In keeping with the “adapt and overcome” theme of 2020, the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce and Washington Parks Department will host a very different version of the annual “Olde Fashioned Christmas” event on Sunday, November 29. 
The drive-thru event will be held in the Main & Elm parking lot, which will become a magical display of lights and decorations – complete with Santa and reindeer.  Children will still be treated to hot cocoa, hot cider, cookies, crafts, and candy canes.  A North Pole Post Office will be set up to accept letters to Santa.
Olde Fashioned Christmas (2020 Edition) will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 29 and end at 7 p.m.  The line will begin on Main Street at Cedar.  Cars are asked to enter from the west end of 2nd street, turning onto Pine, and then onto Main.  Volunteers will be present to direct traffic, and will also be collecting non-perishable food donations for local food pantries.
Outdoor decorations and lights are needed to transform the area to a Winter Wonderland.  Items to be donated or borrowed can be brought to the Chamber Office (323 W Main Street, Washington) by Friday, November 20.  Office Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.  To make other drop-off arrangements, please contact Cheryl, [email protected].

​Dear Members,
While we had been moving forward with plans to hold our Winter Mixer in December, a decision has now been made to cancel the event.  As the number of COVID cases in our community continues to rise, we want to do our part to keep people safe.  Please continue to take precautions to reduce the spread and keep your family healthy and happy through the holiday season. 
This year has been challenging, to say the very least, for everyone.  We have all learned a lot about ourselves, our businesses, and our community.  Please know that the Chamber is here to support you in the difficult times - providing resources, raising awareness, and cheering you on!
As we look to 2021, uncertain but hopeful, we remain focused on our mission to serve this community by strengthening businesses, boosting the local economic climate, and enhancing the quality of life of area residents.
On behalf of our board and staff, we wish you a season free of quarantine and illness, a wonderful Thanksgiving, a very Merry Christmas, and the happiest and healthiest New Year!

With so many great prizes up for grabs, we thought you would appreciate a schedule!  Live drawings are streamed on the Chamber's Facebook Page, and each day's winners are posted in the Thankful for our Community Facebook event.  Tickets can still be purchased on our raffle page, and a full listing of prizes is available there as well. 

As announced in late 2019, the Chamber has renewed its focus on membership care and recognition.  At our Business Breakfast on January 9, we were excited to honor members that joined or celebrated 5-year anniversaries in the past year!

​Upcoming Anniversaries and Recognition Events include:

Annual Banquet - March 21
*Chairman's Circle (for Membership Anniversaries of 50 years or more)
40-year anniversaries
30-year anniversaries
25-year anniversaries

Summer Mixer - June 4
10-year anniversaries
​20-year anniversaries

The focus for the academy was “Building the Leader Within” (Day One) and “Building the Community with your Leadership” (Day Two). Day one began with professionalism activities for learning effective communication skills (Cassandra Suggs), owning your digital brand (Mason Duchatschek), and dressing for success (Gretchen Pettet). Students then spoke with Frank Hemmer at Mercy and were led in a business lunch etiquette activity by Mayor Sandy Lucy. Students ended day one with industry tours and leadership discussions at Hodges Badge, Ziglin Signs, and Clemco. ​

Day two began with Sal Maniaci speaking to the group at City Hall about Washington’s civic and service leadership opportunities that exist. Jon Bauer presented a message about East Central College, and Danielle Unnerstall and Jennifer Geisike covered ways students could get involved now through joining junior boards in the area. The group walked to the Bank of Washington and participated in a leadership panel that proved to be informative, engaging, insightful, and interesting. The leadership panel consisted of many area leaders including: Jay Nowak, Julie Scannell, Casey Zastrow, Andrew Clary, Becky Cox, and Matt Posinski.  Leaders spoke about their journey through leadership and engaged students with authentic examples and genuine conversation. The panel and group transitioned to Marquart’s Landing for a professional pair up and lunch where more casual leadership discussions occurred. Students heard from Dana Marquart at Photogenics on Location and Jessica Sneed from Envy about their unique and recent professional journey in the great town of Washington. The day ended by learning the components of a thank you note and putting the lesson into action to thank the many people who made the inaugural Leadership Academy of Washington a successful event for area students. ​​

​A Fall Follow-Up was conducted in September with the Leadership Academy students to reflect on the Academy activities, discuss part of the book they were gifted (“Make Your Bed”), and talk about the three hour shadow experience or community service each student completed, as a requirement of the Academy. Students enjoyed their experiences and several were connected with events in the community they had never been a part of until their assignment.

​Students attended and were recognized at the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon in October to round out their leadership experience and meet and greet local business owners in a networking environment.

The goals of the Leadership Academy were to invest in youth in order to grow, support, and maintain positive leaders in the community. The committee strived to form meaningful connections between our community and the students in area schools. The Leadership Academy aligned nicely with the strategic plans of those involved by connecting youth to the community and developing potential future leaders. Students were presented multiple viewpoints on leadership and opportunities within the community. They were encouraged to think critically about leadership and also begin to identify their own particular leadership strengths. ​​

​The Leadership Academy would not have been possible without the generous contributions from the following area businesses: Enduro Binders, Ziglin Signs, Bank of Washington, Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, Four Rivers YMCA, City of Washington, Washington Rotary, Washington Lions, Washington Jaycees, Washington Kiwanis, Washington Optimist, and many others. In addition, the following community leaders worked tirelessly to create this event for the youth in our community: Pam Tholen (St. Francis Borgia Regional High School), Andy Robinson (School District of Washington), Jennifer Geisike (Washington Area Chamber of Commerce), Danielle Unnerstall (Bank of Washington), Brandy Koch (Four Rivers YMCA), Becky Cox (Four Rivers YMCA), Annie Wieland (School District of Washington, and Mary Kleekamp (School District of Washington). The hope is to offer this leadership event for many years to come.

For more information on Leadership Academy of Washington, and to view our re-cap video of 2019, visit washmochamber.org/law.

Our annual summer mixer was scheduled for Thursday, June 6.  Of course, the entire region was going crazy with Stanley Cup fever...  we couldn't cancel a favorite event for so many members, but missing the game was NOT an option!  Luckily, with a little help from the City of Washington and the Washington Fire Department, we were able to project the game for those who wanted to watch!  We started the program a bit early, and members got updates from Chamber Chairman Dave Politte and Fair Co-Chairman Jon Ballmann.  Then it was off to the serving lines for a delicious meal from B & B BBQ.  I (Amanda) would be lying if I said I didn't go back for a whole plate of mashed potatoes for our table to share.  Everyone was both shocked and grateful!

It was great to see our members come together and enjoy a beautiful night at the fairgrounds.  We celebrated our great community, networked, enjoyed a fantastic meal, and watched an amazing hockey game.  Let's Go Blues, and Thank You Washington!