Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Events
The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce hosts a variety of networking and community events where you will meet potential customers, community leaders, and business peers.
Monthly Events
Chamber Chatter: Coffee & Conversations with the CEO is a monthly networking event on the first Friday of every month from 9-10 a.m hosted in different communities throughout Kittitas County. The event is always free to attend, registration in advance is appreciated. If you have any questions regarding Chamber Chatter, please contact our Director of Chamber Outreach & Economic Advancement, Darby Grimes at darby@kittitascountychamber.com. Want to host? Fill out our form today!
SharedWork is a program that can help your business and employees through an economic downturn. This free webinar will inform and inspire businesses to incorporate SharedWork into their business sustainability plan. Monthly we will have a free online webinar at 10:30-11:30 a.m and the same webinar at 2:00-3:00 p.m in Spanish. Visit our community calendar and register online through Eventbrite for the following webinar dates:
Wednesday, June 21 English - Spanish
All About SharedWork
Wednesday, July 26 (In-person) at the Business Development Center
SharedWork, Unemployment Tax and Wage Reporting, Paid Family and Medical Leave Program
Wednesday, August 16 English - Spanish
SharedWork and WA Cares Fund
Wednesday, September 20 English - Spanish
SharedWork, Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Federal Bonding Programs
Wednesday, October 18 English - Spanish
SharedWork, WorkSource Resources, Programs and Services
Wednesday, November 15 English - Spanish
SharedWork, Labor Market and Economic Analysis
We are starting a no-cost webinar series where you can join online every month to hear from our CEO focusing on different topics relevant to Kittitas County. Take a look at our 2023 webinar schedule. All webinars are recorded and you can view these on our website on our video resource library.
February 8, 2023 - Employee Tax Credit with Larson and Gross CPAs
March 8, 2023 - B&O Tax for Main Street Credit with Brenda DeVore
April 12, 2023 - Construction Projects in Cle Elum with Ben Annen
May 10, 2023 - Economic Report with Cory Wright, County Commissioner
June 11, 2023 - Tourism Projects and County Public Works with Dr. Mark Cook
July 12, 2023 - 100th Year Anniversary Ellensburg Rodeo Queen Alexis Andrews
August 16, 2023 - Balanced Life with Stephanie Castillo, Rumble Interiors
September 13, 2023 - Hope Is Everything! with Susan Grindle, HopeSource
October 11, 2023 - Preparing for the Holidays with the Kittitas County Downtown Associations
November 8, 2023 - Feeding Kittitas County with FISH
December 13, 2023 - Year in Review with Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce
Zoom link will be provided once registered, visit our community calendar to register.
Quarterly Events
Chamber 101 is a quarterly orientation to introduce to the public and to members what the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce does and going through a break down of member benefits. Chamber staff walk you through how to a access your member portal and how-to configure job postings, advertisements, hot deals and more. Quarterly on the last Tuesday of the month from 5:30-6:30 p.m alternating between Ellensburg and Cle Elum.
Quarterly at the Business Development Center we are hosting a 4 consecutive week program focusing on a specific topic. This year's workshop series is as follows: April Childcare with Kittitas County Health Network, July Employee Benefits with Washington Department of Labor and Security, October Digital Marketing with Humble Spruce Marketing, Sermo Digital, Manastash Media, and 66Events & Media. Visit our calendar to learn more!
Annual Events
Join the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce for the 19th Annual Ellensburg Winterhop Brewfest on Saturday, February 17, 2024. Visit downtown Ellensburg and experience craft beer from local breweries, live music, shopping and more. Any additional questions can be directed to the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce Director of Tourism and Events, Matt Anderson at matt@kittitascountychamber.com or by calling (509) 925-2002.
The Annual Awards Gala is a celebration and appreciation for all of our Chamber Members. The 116th Annual Chamber Awards Gala will take place on Thursday, March 21, 2024. If you have any questions, please email Director of Chamber Outreach & Economic Advancement Darby Grimes or call (509) 925-2002.
The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce will be putting on the Annual Pioneer Days Parade in Downtown Cle Elum on July 1, 2023, at 10 a.m. Following the parade, the Triple Shot 3on3 Basketball Tournament will take place along First Street. This event is free to the public. If you have any questions, please email the Director of Tourism and Events Matt Anderson, or call (509) 925-2002.
The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce invites you to the community Independence Day Celebration on July 4, 2023, from 11 a.m to twilight at Memorial Park in South Cle Elum.
The Independence Day Celebration at Memorial Park will include a kid zone, food trucks, a beer garden with an assortment of beverages, rotating music and entertainment throughout the day. This event is free to the public with the exception of all food and the beer garden.
If you have any questions, please email Director of Tourism and Events Matt Anderson at matt@kittitascountychamber.com
Lemonade Day is a fun, experiential program that teaches youth how to start, own and operate their very own business - a lemonade stand. Each year, in participating cities, youth have the opportunity to experience entrepreneurship by setting up their business during their city's community-wide Lemonade Day. Lemonade Day will be happening on August 19, 2023.
Kittitas County is revving up this summer for the 19th annual Kruisin’ Kittitas Burnouts & Car Show on Main Street in Kittitas, WA. On Saturday, August 19, 2023, visit downtown for a parade filled with classic cars— watch awesome burnouts – bring your family and enjoy the kids zone – and so much more! This event is hosted by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce.
The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce is putting on the annual Bite of the 'Burg on September 19, 2023, from 2 p.m to 5 p.m. Bite of the 'Burg is a street festival that happens the day before Central Washington University classes commence to welcome new and returning students to Ellensburg. Taking place on 4th Avenue between Pearl and Ruby Street, vendors line the street to give out great food, great swag and great fun! It creates an opportunity for businesses to introduce themselves to a new wave of customers and shows newcomers what Ellensburg has to offer. If you have any questions, please email the Event Coordinator, Chelsea Cramer or call (509) 925-2002.
The Roslyn Mountain Ale Festival is a great opportunity for attendees to appreciate craft beverages, local foods, friends and the Roslyn, Washington area. After the event is over the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce encourages guests to visit other local restaurants and businesses in downtown Roslyn. Visit Roslyn on October 14, 2023.
If you have any questions please contact the Event Coordinator, Chelsea Cramer at chelsea@kittitascountychamber.com or call the Chamber Office at (509) 925-2002.
Join the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce for the annual Christmas in Cle Elum Parade on December 2, 2023 at 6 p.m. Fireworks will follow the parade at 7 p.m and can be watched from anywhere in downtown Cle Elum.
If you have any questions, please email our Director of Tourism and Events Matt Anderson at matt@kittitascountychamber.com or call our office at (509) 925-2002.
Annual Programs
The Enterprise Challenge is an annual business plan competition for new and emerging companies in Yakima and Kittitas Counties. We believe it is a great way for Yakima County Development Association and the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate small business and support promising ventures in Central Washington. More than 250 entrepreneurs have competed in the contest since its inception and many of them have gone on to start their businesses in our community. The 2023 competition runs from Thursday, March 2, 2023 and runs through Tuesday, May 9, 2023. For more information, email Director of Chamber Outreach & Economic Advancement, Darby Grimes at: darby@kittitascountychamber.com.
Leadership Kittitas County (LKC) is an in-depth, 7-month exploration of our county. LKC classes are able to visit offices in the county frequently not open to the public, have exclusive meetings with community leaders and top business people, and have spirited conversations about policy and our communities’ future. Diversity of viewpoints is highly encouraged. Many deep friendships and connections have been forged among participants and with Leadership alumni and presenters. Participants are expected to attend all virtual sessions and participate by engaging with speakers and fellow class members.
Classes will run from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a lunch break in between. All sessions, with the exception of the October Orientation, are held on the 2nd Friday of the month. Please email the Director of Chamber Outreach & Economic Advancement Darby Grimesor call (509) 925-2002 if you have any questions.
The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce is excited to launch The Pitch, a business pitch competition. In its inaugural year, applicants must be a Kittitas County business that participated in the Enterprise Challenge Competition from the years 2021-2023 to be eligible for the 2023 competition.
The Pitch Day takes place on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Foundry, located at 421B N Main St, Ellensburg, WA 98926. Set times will be given to contestants once registration closes. On this day, business owners will have the opportunity to pitch their business to a panel of judges to potentially win $10,000. That same day, the winner will be announced during the Awards Ceremony at 4:00 p.m. Learn more here!
Conferences
We are hosting the Washington Festivals and Events Association Spring Conference at Suncadia Resort on March 27-29, 2023. Visit the WFEA website to learn more and register. This is a great opportunity to network with other event businesses and leaders in our State.
Summits
The 2023 Legislative Day will be on Wednesday, November 15, 2023! Registration opens October 4, 2023. Stay tuned for more information.
For questions or more information please call the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce CEO Amy McGuffin at 509-925-2002 or email: amy@kittitascountychamber.com.
Please join Ellensburg Mayor Nancy Lillquist, Cle Elum Mayor Jay McGowan, Kittitas Mayor Richard Hink Jr, Roslyn Mayor Brent Hals, and Commissioner Cory Wright as they present the state of their respective communities along with a moderated discussion of projects and challenges ahead. Local business testimonials will close out the event for a county-wide launch of initiatives to enhance our economic future. Social hour and networking from 5-6 p.m then the main program from 6-8 p.m. Please register in advance as there will be limited seats.