Looking Back at the 2023 Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon

Thank you to the 600 attendees who celebrated with the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce (TCRCC) at the 2023 Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, March 22 at the Three Rivers Convention Center. 

The Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon is a celebration of the accomplishments of TCRCC and its members. Click on the awards below to learn about the winners and why they were selected.

Click the award categories below to learn more about this year's recipients.

cHAMBER S.T.A.R. AWARD - RYAN WELD, TIRE FACTORY

Tire Factory Owner Ryan Weld and TCRCC President & CEO Lori Mattson

The Chamber S.T.A.R. Award is presented to a volunteer who goes above and beyond for the Chamber. S.T.A.R. is an acronym for Service, Time, Attitude, Reliability.

Ryan serves on the Executive Committee of the TCRCC Board of Directors. He also was the first to raise his hand to participate in the inaugural Tri-Cities Regional Career Signing Day - agreeing to offer graduating high school seniors a full-time job, benefits, and the promise of training and mentoring so they had the best chance at success.  Not only that, but Tire Factory was the first business to invest in TCRCC's Stakeholder level of membership - the highest tier.

cOMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD - BENTON COUNTY

Benton County Commissioner Michael Alvarez and TCRCC President & CEO Lori Mattson

The Community Impact Award is presented to the non-profit organization or government entity that provided the Chamber with the most financial support over the previous year.

This year's Community Impact Award went to Benton County. Last year, Benton County partnered with TCRCC to launch the Business Resource Initiative program (BRI). Through BRI, TCRCC disperse a total of $3 million in grant funds to Benton County businesses that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

CORPORATE IMPACT AWARD - WASHINGTON RIVER PROTECTION SOLUTIONS

Washington River Protection Solutions President and Project Manager Wes Bryan and TCRCC President and CEO Lori Mattson

Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) is a Stakeholder-level member of TCRCC – that’s the highest level possible. They are also the sponsor of the Small Business Incentive Program, which annually provides $30,000 in grant funds to small businesses in the Tri-Cities.
 
For the past 11 years, WRPS has been the premier sponsor of the Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference, Eastern Washington’s largest career and professional development event for women. WRPS also sponsors the Meet the Buyer program – which supports the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).

non-profit on a roll award - HEARTLINKS HOSPICE

Kadlec Director of Communication Emily Volland, Heartlinks Hospice Executive Director Shelby Moore, and 2023 TCRCC Board Chair Jim Arneson

New for 2023, the Non-Profit on a Roll Award recognizes a non-profit organization that achieved great success during 2022 while positively impacting the community.

The mission of Heartlinks Hospice and Palliative Care is to enrich the quality of one’s life and recognize its worth by providing comfort, care, and support on life’s journey. They experienced success last year, but more importantly they received numerous industry awards and recognition for their compassionate and comprehensive end-of-life care. 

BUSINESS ON A ROLL AWARD (1-10 EMPLOYEES) - IT HAVEN

Spotted Fox Digital Marketing COO Brad Sappenfield (accepted the award on behalf of IT Haven) and 2023 TCRCC Board Chair Jim Arneson

​The Business on a Roll Awards recognize TCRCC members that achieved significant success over the previous year. Criteria includes revenue, sales, employee growth, awards, and community involvement.

The Business on a Roll Award for a business with 1-10 employees went to IT Haven. IT Haven was selected due to their impressive growth in revenue, clients, and staff size.  They are also committed to helping local non-profits, such as United Way and Therapeutic Riding of Tri-Cities.

BUSINESS ON A ROLL AWARD (11-50 EMPLOYEES) - MEIER ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING

2023 TCRCC Board Chair Jim Arneson, Meier Architecture Engineering Controller/Operations Manager Bobbi Keen, Meier Architecture Engineering President Paul Giever, and Sculpt Wellness Owner Lindsay Kirby

The Business on a Roll Award (11-50 Employees) went to Meier Architecture Engineering due to their tremendous growth in revenue in 2022. The TCRCC Awards and Recognition Committee was impressed by their staggering list of community involvement, including charity work with the Union Gospel Mission, Red Cross, and Senior Life Resources. Additionally, Meier has done design and planning work to improve the neighborhood where they’re located: historic Downtown Kennewick. 

BUSINESS ON A ROLL AWARD (OVER 50 EMPLOYEES) - PRIME DENTAL

(left to right) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Executive Director of Communications and External Engagement Jaime Shimek, Prime Dental Co-Owner Dr. Jason Madsen, Prime Dental Co-Owner Paul Madsen, Prime Dental Co-Owner Dr. Michael Maxfield, Prime Dental Co-Owner Dr. Wesley Karlson, and 2023 TCRCC Board Chair Jim Arneson

​The Business on a Roll Award (Over 50 Employees) went to Prime Dental. They have been operating in the Tri-Cities for 40 years, first in West Richland, and in 2022 they opened a new branch in Pasco. Their organization operates on the philosophy of removing barriers for patients and granting access to quality, affordable dentistry.
 
Prime Dental saw so many new patients in 2022 that they were invited to speak at a dental marketing convention in Las Vegas to outline their growth strategy.
 
Their community involvement includes school sponsorships, volunteer work, and a free dental day for those who can’t afford dental services.