TAG | Chamber Events
Summer is gone and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are still weeks away, but Halloween provides an opportunity for communities to inject some fall fun into their yearly calendars. Here are some events that chambers are using to spice up the “season of scares.”
In Bucks County, PA, the New Hope Chamber of Commerce just enjoyed its second annual Mischief March – a Halloween parade with a chamber twist. Around 25 costumed participants gathered this past Friday night for a reception at the Triumph Brewery where they received a goody bag including candy, noisemakers, and discount tickets for area establishments. The group then marched through the streets of town with musicians in tow, making merriment and stopping at a dozen participating restaurants en route to their midnight finale. (more…)
A previous career once had me in the employ of an important client for a large power company. This particular power company had some unique land holdings, some of which included pristine natural areas with terrific outdoor recreation opportunities. One visionary within their organization saw offering access to the land as an additional way for sales reps to show appreciation to clients, and I was lucky enough to be among the first guests.
During my visit, the man who made it possible told the story of how he convinced the company to host clients on the property. He said that they initially balked at the idea until he reminded them of this important fact: not everyone on the client list likes to play golf.
It’s true that golf outings are extremely popular and that a lot of business deals are born on the links during chamber events, but what about members who have other passions? Does your chamber provide social opportunities off of the course? If not, here are a few ideas:
Batter Up!
Small businesses make up a big percentage of the membership in most chambers, and many of these businesses don’t have enough employees to create their own team in the local softball league. Chamber organized teams can open the door to this type of recreation for members, and the dugout camaraderie that this activity offers creates recurring networking opportunities with over a dozen other players.
Kick Off Your Shoes
Some wineries have begun having annual grape stomp events where patrons sign up in teams, kick off their shoes, and compete to be the most creative grape smashers. These types of events are usually accompanied by fun costumes, live music, wine tasting, and lots of food.
How much fun can it be? Just ask Judy Young, Director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau at the New Braunfels, Texas Chamber of Commerce. New Braunfels has several of these within the community each year.
“There are actually three,” Judy explained. “One that takes place at the Dry Comal Creek Vineyard that is run by them, and the other two take place at Special Events and are sponsored by the Main Street Partners Foundation, of which I am a member. We, as a chamber/CVB, promote this via media appearances.”
Judy is a great sport, donning her “Lucy” outfit and stomping grapes on television to promote these events, which also raise money for downtown restoration projects. When asked if the chamber specifically hosted its own grape stomp, she replied, “We haven’t done a grape stomp at a chamber event, but what a great idea!” Maybe we’re on to something here…
Hit the Road
Motorcycling has become immensely popular, and the motorcycle subculture is growing by leaps and bounds. The negative connotations that were once associated with motorcycle groups are long-gone, and today’s cyclists are all about finding fellowship with like-minded riders and raising money for good causes. So why not offer a chamber-sponsored poker run? A day-long ride with a variety of fun stops could be the perfect networking opportunity for biking members and a great fund-raiser for the chamber.
Now it’s your turn. Who among you has the most unconventional, yet successful, chamber event? How did you pull it off? Share it with us in the comments section.
We’ve had the honor to work with the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce to publish the Conway Community Profile & Membership Guide. View it online here.
In 2009, Conway was chosen as one of the Top 100 Places to Live in the United States by Relocate-America™. Conway is one of the fastest-growing cities in Arkansas for many reasons. “We are progressive, welcoming — a community that can almost assure you that you can find your comfort zone in what we have to offer,” Mayor Tab Townsell said of this growing town of 60,000.
The City of Colleges, as Conway is called, is attracting new businesses and families seeking a superior quality of life in terms of education, culture, recreation, health care, and environment, all of which Conway offers. For more information about Conway and the Chamber, visit www.conwayarkansas.org.
Toad Suck Daze http://www.toadsuck.org/
Toad Suck Daze, the 2008 AFEA Festival of the Year, is one of the most highly anticipated events in Conway. The three-day festival, held the first weekend in May in downtown Conway, draws upwards of 150,000 people each year, and the Arkansas Department of Tourism has touted it as one of the best in the state.
The festival has something for the entire family, including arts and crafts, carnival rides, and local and national entertainment. A “Toadal Kids Zone,” and “The World Championship Toad Races” (for which toads will be provided to those who don’t bring their own) are events especially favored by the young and the young at heart. The Stuck-on-a-Truck contest (with the prize going to the last contestant standing), golf and tennis tournaments, a three-on-three basketball tournament, a 5k/10k run/walk, and a “Tour de Toad” bicycle race are held in conjunction with the festival.
Toad Suck Daze is an event of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and is run almost exclusively by volunteers from Conway and Faulkner County, including the local police and fire departments.
The festival’s primary goal is to raise money for higher education in Faulkner County while having a great time. Since the event’s beginning, over $1 million has been given in scholarships and towards scholarship endowments. This money has helped more than 200 people attend area institutes of higher learning. The money raised from the festival truly makes a difference in the lives of the scholarship recipients.