This page hosts recordings of previous Association Meetings. For a list of upcoming Association Meetings, click here.
November 2022: Association Meeting
Timberland Regional Library Executive Director Cheryl Heywood joined us to talk about some exciting updates for the library system. As well as reviewing the success of the Capital Mall branch this past year. Thera Black from the West Olympia Community Visioning Group also gave a short presentation on the Capital Mall Triangle Sub-Area and what it means for West Olympia businesses.
January 2022: Association Meeting
Gene Angel from the Thurston County Economic Development Council joined us this month to provide an update on the Thurston EDC’s Economic Vitality Index.
June 2021: Association Meeting
Gene Angel from the Thurston County Ecoconomic Development Council joined us this month to provide an update on the impact of COVID-19 on the local economy. A fitting way to wrap up a year of Virtual Association Meetings, we can’t wait to see you in-person next month!
May 2021: Association Meeting
Cheryl Heywood, Executive Director of Timberland Regional Library, joined us with an exciting update on the new West Olympia location at Capital Mall opening June 1st! For more information about the branch, click here.
TRL also provided a copy of the PowerPoint, click here to view & share!
April 2021: Association Meeting
Anne Larsen, Outreach Services Coordinator at the Olympia Police Department (OPD) joined us in April to talk about the Crisis Response Unit and Familiar Faces program. OPD’s progressive and innovative approach to policing and community service and the potential OPD’s models have to not only help transform individual lives, but to change the culture of law enforcement from the inside out.
Sgt. Paul Frailey represented the OPD’s Community Policing Division.
March 2021: Association Meeting
Danielle Rants, Vice President, The Rants Group & Betty Holt, Broker, Greene Realty joined us this month to talk about Real Estate in Thurston County in 2021. Danielle talked about commercial properties, multi-family housing and the county’s biggest renter, WA State, and their lease renewal behavior in regards to the new work-from-home structure. Betty Holt discussed the residential market, recent sale prices, and why so many people are wanting to move to Thurston County!
November 2020: 15 Minute Forum
On November 19, 2020 as we announced our new Free PPE Program! WOBA President, Wes Weller provided details on how you can order Free PPE for your business, to help allow West Olympia businesses to remain open and operate safely this winter.
August 2020: 15 Minute Forum
For the inaugural 15 Minute Forum, local business owner Eddie Nelson [The Olympia Furniture Company] and marketing expert Jeff Bowe [Experience Olympia] joined us to share some tips and tricks for getting the word out about your business during COVID-19.
15 Minute Forums are casual conversations that will give you the opportunity to hear directly from your fellow West Olympians about their strategies, what has gone well, and what has not. In support of our local businesses during this time, we have included a recording below.
June 2020: Association Meeting
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director from the City of Olympia, joined us on June 18th to discuss local resources available to local businesses. Mike spoke about Simplified Sidewalks, Thurston Strong, Free PPE, and the efforts of the city to help businesses cope with the impacts of the pandemic.
In support of our business community during these unprecedented times, we have included the recording of the presentation below.