Inside Commerce

As always, thank you to our Leading, Developing, and Creating Partners.

Insights

Growing Together

Chris Horrell

Chairman of the Board, Cape Chamber

Happy late October! Over the past week, it has finally started to feel like fall. I know this is my favorite time of year for weather, and I enjoy spending as much time outdoors as possible before winter arrives.

As we move further into the fourth quarter, this is also an important time for our local businesses. Many are working to finish the year strong while preparing budgets, setting goals, and planning for 2027. It's a busy season, but also a great opportunity to reflect on what has worked well this year and identify opportunities for growth in the year ahead.

Speaking of opportunities, our Chamber continues to explore new ways to provide additional value to our membership.

One exciting new initiative officially launching in January 2027 is Chamber Connect, a referral networking group designed to help members build relationships, exchange qualified business referrals, and grow their businesses.

Chamber Connect will meet twice monthly, providing members with consistent opportunities to connect and support one another. Each group will be organized by business category, allowing only one representative per category to eliminate direct competition within the group.

Applications are open now! Check here for additional details about participation and membership expectations. I encourage anyone interested in building stronger business relationships to consider this new opportunity.

As we approach the final months of 2026, thank you for your continued involvement and support of the Cape Chamber. I look forward to finishing the year strong together and building on momentum in 2027!

Chris Horrell, Bug Zero

Chamber Chat

Rob Gilligan

President & CEO, Cape Chamber

Winding Down 2026 and Looking Towards 2027:

We are already three weeks into Q4, and the end of 2026 will be here before we know it. We still have some great opportunities to connect, network and learn this year and the following letter from Dr. David Yaskevich will highlight our final Signature event for 2026, the upcoming SEED Symposium in November. But as Chris mentioned above looking forward to next year is on our mind as we plan for a growing future at the Cape Chamber.

The Cape Chamber has hosted more than 60 events or programs already in 2026 for our members to engage and connect with, and we still have several more to go in our final two months of the year. We wouldn’t be able to provide so many opportunities without the great support of our many members who help sponsor our events throughout the year. From Signature Event sponsors like our Home & Outdoor Show, or the Annual Dinner to program sponsors for Young Professionals and our Women’s Network, to our ever popular First Friday Coffee where sponsors can connect with more than 150 business leaders directly each month, your support makes our work possible.

As we look ahead to 2027, investing in Chamber sponsorships is one of the most effective ways to elevate your brand visibility, connect directly with regional business and civic leaders, and demonstrate a steadfast commitment to our local economy's growth. We invite you to review our comprehensive 2027 Sponsorship Packet to explore the diverse partnership opportunities available and find the perfect alignment for your marketing and community engagement goals next year. Sponsorship opportunities are limited so you are encouraged to reserve your spot today at CapeChamber.com.

Don’t forget, the fall calendar of events and programs is still full of opportunities for our members to connect, engage, and grow your business and the region. We hope you will be able to join us for an upcoming event and as always, we appreciate your continued investment in support of the largest Business Membership organization in Southeast Missouri.

Let's Grow!

Rob Gilligan

Welcome, New Members!

Mingo Job Corps Center - LifeSkills Connection Inc.

JoAnn Hughey

4253 State Highway T, Puxico, MO

LifeSkills Connection Inc. is a family and veteran owned business, with a mission to create change and add value to individuals and organizations