Dear Chamber Members,
Spring is one of our favorite times of the year at the Chamber. It marks the beginning of event season, when our business community comes together to connect, celebrate, and support one another. Our 2026 calendar is full of opportunities to engage with fellow members, showcase your business, and be part of the vibrant community that makes Washington County such a great place to live and work.
This week, we are proud to host the Genentech Washington County Women’s Conference & Expo. We intentionally host this event during Women’s History Month, bringing together inspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across our community and all aspects of life. We are especially delighted to welcome Hillsboro Mayor Beach Pace as our keynote speaker. It promises to be an energizing event and a reminder of the incredible talent and leadership we have right here in Washington County.
Our event season continues throughout the year with many opportunities to connect and celebrate our community in meaningful ways:
- April: Crystal Apple Awards, celebrating excellence in education and the educators who shape the future of our community
- May: NEW for 2026 – Small Business Expo, where Chamber members can showcase their businesses and connect directly with the community
- June: Juneteenth Celebration
- August: Latino Community Festival
- September: Golf Scramble
- October: Latino Business Summit and Manufacturers Symposium
- December: Annual Awards Gala
Vendor opportunities for both the Juneteenth Celebration and the Latino Community Festival are launching soon. These events offer fantastic opportunities for businesses to engage with the community and showcase their products and services, so keep an eye on your inbox for information on how to reserve your space.
Many Chamber events and programs also offer sponsorship opportunities, and we have a limited number of sponsorships still available for 2026. Sponsoring Chamber events helps elevate the profile of your business in our community while creating unique marketing opportunities to showcase your brand, connect with business leaders and decision-makers, and demonstrate your commitment to Washington County. From prominent event recognition to direct engagement with our members, sponsorship is a powerful way to increase your visibility while supporting the programs and events that bring our business community together. Don’t miss the opportunity to help your business shine in 2026. View available opportunities here.
Don’t forget to check out our ReMember Benefits section in this newsletter. This month, we are highlighting a special opportunity for Chamber members to receive a free booth at the Small Business Expo. Space is limited, and booths will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
We also encourage you to explore the Chamber’s member health insurance benefits, designed to help small businesses access quality coverage for themselves and their employees. We know that finding affordable health insurance can be one of the biggest challenges facing small business owners, and we hope this program will help protect you, your employees, and your families.
Advocacy remains a central part of the Chamber’s work. On March 30, there will be a Joint Town Hall with Commissioner Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Senator Janeen Sollman, and Hillsboro Mayor Beach Pace. This is an opportunity for businesses to share their perspectives directly with leaders shaping our community. If we want the voice of business to be heard, we must show up. Details are included in this newsletter. You can also RSVP for the Joint Town Hall here.
We also encourage you to complete the Governor’s Prosperity Roadmap Survey and share your thoughts on how the state can help businesses succeed. Our message to policymakers remains simple: support economic growth, remove barriers where possible, and, above all, Do No Harm.
Finally, I invite you to visit our Advocacy in Action section, where we share reflections on the 2026 legislative session and the work the Chamber is doing to represent Washington County businesses in Salem.
Thank you for being part of this incredible business community. I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events.
With very best regards,
Josh