Business Briefs: SnoCo appoints new economic development director

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers appoints new economic development director

Neepaporn “A” Boungjaktha is Snohomish County’s new executive director for economic development.

As executive director, she will oversee all of Snohomish County’s economic development activities, including Paine Field Airport.

Boungjaktha was appointed to the post by county executive Dave Somers. She is a former senior executive management analyst with the county, responsible for tourism and trade.

“I am looking forward to working with A in this new role, since she has a wealth of local, regional and international experience,” said Executive Somers. “As we support our workers, businesses, and non-profits, we will rely on the leadership of A and her team. We have an ambitious agenda to attract new businesses, retain those that are already here, and support our workforce.”

Boungjaktha’s first day as executive director was September 12.

“Snohomish County is the global center of manufacturing, aerospace, and other high-tech industries, and we must work to continue building on our historic success,” Boungjaktha said. “I believe we have opportunities over the next few years to diversify our economy, upgrade our legacy industries, and maintain our gold standard workforce development system. We know we must be aggressive in order to compete for workers and new investments, and I look forward to leading Snohomish County’s efforts.”

North Puget Sound Small Business Summit returns as in-person event

Economic Alliance Snohomish County will host its annual North Puget Sound Small Business Summit on October 26.

The event will be held at the Lynnwood Convention Center at 3711 196th Street Southwest.

The summit returns this year as an in-person event. It was held virtually last year and canceled in 2020.

The Small Business Summit will feature a trade show with 100 exhibition booths and a full day of panel discussions, training and other networking opportunities.

Business growth and development, ongoing career education, micro and small business funding and bias training are the focus of four panel discussions.

“The North Puget Sound Small Business Summit is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to reach a huge audience in a single day,” shared Garry Clark, Economic Alliance CEO. “Whether you’re exhibiting or attending, we know it will be a productive day of networking and finding ways to work together to promote our entire region and to expand opportunities in Snohomish County and the greater North Puget Sound Region.”

Economic Alliance has also partnered with Municipal Research and Services Center and Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center in support of public works contracting.

Special sessions for government agencies and for contractors that wish to meet with government agencies to learn about public works are available. Both sessions require a separate registration.

“Whether you are part of an established construction firm, a new business owner, or an entrepreneur looking to take your company to the next level, this summit will have panels geared towards your specific interests,” said Raechel Morea, communications and brand manager for Economic Alliance.

Admission is $20-$25 for the trade show and includes complimentary breakfast and lunch, and all-day access to the trade show and panel discussions.

Exhibitors pay $225-$275, which includes two general admission tickets, complimentary breakfast and lunch, exhibition booth and table and all-day event access.

For more information, or to register for the summit go to: bit.ly/3xOsnrB

Free business basics class for artists and creatives

Attorney Sarah Jordan, owner of Jordan Law Firm in Edmonds, is offering a free class “Art+Business: Business Basics to Keep You Creative,” on Saturday at 10 a.m. via Zoom.

This class is for creatives in visual arts, performance, music, writing, illustration and photography who want plain-language basics about starting or thriving in business endeavors.

The session will cover topics, choosing your business type, requirements for a home-based business, contracts, determining whether you need copyright or trademark protection and other topics.

The Art+Business course is free, but registration is required. For information go to:jordanlawfirmpllc.com/art-law

Janice Podsada: 425-339-3097; jpodsada@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @JanicePods.