It’s no surprise Tri-Citians would love to welcome a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods Market to town.

They also have said over the years they want to patronize a performing arts center and splash around in an aquatics park.

Several others offered up a variety of possibilities during a brainstorming session as part of a “We Should Do That” activity at the Oct. 26 Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Greg Tehven of Fargo, North Dakota-based Emerging Prairie gave a passionate keynote about creating the kind of community you would want to be part of during the luncheon at the Pasco Red Lion.

He talked about creating connections across generations and interests, and putting on events at midnight or in alleyways. He encouraged Tri-Citians to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit and to patronize start-ups.

He asked the chamber audience to write what they would like to see happen in the Tri-Cities and ideas flowed from pen to Post-Its.

Several in attendance offered suggestions for events, such as Seahawks tailgate parties at John Dam Plaza in Richland, a public market, a fair staged in the Uptown Shopping Center’s alley in Richland, a midnight brunch and a rock ‘n roller skate event in which skaters would be able to skate around a rock show.

Someone threw out the idea of ziplines and another suggested creating public shade structures in parks that double as solar collectors.

All the ideas will be compiled and shared with attendees with the hope of connecting those interested in making them a reality.

Here’s a sampling of some of the other ideas:

• Improve the animal shelter in Pasco.
• Adopt an entrepreneur. Match up mentors and possible investors.
• Co-working with child care.
• Give artists space to create in city/government-owned abandoned buildings.
• Mental health support groups.
• Vocational training center.
• Social entrepreneur club.
• Need a regional government like Metro in Portland.
• Make connections between active groups in the community.
• Infuse the arts at each chamber event.
• Can we be successful if we compete with each other? Consolidate.
• Build a building more than nine stories tall.
• Occupational health and wellness programs held at businesses for professionals, e.g. yoga, stretching, diet, holistic, health, stress reduction.
• Working stiffs like me can never make it to events like this. Yes to “off-hour” events!
• Incentives for fast-growing businesses to stay in the area.
• Plant-based and vegan restaurants and options.
• Community meditation (outdoors as seasons allow).
• 1 Million Cups. (A national program to connect, educate and engage entrepreneurs with their communities.)
• Don’t let Confluent Space die.