The Thurston County Chamber invites business and community leaders to attend its March forum, “The Geopolitics of Geoducks,” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, at Saint Martin’s University, Norman Worthington Center.
This conversation will explore the opportunities and pressures shaping one of Washington’s most distinctive and globally recognized industries, according to a news release from the Thurston County Chamber. Shellfish aquaculture — especially geoduck — plays a vital role in the South Sound’s identity, economy, and working waterfronts, connecting local communities to international markets while stewarding fragile marine ecosystems.
Featured speakers include Shina Wysocki, from Chelsea Farms; and Bill Dewey, from Taylor Shellfish Company.
Together, they will provide an insider’s perspective on the forces influencing the industry today, including:
Beyond economics, the forum will highlight the deep cultural fabric of shellfish farming — rom South Puget Sound to the outer coast — and why it remains such a defining part of the region’s heritage, workforce, and environmental stewardship.
“This forum is an opportunity to better understand an industry that is both uniquely local and globally connected,” David Schaffert, Thurston Chamber president/CEO, said. “Shellfish growers are navigating complex international, environmental, and regulatory landscapes while continuing to contribute significantly to our regional economy and identity.”
For registration information and event details, visit https://tinyurl.com/4tpdukbe.
