5 Things You Need to Know This Week: Ribbon Cuttings, Managerial Musings
1. Let the Chamber's Busy Season Commence!
Our events season begins NEXT week, and we are chomping at the bit to bring y'all another year of informative, and entertaining content. As a reminder, you can check out our events using the Chamber Calendar, and we encourage you to utilize our Community Calendar as well.
As for our larger events and programs, this is what we've got for the first round:
- New Executives Professional Program: Starts Tomorrow!
- Chamber Lunch: City Council Candidate Forum
- 2025 Eastside Leadership Conference, presented by Microsoft
2. City Hall Happenings
The Council reconvened after a little late summer hiatus last night – here's the main agenda items they covered:
- New on the Transpo Commission: Last night, Councilmember Nieuwenhuis appointed Anthony Welcher to the Transporation Commission, and he will serve a full term expiring on May 31, 2029.
- Economic Development Plan: The Council also were given a progress report on the City's 2025 Economic Development Plan update. See the slides here, and meeting recording here.
3. Welcoming Week - Celebrating Bellevue
Welcoming Week is a national celebration bringing together neighbors of all backgrounds, and Bellevue wants in! For this year's festivities, Eastside for All is spearheading the effort, and on September 15, the Cultural Conversations program will be relaunching with "The Bellevue We Hope to See: A Storytelling Event” at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
Submit your own event to the East King County calendar here, and take a peek at the full event lineup here.
4. One Year In: City Manager Musings
City Manager Diane Carlson had big shoes to fill when she took over for longtime civic servant, Brad Miyake, in late 2023, but in reflecting on her first year in the role, she is feeling energized.
"I feel as energetic about the job today as I did when I took it on as the acting (city manager) — energizing because we managed to do a couple of really great, big things for the city," she said in an interview with 425 Business. "I would say the top one for this last year was the Comprehensive Plan amendment."
"[It took] years of work, obviously, to get it to that point of bringing it to the council, but it is a major next step for the city in terms of our growth, and planning for that growth, and setting the stage for it, (including) the Wilburton subarea plan."
Read the full article detailing her hopes, dreams concerns, and hiccups over the last year at the link below.
5. Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings
We've got ribbon-cuttings coming out of our ears! Want to stop by and join the crew?
- Primo's: Friday, September 12, 3 - 4 p.m.
- OCD Anxiety Centers: Wednesday, September 17, 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- 1st Security Bank: Wednesday, September 17, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Member News:
- Code Rainbow: Our friends over at Eastside Pride have tabled at the Issaquah Salmon Days Festival for 3 years, but are in desperate need of volunteers for this year, as if they cannot get volunteers to fill both days, they will have to cancel their table. More info here.
- Sip & Stroll: The Old Bellevue Merchants Association is celebrating the changing of the seasons by putting on another Wine Walk! This time taking place on Thursday, September 18, the event will feature over 24 wineries and a whole bunch of the best downtown shops. Get your tickets here.
- Best in Show: Bellevue Lifestyle Magazine is back with its Best of Bellevue 2025 campaign, and there are around 60 categories to vote in. Submit your nominations using this link.