October 2, 2026 | October Edition | | October Chamber Update: Celebrating Community Connections & Business Growth | | |
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Chamber Unboxed event! It was a great opportunity to connect, hear your feedback, and introduce some exciting new programs and benefits designed to bring even more value to your Chamber membership.
We’re looking ahead to an exciting October filled with networking opportunities, community events, and ways to connect with fellow members. From upcoming networking events to our Bonfire & BBQ, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved, build relationships, and grow your business.
We hope you’ll join us throughout October and take advantage of everything your Chamber has to offer. We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event!
Bonfire & BBQ is just one week away! If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time! We’d love to see you there for an evening of great food, drinks, conversation, and connection.
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Visit cantonchamber.com to explore our upcoming events and programs.
Click the events above to learn more and/or register.
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We're excited to welcome many new businesses to the Canton Chamber family!
Please join us in extending a warm Chamber welcome to our newest members.
| | Thank you for being a valued member of our business community. We wish you continued growth and success! | |
BONFIRES & BBQ 2026 IS ONLY ONE WEEK AWAY- GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
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Bonfires & BBQ 2026
The countdown is on! In just one week, Canton's biggest fall tailgate celebration returns to Phoenix Mill Event Center for its second year, and tickets are going fast.
Join us on Friday, October 9 from 6:00 to 10:00 PM at Phoenix Mill Event Center in Plymouth, with doors opening at 6:00 PM, dinner served at 7:00 PM, and games and festivities continuing throughout the evening.
Celebrate the beauty of fall at Bonfires & BBQ 2026, a Great Lakes inspired evening of food, fun, and community connection. Your ticket includes:
- A full catered dinner from Chef Steve Lamar
- Wine, cider, and spirits tastings from local favorites
- Cozy fire pits and a mobile cigar bar
- Live DJ entertainment
- Seasonal treats, cornhole, and a silent auction
Experience the LaFontaine Plymouth Fireside Lounge, featuring pickup trucks, fireside seating, and interactive photo ops inspired by a Great Lakes tailgate. Plus, don't miss special guest appearances from Hooper (Official Mascot of the Detroit Pistons), Roary (Official Mascot of the Detroit Lions), and PAWS (Official Mascot of the Detroit Tigers)!
ATTIRE: SHOW YOUR TEAM SPIRIT!
Rep your favorite pro, collegiate, high school, or young athlete's team. Jerseys, team colors, and fan gear encouraged.
*21+ EVENT*
With only a week left, seats won't last. Get your tickets today and be part of the biggest fall celebration on the Chamber calendar!
| | October Upcoming Events- Register Now! | | Margarita Monday's Women's Networking | October 5 | |
Kick off the month with real connections, great drinks, and no pressure at this month's Margarita Monday!
Networking for women building careers, businesses, families, and full lives- come as you are and stay as long as you like. No speeches, no sales pitches, just genuine conversation in a relaxed setting. Margaritas optional!
This month we're at two amazing spaces right next door to each other in Plymouth: Aqua and Studio Neue! Enjoy drinks for purchase and apps provided by Aqua in their gorgeous backroom and patio, then take a tour of the beautiful space next door at Studio Neue, where we'll have decorations set up for some fun fall pictures while we connect.
When: Monday, October 5 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: Aqua & Studio Neue | 413 N. Main Street, Plymouth, MI
| |  | Caffeinate & Connect at orsa credit union | October 6 | |
Join us for this month's Caffeinate & Connect, hosted at orsa credit union!
Caffeinate & Connect is your morning boost of community and conversation- a casual hour where local professionals gather over coffee to share ideas, build relationships, and spark new opportunities.
Enjoy refreshments while making new connections with fellow Chamber members!
When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Where: orsa credit union | 6335 N. Canton Center Rd. Canton Township, MI 48187
| | | Toarmina's Pizza Canton 10th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting | October 8 | |
Join the Canton Chamber as we celebrate 10 years of Toarmina's Pizza in Canton with a Ribbon Cutting! Come out to honor a decade of great food and community partnerships.
When: Thursday, October 8 | 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Where: Toarmina's Pizza - Canton | 3700 N Lilley Rd. Canton, MI 48187
| | | Western Wayne Business Leadership Banquet | |
Join the Canton Chamber of Commerce, along with other area Chambers and the Conference of Western Wayne for the 13th Annual Western Wayne Business Leadership Banquet.
Hundreds of Western Wayne’s business and political leaders meet for this annual influential gathering designed to connect people to initiatives and opportunities across metro Detroit. This year’s event will feature a discussion with BIGGBY COFFEE Co-Founder and Co-CEO Mike McFall.
When: Tuesday, October 13 | 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Where: The Henry, Autograph Collection | 300 Town Center Dr. Dearborn, MI 48126
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Small Talks Networking | October 16
Join fellow Chamber members for a small-group networking event focused on building meaningful connections in a relaxed setting.
This event is limited to 15 Chamber members and will be held at the Canton Chamber Office. Each attendee will have 2 minutes to introduce their business. Feel free to bring your lunch, along with business cards, flyers, or other promotional materials to share.
Seating is limited to 15 participants-register early to reserve your spot!
When: Friday, October 16 | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Where: Canton Chamber Office | 1150 Canton Ctr. Rd., Canton MI 48188
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Membership to the MAX | October 20
A monthly opportunity for members to meet with the Chamber staff and learn firsthand about the new incentives, upcoming events, and ways to maximize their membership investment.
New members are strongly encouraged to attend in the first or second month of joining.
When: Tuesday, October 20 | 9:00-10:00 AM
Where: Virtual Meeting (link will be provided)
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Multi-Chamber Networking After Hours | October 21
Get ready to network beyond your usual circle at the Multi-Chamber Networking Mixer! Join the Canton Chamber alongside the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Garden City Business Alliance, Greater Romulus Chamber of Commerce, and Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce for an evening connecting businesses, building community, and creating opportunity.
Whether you're looking to grow your customer base, find new referral partners, build professional relationships, or simply meet more people in the local business community, you won't want to miss this one!
When: Wednesday, October 21 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Where: 911 Restoration | 7757 Ronda Dr. Canton, MI
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Canton Economic Club: Featuring Dr. Kelly, President of Eastern Michigan University | October 27
Join the Canton Economic Club for a conversation with Dr. Kelly, President of Eastern Michigan University, as he shares his perspective with Canton's business and community leaders.
Dr. Kelly's remarks will touch on EMU's economic impact on the region, education and workforce development, innovation and regional collaboration, and the future of higher education. His remarks will be followed by an audience Q&A.
Seating is limited, so register early to reserve your spot.
When: Tuesday, October 27 | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Where: Yazaki North America Headquarters | 6801 N. Haggerty Rd. Canton, MI 48187
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Connections I Networking Group- Wednesday Mornings
Start your morning by making valuable business connections and growing your professional network through Connections I.
The primary goal of the Connections Group is to help members connect, build relationships, and provide referrals to one another. Through meaningful networking opportunities, members can strengthen their networks, expand their reach, and support each other's business growth.
These groups are business category exclusive, with one representative from each professional specialty. This structure helps create strong referral partnerships and encourages collaboration among members.
When: Every Wednesday | 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Where: Canton Brew Works- 8521 N. Lilley Rd., Canton, MI 48187
This Month's Meeting Dates:
October 7 | October 14 | October 21 | October 28
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Connections II Networking Group- Tuesday Mornings
Grow your network, build valuable business relationships, and exchange referrals with fellow Chamber members through Connections II.
This networking group is designed to help members develop strong professional connections and generate business opportunities through consistent relationship-building.
Connections II is business category exclusive, allowing one representative from each professional specialty to participate, creating a strong foundation for referrals and collaboration.
When: Second and fourth Tuesdays of each month | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Where: 911 Restoration- 7757 Ronda Dr., Canton, MI 48187
This Month's Meeting Dates:
October 13 | October 27
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Thank You for Joining us at The Chamber Unboxed!
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Thank you to everyone who joined us on September 23rd for The Chamber Unboxed!
We were excited to "unbox" the new programs and benefits we have to offer, giving members a first look at what's new at the Chamber. We also loved hosting our Mini Business Expo and networking alongside it, and getting to connect with so many of you throughout the afternoon.
Stay tuned for more details to come as we continue rolling out what's next!
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Mark your calendars for the annual
2026 Canton People's Choice Awards
on November 13th
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This month, we celebrated five Canton businesses with ribbon cuttings.
Join us in welcoming them to the Canton Chamber Family!
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Sky Arms
Remodeled Training Center Reveal +
Lunch & Learn
| | From the Expert: Stacey Askew | | |
Click on the image above to learn more | |
Beyond the Décor: Creating an Event Experience Guests Will Remember | By Stacey Askew- Founder & Creative Director, Talia Decor, LLC | Event Manager of Signature Events, Canton Chamber of Commerce | |
Picture this: You walk into an event and everything just feels right.
You know where to go. The atmosphere fits the occasion. The details feel intentional. Whether there are 20 people in the room or 200, you can tell someone considered what it would feel like to experience the event from your perspective.
That feeling is not accidental. It’s the result of thoughtful event planning.
When people think about events, they often begin with what guests will see: the venue, décor, tables, signage, or overall aesthetic. Those things matter, but before deciding what an event should look like, I believe you have to understand what it’s meant to accomplish.
Is the purpose to celebrate? Build relationships? Strengthen a brand? Raise funds? Recognize achievement? Educate? Bring a community together?
Purpose gives an event direction. Intention gives it meaning.
When I work with clients, I truly value understanding how they want the event to feel, both for themselves and their guests. I want to hear their ideas, understand what matters to them, and know what they hope people carry with them long after the event is over.
I also believe clients should walk into the finished space and recognize themselves in it. Their ideas should not disappear beneath someone else’s creativity. My role is to listen, interpret, refine, and elevate their vision until it becomes something they can actually step into.
That is why one of the most important questions I ask is:
How do you want your guests to feel?
Welcomed? Celebrated? Inspired? Connected? Energized?
Because ultimately, people may forget individual details, but they remember when an experience made them feel considered.
This is also where activations can be powerful. An activation transforms a guest from an observer into a participant. It can spark conversation, create connection, reinforce a message or brand, and create a memorable touchpoint.
But bigger does not always mean better. An effective activation does not have to be elaborate or expensive. It has to be purposeful, appropriate for the audience, and connected to the intention of the event.
The scale may change, but the principle does not: intentionality matters.
For businesses and organizations, an event is also an extension of your brand. Your brand is not simply what people see. It’s what people experience when they encounter you.
And perhaps the greatest compliment to a well-produced event is that guests never realize how much work went into it.
They simply know how it made them feel.
Behind that feeling are timelines, logistics, communication, creative decisions, contingency plans, and countless details guests will never see.
So before asking what your next event should look like, ask:
What is its purpose?
How should it feel?
What should people carry with them when they leave?
Because a beautiful event may capture someone’s attention.
A meaningful experience leaves an imprint long after the room has emptied.
| | | Interested in contributing? Submit your column below. | | Chamber Member Benefit Spotlight | | |
Each month, we're highlighting a new benefit of being a Canton Chamber member! Next up: Member Spotlights
Did you know? As a Canton Chamber member, you have more than opportunities to network, you have opportunities to be seen. From sponsoring a Chamber event to hosting a ribbon cutting, an After Hours, or a Caffeinate & Connect, membership means real chances to put your business in the spotlight and build relationships that support your business year-round.
Learn more at cantonchamber.org
| | Welcome to the Career Center | | Hiring or job hunting? The Canton Chamber invites members to submit job postings! We'll feature them on our website and on our socials. | | |
Stay Connected & Never Miss a Beat!
From ribbon cuttings and networking events to member workshops and beyond, there's always something happening at the Canton Chamber!
Browse upcoming events and secure your spot with easy online registration at www.cantonchamber.com/programs-and-events.
We look forward to seeing you at our next event!
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