Small Business Saturday! – November 28th
Are you ready for Small Business Saturday? Like everything else this year, Small Business Saturday will look different than previous years. One thing that won’t change this year is the fact that the Chamber “Elves” will be out paying for purchases of unsuspecting shoppers!
How can you prepare for Small Business Saturday?
-Tell customers about your SBS deals by postcard, flyers in all purchases bags starting NOW, print on receipts, emails, create a social media event, post a live Facebook video, decorate your businesses or call the Chamber to learn how to share on our website too! We are in this together, so let’s work together!
Are you planning sales for the entire week, allowing/encouraging curbside pick up, offering additional sales or promotions!? Let us know, we are happy to help promote!
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Downtown Christmas- December 12th
The Hutchinson Downtown Association will be hosting Downtown Christmas 2020! Please help us celebrate by decorating your store front (even if you will not be open on December 12th) by using lights, holiday décor and possibly providing a small take away from your business! Together we are all working on treat bags for the kids, ice skating, farmers market, self-guided holiday tour, Santa and so much more!
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Maximize Your Membership!
As the height of retail shopping season begins, the Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce wants you to think local/shop local. The Chamber strongly encourages everyone to ThinkLOCAL when making a purchase. Please consider where you will be spending your shopping dollars this holiday season! Now more than ever do we need your business to stay local. That doesn’t only mean shop small but shop LOCAL as well.
Small Business Saturday, which is Nov. 28th, is a nationwide event intended to encourage residents to shop local and to shop small businesses in each participating hometown.
Just think, if you were to switch just 50 % of your online purchases to store front pick up you could greatly impact the Hutchinson Community. When we shop local the entire community we live in is positively impacted!
Did you know?
- If every household were to take 10 percent of what they typically spend online or out of town and spend it LOCALLY and every business spent 5 percent more locally, that would equal $42 million in annual revenue for our community.
- Revenue from local purchases keeps tax dollars in our community. These are dollars that support our police and fire departments, our schools and parks, our streets and utilities and much more.
- Local businesses offer great customer service. Shopping at a local store and tapping into local expertise, you’re as much as 3 times more likely to discover something new.
Sometimes maximizing your Chamber membership is about supporting local efforts to aim to make Hutchinson the best community it can be. There are ways to promote thinkLOCAL at your Chamber business. How do you do that? We have free resources and materials available for your business right here at the Chamber office. You can request:
- thinkLOCAL business cards to hand out to customers. The cards feature facts that explain the value in shopping locally and thank customers for a local purchase.
- thinkLOCAL magnets are also available and serve as a great visual reminder.
- thinkLOCAL window clings can be put on your storefront or door.
- a digital version of the thinkLOCAL logo to show your support on your Web site or other social media.
- and several other promotional materials to
Want to know more? Download your copy of the thinkLOCAL Business Guide.
Contact Cegi at the Chamber office or email her with questions or to work with her to maximize your membership.
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2021 Tourism Marketing Grant
Since 2013, the Chamber has enjoyed granting money to events hosted by nonprofits and for-profits held in Hutchinson. These grants help cover the expense of marketing that covers a radius outside the Hutchinson area for the event. These events help the Chamber bring more people to our beautiful and welcoming community – there really is #MuchInHutch!
Tell your friends, co-workers, committees and organizations about the Chamber’s Tourism Marketing Grant. We love to help events as they help us and increase the traffic and awesomeness of Hutchinson!
More information about the Tourism Marketing Grant program, grant criteria and grant application can be found on our Tourism Marketing Grant blog.
2021 Tourism Marketing Application (pdf).
2021 Tourism Marketing Grant Criteria & Deadlines (pdf).
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Business of the Month
This month’s Business of the Month is Chamber Member, Benny’s Meat Market. This meat market is locally and family owned and operated in downtown Hutchinson and newly opened store in Hector, MN. Benny’s has over 20 years of experience in the industry and always ready to serve you.
Click here to learn more about Benny’s Meat Market and listen to their radio interview with Mary.
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New & Renewing Members for October
Warmest Welcome to our NEWEST MEMBER of the Hutchinson Chamber!
We also would like to Thank the following members for renewing their partnership with us!
- Compass Occasions LLC
- Edward Jones – Matt Beilke
- FireLake Manufacturing
- Home State Bank
- Hutchinson Area Community Foundation
- Jimmy’s Pizza
- Jonny Block
- New Journey United Church of Christ
- Quilt Haven on Main
- Terning & Company Inc.
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Hutchinson Ambassadors
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.
October’s Ambassador Business Visits:
- Clay Coyote
- Pizza Ranch
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Working from home but need to have an in-person meeting?
Have you been working from home and are sick and tired of cleaning the kitchen/dining room for an in-person business meeting. Maybe you’re in the search for a quiet meeting location to host a confidential meeting. Look no further, the chamber has a solution for you! Included with your Chamber membership you are able to reserve the Chamber board room Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm at no charge!
Give us a call today to book your next meeting.
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Something from Mary!
November 28th & December 12th… Two days, you do not want to miss!!!
Read Mary’s Blog to learn more..
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