The tagline for Business Week was “…Understanding Private Enterprise.”

The first Business Week program was held at Central Washington State College as a one week program that began on August 8th. At Dr. Brook’s suggestion the first Business Week coincided with the U.S. Bicentennial celebration.

“Private Enterprise Village” was the name given to the dorm complex for the week.

Hal Wolf, a grocer from Yelm, was appointed to lead the program as chairman of the AWB Business Week activities. Hal continued in the role (both officially & unofficially) for over a decade and became “Mr. Business Week.” Educators were invited to participate in the Business Week program for the first time.

Business Week added a second week at CWSC.

Linda Mackintosh was listed as the Executive Director of Business Week.

Business Week programs had been established in California, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota and Pennsylvania.

Leadership Week, a program conceived, developed and directed by Dr. Jim Brooks, was first held at CWSC. Forty students who wanted to attend Business Week for a second year paid their own way or raised money from business to attend.

The Foundation for Private Enterprise Education was officially incorporated as a separate 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.

The Business Week program was held for the first at the University of Puget Sound.

The Business Week program was held for the first at Whitworth College.

Christy White was the first alumna (1976) to return as a Company Advisor.

The Business Week program was held for the first time at Gonzaga University.

The first National Business Week conference was held in Bismarck, North Dakota.

First (and only) Business Week program was held at Evergreen State College.

Theresa Bunger is listed as the new Business Week Executive Director.

Business Week Government Day, a one day gathering in Olympia for high students to meet their state legislators and learn about state government, was held.

Marianne Berry is listed as the Executive Director of Business Week.

Beverlee Hughes is listed as the Executive Director of Business Week.

Australia Business Week Program was launched.

The Business Week program was held for the first at Western WA University.

Steve Hyer joined the Washington Business Week staff as Executive Director.

PEMCO Scholarships were first awarded to Washington Business Week students.

Board adopted the In-School Concept. Pasco High School held the first program, followed by Okanogan/Omak and Emerald Ridge.

Students from Belarus began attending Business Week at CWU; six students per year.

Ten board members and volunteers took the Business Week program to Belarus.

The Foundation raised over one million dollars in funding.

The Advanced Program was launched at CWU.

Student fee was increased from $95 to $295 as a necessity to have sufficient income.

The Foundation started the Financial Assistance Fund to help students who couldn’t afford the registration fee.

Four or five students per year from Poland began attending the summer program.

A 30th Anniversary Celebration event was held with 200 attendees.

Destination Healthcare (3-day program) was funded by a grant and held in Moses Lake, Wenatchee and Okanogan/Omak. (Moses Lake is still going in 2010).

Several students from Hungary began attending in the summer.

The Ed Westfall Memorial Award, in memory of Ed Westfall, a long-time volunteer and financial supporter of Business Week, was established to honor a current volunteer who has gone above and beyond the call of duty.

The Educator of the Year Award was created to recognize an educator who demonstrates outstanding support for the program.

Accounting & Finance Pathway added (operated for just two years).

The Business Week program was held for the first time at Pacific Lutheran University.

The Foundation’s Mission Statement was updated: We educate and inspire high school students to recognize their potential as employees, employers and citizens in a free enterprise society.

Healthcare Week and Construction Week were added as Pathways for the summer program.

Vision and Mission Statements were revised: Vision: All high school students will achieve success in the local, regional and global economy. Mission: through our partnership with business and education we educate and inspire high school students to recognize their potential as responsible employees, employers, and citizens.

Adopted the Road Map 2008-2012.

Northwest Business Week concept became a topic of discussion that could include WA, OR, ID and AK.

The Mayor of Gdynia, Poland, invited the Business Week Program to Poland. Gdynia Business Week was held in August for 100 students and will become an annual event with potential growth.

Get AMPT! Week (Manufacturing, Aerospace, Marine and Process Technology) Pathway was added, beginning at Gonzaga.

The first Alaska Business Week was held in Fairbanks through contract with the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce.

Agri-Business one-day agriculture program was held at Columbia Basin Community College.

Oregon Business Week was revived with help from the Association of Washington Business.

Energy Week Pathway was added, beginning at Central Washington University.

Gdynia Business Week was expanded in Poland to add programs in Bolesławowo and Gdańsk.

The first Agri-Business Week Pathway was held at Central Washington University – key partner is the Washington State Potato Commission.

Poland Business Week added a program in Mińsk Mazowiecki, bringing the total number of programs to four.

The first Business Week program was held at Seattle University.

The foundation’s Vision Statement is revised to “Washington Business Week unleashes passion for entrepreneurship and leadership, empowering business teams of tomorrow.”

Herman Calzadillas is listed as the Executive Director.

WBW launched a very successful summer day-program at Renton Technical College.

Due to the increasing interest and growth in the technology industry, WBW launched the Technology Week pathway.