by Vicky Baxter

The Renton Chamber is always about innovation and redesign. Our events look and feel different this year because we have taken on the strategy that all successful businesses must adhere to: change and reinvention.

However, along the way there are valuable lessons that all businesses must learn; don’t duplicate a method that has previously been created or optimized by others.

The Renton Reporter for decades has celebrated the “Best of Renton” and this year we will incorporate the best of Renton businesses with the chamber; Business Excellence Awards. This means, lights, camera and action as we take the people’s choice and combine it with the chamber’s choice assembling a “business celebration party” to remember.

Not only do our winning Renton businesses receive “bragging rights” for a year, they will now receive the recognition, applause and a party thanking them for being part of the Renton economy and what makes all of us want to live, work, play and learn in Renton.

This is a community-wide event open to everyone to come and join the fun. These business owners are the cream of the crop. If they weren’t they would not have been recognized by the people they serve.

Daily, they get asked to donate an item, service or cash to charities in Renton. They give because they believe in “community” and showing good stewardship of the trust you place in them by shopping, dining and supporting their business.

In fact when I look at the list of the most successful businesses in Renton, I see they are the same businesses that sponsor Little League, school programs/events, soccer, football, art, and many service organizations in Renton.

Is that just a coincidence? No, in fact take a look at Warren Buffet, the fourth-richest man in the world. Warren Buffett is good at making money. Last year alone Forbes estimated he gained $14.5 billion, which amounts to about $27,600 per minute.

That’s around half of U.S. median yearly household income, so in just two minutes Buffett made as much money as the average American family did all year. His net worth is roughly $69 billion.

Now look at his giving record: Forbes estimates that Buffett has given some $23 billion to charity in his lifetime, making him one of the most generous philanthropists in history.

So come join the Renton Reporter and the Renton Chamber of Commerce from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 at the Renton Event Center to recognize and celebrate the business community that has already been chosen the “Best of Renton.”

We honor them with great food, music we all love, laughs and memories because of their efforts to bring great customer service and memorable experiences to our lives.

IN OTHER CHAMBER NEWS: We’d like to say “thanks!” for the recent story about the Downtown Cleanup (Aug. 5) and although the Renton Chamber was involved we weren’t the only organization there. The coordination and people involved in this fun and beneficial event came from the Renton Downtown Partnership, The Piazza Group, City of Renton, Renton Municipal Arts Commission and the 501st Legion along with the Renton Chamber of Commerce. Special thanks to Northwest Harvest for drop boxes for donations and to those who filled the boxes for those in need in our community.

The next downtown cleanup is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 27 beginning at the chamber. Everyone is invited and welcome to come and show a little love to our downtown.