(Redmond’s Holiday Village Market has been a local tradition for almost 20 years | Photo courtesy of Redmond Chamber of Commerce)
As Executive Director of the Redmond Chamber of Commerce since 1999, Eric Sande has guided the organization into its position as one of the largest chambers of commerce in Oregon, per capita. “Yet despite its current size, and a membership of 600+ that encompass the great majority of the town’s businesses, our goal remains keeping people connected and in touch,” he emphasized.
“What we’re currently seeing, above and beyond new Chamber memberships per se, is that local businesses are joining at the Premier Level, and participating in sponsorships to a greater degree — recognizing their return on investment through connectivity with the larger community.” As Sande noted, “We did a really big push last year to reach our goal al of 100 new memberships — and actually exceeded that by 30 percent.”
With the City of Redmond’s shift to a tourism marketing agency — a function previously handled by the Chamber — “We’re no longer involved in paid advertising for the City,” he said. “But we’ve kept doing what we’ve always done, and in fact have doubled down on our efforts to promote our strong, vibrant business community, help our members make connections, and enhance the perception of Redmond as a healthy, attractive, fun place to come visit.”
In a related vein, Sande said, “We couldn’t envision dropping the many events that draw families downtown, and are relying more heavily on others to help us put them on through funding and sponsorships.”
One example is this year’s Halloween Trick or Treat event that closes a section of Sixth Street to create a safe, community-focused area for kids to get candy from local businesses and vendors. The annual event, co-sponsored this year by the Chamber and First Interstate Bank, historically attracts thousands. (Sande will be greeting kids, as he does each year, in his role as the Great Pumpkin).
Another popular festivity is Redmond’s Holiday Village Market staged at Centennial Park (which will be open November 28 and 29, December 6 and December 13 from 10am-4pm). Featuring local artists, artisan, crafters and nonprofits in European-style kiosks, as well as pop-up vendors, the event began almost 20 years ago, Sande noted, “when, in fact, my brother and I made the first two kiosks, a clock tower and a church. We’re up to 11 kiosks this year, with highlights that include Santa and the tree lighting ceremony.”
Sande himself is a little amazed at the longevity of activities such as this. “There weren’t a lot of community events when I assumed the Chamber’s top job back in 1999,” he recalled, which motivated him to create events for “the memories and sense of place they inspire. Those who sat on my knee when I started as the Great Pumpkin now have kids of their own,” he said.
Addressing the current economic climate, Sande said that “a lot of our nonprofits are understandably worried, while I’d characterize our businesses as being cautiously concerned. But people are staying resilient, and we’ll get through, given our historical positivity,” which he first observed when being hired to work at the Chamber’s front desk in 1992, and the population was around 7,800 (compared to today’s 37,000+).
“I’ve been fortunate to have had a front-row seat in observing the town’s evolution,” Sande said. “This spirit of excitement and optimism, as well as our constructive attitude and ability to forge partnerships to make things happen, continue to characterize Redmond despite its constant growth and upward trajectory. It’s a fun challenge to meet the demands of growth without changing that sense of caring.”
