{"id":5,"date":"2018-05-07T21:40:57","date_gmt":"2018-05-07T21:40:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/home\/"},"modified":"2018-09-27T05:43:51","modified_gmt":"2018-09-27T05:43:51","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/148\/2018\/09\/2018-Strategic-Plan_FINAL_WEB.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/148\/2018\/09\/2018-Strategic-Plan_FINAL_WEB_COVER-e1538024183469.jpg\" alt=\"2018 Strategic Plan_FINAL_WEB_COVER\" height=\"693\" width=\"1098\" title=\"2018 Strategic Plan_FINAL_WEB_COVER\" \/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/2018-nw-business-conference-expo\/\" target=\"_self\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/148\/2018\/09\/2018-NWBCE-LOGO-1024x220.jpg\" alt=\"2018 NWBC+E LOGO\" height=\"220\" width=\"1024\" title=\"2018 NWBC+E LOGO\" \/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/2018-nw-business-conference-expo\/\" title=\"2018 NW Business Conference + Expo\" target=\"_self\"><br \/>\n\t\t2018 NW Business Conference + Expo<br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t<\/h2>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h4><strong>Wednesday, October 24<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>Four Points by Sheraton, Bellingham<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>\t\t\t<a href=\"\" target=\"_self\" role=\"button\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCLICK HERE FOR INFO<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<h1>\n\t\tGet to Know the WBA<br \/>\n\t<\/h1>\n<p>\t\t\tADVOCACY<br \/>\n\t\t\tRESEARCH + EDUCATION<br \/>\n\t\t\tYOUTH ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tADVOCACY<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/148\/2018\/08\/LivAbililty-Edition-12-Advocacy-WP-Header-300x157.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"284\" height=\"127\" \/>The WBA advocates on behalf of all businesses and industries in Whatcom County, providing they are good actors, follow the rules and comply with all local, state and federal laws. We do that by being the eyes, ears and voice for responsible Whatcom County business so they can focus on growing their business, hiring new people, paying good wages, adding to our tax base and giving back through philanthropic efforts. We recognize there are a large number of well-funded local advocacy organizations that sometimes promote policies in conflict with local business interests, which can negatively impact business success and community prosperity.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Advocacy Is Important<\/h2>\n<p>Business success is the largest driver of community prosperity and jobs. \u00a0Let your voice be heard as part of a vibrant business community through the WBA:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Environmental stewardship and economic prosperity are compatible, and we need to have\u00a0the conversation about this balance.<\/li>\n<li>Business leaders can offer great solutions on policy issues and the WBA has proven to be\u00a0an outstanding voice for local business.<\/li>\n<li>The Whatcom County business community gives back in great measure, but can only do so\u00a0when we are successful and vibrant.<\/li>\n<li>We need to educate the community, our policy makers and young people about the harm\u00a0that results from excessive regulatory burdens on local businesses.<\/li>\n<li>We need to educate our community about the Importance of the personal freedom to\u00a0choose, property rights and the value and benefits of entrepreneurship.<\/li>\n<li>Businesses deserve predictability, consistency and fairness so they can grow and add\u00a0family wage jobs for our community.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/advocacy\/\">Click <strong>HERE<\/strong> for more information<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tRESEARCH + EDUCATION<\/p>\n<h2>Fact-Based Research and Education<\/h2>\n<p>The WBA is actively engaged in fact-based business research, education, communication and advocacy with its members on issues deemed important to local business success and community prosperity. The WBA has built an extraordinary level of influence and credibility because it gathers credible data and information and shares it in a thoughtful, respectful and solution-focused manner.<\/p>\n<p>Wherever appropriate, the WBA provides third party objective research and analysis using credible data in order to facilitate reasonable solutions to issues facing local business. We also engage in education and advocacy for businesses on policy matters that are deemed to be detrimental to business success. We build coalitions and develop strategies to assist businesses in engagement on important policy issues in order to change the trajectory of bad policy before it is implemented.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/research-and-education\/\">Click <strong>HERE<\/strong> for more information<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tYOUTH ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE<\/p>\n<p>The Youth Engagement Initiative envisions a more dynamic economy with opportunities and clear pathways for local youth and families to find livable wage jobs in local businesses and industries. With a mission to work in partnership with employers, educators, and like-minded organizations to create synergies that advance youth employment and career opportunities in Whatcom County. In simple terms\u2014The WBA, through the Youth Engagement Initiative, will help facilitate collaboration and coordination between K-12 and colleges with employers. WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW and learn about what the Youth Engagement Initiative is about.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/youth-engagement-initiative\/\">Click <strong>HERE<\/strong> for more information<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/148\/2018\/09\/BUSINESS-PULSE-LOGO_WEB-300x85.jpg\" alt=\"Print\" height=\"85\" width=\"300\" title=\"Print\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesspulse.com\">The PULSE of Whatcom County<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><em>Business Pulse<\/em> magazine is mailed bi-monthly to subscribers and Whatcom Business Alliance members. Additional copies are distributed at <em>Business Pulse<\/em> and WBA events, in waiting rooms, professional service offices, hotel rooms and other businesses throughout our region. The digital version of the publication is emailed to a list of more than 5,000 unique individuals in and around Whatcom County.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<a href=\"mailto:melissa@businesspulse.com\" target=\"_self\" role=\"button\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCONTACT US<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/businesspulse.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/148\/2018\/09\/BIZ_PULSE-SEPT_OCT-COVER-800px-795x1024.jpg\" alt=\"BIZ_PULSE SEPT_OCT COVER 800px\" height=\"1024\" width=\"795\" title=\"BIZ_PULSE SEPT_OCT COVER 800px\" \/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<h1><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/businesspulse.com\"><em>Business Pulse<\/em> Cover Stories<\/a><\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Every year, <em>Business Pulse<\/em> brings you six cover stories that highlight great businesses and business people. Many of the cover stories also involve research\u00a0to develop &#8220;top&#8221; lists. Below are links to these issues:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/businesspulse.com\/januaryfebruary-2018-issue\/\"><strong>Economic Forecast<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/businesspulse.com\/marchapril-2018-issue\/\"><strong>Business Person of the Year<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/businesspulse.com\/mayjune-2018-issue\/\"><strong>Innovators<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/businesspulse.com\/julyaugust-2018\/\"><strong>Top 100 Private companies<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/businesspulse.com\/guess-what-local-employees-like-most-about-where-they-work-pay-benefits-guess-again\/\"><strong>Best Places to Work<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Small-Business Issue<\/strong> (<em>Coming mid-November<\/em>)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2018 NW Business Conference + Expo Wednesday, October 24 Four Points by Sheraton, Bellingham CLICK HERE FOR INFO Get to Know the WBA ADVOCACY RESEARCH + EDUCATION YOUTH ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE ADVOCACY The WBA advocates on behalf of all businesses and industries in Whatcom County, providing they are good actors, follow the rules and comply with&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":429,"href":"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5\/revisions\/429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.neoninspire.com\/whatcombusinessalliance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}