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Looking back on 2024, we’re overwhelmed with pride and deep gratitude. Even through challenging times for Washington State University, the past year has been filled with growth, milestones, and unforgettable moments—none of which would have been possible without amazing people like you that have been a part of the journey!

While this is just a brief overview, we wanted to share a few highlights of the year and thank you for your continued support!

We had another year of record engagement and attendance across all of our events in 2024! From the 10th Annual Seattle Show & 2nd Annual Career Expo, to our monthly networking events in cities across the state, each event provided valuable connections and fun for all. We were especially excited to introduce new events this year, such as the CougsFirst! Ignite Retreat at Alderbrook Resort and the Apple Cup Kickoff at Marco Polo Bar & Grill.

In a year where WSU athletics faced unprecedented challenges, we saw Cougs continue to step up and support our University. Welcoming Gardner Minshew back home to Pullman for the CougsFirst! QB Classic golf tournament in April made an exciting event and weekend even better. We also proudly partnered with the Cougar Collective to help launch their Ol’ Crimson Legendary Lager and Ol’ Crimson Coffee at our Seattle and Spokane Shows, respectively.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue connecting with you all in 2025! Our flagship trade shows, the CougsFirst! QB Classic Golf Tournament, monthly After Hours networking events, and much more are just around the corner.

Our primary goal continues to be Cougs supporting Cougs! Thanks to all of you, we experienced another year of growth in 2024 and welcomed nearly 100 new business members into our network.

We’re beyond proud of and grateful for the Coug community, who continues to share our passion for supporting fellow Cougs and promoting the success of WSU alumni in the business world.

The power of community is truly what makes CougsFirst! and WSU so special. In 2025, we’d love your help in expanding our network even further and reaching additional businesses. If you know of any fellow Cougs that own or manage a business, please consider submitting a referral and stay tuned for more exciting updates in the new year!

This year, we’re more committed than ever to expanding our reach and bringing even more Cougs into the fold as we continue to spread our mission of Thinking CougsFirst! and our vision of more Cougs doing business with Cougs!

We’re incredibly grateful for every member of the CougsFirst! community—whether you’re connecting with us via email, social media, events, or as a member. Your enthusiasm and unwavering support are the driving forces behind our continued growth and success. Together, we’re building something truly special, and we can’t wait to see what 2025 holds.

As always,

GO COUGS! COUGSFIRST!