The Chamber would like to introduce our newest program
These are morning networking events that take place from 7:00 am – 8:00 am on the first Friday of each month at a Chamber business. Chamber Members are invited to gather, enjoy coffee and a light breakfast, share a quick update or information on their business/organization, and learn more about the host business through a presentation. We will always have Chamber updates for you as well.
Door prizes will be given out, so make sure you bring your business card to be entered into the drawing. This new networking opportunity is a great way to get to know people in the community and keep in touch with Hutch!
If you are part of a Chamber business/organization and interested in attending, please register online in the link provided below. Multiple guests per organization are welcome, just remember to register!
Please join us for the Chamber’s very first Business Connection at Ashley Homestore on Friday, March 1 from 7:00 am to 8:00 am.
Registration Link for March’s Business Connection
Passing of the Gavel – Chamber Board Chair
The Chamber takes this opportunity to thank 2018 Chamber Board Chair Keith Heikes for his service to the Board and to each of us in the past year; and we welcome the 2019 Chamber Board Chair Roman Bloemke into that position.
The Chamber would also like to thank the outgoing Chamber Board Member for their committed service.
2018 and 2019 Chamber Board Chairs Keith Heikes and Roman Bloemke are pictured below awarding those outgoing members: Renee Hantge, Scott Ziegler, Corey Stearns and Nate Johnson.
Passing of the Gavel – Hutchinson Ambassadors
The Chamber takes this opportunity to thank 2018 Ambassador President Christine Ruppert for her service to the Ambassadors and to each of us in the past year; and we welcome the 2019 Ambassador President Leah Watzke into that position.
Thank you for your support at the Chamber Annual Event and congratulations to the 2018 Community Award Winners!
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2019 Chamber Annual Event – 80’s
Prom – A Night Under the Stars a huge success! A special thanks to our event supporters – Compass Occasions, Crow River Floral & Gifts, Crow River Winery, Innovative Foam, The Paint Factory and Walmart; to our event sponsors – Citizens Bank and Trust Co, Hutchinson Health, MidCountry Bank, MITGI and Uponor; and finally to the event music sponsor – Woodstone Senior Living. Our deepest gratitude to them for supporting our event.
We would also like to thank our Visionary Sponsor: Citizens Bank and Trust Co. and our Champion Sponsors: 3M, Cobblestone Hotel & Suites, Hutchinson Health, MidCountry Bank, MITGI, SouthPoint Financial Credit Union and Uponor.
The Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce and Hutchinson Jaycees are excited to announce the Community Award Winners. The winners are (from left to right) Business Person of the Year – William “Bo” Young, Teacher of the Year – Mackenzie Boeckers, Volunteer of the Year – Jackie Backen, Young Leader of the Year – Andrew Broll and Ag Person of the Year – Ted Matthews!
2019 Tourism Marketing Grant – Reminder – Deadline March 1!
The March 1st deadline is quickly approaching for the Hutchinson Tourism & Marketing Grant. Grants are available for no-for-profit events and events and for-profit events that are marketing outside a 30-mile radius of Hutchinson.
More information about the Tourism Marketing Grant program, grant criteria and grant application can be found on our Tourism Marketing Grant blog.
2019 Tourism Marketing Grant Criteria, Deadlines and Application (pdf)
Maximize Your Membership!
Job Postings for Chamber Members — Are you looking for qualified applicants to fill open positions at your business? Post you job openings on ExploreHutchinson.com through your Chamber Membership. Use us a a trustworthy resource to get the word out about your available positions. We reference these job postings and share on our Facebook page! Click on the image below for instructions or call the Chamber with questions.
Table Tent – Quarter 2 (April, May & June) Deadline – March 1st
Are you looking for a way to boost an upcoming Hutchinson event? The Chamber prints and delivers 900 table tents around the community. Make sure you get your event added to the table tents! The cost is $30 per event listing for community members and Chamber Members receive a $10 discount per event listing.
Submitting an event is easy… just complete the printable Table Tent Entry Form (pdf) and mail, email or drop it off at the Chamber by the quarterly deadline.
The deadline for Quarter 2 (April, May & June events) is March 1, 2019.
Also, make sure to add it to the Chamber’s online Community Calendar. The Community Calendar averages about 100 views a day, so don’t forget to utilize it. Submitting an event to the Community Calendar may be done through your Chamber Member Portal or you can go directly to the Community Calendar page.
If you want table tents delivered to your business, to submit an event for an upcoming table tent or if you have any questions, give Gina a call, send her an email or drop by the Chamber.
New & Returning Members
We would like to welcome our new members to the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce!
We also want to thank the following members for renewing their partnership with us!
- Ace Hardware
- Albers Insurance
- American Family Insurance
- Chef Craig’s Catering
- Disable American Veterans
- Dobratz Hantge Chapel
- E.G. Rudd & Sons, Inc.
- Family Rexall Drug
- Hager Jewelry Inc.
- Holiday
- Hutchinson Area Dollars for Scholars
- Hutchinson Co-op
- Hutchinson Countryside Retreats
- Hutchinson Downtown Association
- Hutchinson Family Dentistry
- Hutchinson Leader
- Hutchinson Lions
- Kock’s Jewelry, Inc.
- L & P Supply Co.
- Laraway Roofing, Inc.
- McDonalds of Hutchinson
- McLeod County Abstract and Title
- Melchert Hubert Sjodin
- MidCountry Bank
- Redline Systems
- Runnings
- Skyview Dairy, Inc.
- Southwest Initiative Foundation
- Today’s Women of Hutchinson
- Viking Coca Cola
- Walgreens
- West Central Industries
- Zellas
Business of the Month
Our February Business of the Month is Adara Home Health! You may formerly know this business as Prairie River Home Care – find out more about their new brand and what Adara Home Health has to offer residents in the Hutchinson Community on the Business of the Month Profile Page.
The Hutchinson Ambassadors serve as the welcoming and social arm of the Hutchinson Chamber by actively supporting and promoting Hutchinson and its surrounding business community.
The Ambassador’s Facebook page is a great place to see photos of all the visits and other special events hosted by the Ambassadors.
You may have seen our Ambassadors around town – you can recognize them by their blue shirts and friendly smiles. They welcome new business openings, as well as, celebrate business renovations and milestones with an Ambassador Business Visit.
January’s Ambassador Business Visits:
- Lifelong Veterinary Clinic
- Jrr. Yoga
- ForTykes
Business After Hours is a great way to learn about businesses in Hutchinson and network with the fellow Chamber Members. This is a way to get behind the scenes on our local businesses… to see what they make, do or provide. This monthly event is by Chamber invitation only and is open to all Chamber Member business employees. Businesses interested in hosting a Business After Hours event or would like more information should email the Ambassadors.
If you are the only primary representative with your business receiving emails from the Chamber, please invite all your employees to join us! Preregistration is strongly encouraged, so our business hosts may plan accordingly.
February Business After Hours has been cancelled. The Chamber and Hutchinson Ambassadors encourage everyone to enjoy the Valentine’s holiday by thinking local. Support your local businesses by shopping, dining and playing local this Valentine’s Day!
Professionals Under 40 Leading Socializing and Educating
PULSE meets for Lunch & Learn events on the second Wednesday of each month from 12pm-1pm at Squeaky’s Grill and Bar. The events are free to attend, a $10 lunch option is available.
The group also gets together at quarterly social events (green dates listed in calendar below). Like the PULSE Facebook page to get the latest event information and registration links. Register for the February 13th Lunch & Learn by Friday, February 8th to be entered into a $25 gift card drawing! February 13th Lunch & Learn Registration
Something from Mary!
What if there was no chamber in Hutchinson?
Sometimes people ask “what does the chamber actually do?”
The rest of Mary’s article can be found on February’s Something from Mary blog.
Save the Date!
- FEBRUARY
5 PULSE Social Event
13 PULSE Lunch & Learn - MARCH
1 Business Connection
13 PULSE Lunch & Learn
14 Business After Hours - APRIL
5 Business Connection
10 PULSE Lunch & Learn
11 Business After Hours - MAY
3 Business Connection
8 PULSE Lunch & Learn
9 Business After Hours
15 Leadership Institute 2018-2019 Graduation - JUNE
7 Dairy Day
12 PULSE Lunch & Learn - JULY
10 PULSE Lunch & Learn
18-20 Crazy Days
22 Chamber Golf Event – Oakdale - AUGUST
14 PULSE Lunch & Learn
14-18 Made in McLeod @ County Fair - SEPTEMBER
11 PULSE Lunch & Learn
13/14 45th Arts & Crafts Festival
13/14 Taste of Hutchinson
19/20 Leadership Institute 2019-2020 Begins - OCTOBER
Farm Fatigue Buckets Delivered
9 PULSE Lunch & Learn
10 Business After Hours
- NOVEMBER
13 PULSE Lunch & Learn
21 Taste of the Holidays
30 Small Business Saturday - DECEMBER
Crop Management Input Seminar
12 Holiday Business After Hours
More For Your Business To Grow…
