By now we are officially “in” 2023. No more “Happy New Year!” or “How was your holiday?”.  We’ve moved to “Can we squeeze in a call Thursday afternoon?” or “Do you want to meet in-person on Zoom?” Life is busy and it can be hard to prioritize where you need to be and who you want to see.

The team at GGHI has dreamed up our 2023 and is ready to help you plan, prioritize and get ready for a great year of resources and information. Grab your calendar tool of choice and let’s get to work! 

Below is a listing of all our events and registrations are open. Speakers for some events are still pending, but it doesn’t hurt to secure your spot now!

New this Year!

  • Ocean Shores Branch Membership Meeting – Monday, February 27th 10:00am – 11:30am
    • Are you a member of GGHI and located in Ocean Shores?  This free meeting is for you! We’ll be doing some simple networking, discussing the needs of the business community and how GGHI can help. Not a member or have questions? Contact Stephanie Conway by email: sconway@graysharbor.org or phone: 360-581-5788.
  • 2023 Small Biz Summit – Hosted by GGHI – Thursday, April 6th 9:00am – 3:00pm
    • New in 2023, GGHI will host an all-day free Small Biz Summit featuring resources, speakers and networking. This opportunity is available thanks to funding from the Grays Harbor Community Foundation. Stay tuned for agendas, speakers and other news. Contact Loretta Thomas to learn more or participate. This event is open to all businesses, not just GGHI members.

Signature Events – These are special annual events on the GGHI calendar with great programming and a long history of drawing a great crowd.

  • Lunch with the Mayors – Tuesday, March 28th, 11:30am – 1:00pm
    • Join our county’s mayors for lunch and discussion regarding priorities during their term.  There will be a time for Q&A.
  • State of Grays Harbor – Tuesday, June 27th, 11:30am – 1:00pm
    • This annual event features an economic development keynote(s) and the release of our own Economic Vitality Index. This report displays key economic data for our region and gives an inside look at trends and challenges. Check out past year’s EVIs here. 

Business Forum Lunches – These monthly luncheons highlight a variety of topics over the course of the year. Keynote presenters, expert panelists and a delicious lunch are always included!

  • GGHI Annual Meeting – Tuesday, February 28th, 11:30am – 1:00pm
    • Enjoy a presentation on GGHI’s impact over the past year, what to expect in the next year and a keynote from Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs.
  • Residential Real Estate and Housing – Tuesday, April 25th, 11:30am – 1:00pm
    • Everyone wants to talk about housing in Grays Harbor.  Join us for a discussion on residential real estate and the state of housing in the county.
  • Legislative Wrap-Up – Tuesday, May 23rd, 11:30am – 1:00pm
    • Join us as we wrap up the 2023 Washington State Legislative Session. GGHI will gather policy leaders together to discuss the wins and opportunities for our state and county.
  • The Future of Jobs in Grays Harbor County – Tuesday, July 25th, 11:30am – 1:00pm
    • Many new projects are coming online in Grays Harbor County, and it is time to talk about jobs, skills and how we can prepare and retain our future workforce.
  • Topic TBD – September 26th – Tell us what you want to hear!
    • We are still percolating ideas for this month. We know we’ll come up with something great, but if you have an idea, please let us know!
  • Commercial and Economic Development Update – Tuesday, October 24th, 11:30am – 1:00pm
    • A status update on major projects in Grays Harbor County and what to expect.
  • Celebrate Grays Harbor – Tuesday, November 28th 11:30am – 1:00pm
    • Join us for a fun and festive luncheon that celebrates all things Grays Harbor and the value of shopping local during the holiday season.

Back by Popular Demand

  • September, 2023 – Showcase Grays Harbor 
    • This community favorite provides a behind the scenes tour of a small region of our county making a big impact. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting event!

Member Favorites

  • Member Appreciation BBQ – Thursday, August 24th: New time! New location! More fun!
    • Join us at Red Cedar in Hoquiam’s newly remodeled Vasa Hall for this late afternoon BBQ that will include lawn games, networking and a no-host bar.
  • Business After-Hours – Second Tuesday of Every Month
    • Want to network and meet your fellow Grays Harbor business leaders? Put Business After Hours (BAH) in your calendar. Every month a local enterprise hosts the business community for a night of networking, food, drink and good times. Check our calendar for locations/times. Side note:  Due to the Valentine’s Day Holiday, the February BAH will take place on February 21st at the historic 7th Street Theatre in Hoquiam.

Want More?

The GGHI Event Calendar is the place to find out what we are up to, but also what is happening in the community. Any business, non-profit, service group, local government, etc. can post their own events. To populate the calendar, visit our Event Calendar on our website. Click the “+” (plus symbol) at the top right of the calendar image to add your event. This page is one of our most visited webpages where locals and visitors check out what is happening throughout the year and how to get involved.