Island hotel honored by its corporation
The Best Western Bainbridge Island Suites has been named Best of the Best in Customer Care at Best Western International’s annual North American Convention held recently in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Hotel general manager Linda Thurrott was presented the award in front of more than 2,000 industry peers.
The honor represents members who demonstrate and best exemplify exceptional levels of service and care, according to a press release.
The local hotel, located at 350 High School Rd., was one of 48 out of more than 2,400 properties in the U.S. and Canada that have received the designation.
The hotel features 51 rooms and a fitness center.
Dog trainer earns new
certification
Judith Bell, owner of BeauJes Dog Training and Boarding recently became a Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
Bell earned her credentials by logging hundreds of hours as an apprentice trainer and then as head trainer in both group classes and individual lessons.
She has taught dog obedience classes on the island for the last 10 years.
The business, located at 321 High School Road, offers group classes, private lessons and board/training programs for dogs.
Quinn/Brien adds three new staffers
Quinn/Brien, a full-service marketing and public relations agency on Bainbridge Island, has hired three new staff members – Elizabeth Scott, Daliah Treyve and Karina Miller.
Company President Jeff Brien said Scott will serve as director of market research and brand strategy, Treyve as a media specialist and Miller as a media specialist focusing on sustainability marketing.
Brien said the company decided to make the new hires “to meet the needs of companies as they navigate these more challenging economic times.”
Non-retail helps boost tax revenue
According to City Finance Director Elray Konkel, sales tax revenue collected on Bainbridge Island through the first three quarters of this year increased by 3.3 percent to $96.4 million.
Konkel said the increases were primarily in non-retail segments of the economy, including construction activities and home-based businesses.
He said streamlined sales taxes (destination-based distributions) that went into effect in July impacted those areas, while the island’s retail businesses saw decreases of 4 percent or more.
The number of businesses on the island continues to increase, however, going up to 5,363 for an increase of more than 1,000 during the past year.
Meet, greet at Chamber After Hours
This month’s Chamber of Commerce After Hours gathering wil be from 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 11 at American Marine Bank.
As always, the casual get-together gives local professionals a chance to meet, talk, and network.
The event is free, and no reservations are necessary. The public is welcome.
For more information, call the Chamber at 842-3700, or visit www. bainbridgechamber.com.
