washington business
Inside AWB
It doesn ’ t matter whether you ’ re a small-business owner hiring your first full-time employee , or the manager of a corporate division of thousands . For more than 100 years , AWB has been your voice in Washington state .
What ’ s Going On at AWB Manufacturing Summit and Awards Honor Leaders and Innovators
Sold-out Policy Summit Features Three Days of Insightful and Fun Discussion
Fred Hochberg , chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States , gave the keynote address as manufacturers from around the state gathered in Everett on Oct . 26 for the 2016 AWB Manufacturing Summit .
To highlight the importance of trade to Washington ’ s economic prosperity , Emory Thomas , publisher of the event ’ s media partner , The Puget Sound Business Journal , helped present the Manufacturing Excellence Awards . The winners were :
• Green Manufacturing : Earth Friendly Products , maker of environmentally-friendly and sustainable cleaning products , located in Lacey .
• Innovation : Rite in the Rain , the century-old maker of weather-proof notepads and writing implements , located in Tacoma .
• Operational Excellence : SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers , maker of carbon fiber composite for automobiles , located in Moses Lake .
From the youthful energy of author Dan Schawbel and AWB ’ s Grow Here panel to the big-picture perspectives of experts in education , politics and taxation , AWB ’ s 27th annual Policy Summit was the biggest ever . It also saw Wendy Sancewich become the new AWB Board Chair after two years of leadership by Mike Schwenk .
More than 400 of the state ’ s business and policy leaders gathered at Suncadia Resort for the annual AWB Policy Summit . The sold-out crowd heard from 36 speakers , including seven statewide political candidates , bestselling authors and one former Weekend Update anchorman from Saturday Night Live , among many others .
The three days of conversation , information and networking also included debates between candidates for superintendent of public instruction , state auditor and public lands commissioner .
AWB members also were among the first people in the state to hear from the new presidents of the University of Washington and Washington State University in one event on the same stage . UW President Ana Mari Cauce and WSU President Kirk Schulz talked about ways the state ’ s two research universities can work more closely together and with the state ’ s community and technical colleges .
• Operational Excellence : G . Loomis , manufacturer of high-quality fishing rods and gear , located in Woodland .
• Manufacturer of the Year : Nucor Steel Seattle , the state ’ s most prolific recycler of steel , which the facility repurposes for everything from buildings to bridges .
Holiday Kids ’ Tree Project Lights Up the Season
Olympia ’ s favorite holiday tradition returned as AWB members helped kick off the Christmas season with the annual Holiday Kids ’ Tree Project .
Since 1989 , the project has raised more than $ 390,000 to buy Christmas gifts for families in need across the state .
This year ’ s tree was donated by Weyerhaeuser , which harvested it on land in its Vail tree farm . The tree was decorated with the theme of “ under the sea ” using stuffed animals as tree ornaments . After the tree was taken down , all those colorful toys were donated to patients at Seattle Children ’ s Hospital .
To learn more about the Holiday Kids ’ Tree Project , contact Bonnie Millikan at 800.521.9325 .
12 association of washington business