Congratulations to the 2026
Armed Forces Day Parade Winners!
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Port-to-Port Pop Up Ferry
Saturday, June 13, 2026
| All aboard! On Saturday, June 13th, the Greater Kitsap Chamber invites you to experience a truly unique journey on the Carlisle II, the last remaining vessel of the historic Mosquito Fleet. This special passenger-only ferry will run between Silverdale and Bremerton, giving you a chance to soak in the scenic beauty of our Kitsap County waterways from a rare vantage point. Tickets now available! | |
June Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11:00am
| | Please join us for our June Membership Luncheon and 2026 Annual Meeting. This is a special luncheon for the Chamber as we celebrate all of the work we've done over the last 12 months and introduce our newly-elected Board members. You'll hear from outgoing-Chair, Susan Larsen and learn more about what the Chamber has planned for the coming year. | |
Chamber: Off the Clock
Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 5:05pm
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Deep Dive Business Series
Service That Sells: Winning More B2B Clients
Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 2:00pm
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Accessible Healthcare with NICE
Business Health Trust Has You Covered
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You may have more options than you think.
A lot of employers assume they just have to live with a plan that is not working. But a mid-year review can still be worth it. If your team is dealing with confusing coverage, employee complaints, or too much admin time, now is a smart time to ask questions and see what a better fit could look like.
Through our chamber’s partnership with Business Health Trust, members can compare benefits, get guidance, and move toward a setup that feels easier to manage. Nice Healthcare adds even more day-to-day value with $0 care built for real life.
🔗 Webpage Link: https://businesshealthtrust.com/products/nice-healthcare/
Questions? Contact BHT!
(425) 201-1972
nice@businesshealthtrust.com
Not a BHT member? Are you ready to build a better benefits package?
Visit bhtquote.com to learn more and get a free quote.
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Renew your membership today to ensure your benefits as a member of the Greater Kitsap Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Need a new membership window cling or digital badge? Contact us now!
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Missed a previous edition of the Chamber's Community Connections?
View all the past issues on our website HERE.
| | New Members - Welcome to the Chamber! | | |
The Early Bird Saves the Therms:
Cascade Natural Gas Breakfast
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Receive a complimentary breakfast while learning how you can grow business opportunities with CNGC program incentives!
Join the Cascade Natural Gas Corporation (CNGC) Commercial & Industrial Conservation Incentive program for a complimentary breakfast bringing together customers and the contractors who support them. Representatives from CNGC will share eligibility criteria, the program's latest increased incentive amounts, practical tips for successfully working with the program, and more.
All attendees will be entered into a raffle for a two lower-level tickets to the Mariners vs. Cubs game on Friday, August 21 at 7:10 PM.
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Changing Faces, Changing Places
Share your business news today
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Has your team recently welcomed a new hire, celebrated a promotion, or marked a retirement? Kitsap Business magazine's Changing Faces, Changing Places section highlights the people powering our local business community. Chamber members are invited to share their staff updates for inclusion in an upcoming issue.
Send your announcements to news@kitsapbusiness.com and let us help you recognize the faces behind your success.
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber is pleased to name valueGlass as our June Member of the Month. Since opening in 2014, valueGlass has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality glass solutions with professionalism and care across Kitsap County. Their attention to detail, reliable service, and relationship-driven approach have made them a respected and recognizable part of our local business landscape. Since joining the Chamber in 2024, they have remained engaged and committed to supporting both fellow members and the broader community.
A Continued Commitment to Community
valueGlass demonstrates its community-minded spirit through ongoing participation in local events, including Military Appreciation Day and Armed Forces Day. Their involvement reflects an appreciation for the people and partnerships that make Kitsap County strong, and a willingness to show up in support of the community.
Strengthening Our Local Business Network
Beyond their participation in local events, valueGlass contributes to the success of other small businesses. Most recently, they donated and installed a new glass door for a fellow Chamber member—an act that speaks to their collaborative mindset and generosity.
A Clear Commitment to Craft and Community
valueGlass stands out for its commitment to quality workmanship and meaningful community engagement. Their focus on delivering excellent results while building lasting partnerships reflects the values we celebrate within the Chamber. We are proud to recognize valueGlass for their continued contributions and look forward to seeing their ongoing impact in Kitsap County.
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Public Safety Funding
Budget Community Meetings
June 17 - 22, 2026, 6:30pm
| Business & Professional Development Committee | | Member Education & Training Resources | | |
SCORE: Successfully Starting
A New Business in Washington
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 9:00am
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This workshop will give you the following skills to take those first critical steps in starting a successful business:
- Understand the different business entities and choose the best one for your business.
- Learn how to properly license your business in Washington state.
- Select the correct insurance for your business.
- Understand the options for financing your business.
First, we review what you need to know about setting up your business with the best legal entity. Whether you choose a sole proprietorship, LLC or another entity, we will help you understand how to get the right business licenses along with understanding the state and federal taxes you need to manage.
Understanding how to protect your business and yourself with the correct business insurance is critical. You’ll learn about the various commercial insurance policies available and we’ll help you determine what’s best for you.
We’ll describe to you various financing options for your business, and then show you how to apply for the financing that makes sense for you.
Registration Fee: $10
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The Exit Planning Journey
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 11:30am
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Ever thought about what's next in your business?
Most small business owners are so focused on day-to-day operations that exit planning falls to the bottom of the list. But waiting too long can cost you value, time, and peace of mind.
Exit With Intention: The Exit Planning Journey is a free, expert-led workshop that gives you a practical roadmap for exiting your business on your own terms — whether that's in 2 years or 20 years.
You'll learn how to:
➡️ Build and protect your business value
➡️ Reduce operational and financial risk before you sell
➡️ Prepare confidently for your next chapter
This is an affiliate event of Matchstick Lab and is presented by a collaborative team of experts: a certified exit planner, a business coach, a certified exit financial advisor, an operations specialist, and a certified business broker.
🌐 Full details: https://exitwithintention.netlify.app
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SBDC: Active Listening
The Key to Better Communication
Thursday, June 25, 2026, 11:00am
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Active Listening builds on strong questioning skills and focuses on the often-missed half of communication – how well we receive, interpret, and respond to others. This course helps participants slow down, listen with intent, and strengthen trust, clarity, and influence in everyday conversations.
Participants will learn to:
-Distinguish between hearing and true listening – and why the difference matters
-Use verbal, non-verbal, and follow-up cues to show they’re fully engaged
-Respond in ways that clarify understanding, reduce friction, and move conversations forward
Registration Fee: FREE
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Business News & Resources | | Fan Zones Spread 2026 FIFA World Cup Festivities, Business Beyond Seattle | |
Published by the Association of WA Business, June 2, 2026
Photo: Jacqueline Allison/AWB
Soccer fans are known for their enthusiasm for the game, but while they’re in Washington for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, they’ll also have opportunities to delight in live entertainment from local artists, cultural experiences, food, beverages and family-friendly activities at nine fan zones across the state.
“We’re just really excited to celebrate with the world,” said Jennie Foglia-Jones of JFJ Strategies and program manager for the Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone, helping the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce organize their community’s World Cup-connected events. “We’re looking at this like a once in a generation opportunity.”
SeattleFWC26, organizing committee for the city’s participation in the games, designated the fan zones to spread the excitement, the comradery and — hopefully — the wealth to small local businesses.
“Fan zones are community gathering spaces where people can come to watch the matches together, celebrate their teams, experience the energy of the tournament as a community even if you don’t have stadium tickets,” Foglia-Jones said.
Other fan zones are in the communities of Bellingham, Everett, Spokane, the Tri-Cities, Yakima, Vancouver, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians in Tacoma, and Bremerton.
Visitors will be filling restaurants and buying merchandise — it’s a springboard for an economic driver, said Downtown Bremerton Association Executive Director Jessica Combs.
“This is such a massive opportunity for any business in a 200-mile radius of the Seattle Stadium,” she said.
Read the article here
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What Documents Do You Need to
Apply for a Small Business Loan?
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Published by the US Chamber of Commerce, June 27, 2025
Whether you’re expanding your business or looking to improve cash flow management, a small business loan can be a game changer. Discover the key documents you’ll need to apply, how lenders assess your application, and tips to improve your approval odds.
How lenders evaluate business loan documentation
When evaluating a business loan application, lenders look beyond the paperwork to assess your business's overall strength and reliability. One unofficial, widely used framework is the 5 C’s of Credit—Character, Capacity, Capital, Collateral, and Conditions—which help lenders determine how likely you are to repay the loan.
- Character reflects your credit history and reputation.
- Capacity is your ability to repay, typically measured by cash flow and financial performance.
- Capital refers to the money you’ve personally invested in the business.
- Collateral is any asset you’re willing to pledge to secure the loan.
- Conditions include the purpose of the loan and the broader economic environment.
Read the article here
| | The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to serve as a resource partner with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Stay tuned to this section quarterly for education, resources and more from L&I. | | |
Workplace Rights Refresher:
Independent Contractors
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Now, if someone is truly an independent contractor, they won’t be an employee. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about what makes someone an independent contractor in Washington state. In part, that’s because the IRS and the state have different criteria. Someone who’s received a 1099 form may be a contractor to the IRS, but not to the state.
To be an independent contractor in Washington state, a person would have to pass one of the independent contractor tests. One of the tests is the “personal labor test.” If a worker isn’t able to pass that, then we have what’s called the “6-part and 7-part test.” It’s a series of six conditions that all must be true, plus a seventh condition that applies to construction. They are:
- Be free from your control or direction.
- Must pass one of the following three options:
- The service is outside the usual course of business.
- The service is performed outside all of the places of business.
- The individual is responsible for the costs of the principal place of business from which the service is performed.
- Must pass 1 of the following 2 options: The individual:
- Is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business, of the same nature as that involved in the contract of service.
- Has a principal place of business that is eligible for a business deduction for IRS purposes.
- The individual is responsible for filing a schedule of expenses with the IRS.
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The individual has established an account with the Department of Revenue and other state agencies as required.
- The individual is maintaining a separate set of books or records that reflect all items of income and expenses.
- (For construction only) The individual is properly registered as a contractor or has a valid electrical contractor license.
Want to learn more? Check out these resources:
| | Nonprofit News & Resources | |
How to Find the Best Time to
Fundraise for Your Nonprofit
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Published by Nonprofit Pro, June 3, 2026
Photo: Getty Images/Paperkites
When you pour significant time and effort into planning a fundraiser, the last thing you want is for a simple scheduling oversight to affect your results. Thoughtful timelines ensure your campaign generates the revenue and community engagement it deserves.
The question remains, however: How do you identify the right time for a fundraising campaign? The secret lies in understanding your supporters' preferences. By analyzing historical data and observing seasonal giving trends, you can schedule campaigns that maximize both financial returns and community engagement. Here are the practical steps to help you schedule your campaign at the optimal time.
Assess Your Internal Capacity
It’s not that you must fundraise in one month and avoid another at all costs. Every organization has its own factors influencing its readiness to launch an outreach initiative.
Read the article here
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Find Events Around Kitsap
Going On in June
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, June 5, 2026
Photo: Meegan M. Reid/Kitsap Sun
The cities of Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island have hung Pride flags to recognize the month of June, while Bremerton's Fan Zone preparations are ready to light up downtown for several weeks of the World Cup and Port Orchard's Fathoms of Fun Parade is gearing up to tour Bay Street.
Summer is arriving, with either the weather or graduations serving as your signal of the official start. Here's a look at some of the activities happening around the community in the coming month to help you plan how to get out with your neighbors.
Read the article here
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Bremerton Fan Zone Kick-Off Celebration
Friday, June 12, 2026, 4:00pm
| Poulsbo Film Festival Submissions Extended Deadline: Monday, June 15, 2026 | |
Make Music Day @ Quincy Square
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 12:00pm
| Register for the YMCA Summer Day Camp | Whaling Days 2026 Sponsorships Available | | |
Clearwater Casino Presents:
Lucky Town - Bruce Springsteen Tribute
Friday, June 12, 2026, 8:30pm
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Evo Floyd - Pink Floyd Tribute
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 8:30pm
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Juneteenth Comedy @ The Roxy Theatre
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 8:00pm
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Get ready for a night of culture, comedy, and nonstop laughs as Ms. MyMy Presents brings AFNO – A Funny Night Out to the Roxy Theater in Bremerton for a special Juneteenth celebration!
Produced by Ms. MyMy Presents, AFNO has become one of the Pacific Northwest’s growing comedy experiences — known for lively crowds, high energy, great music, and carefully curated talent that keeps audiences laughing all night long. More than just a comedy show, AFNO creates an atmosphere where community, culture, and entertainment come together for an unforgettable experience.
This special Juneteenth edition features an incredible lineup of comedians bringing raw storytelling, fearless humor, and authentic perspectives to the stage.
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Bremerton Air Show 2026
July 11 - July 12, 2026
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Stay in the know with what's happening for events
in Central Kitsap by checking out and liking the
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Have something to share? CLICK HERE to submit stories and
events for our weekly Community Connections!
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Office (360) 479-3579 | 705 Pacific Avenue in Downtown Bremerton
Silverdale Office (360) 692-6800 | Kitsap Mall
PO Box 1218 Silverdale WA 98383
If you need assistance, please contact us directly.
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