EDITOR’S NOTE : South King Media Founder/Publisher Scott Schaefer serves on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce. Business, civic and nonprofit leaders gathered July 10 at Highline College in Des Moines for the Seattle Southside Chamber and Success Foundation’s 2026 Leadership Conference, where speakers focused on South King County’s economy, workforce needs, small business pressures and regional collaboration. Samantha Le, president and CEO of the Seattle Southside Chamber and Executive Director of the Success Foundation, said the conference was intended to spotlight the region’s leadership and challenges. “While headlines often focus elsewhere, we know that innovation, resilience, and leadership happening right here in South King County deserves the spotlight,” Le said. During an economic outlook panel, participants pointed to rising operating costs, workforce turnover, transportation, tariffs, regulatory uncertainty and affordability as key pressures facing South King County businesses.