Happy New Year from all of our team! With the new year, we are excited to bring you more than 50 educational and networking events throughout all of 2024.

We are excited to announce our Annual Meeting will take place on March 21, 2024 at Bay County's Great Hall Banquet and Convention Center. We will be presenting a series of prestigious awards to honor those individuals and businesses who have made a significant impact on our community.

We invite you to participate by submitting nominations for these awards. Your insight and nomination plays a vital role in ensuring we honor those who consistently go above and beyond to make our community better. Whether it's a business who has demonstrated remarkable growth, an individual who has displayed exemplary leadership, or an organization who has made a significant community impact, we want to hear from you.

Please take a moment to nominate those who have truly stood out this year and help us make this year's Chamber Annual Meeting an unforgettable celebration of success! Nomination forms are listed below under 'Featured Content' and on our website. Thank you for your active participation and support in showcasing the best of our business community!

Welcome New Members!

First State Home Care & Hospice

First State Home Care & Hospice is a home care & Hospice agency providing exceptional care to patients in Bay County and surrounding areas. We are staffed with a team of individuals that have a passion for the work they provide.

Foundation Systems of Michigan

Foundation Systems of Michigan (FSM), A Groundworks Company, specializes in foundation repair, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, concrete, gutter and generator needs.

Historic Webster House

Upscale 6 bedroom bed & breakfast. Renovated historic masion. Host for intimate luxury weddings, elopements, showers, business meetings. Located near downtown Bay City.

Members First Credit Union

Members First Credit Union has been here in Michigan serving our community with easy and affordable banking since 1936. As a Michigan- born credit union, we provide local banking the way only locals can. Our mission is to encourage a better tomorrow for our members and our community. Which is why we offer full-service tools and resources to help you reach their goals. 

Socially Amaya Marketing & Design

Socially Amaya Marketing & Design is a social media and marketing agency that specializes in providing customized solutions to help businesses grow and succeed.

Please make sure to welcome these businesses and support your fellow Chamber members!

Featured Content

Seeking Award Nominations for Chamber Annual Meeting

Business Hall of Fame Award- The Business Hall of Fame Award was instituted in 1986 to recognize individuals for their significant contributions to the improvement of the Bay Area.

Athena Award- The Athena Award was created recognize the accomplishments of women who have attained and personified the highest level of professional excellence in business or their profession or men who have supported women in reaching their fullest potential.

Bay Area Energize YPN Award- The Bay Area Energize Award was created to recognize a member of Bay Area Energize who is an emerging leader in the community both personally and professionally.

Leadership Alumni Community Service Award- Nominee MUST be a graduate of Leadership Bay County and MUST include evidence of actual leadership efforts and accomplishments, collaborative skills, comprehensive knowledge of the community, generous commitment, active assistance to others, appreciation for diversity and visionary skills.

Heart of the Chamber Award- This award is presented to a Chamber member or organization who has proactively demonstrated extraordinary enthusiasm for our organization through volunteerism, participation in Chamber activities and/or committees, support for staff, or other notable contribution. This nominee shall also have acted as a positive supporter for our Chamber through interactions with the public and other members.

Have an Idea for a Lunch & Learn? Let us know!

We are launching Lunch & Learns in 2024!

These one hour, informational sessions will be held in the Chamber conference room on a monthly basis. We encourage you to bring your lunch, learn something new, and network with other Chamber members!



Due to our conference room space, we will be limiting this to 15 people (one per organization). Members who receive our newsletter are first to see the topic and register before we promote on social media.

If you have a topic you are interested in learning about OR have one you would like to promote for your organization, let us know! Please email the completed form below to leann@baycityarea.com.

Leadership Bay County Seeking Donations for Silent Auction!

The Leadership Bay County Class of 2024 is seeking donations for the Silent Auction to take place at the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on March 21, 2024. All funds raised will be utilized toward their class project.

The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Bay County Class of 2024 selected Brian's House as their class project. Brian’s House is a six-bedroom end-of-life guest home serving the terminally ill with a goal to make sure their guests needs, physical, emotional and spiritual support are provided during the end-of-life process. The class will be expanding the Emergency Exit landing and ramp to allow access for bedridden patients to enjoy the outdoors, create emergency access without needing to transfer patients to a wheelchair, and to allow for privacy and dignity to patients, guests and families during a time of loss. This project will also require some landscaping updates due to the expansion, such as the replacement of trees in the path of construction and lighting for the newly accessed walkway.

Please consider supporting the class through a monetary or item donation. Completed donation forms can be sent to leadershipbaycountyclass@gmail.com.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Sign Up for 2024 Fast Track Passes!

What is a Fast Track Pass?

Fast Track is a pre-paid pass for the Eye Opener Breakfasts in 2024. You would be pre-registered for the breakfasts January thru December. Eye Opener Breakfasts dates for 2024 are: January 12, February 9, March 8, April 12, May 3, June 21, September 13, October 18, November 8, and December 13. (There are no breakfasts in July or August.)

Why Should I get a Fast Track Pass?

• You are automatically registered every month for the Eye Opener Breakfast for the 2024 Breakfast Series.

• You have the convenience of a one-time payment!

• You get express check-in!

Do I have to assign a specific person to each “Fast Track” pass?

Yes, each Fast Track pass is assigned to the person who plans to use it every month. However, if you can't make it to a breakfast another individual from your organization can use it as long as you let us know.

How do I get a “Fast Track” pass?

Please call the Bay Area Chamber at (989) 893-4567 or email leann@baycityarea.com.

Fast Track passes are $150 for the year. (Checks, cash, Visa, Discover, American Express and MasterCard are accepted.)

All Eye Opener Breakfasts will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bay City – Riverfront, One Wenonah Park Place, Bay City, MI 4870

Leadership Bay County Attends Third Session!

Leadership Bay County had their third session of the program with the topic of Human Needs & Services. The class learned about what groups of people are being served and what services and resources are available. This was an incredibly eye opening session, and the class was tasked with reflecting on what they can do to get more involved and how they can do their part to make a difference in the community.

Thank you to our guest speakers:

CAN Council- Ryan Landrey

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region- Scott Litle

United Way of Bay County- Nicole Luczak

Foster Families Navigation & Resource Center- Sarah Humerickhouse

River Jordan Inc.- Aland Stamps

Bay Veterans Foundation- Keith Markstrom

Good Samaritan Rescue Mission of Bay City- Jill Bair

Their January session will be focusing on Agribusiness in the Bay Area.

As we look forward to a great 2024, our sponsorship options have been expanded and opportunities have been added to increase visibility for your organization!

Your sponsorship of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce ensures the organization’s ability to provide support for our area businesses by being a catalyst to create a thriving economy through our education, advocacy and talent attraction and retention programming. 

Contact Leann at leann@baycityarea.com to secure your sponsorship today!

Join Noon Networking!

The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for our Noon Networking Group for 2024!

This group is comprised of individuals representing member businesses. The purpose of the Noon Networking group is to generate new quality business for participating members. The Noon Networking process uses relationship marketing and passing relevant business information to help members market their products/services to other Bay Area businesses.

Annual Cost:

Individual membership: $65

Corporate memberships (multiple employees): $200

Please email completed applications to Jodi at jodi@baycityarea.com.

Saginaw Spirit is accepting volunteers for the 2024 Memorial Cup.

The City of Bay City is now accepting applications for their Match on Main Grant Program.

ABC Greater Michigan Chapter invites girls grades 5-12 to attend their 'Build Like a Girl" event on February 27th.

AT&T launches community-based Digital Navigators.

Bay Area Chamber of Commerce immediate past chair Heather Gallegos was appointed by the Governor to the SVSU Board of Control.

Blue Cross Blue Shield will continue to host their Virtual Well-Being Member Webinars.

YWCA leader earns award for fighting racism in the region.

Michigan Reconnect Short-Term Training Program Launches to provide Michiganders an additional path to in-demand careers.

Dow's 2024 Apprenticeship Program is now accepting applications.

The Bay Area Community Foundation's Community Partnership Grants are open until March 11th.

Go Great Lakes Bay will host their Annual Meeting on January 31st.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade apparel store is now open for orders.

Complete College Advising is hosting a free information session for parents and students about scholarships and college financing options.

Do you have news or events you would like to share with other Chamber members? Email your events to Annabelle to be included in the next Bay Area Chamber Banter, and add them to our 'Community Events' calendar.

Chamber Events

Click HERE to read our January Events Notice!

Michigan minimum wage will increase to $10.33 on January 1, 2024.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

A ribbon cutting is a ceremonial opening of a new business, a recognition for newly renovated business, a celebration of an anniversary, or recognition for a major milestone. Ribbon cuttings are a great way to bring attention to your business!

In December, a Ribbon Cutting was done for The River Rock.

Brick Awards

The Brick Award was developed by the Bay Area Chamber Ambassadors to recognize the investment a Bay County business makes to the community when it expands, renovates, or improves its facility. The Awards for December were presented to the following businesses: Little Pastry Shop and Moe's Southwest Grill.

Little Pastry Shop

Presented by Ambassador Kristen Squires.

Moe's Southwest Grill

Presented by Ambassador Lynn Roberts.

In Case You Missed It!

Thank you to all who attended our December Eye Opener Breakfast and Business After Hours!

Please visit our Facebook Page to see photos from the events.

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors!