Summer Momentum Starts with Showing Up
As Memorial Day weekend arrives, the Walla Walla Valley is moving fully into its early summer rhythm. The balloons have lifted, the ducks have raced, the school year is winding down, wine season is winding up, and our community is once again reminded that this Valley has a remarkable way of coming alive when people show up. These beloved traditions herald the start of a season built on connection, hospitality, celebration and shared investment in the place we call home.
At the Chamber, we see that same momentum in real time. Over the past few weeks, nearly every gathering has reinforced something important: engagement matters. Not in a vague, “you should attend more events” kind of way, but in the very practical way that people find information, meet partners, discover resources, solve problems and sometimes uncover opportunities they did not even know they needed.
Our recent State of the State event was a strong example. We were grateful to welcome Representative Skyler Rude, Representative Mark Klicker and Senator Perry Dozier for a thoughtful and substantive conversation with our members and guests. They discussed the legislative session, the issues affecting employers and communities across our region, and the work still ahead. Just as important, attendees had the opportunity to hear more about who they are as people, what matters to them and how deeply they are connected to this place.
That kind of access matters. For business owners, nonprofit leaders, educators, elected officials and community members, these conversations help translate policy into practical understanding. They also create room for questions, perspective and continued dialogue. For those who were not able to attend, we encourage you to watch the videos on the Chamber’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/@wwvchamber
We were also delighted to celebrate one of our closest neighbors, BMAC, as they marked 60 years of service to the Walla Walla Valley. Their community celebration included food, ice cream, music, hospitality and the kind of warmth that has long defined their work. BMAC has been a steady and vital presence in this Valley for six decades, and their anniversary was not only a celebration of an organization, but of the people and partnerships that continue to support our community’s most essential needs. They are, quite simply, some of the best neighbors any Chamber could ask for.
Our recent Newcomers Meet-Up offered another reminder of why connection matters. On a beautiful “Chamber of Commerce weather” morning, we welcomed a wonderful mix of people new to the area, two native Walla Wallans who have boomeranged back into new roles, and one brand-new business. The group was diverse, thoughtful and full of fascinating stories, with participants sharing where they came from, what brought them here and how they hope to become more connected.
What happened next is exactly why these gatherings exist. Several attendees expressed interest in Women in Business Masterminds. Others talked about upcoming ribbon cuttings, potential Chamber After Hours presentations, and even becoming Chamber Ambassadors. In one room, over the course of one morning, new relationships began to form and new pathways into community engagement opened.
That is the work of a Chamber at its best.
We are currently looking for a few new Chamber Ambassadors, and this is a wonderful time to consider joining the team. The commitment is intentionally manageable, but the impact is meaningful. Ambassadors help welcome new businesses, support events, strengthen connections and represent the spirit of the Chamber throughout the community. It is also a terrific way to grow your own network while supporting the Valley. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to staff@wwvchamber.com. We would love to welcome a new cohort alongside our two Whitman College interns, who begin with us in early June.
We are also preparing to launch our Chamber After Hours Summer Series in mid-June. Designed as a bridge between work and home, these one-hour weekday gatherings will run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and offer a relaxed blend of light snacks, beverages, practical knowledge-sharing and relationship-building. Think of it as a summer reset: useful, casual, energizing and easy to fit into a busy schedule. As we look ahead to fall, this series will also help set the stage for a new iteration of our Business Summit, which is being reimagined as a more modular learning experience to better meet the needs of today’s businesses and professionals.
And for those interested in film, workforce development or simply seeing a new economic development opportunity unfold in real time, Film WWV has an immediate opportunity. A major commercial production will be filming in Walla Walla, and Production Assistant positions are open for students, emerging creatives or fledgling videographers who want hands-on experience on a professional shoot. The Motion State team is highly experienced, talented and excited to be here. This is a rare chance for students and aspiring film professionals to see how commercial production works from the inside and to help demonstrate that the Walla Walla Valley is welcoming, capable and film-friendly.
Behind the scenes, we are also nearing the finish line on our phone, IT and Wi-Fi transition. Like many nonprofits, not everything in our building is new, and the process has uncovered a few interesting compatibility challenges along the way. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through temporary outages and interruptions. We are about 85 percent there, and when the transition is complete, we anticipate a much stronger and more reliable system to support our members and community.
As we move into summer, the invitation is simple: stay engaged. Attend a gathering. Watch a video. Invite someone new. Volunteer. Become an Ambassador. Share an idea. Ask a question. In a time when many challenges feel larger than any one business, organization or individual can solve alone, showing up still matters.
The Chamber’s mission is simple yet powerful: connect people, ideas and opportunity in ways that strengthen the Walla Walla Valley. We are here to champion business, build community and drive the Valley’s economy — and what we do best, we do together.
