The rough economy is hitting most businesses hard. The Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and the Kirkland Downtown Association (KDA) are no different.
Both have announced that they are exploring a potential merger to better serve the Kirkland business community.
“There are multiple benefits to both organizations,” said Les Utley, KDA president. “In these times small and large businesses alike are facing tough economic challenges. This is an opportunity for various businesses to come together and collaborate.”
Both organizations announced in an e-mail to members last week they will “share experience and intellectual capital during a transition period as group members explore the unique opportunities that will benefit both groups.”
The organizations will create a transitional board, consisting of an equal number of members from both groups, to explore the potential merger.
Both Utley and Kirkland Chamber of Commerce President Jim Hutchinson said there would be many benefits to the merger.
“We would have the ability to focus in on the core mission without duplicating overhead,” said Hutchinson, who is also a Community Relations manager for Puget Sound Energy. “I think we can deliver more for the same amount.”
Both are cautiously optimistic about the merger and don’t see a downside to the merger at this time.
“I can’t find one and I am having a hard time finding anyone with a downside,” said Utley, who is also the general manager of the Heathman Hotel in downtown Kirkland. “It is an opportunity to grow exponentially. But we are going to take our time and go into this with our eyes completely open. We want to make sure we address anything that might come along.”
The two groups decided to take it slow and form a board to look at the potential for the merger to ensure there are no unforeseen impacts, said Hutchinson. The board will discuss, research and decide on organizational structure, financial structure, sponsorships, membership guidelines, staffing considerations, co-location of the two organizations and the creation of a potential visitor center.
Another benefit of the merger would be the ability for both organizations to, as Utley puts it, “create a bigger sense of community.”
“The downtown is the heartbeat of our town,” said Utley. “We see this as a tremendous opportunity.”
The KDA, like many organizations, has seen a downturn in membership.
“We have seen a gradual decline,” said Utley. “People are in a tough situation and many have to choose whether they are in (the Downtown Association or the Chamber of Commerce) or neither one. But those struggles go for all businesses and organizations.”
One of the biggest organizational aspects for the KDA is organizing events in the downtown core.
“The structure allows us to keep that element of the KDA for downtown events,” said Hutchinson.
But the merger would also allow the group to have other branches in the future for other areas of the city such as Juanita Bay, Totem Lake and into the annexation area said Hutchinson.
The transitional board will make a recommendation by the end of 2010. The two groups will then hold a joint vote to decide.
Both organizations, operating independently, will continue uninterrupted service to their memberships and to the Kirkland community through December.
