The Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce's Friday morning networking events used to draw 50 to 60 people. Now they regularly pull 80 to 100.

That jump reflects a broader surge at the 85-year-old business organization, which has grown to nearly 500 members and launched four new subgroups in the past 18 months, according to a profile published Tuesday, Aug. 18, in the Lake Oswego Review.

For shop owners on A Avenue, home-based consultants in Lake Grove and tech workers along Kruse Way, the growth translates to more chances to find customers, partners and referrals without leaving town.

"It all comes back to this notion of helping our businesses — we are a commerce-forward organization," board chair Alistair Firmin told the Review. "Our members come in because they want their businesses to succeed, or they want to be among folks in that space."

Firmin, 57, owns Bluestone Performance Dynamics and is serving his second term as board chair. He credits CEO Liz Hartman and staff member Matt Evans, who handles economic development and member services, for driving the post-pandemic rebound. Membership has climbed steadily since 2021 or 2022, Firmin said.

Four new subgroups

The chamber's newest additions give business owners more targeted ways to connect:

  • Lake Grove Business Group: meets the first Tuesday of the month, 7:30–8:30 a.m., at Babica Hen (15964 Boones Ferry Rd.)
  • LO Tech Connect Group: meets the third Tuesday in the late afternoon; its Jan. 20 kick-off at the AC Hotel drew more than 120 attendees
  • Young Professionals Group: meets the second Tuesday evening, drawing 15–20 people
  • Women Business Leader Group: meets for lunch every other month, connecting 20 or more per session

A separate West End Business Group also meets the third Tuesday morning, averaging 20 to 25 attendees.

Wine walks selling out

The chamber's signature downtown wine walk is preparing for its 12th year and sells out at 800 attendees. The Lake Grove Wine Walk is approaching 800 each spring. The most recent Oregon Wine Walk took place May 9.

The growth aligns with city priorities. The Lake Oswego City Council approved a 2026 goal on March 3 to partner "with the Chamber of Commerce and other community partners to promote Lake Oswego as a destination for visiting, shopping, dining, and enjoying the arts and events," according to the Lake Oswego Review's coverage of that vote.

What's next

A Leadership Lake Oswego Meet & Greet is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 20, at 5:30 p.m. at Oswego Heritage House, 398 10th St. The chamber's next LO Tech Forum is set for Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 4:30 p.m. The chamber office is at 311 B Ave., Suite E, and its monthly "Business LO" podcast covers local business topics.