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Join us to Celebrate 40 Years of the Kennebec Leadership Institute!
Celebrate 40 years of the Kennebec Leadership Institute on Wednesday, October 28th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the newly renovated Kennebec Savings Bank Operations Center!
Reconnect with fellow alumni while looking back on four decades of KLI through photos, memories, alumni speakers, and highlights from classes past. The evening will celebrate the people, experiences, and lasting connections that have shaped KLI over the past 40 years and continue to strengthen the Kennebec Valley today.
October 28th | 5:00-7:00PM | KSB Operations Center
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The Kennebec Leadership Institute Golf Tournament is Back!
You're invited to join us on September 14th, 2026 for the Kennebec Valley Chamber's 30th Annual Golf Tournament to benefit the Kennebec Leadership Institute!
This is a fantastic opportunity to put together a team, play some golf at The Meadows Golf Club in Litchfield, and contribute to the success of the oldest leadership institute in Maine!
Limited teams available, register your team today!
Entry Fee: $150 per golfer/ $600 per foursome
September 14th, 2026 | 9AM Check-in, 10AM Shotgun Start | The Meadows Golf Club
| | Thank you to our KLI Golf Tournament Sponsors | | |
7th Up Business Interest Form
The KV Chamber is seeking Augusta and Gardiner businesses interested in participating in this year’s 7th Up Day program!
In partnership with the Augusta and Gardiner School Departments, the Chamber brings more than 200 seventh graders on day-long tours of local Chamber member businesses to help them discover the wide range of future career opportunities available right here in the Kennebec Valley.
Participating businesses will host student groups of 20+ at a time, giving them a chance to explore different industries, learn about unique career paths, and see what local jobs look like beyond the classroom.
Cony 7th Up Day: October 15, 2026
Gardiner 7th Up Day: October 22, 2026
Complete the form below by September 4th if you are interested in participating!
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Interested in supporting the 7th Up Business Day, but are unable to host?
Sponsor our 7th Up program and introduce students to your business!
View sponsorship opportunities here.
If you are interested in sponsoring or have any questions, please contact the Chamber at
(207) 623-4559 or by emailing info@kennebecvalleychamber.com.
| | September 9th | 11:30-1:00PM | |
Public Speaking Lab: Finding Power in Your Voice
Katie Yates
Central Maine Power
| |  | September 23rd | 5:00-7:00PM | |
Business After Hours
Maine Pine Catering hosted at Cohen Community Center
22 Town Farm Road, Hallowell 04347
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Tips & Tricks Panel: Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Own Business
Join us Thursday, October 8th from 8:00–9:30 AM at the KV Chamber for our next Chamber Connection!
October's Chamber Connection is a panel discussion called Tips & Tricks: Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Business, featuring local business owners sharing the lessons they’ve learned along the way!
Attendees will walk away with practical tips and real-world perspectives that can help anyone thinking about starting a business, navigating the early stages, or looking to learn from fellow entrepreneurs.
Come hear directly from local business owners and gain insight you can take with you on your own business journey!
Includes a hot breakfast and Aroma Joe's coffee and pastries!
| | Thank you to our 2026 Chamber Connection Sponsors | |
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Get Involved with 2027 Chamber Programming
We’re looking ahead to 2027 and inviting Chamber members to get involved in upcoming programming!
Opportunities are available for members to speak at a Women’s Network Luncheon or Chamber Connection, or host a Business After Hours at their business.
If you have expertise or experiences you’d like to share with the business community or would like to welcome fellow members into your space, we’d love to hear from you.
Interested in getting involved? Fill out the appropriate interest form below, and a member of the Chamber team will be in touch with more information.
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Cocktails & Connect with KV Connect!
Join CYNERGY & KV Connect for Cocktails & Connect on September 29th from 5–7 PM at Cushnoc Cantina in Waterville!
This casual happy-hour style event invites emerging professionals to enjoy a cash bar, unwind after the workday, and make new connections in a relaxed, social setting.
This year, CYNERGY & KV Connect are excited to be teaming up to bring together professionals from across the region’s emerging leader networks!
It’s the perfect chance to expand your circle, meet new people, and connect with others who are building their careers and communities right here in the Kennebec Valley.
September 29th | 5:00-7:00PM | Cushnoc Cantina, Waterville
| | CYNERGY 2026 is sponsored by: | | WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS | | Thank you to our New Member Sponsors! | | |
50 YEARS
City of Augusta.
40 YEARS
United Way of Kennebec Valley.
20 YEARS
American Lung Association in Maine, College Carry-Out, Connected Credit Union, Lamey Wellehan, Project Staffing, LLC.
10 YEARS
Atlee Gleaton Eye Care, Augusta Trails, Goggin's IGA, Maine Tourism Association, Pinnacle Tree, Rotary Club of Augusta, Travis Mills Foundation.
5 YEARS
American Awards, Inc., Amtrak Downeaster, Augusta Adult and Community Education, Augusta Natural Gas, Bean's Septic Service, City of Hallowell, Gowells Shop N Save, Inc., Hallowell Area Board of Trade, Lakepoint at Portside Real Estate Group, Pouliot Real Estate, Inc., Quirk Ford of Augusta, Serra Public Affairs, Vision Hallowell.
RENEWING
Alleyoup Media, Coldwell Banker Realty, Core Mark New England, Franklin Savings Bank, HydraPure Infusions MedSpa, MaineStay Skin Care, Maple Leaf Title.
| | Travis Mills Foundation Building Strength Gala | | |
The Travis Mills Foundation will host its annual Building Strength Gala on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat in Rome, Maine.
One of the Foundation’s premier fundraising events, the Building Strength Gala brings together supporters from across Maine and beyond for an evening celebrating the strength, resilience and continued service of our nation’s veterans.
This year’s Gala will help support the Travis Mills Foundation’s programs for recalibrated veterans, first responders, and their families, including the continued growth of its Warrior PATHH program, which provides transformative, peer-led training designed to help veterans and first responders turn struggle into strength and continue growing after trauma.
The evening will be emceed by NEWS CENTER Maine’s Lee Goldberg, with live entertainment from The Mallett Brothers Band.
A limited number of tables and sponsorship opportunities remain. Individual tickets are $300 and couples tickets are $500.
To learn more or purchase tickets, click here.
| | Old Fort Western's Annual Tavern Night is Back! | |
Old Fort Western invites you to its annual Tavern Night Fundraiser on Saturday, September 26, from 5–8 p.m. at the historic S&W Howard Store & Tavern.
Enjoy an evening inspired by early Augusta with traditional tavern music, period games of chance, food, drinks, and plenty of fun, all while supporting Fort Western’s educational programming.
Tickets are $50 per person or $90 per couple and include currency to use toward a drink and games throughout the evening. Registration closes Friday, September 25, and space is limited.
Call (207) 626-2385 to reserve your tickets or visit oldfortwestern.org for more information.
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Lori Dube, Chair*
Sprague & Curtis Real Estate
Amy Marston, Chair Elect*
Edison Public Relations
Nicole McSweeney, Vice Chair*
MaineGeneral Health
Matthew Tardiff, Treasurer*
J.S. McCarthy Packaging and Print
Andrew Silsby, Past Chair*
Kennebec Savings Bank
Cathy DeMerchant, Human Resources*
Capital Area Staffing Solutions, Inc.
Katie Doherty, President & CEO*^
Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce
* Executive Committee ^ Full-Time Executive
Randall Anderson
The Meadows Golf Club
Karen Boston
Lipman Katz & Boston, P.A
Dr. Jenifer Cushman
University of Maine at Augusta
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David Farago
Fourteen Forty Financial - A Financial Advisory Practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
Sue Grenier
G&E Roofing Co., Inc.
Casey Hynes
Cushnoc Brewing Co.
Earl Kingsbury
City of Augusta
Robbi Lockhart
Team EJP
Steven Marson
Central Maine Pyrotechnics
Stacey Morrison
Ganneston Construction Corp.
Michele Pelletier
PERFORMANCE Foodservice NorthCenter
Rebecca Pushard
MIKA
Jessika Williams
Cross Insurance
Kathryn Yates
Central Maine Power Company
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Sincerely,
KVCC Staff
Katie Doherty, President & CEO
Lindsay Corbett, Chief Operating Officer & Events
Lauren Turcotte, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Megan Bachelder, Office Administrator
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