LINK MEETINGS IN 2026: New Venues, New Opportunities!
2025 was an exciting year for LINK Meetings, and I am thrilled to share some of the major developments that have taken place across our expanding lineup. LINK Meetings have always served as one of RHAWA’s most valuable recurring opportunities for members to connect with one another, share experiences, and stay informed on the issues impacting their rental business. Last year, we expanded our LINK Meeting offerings to ensure that even more members across the state have the opportunity to take advantage of everything a LINK Meeting has to offer. As the new year takes shape, I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone of the progress we made last year, as well as give a preview of what’s to come in 2026.
Clark County
One of the most exciting additions to our lineup this last year was the launch of the Clark County LINK Meeting. Members in the Southwest Washington area now have a dedicated local meeting where they can sit down with fellow housing providers in their jurisdiction, tackle area-specific challenges, and make connections with peers who are navigating the same local policies and market conditions. The Clark County LINK Meeting takes place on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, giving our members in that region a consistent and accessible opportunity to get involved. With the merger of CCRA and RHAWA, it was a priority to bring this resource to Southwest Washington, and we are incredibly grateful to the members and volunteers who helped make it a reality.
Downtown Spokane
On the eastern side of the state, we have continued to build on the momentum generated by the Spokane Valley LINK Meeting by adding a new evening LINK Meeting in downtown Spokane. This new session provides an additional opportunity for our Spokane-area members to get involved, share insights, and connect with industry professionals in their community. The downtown Spokane LINK Meeting meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, while the Spokane Valley meeting continues as a lunch meeting on the third Monday of the month from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. Having two options available in the Spokane area means that members can choose the format and timing that works best for their schedule, and those who want to attend both are more than welcome to do so. RHAWA’s continued investment in eastern Washington reflects our commitment to serving members across the entire state, not just around the Puget Sound.
Online
In addition to these new in-person locations, our Online LINK Meeting continues to be a valuable resource for members who may not have easy access to one of our in-person locations or who simply prefer to engage from the comfort of their home or office. The Online LINK Meeting takes place on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM and is open to members from anywhere in the state. While the conversation at our in-person meetings tends to focus on area-specific challenges and local vendor recommendations, the Online LINK Meeting covers general best practices and statewide policy topics that are relevant to housing providers, no matter where they are located. Member-to-member conversation is strongly encouraged, and just like our in-person meetings, these sessions are not intended to be a simple presentation from RHAWA staff. We want to hear from you, and the online format makes it easier than ever for members in more rural or distant areas of the state to have their voices heard.
Value, Statewide
With these additions, our current LINK Meeting lineup now spans the full state of Washington, offering members more options than ever before. Across all locations, LINK Meetings provide one of RHAWA’s most consistent opportunities for meaningful networking.The members you meet at your local LINK Meeting are likely dealing with the same challenges you are in your specific jurisdiction, whether that is navigating new local ordinances, finding reliable vendors, or simply trying to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of rental housing legislation. Building those relationships with fellow housing providers is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your business and stay ahead of the issues that matter most in your area.
LINK Meetings also serve as one of the best ways to stay connected to RHAWA’s advocacy efforts. During the legislative session earlier this year, LINK Meeting attendees were among the first to receive updates on key bills and had direct input into our legislative efforts. Member feedback gathered at these meetings has had a real impact on how RHAWA communicates with legislators and how we craft our messaging on behalf of independent housing providers. If you want to make sure your voice is part of that conversation, attending your local LINK Meeting is the best way to speak directly to staff about your ideas.
As always, LINK Meetings are completely free to attend, and we even allow guests to attend. If you know someone who is new to the rental business or curious about what RHAWA has to offer, I encourage you to invite them along. There is no better introduction to the association than sitting down with a room full of experienced housing providers who are happy to share what they know.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, there are two upcoming developments for the LINK Meeting lineup in 2026. The first development is the long-awaited return of the South King County meeting. Last year, our regular venue for the South King County meeting was unfortunately shut down, and we had to ensure that we chose the right location in order to replace this tried and true location. We have luckily found a new venue, thanks to our friends at Dimension Law Group, that is incredibly close to our previous location. We look forward to welcoming our members back to the South King County meeting this month. Please double-check the RHAWA website for exact details on date and time. We are also making progress on bringing the value of LINK Meetings up north to the Bellingham area. Our engagement in Bellingham has grown significantly in the last few years, and this year we will bring our membership together with this upcoming meeting. Once again, make sure to check RHAWA’s website for more information.
You can find dates and registration links for all upcoming LINK Meetings at RHAwa.org/events/link-meetings or in the Calendar section of this newspaper. Please make sure to register in advance, as it helps us coordinate with venues and ensures you receive any necessary details prior to the meeting. If you have questions about any of our LINK Meetings or are interested in volunteering as a facilitator, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at dbannon@rhawa.org or by calling (206) 905-0609. I look forward to seeing you at a meeting soon!