PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2023
GREATER VANCOUVER CHAMBER ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL KICKOFF OF “YOU STAY, WE PAY” PILOT PROGRAM
This tourism and economy stimulation promotion was created to support hotels and increase overnight and day-visit tourism, while at the same time helping boost small businesses in the community.
Vancouver, WA - The Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) is pleased to announce the success of its “You Stay, We Pay” pilot program, launched to bring real economic results to small businesses, increase local tourism, and encourage visitors to explore the southwest Washington region during the winter months.
The Chamber partnered with Sonesta ES Suites Vancouver 41st Street and Best Western Premier Hotel at Fisher’s Landing to offer the first 65 guests who booked a two-night stay $75 in Grow the 360 gift certificates. These gift certificates work like cash when redeemed at participating restaurants, coffee shops, nail salons, boutiques, fitness centers, and other local attractions around the city. The program reimburses participating businesses 100 percent of the face value of the currency.
Thanks to the program's success, the Greater Vancouver Chamber was able to inject $5,000 into the local economy, while also providing a boost to the hospitality industry. Funding for the program was made possible by assistance from the City of Vancouver, Washington Lodging Tax Grant Program.
Participating hotels and businesses in the surrounding areas reported an increase in foot traffic, booking, and sales during the program period.
“We loved the ‘You Stay, We Pay’ and Grow the 360 programs. This was fun! The Grow the 360 gift certificates were a nice bonus to present to hotel guests. It gave them an opportunity to explore Vancouver and find places to eat and shop without any risk to them,” said Angie Hildebrant, Director of Sales at Sonesta ES Suites Vancouver 41st Street.
According to Thao (Bella) Bui, owner at LaBelle Nails & Spa, the Grow the 360 gift certificates program also helped her business to grow. “It is super easy to collect these gift certificates from my customers. I am impressed how the Chamber promotes my business and encourages local consumers and visitors to come and utilize my services. I love being a member of my local Chamber of Commerce,” said Bui.
After a successful pilot, the Greater Vancouver Chamber is planning to implement the “You Stay, We Pay” program on a large scale to continue helping small businesses to thrive, while at the same time positioning the southwest Washington region as a great tourist destination.
"We are overjoyed with the remarkable success of the 'You Stay, We Pay' initiative," stated Janet Kenefsky, Vice President of Operations for the Chamber. "Recognizing the need for our tourism industry and small businesses to receive a lift during the winter months, we took it upon ourselves to bolster local businesses and entice visitors to explore the diverse offerings across the city. It's gratifying to witness the program's positive influence on the local economy, with a program where people spend, on average, 38% more than the value of the gift card, further boosting economic growth. As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to support the tourism industry and local businesses, fostering their ongoing prosperity and success."
The Grow the 360 gift certificates program experiences consistent purchases and redemption activity each day. However, Kenefsky noted, "It was truly remarkable to observe how this particular initiative inspired guests to utilize the gift certificates across a wide range of businesses, including nail salons, spas, and boutiques throughout the city, enriching the local economy and supporting a diverse array of establishments."
For more information about the Grow the 360 program and other initiatives by the Greater Vancouver Chamber, please visit VancouverUSA.com.
About the Greater Vancouver Chamber
SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 130 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com.
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Media Assets
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Uqj1m3I3trBjKZ6dZWr6YqSaO7IaUOmo?usp=sharing
Grow the 360 program
https://www.vancouverusa.com/support-local/grow-the-360/
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2023
VICE PRESIDENT OF GREATER VANCOUVER CHAMBER GRADUATES FROM PRESTIGIOUS US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION'S EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Fellowship provides state and local business leaders with opportunities to engage nationally on critical education and workforce issues.
Vancouver, WA – The Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) proudly announces the graduation of its esteemed Vice President, Janet Kenefsky, from the prestigious US Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Business Leads Cohort, a rigorous six-month fellowship focused on workforce development.
The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Business Leads Cohort brings together an exclusive group of leaders to collaborate and address the country's most pressing workforce challenges. During the six-month program, participants engage in a series of workshops, roundtable discussions, and seminars aimed at empowering them to create innovative solutions to bridge the skills gap, foster talent pipelines, and enhance economic opportunities in their respective communities.
Janet Kenefsky has demonstrated unwavering commitment and passion for workforce development throughout their tenure at the Chamber. Her participation in this highly competitive program underscores her dedication to advancing the organization’s mission of nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and contributing to the overall growth of the business community.
"We are extremely proud of Janet for successfully completing the fellowship," said GVC President & CEO John McDonagh. "Her hard work, insights, and collaboration with other industry leaders will undoubtedly benefit not only our organization but also the larger community. We are already seeing the positive impact of her efforts as we continue to invest in our workforce, collaborate with partners across the region and create opportunities for growth."
Upon returning from the program, Kenefsky will spearhead new initiatives and strategies to enhance the Greater Vancouver’s talent development programs, deepen our partnerships with local educational institutions, and create opportunities for upskilling and reskilling employees in alignment with industry trends.
For more information on the Business Leads Fellowship Program, visit the program’s website.
About the Greater Vancouver Chamber
SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 130 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com.
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation is a nonprofit affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America's long-term competitiveness by addressing the most critical workforce challenges. The foundation focuses on four key areas: workforce development, education and skills, economic growth, and corporate citizenship. For more information, visit www.uschamberfoundation.org.
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Media Assets
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RM8M9fMofWZBYXzYZO_oeopkpF_0zkJm
Business Leads Fellowship Program
https://businessleads.uschamberfoundation.org/
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2023
GREATER VANCOUVER CHAMBER REVEALED THE 2023 IRIS AWARD HONOREES
The Chamber announced the Iris Award ceremony will be held in person next year. Each year, outstanding women leaders in southwest Washington are recognized for their significant contribution to the community.
Vancouver, WA- The Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) was honored to announce the 2023 Iris Award recipients, during a virtual ceremony, concluding its half-day, Women Who Mean Business Symposium, presented by LSW Architects. Three women of achievement who embody outstanding leadership, philanthropy, and public service were recognized for their contributions and dedication to the community.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the event honored ten exceptional women finalists and presented three Iris Awards to deserving recipients. Each honoree delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech, broadcast virtually to the audience who shared their congratulations and enthusiasm through the virtual chat. It was an inspiring gathering that recognized the contributions and achievements of women from diverse backgrounds and industries.
In order of announcement, the 2023 Iris Award honorees are featured below with excerpts from their nominations:
- Lisa Dow, Executive Vice President & Chief Risk Officer at Umpqua Bank: Lisa is a career-long banker and the only woman among eight chiefs at the bank. Even with such a demanding job, Lisa always finds a way to make time and volunteer hundreds of hours giving back to the community in board leadership roles for numerous organizations across southwest Washington. She is an excellent advocate in helping others achieve their goals whether that be in their professional career or as a volunteer in the community.
- Monica Tellez-Fowler, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at C-TRAN: Monica is an accomplished public transit professional and selfless public servant. She is heavily involved in working to provide access to education, jobs, and healthcare for our residents in Clark County by working closely with city staff and community leaders, whether elected or with nonprofit associations. Having spent nearly her entire career within the public sector, she lives and breathes life into the communities where she has lived. Both inside and outside of C-TRAN, Monica freely gives her time to be a mentor and professional assistant to those who are looking for guidance.
- Amy Reeves, Vice President SW Washington Area Manager at OnPoint Community Credit Union: Amy’s commitment to philanthropy is exemplary, and she serves as an outstanding model of a savvy businesswoman, wife, and mother. Integrity and her relentless pursuit of excellence, according to her nominators, is the cornerstone of Amy's leadership style. Most importantly, Amy's selflessness shines through in all aspects of her life, and she sets an admirable standard for others to follow. Her unwavering dedication to improving our community and the extensive amount of time and resources she spends serving several nonprofit boards and committees throughout Clark County is truly inspirational.
During the virtual ceremony, the Emcee, Cyndi Holloway, Governmental & Community Affairs Director at Waste Connections, and past Iris Award honoree, presented each finalist with their acknowledgements before inviting the event's award sponsors to announce each winner. Sponsors of the 2023 Iris Awards included supporting sponsor Riverview Bank, and awards sponsors Legacy Health, OnPoint Community Credit Union, and KeyBank.
“As we marked International Women's Day, the 2023 Iris Awards gave us the opportunity to continue celebrating and recognizing women leaders in our community that are driving growth and change. These women are role models, change-makers, leaders, and visionaries, who inspire us to forge ahead. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our award honorees. They are a testament to the exceptional leadership, talent, strength, and dedication of the women in this region,” said GVC President & CEO John McDonagh.
The Iris Awards successfully concluded this year’s Women Who Mean Business Symposium, hosted by the Greater Vancouver Chamber. Over 200 local professionals virtually joined this half-day leadership conference, individually and through watch parties. This event, designed to champion professional men and women across the region, featured renowned speakers Kim Boudreau Smith, Shae Frichette, and Michael Sherlock, who had engaging talks with attendees and delved into a variety of topics, including overcoming imposter syndrome and supporting women on their path to successful leadership.
After three successful years of hosting the Women Who Mean Business Symposium virtually, the Chamber is delighted to announce that the next edition will be held in person. The event promises to be a transformative experience for business professionals, providing a forum to exchange ideas, share insights, and gain valuable leadership skills. With multiple keynote and breakout presentations by esteemed experts in their respective fields, the all-day conference will be a unique opportunity for attendees to empower their careers and expand their networks. According to Janet Kenefsky, Vice President of Operations for the Chamber, "We are thrilled to bring this esteemed gathering back to an in-person setting and look forward to creating a dynamic and engaging experience for everyone involved."
The 2023 Women Who Mean Business Symposium was presented by LSW Architects and supported by additional sponsors, HAPO Community Credit Union, MacKay Sposito, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Columbia Credit Union, Johnson Bixby, Columbia Machine Inc., Palm Beach Tan, The Columbian, NW Natural, and Corwin Beverage Company.
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities and how to get involved in next year’s Women Who Mean Business Symposium and Iris Awards at VancouverUSA.com/WomenInLeadership.
About the Iris Awards
Wanting to recognize women of achievement in Southwest Washington who exemplified leadership, philanthropy, and community service was the inspiration for the Iris Awards in 1985. For 38 years, the southwest Washington community has nominated outstanding women for recognition. The Iris Award is held to commemorate National Women’s History Month, to recognize International Women’s Day, and to honor volunteer efforts and community leadership of women in Clark County.
About the Greater Vancouver Chamber
SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 130 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com.
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Media Assets:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/142Sf93O5e765DUQKSqPagCVXjhKDVei8?usp=sharing
Official Program Link:
Women Who Mean Business Symposium
Iris Award Past Honorees:
https://www.vancouverusa.com/annual-events/past-iris-awards-honorees/