Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Events
The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce hosts a variety of networking and community events where you will meet potential customers, community leaders, and business peers.
Community Events
The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce is putting on the annual Bite of the 'Burg on September 23, 2025, from 2 p.m to 5 p.m. Bite of the 'Burg is a street festival that happens the day before Central Washington University classes commence to welcome new and returning students to Ellensburg. Taking place on 4th Avenue between Pearl and Ruby Street, vendors line the street to give out great food, great swag and great fun! It creates an opportunity for businesses to introduce themselves to a new wave of customers and shows newcomers what Ellensburg has to offer.
This event is hosted by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce.
The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce invites you to the community Independence Day Celebration on July 4, 2025, at Memorial Park in South Cle Elum.
The Independence Day Celebration at Memorial Park will include a kid zone, food trucks, a beer garden with an assortment of beverages, rotating music and entertainment throughout the day. This event is free to the public with the exception of all food and the beer garden.
This event is hosted by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce.
Kittitas County is revving up this summer for the 21st Annual Kruisin’ Kittitas Burnouts & Car Show on Main Street in Kittitas, WA. On Saturday, August 16, 2025, visit Downtown Kittitas to browse classic cars— watch awesome burnouts – bring your family and enjoy all the vendors – and so much more! This event is hosted by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce.
The Roslyn Mountain Ale Festival is a great opportunity for attendees to appreciate craft beverages, local foods, friends and the Roslyn, Washington area. After the event is over the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce encourages guests to visit other local restaurants and businesses in downtown Roslyn. Visit Roslyn in October, date TBD.
This event is hosted by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce.
Join the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce for the 21st Annual Ellensburg Winterhop Brewfest on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Visit downtown Ellensburg and experience craft beer from local breweries, live music, shopping and more. This event is hosted by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce.
Professional and Workforce Development
Join us for the State of the Community event on Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. The State of the Community Address unites local leaders and residents to reflect on achievements, address challenges, and shape a shared vision for the future. Registration coming soon!
Benefits & Beyond: Opportunities For All
The Annual Awards Dinner is a celebration and appreciation for all of our Chamber Members. The 117th Annual Chamber Awards Dinner will take place on Thursday, March 20, 2025. This event is hosted by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce.
Join us for an evening of connection and collaboration! Expand your network, build partnerships, and create lasting relationships with industry leaders. Don't miss out on this opportunity to share and gain valuable industry insights. This evening event is perfect for professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders! Pre-register now for a night of growth and networking.
Chamber 101 is a quarterly orientation to introduce to the public and to members what the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce does and going through a break down of member benefits. Chamber staff walk you through how to a access your member portal and how-to configure job postings, advertisements, hot deals and more. Quarterly on the last Tuesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m alternating between Ellensburg and Cle Elum.
Annual Membership Meeting falls annually on National Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day, the 3rd Wednesday of October. This meeting is designed exclusively for our business members, focusing on initiatives that benefit our members and contribute to the economic growth of Kittitas County. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with your local business community. We look forward to your participation!
Youth Programs
The Agriculture Youth Summit is a dynamic event bringing together high school students from across Kittitas County and Central Washington University to explore the future of agriculture in our region. Held annually in December at the Armory at the Kittitas County Fairgrounds, this summit connects students with industry leaders, career opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences. Through engaging discussions, networking, and interactive booths, the event aims to inspire the next generation of agricultural professionals while showcasing the vital role of agriculture in our community.
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The Construction Youth Summit is an immersive event designed to introduce high school students in Kittitas County to career opportunities in the construction and building industries. Held annually in October, the summit provides students with hands-on experiences, industry insights, and direct connections with professionals in engineering, contracting, development, and supply chain management. Participants visit an active construction site, hear from industry leaders in a panel discussion, and engage in a business pitch session alongside APEX. With expert speakers from engineering firms, city development, real estate, and construction companies, the event showcases the essential role the industry plays in shaping local communities and infrastructure.
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The Hospitality and Tourism Youth Summit is an interactive event designed to introduce high school juniors and seniors in Kittitas County to the diverse career opportunities within the hospitality and tourism industry. Held annually in February, the summit features engaging panel discussions with industry professionals, hands-on experiences, and site visits to key tourism and hospitality businesses. Students gain insight into career pathways in areas such as hotels, restaurants, recreation, events, craft beverage and wine tourism, and the creative economy. Through conversations with industry leaders, the event aims to inspire and connect students with the many ways they can shape the future of hospitality and tourism in Kittitas County.
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The Marketing & AI Youth Summit is an engaging event designed to introduce high school students in Kittitas County to the evolving world of marketing, branding, and artificial intelligence. Held annually, the summit connects students with industry professionals who provide insights into modern marketing strategies, digital branding, and the growing role of AI in business. Through interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and expert-led panels, students will explore career opportunities in social media marketing, content creation, advertising, data analytics, and AI-driven marketing tools. This event is a unique opportunity for students to gain real-world knowledge and learn how innovation is shaping the future of marketing.
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Attention all middle school students: Are you passionate about civics? Here's your chance to shine. The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host a first-of- its-kind civics competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Participating 6th, 7th and 8th graders will flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes.
Educational Programs
The Enterprise Challenge is an annual business plan competition for new and emerging companies within Kittitas County. We believe it is a great opportunity for the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate small businesses and support promising ventures within our county. More than 250 entrepreneurs have competed in the contest since its inception and many of them have gone on to start their businesses in our community. For more information, email Director of Events and Programs, Darby Grimes at: darby@kittitascountychamber.com.
Leadership Kittitas County (LKC) is an in-depth, 7-month exploration of our county. LKC classes are able to visit offices in the county frequently not open to the public, have exclusive meetings with community leaders and top business people, and have spirited conversations about policy and our communities’ future. Diversity of viewpoints is highly encouraged. Many deep friendships and connections have been forged among participants and with Leadership alumni and presenters. Participants are expected to attend all virtual sessions and participate by engaging with speakers and fellow class members.
Classes will run from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a lunch break in between. All sessions, with the exception of the October Orientation, are held on the 2nd Friday of the month. Please email the Director of Events and Programs, Darby Grimes or call (509) 925-2002 if you have any questions.
We’re excited to invite you to our Marketing Workshop Series every Thursday in January from 12-1 p.m. at Ellensburg Downtown Association (109 E 3rd Avenue Suite 1, Ellensburg, WA). All workshops are led by local Kittitas County experts who are passionate about helping your business thrive. Take some notes and bring this new found knowledge back to your business. Register in advance on our website today!
Join us for informative workshops designed to help you stay up-to-date with the latest Labor and Industries (L&I) requirements. Whether you're a small business owner or a manager, these sessions will provide the essential tools and resources to protect your business and workforce.
You will learn:
- Workers' compensation essentials and quarterly reporting
- Steps to take if an employee is injured on the job
- Wage and hour laws and contractor registration rules
- How to access L&I resources that save your business time and money
- Partnership opportunities with L&I to maintain a safe and healthy workforce
Please note: If inclement weather arises, the workshop will be held virtually. Be sure to register for updates.
March 13, 2025 Workshop
June 5, 2025 Workshop