December 2021 Chamber Newsletter

Something from Mary...

The holidays are upon us! Here we go! I hope in all the hub-bub you find time to take care of yourself. YOU are important and need time for you!   And now at the Chamber, we start planning 2022!   What should be on YOUR radar for 2022?  Great Question, I am so glad you asked. You’re so cool like that.   *Our Annual Event, A Hollywood Murder Mystery will be on Friday, February 4th at the Crow River Winery. Attending this event is an excellent way to: ·       See the business community ·       Celebrate the accomplishments of many people and businesses ·       Announce the Community Award Winners ·       Bring your staff for a fun evening out together off-site ·       Enjoy a date night ·       Either participate in a fun interactive evening OR ·       Sit back and people watch ·       Support the chamber; this is one of three fundraising events we hold. Fundraising is about a third of our overall budget. It’s important, so we don’t have to raise membership pricing. 😊 ·       Have some fun, relax and let someone else cook ·       Dress up with your formal attire or come casual, this will be a no judgement zone!   SAVE the DATE and watch for MORE information coming later this month, AND don’t forget to submit your nominations for Teacher, Volunteer, Young Leader and Business Person of the Year. Seriously, tell us who is awesome!   Also in 2022: ·       Chamber staff addition coming soon ·       Dairy Day: Friday June 3, Library Square Park ·       June: 2022-2023 Hutchinson Leadership Institute and 2.0 Applications Open ·       Hometown Golf Challenge July 25th, 2022, Oakdale Golf Club ·       Arts and Crafts Festival and Taste of Hutchinson: September 16 & 17 ·       Small Business Saturday: Saturday, November 26th ·       Watch for Business Connection and Business After Hours Invitations coming to your inbox each month.  While we know we aren’t quite done with Covid, we do know we are all learning to live with and manage all the pieces and parts. We know you need more support, more time to manage what is happening, and frankly, 95% of our businesses need more staff. Okay, 98%. Give or take .0876% either way.   We want to thank you for investing in the chamber. Our staff, board, and volunteers work to bring you timely information, provide valuable resources to promote your business/industry and educate our businesses on new laws, bills, grants, and programs. If you ask us what the chamber does, it will be easier to ask what you what your business needs… and tell you how our “buffet” of services, programs, and events can support your business.   Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and we’ll see you on the flip side!

Small Business Saturday

Thanks and gratitude to everyone who came out on Small Business Saturday to shop local. A special thanks to all the businesses that participated this year in the Chamber’s Small Business Saturday marketing campaign as well as those businesses who generously donated gift cards for the event! We couldn't have done it without you. Once again, the Chamber Board of Directors, Hutchinson Ambassadors and the thinkLOCAL Committee donned their red scarves and masqueraded as the “Red Clad Elves.” Hats (or scarves) off to them and the excellent work they do! What did they do? They were out and about in Hutchinson surprising shoppers with gift cards to pay for their purchases. Great participation & community involvement! In collaboration with the Hutchinson Ambassadors & the generous donations of the local businesses the Hutchinson Chamber was able to gift OVER $7,500.00 worth of prizes!!! What a wonderful feeling to watch these shoppers glow, cry and experience pure excitement during these times! If you were one of the lucky ones, please remember to post a picture to the Hutchinson Chamber Facebook page.

2022 Annual Event- Hollywood Murder Mystery!

Business Connection

Business Connection is a morning networking event that takes place at a Chamber Member business on the first Friday of each month.  Chamber members are invited to gather, enjoy coffee and a light breakfast, share a quick update or information about their business/organization.

December Business Connection will be held on December 3rd @ 7:30am SouthPoint Financial Credit Union

**Remember your business card for the door prize drawing!

Register here

Business After Hours

Business After Hours is a great way to learn about businesses in Hutchinson and network with fellow Chamber Members. Get behind the scenes access to our local businesses… see what they make, do, or provide for our community. This monthly event is open to all Chamber Member business employees or by a Chamber invitation. Businesses interested in hosting a Business After Hours event, or seeking more information should contact the Hutchinson Ambassadors. If you're the only primary representative with your business receiving emails from the Chamber, please invite all your employees to join us! December Business After Hours will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 8th at Bobbing Bobber Brewing Company *Sponsored by the Hutchinson Ambassadors

Register Here

Ambassador Business Visits

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.  November Ambassador Business Visits: Daily Dose of Nutrition Fireside Hearth & Home of Hutchinson Royal Wash House

Daily Dose of Nutrition

Fireside Hearth & Home of Hutchinson

Royal Wash House

New & Renewing Members

Warmest Welcome to our NEWEST MEMBER Amazing Grace Boutique Mary Kay MoveWell Chiropractic + Wellness United States Army & Army Reserves Thank You to the following members for continuing their Membership as a November renewal BG Jewelers Candace Hoversten Ecumen Oaks & Pines FRF Production Harmony River Living Center Hometown Mortgage LLC McGraw-Mahon, P.A. Meghan's Place Inc New Century Academy New Discoveries Montessori Academy New Era Financial Group, Inc. River of Hope Lutheran Church Robert Peterson Southwest Initiative Foundation Thomas Gauvain Photography Wright Farms

Tourism Marketing Grant

Grant applications are due by December 1, 2021 Since 2013, the Chamber has enjoyed granting money to events held in Hutchinson hosted by nonprofits and for-profits. 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! Printable Application and Guidelines.

QR Code- Have your event listed today!

Table Tents– Out. QR Code Stickers– In. How to Utilize This Program · Complete this Entry Form · Send payment via cash, check, or credit card * Chamber Members may request invoice · GO IMMEDIATELY to the Calendar of Events Page on our website and input as much information as possible about your event. * Chamber Members: Login via your portal for easy access & to make updates as necessary. OPEN TO ALL HUTCHINSON EVENTS: Specific date(s). Dates must be consecutive, or a second entry/fee  is required for non consecutive days.   

Business of the Month

Owner, Emmet McCormick built the Hutchinson restaurant location in 1981 and when the lease expired in 1977 he decided to change the name to McCormick’s Family Restaurant. At this same time he began operating a family style restaurant serving homemade comfort style food. Emmet’s philosophy still holds true today that if you provide good customer service, good food with reasonable prices and treat your staff and customers as family, you’ll be okay.  "We have a great staff which along with their dedication and commitment has allowed us to be a part of such a wonderful community for nearly 25 years!"

320-587-4417 | 1102 MN-15 Hutchinson McCormicksfamily.com

Wondering how to have your business flyer displayed here? Give Cegi a call at the Chamber for more details!

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