{Click here to view this as a webpage.} If you missed our email on Tuesday, September 24th, you can view it here.

This week's email includes:

• Everything you need to know about this week's Chamber BBQ Cook-Off

In case you haven't heard, we are preparing for our largest event of the year, our 28th Annual Good Times Celebration Barbecue Cook-Off that's happening Thursday, October 3rd at the Tri-State Fairgrounds. This event helps us raise funds to continue our mission to serve our members and the business community and while keeping our membership dues affordable. So thank you in advance to each and every business or person who supports us as a member, a cooking team, a sponsor, a volunteer, or just someone who buys a ticket to enjoy amazing food, drinks, and live music.

We will resume our normal weekly newsletter next week, so stay tuned for us to officially welcome our newest board members, celebrate some recent ribbon cuttings, highlight more upcoming events, and share about our newest members.

On behalf of our staff, Board of Directors, and the Amarillo business community, we want to thank you for your continued support of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to serving you now and in the future. Please let us know what we can do to help your business.

Penni F. Bentley

VP of Communications & Marketing

Amarillo Chamber of Commerce

1000 S Polk

Amarillo, TX 79101

806.373.7800

806.342.2005 direct

806.674.7334 cell

penni@amarillo-chamber.org

www.amarillo-chamber.org

Chamber Barbecue Cook-Off is Thursday

Click here or on the image above for more information on this year's Chamber BBQ Cook-Off happening on Thursday, October 3rd at the Tri-State Fairgrounds. Make plans to join us for the biggest fundraising event we hold all year. This event is presented by Reed Beverage, Tyson Foods, United Supermarkets, and our almost 100 cooking teams. Everything is included in the ticket price...food, drinks, networking, and live music from the Velvet Funk Band.

Tickets are on sale now for $30 each at the Chamber Office at 10th & Polk during normal business hours (through Tuesday 10/1 at 5pm), at the Civic Center Box Office at 4th & Buchanan from noon-6pm daily (through 3pm Thursday 10/3), by phone at (806) 378-3096, or online at Panhandle Tickets. Tickets will be $40 at the gate. Note, online tickets will incur a small convenience handling fee.

Due to a software issue, tickets will NOT be sold through United Supermarkets, Market Street or Amigos this year.

Watch and listen for our BBQ Commercial on your favorite local TV or Radio station, and give it a watch on YouTube.

Thanks to these Sponsors

See the complete list with links on our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

BBQ FAQ

The Chamber office will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, so we will not be available to answer your phone call questions about the cook-off. But hopefully yours is one of the most common questions we get asked below.

WHAT IS GOING ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT? Wednesday 10/2 is our PRIVATE TEAM NIGHT that is by invitation only for our barbecue sponsors and cooking teams. Each sponsor or cooking team was given a set number of wristbands to provide their employees, guests, team members, etc. We do not sell tickets or wristbands to this private party, and a wristband is required to attend that night’s event. Be sure to purchase tickets to come on Thursday.

HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS FOR THURSDAY'S BARBECUE COOK-OFF? $30/person in advance until 3pm on Thursday 10/3. $40/person at the gate at 5pm on 10/3.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TICKET PRICE? This event is a one ticket gets it all event! You'll get food and drinks from 100 teams and local beverage companies, live music from Velvet Funk, and networking with your friends.

WHERE DO I GET TICKETS? At the Chamber at 10th & Polk (until 5pm Tuesday), at the Civic Center Box Office at 4th & Buchanan (open noon-6pm), by phone at 806-378-3096, online at PanhandleTickets.com (online tickets incur a small processing fee). The $30 price is good until 3pm on Thursday, 10/3. After 3pm they will only be available at the gates for $40 at 5pm.

WHERE ARE ENTRANCE GATES? This event is at the Tri-State Fairgrounds in the lot south of the Amarillo National Center. You may drive in and park on the grounds through Fairgrounds entrances off of 10th or 3rd. The gate to walk-in and enter the event will be on the southwest side of the Amarillo National Center building under the large American flag. There will be 4 lines so be sure and check signage for the fastest entry. We have separate lines for those who already HAVE TICKETS, one to buy tickets with CASH only, one to buy tickets with CREDIT CARDS, and one for WILL CALL to pickup tickets you purchased online or over the phone. A valid photo I.D. is required for entry. 

WHAT PAYMENTS DO YOU ACCEPT AT THE GATE? We gladly accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Make sure you are in the correct line if purchasing tickets.  

I BOUGHT TICKETS ONLINE OR BY PHONE, WHERE DO I PICK THEM UP? You may pick up tickets at the Civic Center Box Office until 3pm Thursday 10/3. After that, any tickets purchased online or by phone will be available to pick up ONLY at the entrance gate at the Tri-State Fairgrounds in the line for "WILL CALL" starting at 5pm on Thursday, 10/3.  

WHAT IF IT RAINS? Please don't say "rain", but this event happens rain or shine!

WHAT ABOUT KIDS? Children 6 & Under are free with a paying adult. However, the Chamber Barbecue Cook-Off is a business networking event and is designed primarily for adults. We value the safety of our littlest citizens and remind you that this event has a crowd of more than 8,000 people, 90+ really hot cookers/grills, and alcohol. Please keep that in mind when deciding on whether to purchase a ticket for them.

IS THE CHAMBER CLOSED? Our office will be closed and phones will be turned to voicemail at 5pm Tuesday and remain closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We apologize for any delay in returning calls or emails while we are putting on our biggest event of the year. Feel free to email us or leave us a voicemail or try a staff member's cell phone if you have it, otherwise we will get back to you the next week.

WHY DO YOU HAVE THIS EVENT? This event is a business networking event for our members and great folks in the Amarillo community. This event is a non-dues revenue event that helps raise money for the Chamber so that we can cover our basic operating costs and keep our membership dues low and affordable for any business.

WHO PUTS ON THIS EVENT? The Chamber relies on a whole host of sponsors to help us put on this event. Special thanks go to Coors of Amarillo / Reed Beverage, Tyson Foods, and United Supermarkets / Market Street / Amigos for being our presenting sponsors along with about 100 other sponsors and supporters.  

​

I’M A CHAMBER MEMBER, DO I GET FREE TICKETS? Unfortunately, no. We have more than 2,000 Chamber members who represent more than 80,000 employees in Amarillo’s workforce. This event is to raise funds for the Chamber so we can continue our mission and keep dues affordable for all businesses. We thank you for purchasing a ticket and supporting the Chamber and our entire business community!  

You Can Cook (or Fly) Like A Pro if You Win

In addition to our amazing cook-off, we have a great opportunity to win one of two awesome prizes we will draw for Thursday night. Chances in this prize drawing are just $5 each, 5/$20 or 30/$100. This ticket is completely separate from the entrance tickets to the event, and tickets to the event do not come with a chance at these prizes. But this is another great way you can support the Chamber and maybe walk away with an amazing Traeger Ironwood XL grill courtesy of Boyd's Equipment, or two round-trip tickets anywhere Southwest Airlines flies.

We will be selling these chances at the event on Wednesday and Thursday, and will draw two names Thursday night during our awards. Winner need not be present to win, but you are responsible for taxes.

Ask a staff member for info or to buy tickets, or if you are at the event, you can see it in the Boyd's Equipment tent.

Event Map

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 -

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4

Chamber Closed: Working BBQ Cook-Off

The Chamber offices will be closed Wednesday through Friday while our staff is working at the Tri-State Fairgrounds to setup, host, and clean up the event. Feel free to email staff or leave us a message and we will get back to you on Monday, October 7th.

Advanced ticket sales end at the Chamber at 5pm on Tuesday 10/1, but you can still purchase $30 tickets if you get them before 3pm on 10/3 at the Civic Center Box Office, by Phone at (806) 378-3096 or online at PanhandleTickets.com. Tickets at the gate will be $40.

More Information: (806) 373-7800

Closed for the BBQ

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3

Chamber Event: 28th Annual Good Times Celebration Barbecue Cook-Off

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Tri-State Fairgrounds - 3301 SE 10th

Community Networking Event & Festival

Enjoy all-you-can-eat barbecue and all the trimmings with ice-cold beverages and live music from The Velvet Funk Band for one all-inclusive ticket that's $30 if purchased before 3pm on 10/3 or $40 at the gate. Tickets available at the Chamber Office, the Civic Center Box Office, by Phone at (806) 378-3096 or online at PanhandleTickets.com.

More Information: (806) 373-7800

Find this event on Facebook

Do you love networking at our After Hours Events but sometimes forget they are happening? Opt in to our text message reminders by texting the word CHAMBEREVENTS (without a space) to 40691. We send reminders of the date, time and location 2-3 hours before the event starts. It's free, but standard text message rates apply if you don't have unlimited texting. We also send out registration reminders about bigger events coming up through this special keyword. It's a great way to stay in the loop.

Please note, if you would like to opt in for reminders about ribbon cutting events, text the word REDCOAT to the same number. Note, ribbon cuttings are open to the public, but in order to be considered to serve on our Roundup Club as a Redcoat Representative, you must apply online.

Chamber Events Planned for 2024 & 2025

All events are tentative and subject to change.

Watch the online calendar for more details and updates.

Events in Bold have a fee to participate. Other events list are the hosts for Business After Hours which are free to attend.

2024

10/3/24 - 28th Annual Chamber Barbecue Cook-Off

11/7/24 - Amarillo Sod Poodles

12/5/24 - Street Volkswagen

2025

1/9/25 - Bomb City Distillery

1/23/25 - Street Toyota

2/11-13/25 - Panhandle Days in Austin

2/20/25 - Amarillo Botanical Gardens

3/20/25 - Home2Suites by Hilton (Thirty-Nine 23 Management, LLC)

4/10/25 - Happy State Bank

4/24/25 - Casey Carpet One

5/8/25 - Hampton (Hosted by RAM Hotels)

5/15/25 - 32nd Annual BusinessConnection Tradeshow

6/5/25 - Adobe Walls Stoneworks

7/10/25 - Amarillo National Bank

7/17/25 - Chamber Open Golf Tournament (Tentative)

8/7/25 - Tri-State Exposition / Fairgrounds

9/4/25 - Reed Beverage

9/18/25 - FirstBank Southwest

10/2/25 - 29th Annual Chamber Barbecue Cook-Off

10/16/25 - Cactus Cove Inn & Suites

11/6/25 - WTAMU Amarillo Center with co-hosts NWTHS & Brandability

12/4/25 - Street Volkswagen

If you have questions about participating in or sponsoring any events, please call the Chamber at (806) 373-7800 or email chamber@amarillo-chamber.org.

Thank You Supporting Small Business Initiative Partners

The Chamber is thrilled to recognize our sponsors that stepped up to be part of the Supporting Small Business Initiative for 2023-24. This program is designed to support the Chamber's efforts to serve our small business community better by offering programs, seminars, virtual events, and more for little to no cost to our members throughout the year.

Please join us in thanking these generous underwriting partners that are serving the Chamber, our members, and the entire business community with their support. DIAMOND PARTNERS: Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, Amarillo National Bank, Atmos Energy, FirstBank Southwest, Happy State Bank, Northwest Texas Healthcare System, CNS Pantex, Reed Beverage, and Xcel Energy. RUBY PARTNERS: Amarillo College, Bank of America, Casey Carpet One, Double U Marketing, Insurica, Prosperity Bank, Rabern Rentals, Southwest Airlines, Street Volkswagen, TEEMS Manufacturing, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. SAPPHIRE PARTNERS: Adobe Walls Stoneworks, Albers Aerospace, Andrews & Associates, AT&T, AW Broadband, BSA Health System, Carson Wealth Management, Edward Jones, Fuller & Sons Construction, KT Black, and WT Enterprise Center.

If you would like to know more about this program and the benefits of partnership, contact Jason Harrison at (806) 373-7800.

See our Staff Directory with photos, direct phone numbers and more

on our Contact Us page of the website.