GOLDENDALE, WA — The Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for catering services for the 2026 GOLDYS Gala, scheduled for October 23, 2026.

The GOLDYS Gala serves as the Chamber's premier annual event, recognizing outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals who have made a significant impact on Central and Eastern Klickitat County. The 2026 event will hold special significance as the Chamber celebrates its 40th Anniversary with the theme, "Back to 1986 – Celebrating 40 Years of the Chamber."

With several Chamber members offering catering and food service options, the Chamber has elected to utilize a formal proposal process to ensure a fair, transparent, and competitive selection process while maintaining the high standards expected of the event.

The Chamber is seeking proposals from Chamber member businesses interested in providing catering services for an anticipated attendance of 220–250 guests. Businesses may submit proposals for:

• Full Catering Services (Entrées, Sides, and Dessert)
• Main Meal Service Only
• Dessert Service Only

The event will feature a self-serve dining experience with two entrée and side stations and a dessert station. The Chamber is seeking a high-quality dining experience that reflects the caliber of the event and supports the overall guest experience associated with a ticketed gala.

"The GOLDYS Gala is more than an awards banquet—it's a celebration of our business community, community leaders, and the Chamber's 40-year legacy," said Teja Hanna, Executive Director of the Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce. "We want every aspect of the evening, from the décor to the food presentation, to reflect the excellence and professionalism that our members and community deserve."

To ensure an impartial selection process, all proposals will be reviewed in an anonymized format by a neutral evaluation committee. The committee will consist of one Chamber Board Director, one Chamber Member, and one community member who is not affiliated with the Chamber. Committee members will be required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest prior to reviewing submissions and may be recused from participation if a conflict exists.

To further strengthen the integrity and transparency of the process, the Chamber is currently seeking one neutral community member who is not a Chamber member to serve on the evaluation committee. This individual will review anonymized proposals alongside the other committee members and will be required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest prior to participating. To protect the impartiality of the process, the identities of all evaluation committee members will remain confidential throughout the review and selection process.

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Food quality and menu appeal
• Overall value relative to the event ticket price
• Experience and reliability
• Presentation and execution plan
• Ability to meet event requirements

The Chamber has established high expectations for the event and is seeking proposals that demonstrate exceptional quality, professionalism, and attention to detail. The selected caterer(s) will play an important role in creating a memorable experience for attendees as the Chamber commemorates four decades of service to the community.

Bid applications open on June 5th, 2026. Interested Chamber member businesses must submit completed proposals no later than June 30, 2026. The Chamber anticipates making a final selection by July 30, 2026.

Businesses interested in submitting a proposal or community members interested in serving on the evaluation committee are encouraged to contact the Chamber for additional information and application materials.

For more information, contact:

Teja Hanna, Executive Director

execdir@goldendalechamber.org

Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce
903 E Broadway Street
Goldendale, WA 98620
509-773-3400