2020 Successes

“Last year was a tough year. I mean, it was TOUGH tough. That said, there were several areas where I believe that the Chamber overcame and succeeded although it was a difficult hand that we were dealt. Here are the top five successes that the Chamber team accomplished.” – Heidi McCutcheon, Chamber CEO

Providing Critical Content
When the world stopped turning and we were all sent home, Chamber staff immediately dove into regulations, restrictions, and requirements that were changing on a daily (if not hourly) basis. Staff became quasi-experts of the newly implemented protocols and relief packages. Additionally, a Back to Business Toolkit was developed to ensure required documentation was easily accessible to our businesses.

Creating Partnerships
The Chamber reached out directly and immediately to our partners—including the North Mason Chamber, EDC, WA Department of Commerce, US Chamber, and others—to bring insight and experts to define the rapidly changing landscape. Hosting weekly webinars for the first six weeks of the shutdown, the Chamber provided crucial information covering Unemployment Insurance, CARES Funding, and more. The Chamber continued holding programs throughout the year and currently holds a monthly virtual meeting on topics of interest to local entrepreneurs.

Promotion on Social Platforms
Immediately recognizing the hardships that the hospitality industry was undergoing, Chamber staff created a Facebook Group to focus on restaurant offerings. Within two weeks, nearly 2,000 followers had joined Eat Local • Mason County, actively posting photos, menus, and giving rave reviews while sharing favorite eats to support local restaurants. Additionally, the Chamber administers the Mason County Job Seekers group with more than 3,000 people actively sharing job information, open positions, and training opportunities.

Communications & Outreach
The Chamber acknowledged that conditions were changing rapidly and pivoted. Instead of Business Matters being printed quarterly we increased to monthly issues during the summer. We also reformatted the electronic newsletter from a weekly update filled with events and news, to a monthly edition called “On Your Behalf” that’s focused on advocacy, recent changes, and information our members need to know.

Galvanizing People
Realizing that people desperately needed to be able to look ahead and hold onto the positive, the Chamber partnered to present Spooktacular outdoors, published a safe activities holiday map, and provided a sneak peek of the YMCA. We revived the Christmas lights competition, housed a gingerbread contest, campaigned folks to Shop Local, and connected landowners and volunteers to harvest trees for the Christmastown maze. We championed extending the décor season to “Keep Spirits Bright” a little longer.

It is thanks to the nearly 400 members who invest in the Chamber that we are able to accomplish these good works. Our investors make it possible for the Chamber to do the important work of rebuilding a healthy economy and supporting local businesses, nonprofits, and the Mason County community.