Champions of Commerce Gala & Annual Meeting 2025

The 2025 Champions of Commerce Gala will be held on February 21, 2025, celebrating excellence among our local businesses and organizations.

We invite you to register for the gala and enjoy cocktails, dinner, awards presentation, & live music performed by Chris Anderson.

Cocktail attire / formal wear

Sponsorships are available: To sponsor, contact Lisa Owens at lisa@puyallupsumnerchamber.com.

Here are your 2024 Champions of Commerce Finalists!
Please join us at the Champions of Commerce Gala on Friday, February 21, 2025. Doors open at 5:30 PM. A heartfelt expression of gratitude goes out to all the individuals who took the time to submit their nominations for the Champions of Commerce! Your participation has been instrumental in making this event a success. Without further adieu, we are thrilled to announce the much-anticipated Gala finalists for the year 2024.
 
COMPANY CULTURE HERO: The buzz in town is this is the place to work. Employees are valued and encouraged to actively participate in the growth and vision of the company. All employees feel appreciated and are provided with the opportunity to grow.
Finalists:
-Harnish Auto Family
-Salon Ish
-Fat Zach's Pizza
-MadCap Marketing + Creative
-Knutson Farms Inc
 
EXCEPTIONAL BUSINESS ADVOCATE: This organization or individual understands the value of advocacy and supporting business-friendly policies that will remove barriers prohibitive to growing business.
Finalists:
-The Lazy Ballerina
-Julian Estates
-The Puyallup Food Bank
-Red Canoe Credit Union
-The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse
 
COMMUNITY BUILDER: Recognizing that we all play a role in creating a vibrant community, this organization or individual flexes their muscles for the greater good of the community.
Finalists:
-Renée Muir, Newell Hunt Furniture
-Brandon Simmons, Skoolie Foundation
-Kim Field, All Things Fun Sports!
-Mark Crosby, Cruise Puyallup
-Barb Patterson, Windmill Bistro
 
NEWSWORTHY NEWCOMER: This is a newer business (opened in our community within the past two years) that has achieved quick success while generating lots of buzz.
Finalists:
-Catffeinated
-The Cat & Rabbitt Cake Shop
-Inta Vintage
-Valley Social Wine Bar and Tasting Room
-Skoolie Foundation
 
SUSTAINABILITY STEWARD: This prestigious accolade honors a business that demonstrates unparalleled leadership in championing responsible utilization of our invaluable natural resources. Celebrating a commitment to environmental conservation and pioneering sustainable practices, this award acknowledges exemplary dedication to fostering a greener, more sustainable future.
Finalists:
-Keurig Dr Pepper
-Northwest Trek Foundation
-Puget Sound Energy
-Waste Connections / Murrey's Disposal
-REI
 
EQUITY ADVOCATE: This award honors an organization for its meaningful efforts to foster an inclusive and accessible culture or an individual for their work in promoting awareness and implementation of initiatives that create a more welcoming and equitable local business community.
Finalists:
-Puyallup Main Street Association
-The Lazy Ballerina
-Commencement Bank
-Sumner-Bonney Lake School District
-WorkForce Central
-Comcast Business
 
OUTSTANDING VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS: This distinguished accolade celebrates an outstanding veteran-owned business that exemplifies resilience, leadership, and exceptional contributions to the business world. Recognizing the courage, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit of veterans, this award highlights the positive impact of their businesses on the community and economy.
Finalists:
-F45 Training South Hill
-Catffeinated
-Kanon Electric Inc
-Tacoma Trophy
-Wave Lending Group
 
CHARITABLE CHAMPION (NON-PROFIT): This accolade recognizes a non-profit organization whose unwavering commitment and exceptional efforts have significantly contributed to making a positive impact on communities through fundraising and charitable initiatives.
Finalists:
-Arts Downtown
-Skoolie Foundation
-St. Francis House
-See Ya Later Foundation
-Care Net of Puget Sound
-Sumner Community Food Bank
 
CHAMBER CHAMPION OF COMMERCE: This organization or individual is an all-around Chamber Champion of Commerce, supporting the Chamber and embodying the pioneering spirit of our community.
Finalists:
-Daffodil Bowl
-MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital
-Pierce Transit
-South Hill Mall
-SignDog
-Keurig Dr Pepper
 
Chamber Select Awards: The following awards are also presented at the Champions of Commerce Gala, with finalists and winners selected entirely by the awards committee.
 
AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR: This award recognizes that you take pride as an Ambassador to the Chamber and you display extraordinary commitment to volunteering whenever, and however, and are dedicated to helping membership retainment, recruitment and promotion.
Winner of Ambassador of the Year will be announced at the Gala.
 
JOHN PORTER MEMORIAL AWARD: This award recognizes exceptional leadership of a cause, program or project, which makes a significant impact on the community and reflects the spirit of community pride and progress.
Finalists:
-Kathy Hayden, Mayor, City of Sumner
-Kerry Yanasak, Executive Director, Puyallup Main Street Association
-Monica Ricarte Powers, Executive Director, MultiCare Good Samaritan Foundation
-Luke Korum, Vice President, Bill Korum's Puyallup Nissan
-Dave Radcliffe, CEO, The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse