From Our Blog

What Now? Another Payroll Tax?!

Income earners in Washington will soon be taxed for a one-size-fits-all, long-term care insurance plan. Most people are unaware of this impending payroll tax and what – if anything – can be done to avoid it. One thing is for certain, if you do nothing, you will have no recourse and will begin paying out every paycheck without the ability to later opt out. You have only until October 31 to plan ahead. The Chamber convenes a conversation on this Read more…

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Create YouTube Videos That Attract New Customers

On June 24, the Chamber hosted a livestream of Grow with Google’s Digital Partner Series workshop, “Create YouTube Videos That Attract New Customers.” YouTube Marketing Manager Maxwell invited video experts from around the world to showcase different styles: selfe style, simple backdrop, voice over, point & shoot, top-down, product in action, told with text, built from stills, and animation. Experts also shared best practices, great tips, and free tools to get you started. To wrap things up, Google Instructor Anna Read more…

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What the Mask Mandates Look Like for Businesses Now

In early May, the CDC face covering guidance was updated to say that fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors, except in certain locations (health care settings, jails, homeless shelters, schools, and public transportation). Although 33 states have eliminated it, in Washington, there is no end date for the mask mandate. Governor Inslee’s May 21 mask mandate update makes an exception for anyone who is vaccinated. As of May 28, approximately 52% of Read more…

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Workforce Shortage Surveys

Our nation has far too many people without jobs – and far too many jobs without people to fill them. The pandemic exacerbated America’s workforce problem, and it’s only getting worse. Please help us better understand the issues by participating in one of these quick surveys. Please note: these surveys are anonymous. If you would like to share your experience or perspective with us personally, please contact us at (360) 426-2021 or info@masonchamber.com.

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2021 Expo & Bite of Mason County Vendor Guidelines

The Chamber reserves the right to change, in part or in whole, the event details (including location, times, guidelines, etc. without notice or consideration. General Vendors must staff their booth for the entirety of the event; it may not be left unattended. Chamber staff may be notified for a restroom break or in case of an emergency. Single booth spaces are approximately 10 feet wide by 10 feet deep. Double booth spaces are approximately 20 feet wide by 10 feet Read more…

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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 ContentWhen the world stopped turning and we were all sent home, Chamber staff immediately dove into regulations, restrictions, and requirements that were changing on a Read more…

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Reopening Map of US

Chamber a Catalyst to Reopen Washington

The Chamber has joined in the call led by Washington Hospitality Association (WHA) for the state to reopen by June 15, calling on Governor Inslee to release a plan for reopening the state by that date, joining 48 other states that have already released reopening plans. The restaurant and hospitality industries have been the most severely impacted over the last 14 months of the pandemic, yet there has not been a statewide call for reopening until now. “It’s time,” says Read more…

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Sell More with an Engaging Email Marketing Strategy

On May 5, the Chamber hosted a livestream of Grow with Google’s Digital Partner Series workshop, “Sell More with an Engaging Marketing Strategy.” Dave from Constant Contact discussed tips for great email marketing campaigns, the basics of segmentation and automation, and how to make improvements with data and predictive analytics. Google’s Lead Trainer Anastasia (Stasia) Kudrez also provided a look at how Google Analytics can help you learn how visitors from email campaigns use your website. Click here to watch Read more…

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County Permitting Takes a Step Forward

In the midst of 2020’s pandemic restrictions, we saw many employees working remotely, doing their best to keep up with the workload as their environment and tools changed (and changed often). This, of course, caused delays, backlogs, and a fractured process for many organizations. Quite possibly, Mason County’s permitting department displayed the worst of these. The Chamber reached out to Mason County Commissioners at the beginning of 2020 to find a solution, as the inefficiencies in the building department was Read more…

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