Key Accomplishments
Check out what the Chamber has been doing in the last two years and what future goals are in store!
¨ INCREASED MEMBERSHIP: 185 businesses, non-profits, individuals/residents, arts & community organizations joined our ranks.
¨ 2009 CAPITOL HILL WALKING MAP: CHCC partnered with The Capitol Hill Times to produce 25,000 Capitol Hill Walking Maps and began distributing copies at the January 2009 Walking Map Release Party. Maps were also distributed to Capitol Hill merchants, community organizations, advertisers and to 5,000 residents in an edition of the Capitol Hill Times.
¨ SOUND TRANSIT MITIGATION PROGRAM DOLLARS: CHCC’s final negotiations with Sound Transit resulted in a mitigation package of several million dollars to promote Capitol Hill and offer business technical assistance to merchants.
¨ CAPITOL HILL NEIGHBORHOOD MARKETING STRATEGY: Hired Capitol Hill-based advertising agency, Creature, to implement a neighborhood branding and marketing effort in July 2009
¨ RETAIL REVITALIZATION: Ongoing partnership with commercial property owners and CHCC and the City of Seattle to attract a stronger, more diverse retail mix that serves the needs of the Broadway neighborhood and surrounding business districts.
¨ CLEAN AND SAFE PROGRAMS: In addition to sponsoring 6 Street Sweeps in the last few years, CHCC became the financial and administrative agent for the Broadway Business Improvement Area (BIA) to support its efforts in promoting clean, litter free sidewalks, and beautification projects, fostering relationships with other community organizations, and collaborating with the City of Seattle. A new board of directors for BIA took office in May 2009.
¨ STRONG ADVOCACY WITH SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR’S OFFICE: In its pursuit of a Capitol Hill Improvement District for the neighborhood and a business mitigation program with Sound Transit, CHCC has developed strong, supportive working relationships with City Council members and Mayor’s Office.
¨ FUN, INFORMATIVE MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS: Monthly membership events give our members a chance to network with one another, introduce their businesses/organizations, and learn about the work of our committees.
¨ 7 COMMITTEES & VARIOUS PARTNERSHIPS: In addition to creating 7 working committees sponsored by the Chamber, including retail revitalization, clean and safe, and arts and entertainment, CHCC actively partners with other community-based organizations, including Sustainable Capitol Hill, Capitol Hill Housing, Sound Transit, Greater Seattle Business Association, and Seattle Neighborhood Group, to advance the goals of the neighborhood.
¨ BLITZ ARTWALK: In June 2009, the Arts & Entertainment committee kicked off a new and improved Capitol Hill Art Walk, BLITZ. Over 45 area businesses sponsor and host BLITZ, which takes place the 2nd Thursday of every month in various Capitol Hill business districts.
PROJECTED GOALS FOR 2009 and 2010
¨ CONTINUE TO GROW MEMBERSHIP: Our goal is to increase membership by 150 new members by year’s end. We will also continue the Cornerstone Program to recognize founding charter members and other supporters who choose to maintain their membership at the $1000 level or above.
¨ BECOME A SELF SUSTAINING ORGANIZATION: In June 2009, our 3 year city grant, which contributed toward the Chamber’s office operations and programming, came to an end. The Chamber looks forward to becoming a self sustaining organization through the financial support and volunteer efforts of our members.
¨ IMPROVED STREETSCAPE AND TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD): CHCC and Capitol Hill Housing have begun discussions with SCCC, Sound Transit and other neighborhood stakeholders about developing a plan that will enhance TOD, sidewalks, trees, and other amenities that improve the business districts on Capitol Hill.
¨ CHCC WEBSITE TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS: CHCC has hired a Seattle University Work Study intern to help improve our website to better serve Chamber businesses. Members can currently post events and news items to be listed on our website and coming soon are web pages for all our members. Also look forward to more photos, updates on the latest developments on the Hill, meeting times, and committee progress on our website. Check it out: www.caphillchamber.org Contact Nikko Huertas at Nikko@caphillchamber.org for more about marketing on our website.
¨ MARKETING FOR MEMBERS: The Chamber plans to develop more marketing opportunities for Chamber members to help promote their business during economically challenging times. Look forward to discount programs, networking events, marketing workshops and more!