CHAMBER NEWS

The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Area Alliance to host the fourth annual State of the Valley event in Hurricane on Wednesday, August 19. The sold out crowd was treated to a delicious lunch and a panel from special guests, Mayor Scott Edwards of Hurricane, Mayor Patrick Farrell of Huntington, Mayor Frank Mullens Jr. of South Charleston, and Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin of Charleston. Each shared valuable insights and important community updates from their respective cities.

The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 30th Business Birthday of Woodlands Retirement Community on Wednesday, August 19. Members of the business community joined Woodlands staff, administrators, residents, and families to celebrate with champagne, live music, dinner, and a gift raffle. Congratulations to the Woodlands on this incredible milestone!

The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of the newly relocated MUZ Collective on Thursday, August 20 at the Huntington Mall. Founded by owner Lesley Yang, MUZ Collective has evolved and expanded into a finely curated boutique, gallery, and gift shop with something for everyone. MUZ is located on the JC Penney side of the mall beside the Shipwreck Collection Market so be sure to stop by for your next special occasion!

The final Business After Hours of the summer was a major splash at Guyan Golf & Country Club! It was a gorgeous evening in the perfect summer setting, and we are so grateful to Isaac Meyers and the entire crew at Guyan for hosting us at their incredible facilities. As a reminder, the Club is currently offering a special promotion for those who wish to become a member, and interested community members are encouraged to contact Isaac at imeyers@guyancc.com to learn more.

The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 10th Business Birthday of SIP Downtown Brasserie on Friday, August 21. Know for its stylish atmosphere, delicious upscale cuisine, and an incredible wine and spirits selection, SIP continues to thrive thanks to the vision and dedication of owner Allison White, her family, and her wonderful crew. Cheers to 10 years and many more!

CHAMBER EVENTS

Join the Nonprofit Roundtable for a half-day workshop led by Sara Blevins O'Toole of Branches Domestic Violence Shelter. This two-part hands on workshop equips nonprofit professionals with practical skills to strengthen teamwork, lead effective work groups, and build engagement.


Through interactive activities and real-world problem solving, participants will gain tools to make meetings more productive and collaboration more impactful.

Lunch will be provided.Note: A $15 No-Show Fee will apply to those who do not cancel within 48 hours.

Join the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce for a Lunch & Learn featuring Zane Parsley, Planning Director for the City of Huntington.

Zane will provide updates on Huntington's housing landscape, including current initiatives and future opportunities, before shifting focus to key public works projects shaping the city's future. Whether you're a business owner, community leader, or resident interested in Huntington's growth, you'll leave with valuable insight into the plans impacting our community.

Note: A $15 no-show fee will apply to registrants who do not attend and do not cancel at least 48 hours in advance. Register at the button below!

Join the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce in celebrating Marshall Hall of Fame Cafe's 25th Business Birthday!

For 25 years, MU Cafe has served as a go-to spot for Marshall fans and the Huntington community to eat, drink, and gather. Perfect for game days, weekday lunches, or Saturday date night dinners, MU Cafe is ready to serve its customers on any occasion.



Come out, meet the team, and celebrate 25 years of Marshall Hall of Fame Cafe!

Join us for an engaging fireside chat designed to help small business owners build confidence in managing their business finances and making informed financial decisions. Led by Huntington Bank’s John Bauer, Regional Banker, the conversation will feature insights from Branch Managers, Chris Aluise and DesaRae McKee.

The discussion will cover practical financial management strategies and resources available to small business owners, including loans, lines of credit, investment opportunities, cash flow management, and other tools to support business growth. Panelists will share insights and tips to help entrepreneurs better understand their financial options, strengthen their financial knowledge, and feel more confident navigating the financial side of their business.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to take your established business to the next level, this conversation will provide practical information and actionable insights to help you make smarter financial decisions and plan for continued success.

Get ready to rewind! Join us for the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce's 2026 Business After Hours Expo, presented by C.J. Hughes Construction, on Thursday, September 24, from 5–8 p.m. at the Marshall Health Network Arena Convention Center.

This year's Totally 80's Rewind theme brings all the neon, nostalgia, and fun of the decade to one unforgettable evening of networking. Chamber members will showcase their businesses with 80s-themed booths, and attendees are encouraged to dress in their favorite retro attire.



Whether you're looking to discover local businesses, make new connections, or simply enjoy a fun night out, this event is the perfect opportunity to network, grow your business, and celebrate our vibrant business community. 

MEMBER NEWS

Highlawn Neighbors and community partners, with support from the West Virginia Community Development Hub’s Accelerate WV program, are working to support local businesses and entrepreneurs, and to foster business opportunities and growth. We need your input to help guide development and enhancement efforts that will make Highlawn an even better place to visit, live, work, do business, and invest. The survey takes about seven minutes to complete and all information is collected anonymously.

The Huntington Museum of Art will host an indoor Garden Party on August 25, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. as part of its 4th Tuesday Tour Series. To add to the fun of the event, guests are welcome to dress in tea party attire inspired by fashions worn during America's Gilded Age or London Regency, Edwardian or Victorian times. Admission is free.

The event will include an art activity. Members of HMA's Docent Corps will be available to discuss selected works from “The Daywood Collection” exhibit, which continues on view at HMA through Feb. 14, 2027.

The Garden Party is part of “A Season of Celebrating the C. Fred Edwards Conservatory Presented by Leslie Petteys in Memory of Fannie Christner.”

The Marshall University Technology Transfer Office invites you to an upcoming workshop focused on securing non-dilutive federal funding! 

SBIR/STTR Proposal & Commercialization Workshop

Date: Thursday, August 27th

Time: 2:00 - 5:00 PM

Location/Format: Memorial Student Center, BE5

Presented by: U.S. Research Impact Alliance (USRIA)

Hosted by: Marshall University Technology Transfer Office

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide billions of dollars annually to help researchers and entrepreneurs commercialize technology. This session will provide actionable strategies for navigating the federal application process, structuring winnable proposals, and turning research into revenue.

A networking session with light refreshments will also be held to help facilitate future collaborations between industry and academic researchers. Please email tto@marshall.edu with industry partners you'd like us to invite! Register for the workshop with the button below!

Dealing with persistent heel pain, tennis elbow, or shoulder stiffness that just won't clear up? Mountain State Movement is bringing advanced radial shockwave therapy directly to Huntington!

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate blood flow, break down scar tissue, and accelerate the body's natural cellular healing response. It’s an ideal option for chronic tendon issues that haven't responded well to traditional rest or stretching.



• Common Conditions Treated: Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, golfer’s/tennis elbow, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and patellar tendonitis.
• The Benefit: Fast, non-invasive treatments with zero downtime—helping you stay active and get back to living pain-free.
• How to Get Started: You don't need a referral to take control of your recovery. Visit our site to learn more or schedule an evaluation!

A key aspect of First Ascent is our Mentorship Program, wherein a seasoned professional, such as yourself, will pair with a First Ascent member to provide mentorship for three months.

Minimum time commitment: one 60-minute meeting, virtual or in-person, once per month and one touch-point via calls, texts, or emails per week.

A virtual interest/orientation session with all mentors and mentees will be held on September 8th from 12pm-1pm. The 3-month program will have curriculum materials that can be used to guide conversations and interactions. Mentors can use their own experience and knowledge to supplement this information. 

If you are interested in becoming a mentor for a First Ascent member, please fill out the form at the button below by September 1st. Please share with others who might be interested in mentoring a recent grad! If you have questions about the mentorship program, please reach out to us at First_Ascent@mail.wvu.edu.

🍂 Welcome Back, Fall! 🎃🕯️Join us for the launch of our new Fall Candle & Tart Melt Collection! Come shop in-store bundles as we welcome a new season, and explore all of our new Mud Pie Halloween & Fall décor—plus our newest tailgate-inspired finds and cozy seasonal favorites.

We’re also celebrating with a cozy fall candle-making experience where you can kick off the season by creating your own signature fall candle in our new Amber Pumpkin jars! 

Stop by to shop during business hours! Workshops start at $40 to make a candle or tart melts!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State is excited to announce The Big Car Wash, presented by Victory Toyota in partnership with the Woody Williams Center for Advanced Learning!

Join us on Saturday, August 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for a fun-filled community event benefiting local youth mentoring programs.

We're currently seeking sponsors! Sponsorships include the opportunity to bring a team of enthusiastic volunteers to help wash cars throughout the day while supporting the life-changing mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please email agreen@bbbstristate.org. Help us make a BIG impact—one car wash at a time!

Ready to take your tailgate game to the next level? Enter for your chance to win the Ultimate Marshall Tailgate Bundle. Packed with everything you need to make this football season one to remember! 

Tickets are just $10!

3 for $25

7 for $50

And the best part? 100% of raffle proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Huntington, helping keep families close when they need it most. Winner announced Tuesday, September 8! Good luck & Go Herd!

Get ready to sip, stroll, and support a great cause at Developmental Therapy Center’s 2026 Martini Crawl on Friday, September 11, beginning at 5:00 PM!

Gather your friends and join us for a fun evening throughout downtown Huntington with stops at LaFontaine’s, The Jockey Club, SIP, and HÜCK Food & Spirits. The fun does not stop with the final martini — stick around for the after-party at HÜCK Food & Spirits featuring live music from Souls of the Wounded!

The Martini Crawl is also the first stop on our way to All Aboard Jackpot Junction, DTC’s signature fall event coming Saturday, October 17. It is the perfect way to kick off the fall season while supporting the children, adults, and families served by Developmental Therapy Center. Grab your friends, make a night of it, and crawl for a cause!

Bring some fall color home while supporting a great cause! Hospice of Huntington’s Annual Mum Sale will be held September 11 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at Community of Grace UMC in Huntington (225 28^th St). Mums and asters are $10, flats of pansies and violas are $20, and ornamental cabbage and kale are $6. Pre-order online through September 8 for convenient pickup or delivery. Delivery is available within Huntington city limits on orders of $40 or more for a $5 fee. All proceeds benefit Hospice of Huntington.

Join us in supporting Fit Fest 2026, a community-wide celebration of health, wellness, and active living that honors the legacy of Dr. Paul Ambrose while raising funds for the continued maintenance and expansion of the Paul Ambrose Trail for Health (PATH).

This year's event will bring together hundreds of participants and families for a day of fun and fitness, featuring a 5K race around Ritter Park, a Kids Fun Run, Bike Rodeo, wellness activities, community exhibits, and more. Fit Fest serves as both a community gathering and an important fundraiser that helps the PATH Foundation promote, maintain, and secure funding for future trail improvements and expansion projects throughout the City.

Dr. Paul Ambrose, a Marshall University medical graduate, dedicated his career to improving public health and combating obesity. In recognition of his commitment to healthier communities, the Paul Ambrose Trail for Health trail system was dedicated in his honor in 2008. Today, Fit Fest continues that mission by encouraging active lifestyles and expanding access to safe recreational opportunities for residents of all ages.

For more information about Fit Fest 2026, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact planningdept@huntingtonwv.gov or call the Planning Department at 304-696-5540, option 3.

You may not be thinking about your business's next chapter yet. That's exactly why now is the time to start planning for it.The highest-value businesses aren't built in the months before an owner exits- they're built over years of intentional leadership and smart decision-making.

Hosted by Marshall University's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (iCenter), the Business Value Builders Summit Presented by Edward Jones is designed to help business owners increase business value, strengthen leadership, and prepare for whatever comes next.

When:

Thursday, September 17 | 12:00–5:00 p.m.

Where:

Dutch Miller Deck at Joan C. Edwards Stadium

Whether your goal is to grow, transition, or eventually sell your business, you'll leave with practical ideas you can put to work immediately.

The Marshall University Homecoming Parade will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026. Lineup will begin at 5:00 p.m., and the parade will officially commence at 6:00 p.m. This year's homecoming theme is "'80s Echoes: Come Back Curious," celebrating Grand Marshal Joe Chrest, a 1986 Marshall graduate and star of the hit Netflix series "Stranger Things." Participants are encouraged to incorporate 80s elements to reflect the theme.

All entries are due by September 11, 2026. After submissions close and the lineup is finalized, you will receive a confirmation email with detailed lineup instructions, parade guidelines, and arrival times. Feel free to contact me at holstein79@marshall.edu if you have any questions regarding this year's parade!

As you begin preparing your 2027-2028 marketing strategy, the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce invites you to explore our Sponsorship Investment Guide. This comprehensive resource outlines all remaining sponsorship opportunities available throughout the year.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and investors whose continued support helps drive the Chamber’s mission forward.

For questions or to discuss custom sponsorship packages, contact Megan Archer at megan@huntingtonchamber.org.

Thank You to Our Trustee Members

Thank You to Our Investor Members

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