Renton, WA— Walk into the Seattle Sounders FC Front Office on the right evening and you might find a lion dancing through a crowd of business owners, a Seahawks reporter running the mic, and a Renton musician serenading the room with a song about the Cedar River. That was Saturday night at the Renton Chamber of Commerce Gala, presented by BizX. Themed “A Night Around the World”, it earned every bit of that title.
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Doors opened at 5 p.m., where guests were greeted by volunteers and sent on their way with name tags, auction placards, and the first hints of what the evening had in store. A silent auction was lined near the entrance of the main area with items that reflected local businesses and the community at-large, some examples, including: a party package from Dirty Dawgz, a macaron-making class from Macadon, a cybersecurity audit from Watchtower IT Solutions, and— a personal favorite of this writer— a set of handcrafted wooden chairs built by students at Lindbergh High School.
Beyond the main floor, passing a hall of history for the Seattle Sounders, VIP guests gathered in a lounge with its own bar and food service. All catering for the evening came courtesy of Mexicuban Restaurant and Lounge, whose dishes were a highlight of the night.
The Show Begins
The main program opened with a performance by Seattle Shaolin Kung Fu students, and it was a moment. Students of varying ages moved through lion dances then martial arts demonstrations: kicks, flips, and holds that showed both precision and power. The finale involved a double-ended spear pressed against each opponent’s neck— maneuvered until it bent and released in a display that drew a clear warning from the announcer beforehand: “Don’t try this at home.”
Jenn Mueller, Seahawks reporter, stepped in as the evening’s emcee, setting an upbeat tone that carried through the night. She introduced Renton Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Diane Dobson, who framed the purpose of the gathering in the intro to her speech: “Tonight is about building connections between businesses, people, and opportunities.” Bob Bagga, CEO of BizX and the gala’s headlining sponsor, then was introduced and echoed that sentiment, speaking to the power that comes when small businesses work together.
Best Dressed, Big Moments
The Best Dressed contest brought some of the night’s most memorable energy, hosted by Mueller and Gerald Smiley, a former professional baseball pitcher drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 9th round of the 2001 MLB Draft out of Rainier Beach High School, now a public speaker, coach, and seasoned auctioneer for this night’s gala. Guests from the evening turned out in Islander heritage wear, kimonos, aviation-era dress, mid-century style, and standout looks of every variety. The winner, chosen by audience voting bids, was Angela Pavone, co-owner of Melrose, who wore her grandmother’s jacket, gloves, and hat— and earned every bit of the applause.
Octavio Ortega, owner of Mexicuban, also addressed the crowd before Mayor Pavone stepped up to give remarks. The Mayor reminded guests about the upcoming State of the City event on Wednesday, March 25th, and spoke to Renton’s forward momentum. “A true test for a city is how it can pivot from changing times,” he said. “Decisions we make today define the future,” remarking on the work with Legacy Square and some historic moments with the city acquiring land and developing it for the community.
Eyes on the Summer
The second half of the program brought a run of speakers that made one thing clear: Renton is part of something bigger this year. Mike Flood from the Seattle Seahawks spoke to the depth of the Chamber’s community involvement, from schools to foundations to the Rotary. Drew Dambreville from the Seattle Seawolves shared the exciting news that rugby is coming to the U.S. in 2031, with Seattle as a potential host city, and that work is already underway to bring the sport into PE programs.
Then Dylan Ordonez, SVP of External Affairs for Seattle FIFA World Cup ’26, took the floor. Eighty-two days. That’s how close the first kickoff is. Forty-eight nations. Three billion viewers expected worldwide. June 15th through July 6th. The numbers were a reminder of the economic power the event will have on the area.
Hank Lemon, raised right here in Renton, brought the evening’s most grounded moment, performing his original song “Cedar River,” written about the waterway that runs through the heart of this city. “Everything I say is true,” he said of the lyrics, “I checked on Google,” he added before encouraging the crowd to sing-along at the refrains.
The “Raise the Paddle” portion of the program put a local exclamation point on the World Cup conversation: the Chamber is working to bring a community trolley to life. The vehicle, a trolley-style bus, will connect residents and visitors between key event locations during the World Cup activities. As bids were made, volunteers blew train whistles throughout the room.
The main program closed with a 50/50 raffle and a golden ticket package— billed as “never need another date night planned this year” with a value topping over a thousand dollars. The winner’s shriek of delight was immediate and unmistakable. Applause followed, the DJ started spinning, and guests settled in for the rest of the evening.
In Her Own Words
Renton Signal caught up with Chamber CEO Diane Dobson after the main program wrapped up. Her take on the night:
“Tonight’s event was a beautiful reflection of what happens when community, culture, and connection come together with purpose. The diversity of our community and businesses was truly on display, and the energy in the room was palpable. Connections were being made — both personal and professional — and new customers and clients were taking shape. With the Sounders and the World Cup putting our region on the global stage, this felt like an exciting glimpse of how our community will show up for the moment.
The support for our Renton business community is strong, and the trajectory ahead is incredibly promising. We are proud at the Chamber to be a part of it!”
The Renton Chamber of Commerce can be found at gorenton.com. The State of the City address takes place Wednesday, March 25th at Hyatt Regency Lake Washington — details available through the City of Renton’s official channels.
Renton Signal, LLC is a proud member of the Renton Chamber of Commerce. Membership does not influence editorial coverage.
“A Night Around the World” by BizX, Renton Chamber of Commerce 2026 Gala Photo Gallery by Renton Signal
