Seattle Business Networking Blog

Seattle Executives Association is considering purchasing the suite at Qwest field for Seattle Sounders FC games next year.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Seattle Executives Office.

Business conditions in the greater Seattle metro area look better than they have for more than a year, according to business executives who participated in a recent survey by Washington State University and the Seattle Executives Association.

This improvement in attitude comes despite the fact that average business conditions in western Washington haven't really changed much since the second quarter of 2009. On average, survey respondents reported their sales, inventory, financing and employment were all "stagnant to declining," according to the report generated by the School of Economic Sciences, yet "the key indices show more optimism than they have for over a year."

"For the first time (however) more businesses reported increasing sales and inventory levels than declining levels," said Justin Taylor, economic impact analyst at WSU.

The overall optimism index, which is a composite measure of positive and negative responses to general market conditions, rose from its lowest point of negative .34 in the fourth quarter of 2008 to positive .08 for the third quarter of 2009.

Economic uncertainty continued to be the No. 1 concern of the business leaders surveyed, followed by health care expenses and domestic competition.

News results for "Business execs more optimistic"

"My new desk from Seattle Office Furniture arrived today!! I'm almost moved in and unpacked from all of my boxes. I'm so excited!! Isn't the desk gorgeous??"

Glenna Thomas, Executive Director
Seattle Executives Association

Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (www.pspinc.com) is constructing a secondary data center at its HQ building in Bellevue. This picture was taken this morning at PSP parking space. Talking about Seattle Executives Association (www.seattleexecs.org) at work.

There are three Seattle Executives Association member companies working on the Data Center construction today. What a TEAM!

Braicks Construction (http://www.braicksconstruction.com/)
VECA Electric (http://www.veca.com/)
Washington Alarm (http://www.washingtonalarm.com/)

Washington Athletic Club

A Cornerstone of Seattle Since 1930
The Washington Athletic Club, located at 6th Avenue and Union Street in the heart of downtown Seattle, opened its doors on December 16, 1930. Since then it's been a home away from home for Seattle's Who's Who in business, political and social circles.

Not long after the Club opened, it was threatened with closing its doors as the Great Depression hit the West Coast. Civic leaders and community members pulled together and kept the Club viable.

In the 1940s the WAC reciprocated the community support with a huge mobilization of members who worked on behalf of the World War II effort. By the time the war ended, WAC members had contributed nearly nine years of manhours in supporting the troops.

In the 1950s the WAC expanded its Clubhouse with a four-story addition. Less than 20 years later the Club expanded once again, adding another eight stories onto the 1955 addition.

Most recently the Club underwent an extensive remodel that added state-of-the art fitness facilities, a day spa and physical therapy services. The WAC's pool was also restored to its original 1930s splendor.

Over the years the WAC's membership role has been proud to list Olympic athletes, politicians and community leaders. Helene Madison was the WAC's first Olympic athlete, winning three gold medals in swimming in the 1932 games. Washington state Governor Albert Rosellini, newspaperman Royal Brougham, and founding member of SEAFAIR and Northwest Hospital Roscoe "Torchy" Torrance are but a few other notable members.

1325 Sixth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101
WAC.NET

November 11, 2009
Washington Athletic Club 11:30 am-1:00 pm
Noble Room

Greeters

Jim Rogers of
Rogers & Norman, Inc.

Mark Hoene of
Schwartz Brothers Restaurants

Collector

Don Williams of
American Drapery, Blind and Carpet

Speakers

Dr. Steven Thain of
WellnessOne Bellevue

Chad Richardson of
Seattle Mailing Bureau

Gary Granquist of
Argosy Cruises

Picture 1

Tom Elzey of Alexander Hutton greeted members this morning.

Picture 2

Jack Goldberg of Personnel Management Systems Inc welcomed members and guests

Picture 3

Past President and chairman of the nominations committee, Corey Coffman, of LC Jergens Painting Company announced a slate of candidates who will run for
election in two weeks.

Picture 4

Seattle Execs members Patricia Bennett (PC Bennett Consulting) and Dennis Tyler (DialPro Northwest) asked more specific questions regarding the economic state of our region.

Picture 5

Dr Bill Conerly was the keynote speaker at the Seattle Executives Assn luncheon today. Sponsored by Viking Bank, John Huey, Vice President, was able to include a private speaking engagement for us part of the Viking Bank's annual economic forecast program which brings Dr. Conerly to Seattle.

The November Associates Group luncheon was hosted by DINERWARE at their Ballard Headquarters.

Jesse Banks provided a history of the company. This restaurant POS software company has grown in sales 30% in the last year and is being marketing worldwide.

Gabriel Wright of NYK Logistics explained the scope of work this transportation company can handle.

We welcomed our newest Associate Member, Jonathan Paz of Wire Craft and introduced Jeela Ganje of Skyline Pacific as a prospective new member.

Seattle Execs 2009 Speaker Series
Bill Conerly - Tomorrow

Seattle Executives’ 2009 Speaker Series will feature Bill Conerly at our meeting on Wednesday, November 4th. Bill Conerly is the consultant who connects the dots between the economy and business decisions, helping corporate executives and small business owners make more profitable decisions.

Bill holds a Ph.D. in economics from Duke University. He is principal of Conerly Consulting LLC, chief economist of abcInvesting.com, and was previously Senior Vice President at First Interstate Bank.

Bill is author of Businomics: From the Headlines to Your Bottomline: How to Profit in Any Economic Cycle. He is co-author of Thinking Economics, a high school textbook in multimedia format used in 24 states. He has been quoted in Fortune Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and USA Today, and interviewed on The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, CNBC, CNN.

Bill is chairman of the board of Cascade Policy Institute, a member of Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski's Council of Economic Advisors, and a Senior Fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis.

This will be a great meeting to share with friends and business colleagues. To find out more about Bill Conerly visit his website at www.conerlyconsulting.com

This session is open to public but you need to RSVP to get in. Please call SEA office for more detail. (206)352-3955

Today Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. had halloween lunch catered to the office from Celebration Catering (a Seattle Executives Member).

Another example of Seattle Executives in Action.