely and helpful for business owners, managers and/or employees.
Member Benefits. The Chamber offers the Affiliated Associations of America (AAOA) Advantage to expand a business employee benefit program. With your Chamber membership, the AAOA Advantage can be implemented into your business.
Awards. The Chamber partners with others to accomplish current Yakima community goals.
- Ted Robertson Community Service Tribute commemorates a person who has shown continuous volunteer service to the Yakima Community. Each year the past Chamber board chairs present this prestigious award.
- Annual awards event that showcases Yakima area businesses in the following categories - Annual Business Excellence, Emerging Business of the Year, Member of the Year, & Business of the Year.
- Yakima Extra Special (YES) awards are given twice a year to a small, large, and nonprofit business that has built a new local business facility or remodeled an existing structure.
- Business Excellence awards are given quarterly to businesses who are committed to their customers and exceed their expectations.
Featured Members
