1. Coordinate with the Chamber

            •          Contact Mary Catherine to express interest in hosting.

            •          Choose a 3^rd Thursday of any month (excluding October, November, & December)

            •          Confirm logistics: venue size, parking, accessibility, and attendance expectations.

 

 2. Plan Your Event Basics

            •          Location: Your business location or a partner venue (restaurant, event space, etc.)

            •          Capacity: Ensure space can comfortably host 30–60 guests

            •          Theme: Optional, but a fun or seasonal theme can attract more attendees.

            •          Budget: Set a reasonable budget for food, drinks, giveaways, and decorations.

3. Food & Beverage

            •          Offer light appetizers or hors d’oeuvres (catered or homemade).

            •          Consider partnering with a local Chamber restaurant to provide food

            •          Include non-alcoholic beverages

            •          The Chamber will provide a beer/seltzer selection sponsored by Mitchell Distributing

 

 4. Extras That Add Value

            •          Door prizes or a raffle to keep people engaged

            •          Swag bags, promo items, or discount coupons.

            •          Live music or a playlist to enhance ambiance.

            •          The Chamber can provide branded photo backdrop or selfie station upon request

 

5. Promote the Event

            •          The Chamber will:

                                    Send out email blasts

                                    Post on their social media and website

Contact local media

Mail out postcard invitations

            •          You should:

                                    Post on your own social media

                                    Invite clients, vendors, and friends

                                    Place flyers or table signs in your store or office

 

 6. Event Day Timeline

 

4:00 PM – Setup: food, drinks, signage, sign-in table

4:30 PM – Chamber and Ambassadors arrive to assist and prep

5:00 PM – Guests begin arriving

6:30 PM – Door prize drawings

7:00 PM – Thank guests, close event

 

 7. During the Event

            •          Have a sign-in sheet for attendee info.

            •          Assign a staff member or volunteer greeter.

            •          Take photos and videos (or hire someone)

            •          Offer brief tours or demos if applicable.

 

8. Post-Event Follow-Up

            •          Post thank-you message on social media (tag the Chamber and guests).

            •          Send follow-up emails with a special offer or note of thanks.

            •          Share your photos with the Chamber for their recap.

 

9. Hosting Tips for Success

            •          Make it welcoming, not formal — this is about building relationships.

            •          Ensure all staff are friendly, present, and know how to talk about your services.

            •          Don’t oversell — focus on making connections, not just pitches.