Annual Events
The Barry County Chamber of Commerce hosts a series of special programs and events that are meant to enhance our membership and our community. These programs offer our members an opportunity to get to know each other face-to-face, to develop relationships, and create business connectivity.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
Small Business Saturday has gone virtual this year. Check out our “Support for Barry County Businesses” Facebook page for specials and upcoming events throughout Barry County.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/supportforbarrycountybusinesses
ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS LUNCHEON
Join us for the annual Administrative Professionals Appreciation Luncheon! Our Administrative Professionals Luncheon is a great way for employers to show their appreciation for their administrative staff members, with a special, fun luncheon event featuring a tasty meal, giveaways, a motivational speaker, and more surprises!
ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The ATHENA award program recognizes exemplary individuals who inspire women the fulfill their potential. Each year, the Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance recognizes two ATHENA Award recipients: the Young Professional & ATHENA Leader. ATHENA leaders live authentically, learn constantly, advocate fiercely, act courageously, foster collaboration, build relationships, give back, and celebrate. This prestigious, internationally recognized award is presented during the Chamber Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration.
BARRY BUSINESS TEAM COLLABORATIVES
This quarterly workshop is designed for the Business Teams and Associations throughout Barry County to network, share, &brainstorm with the Chamber and Economic Development Alliance, and each other about how to support and grow our county as a whole. These workshops are held throughout the county and are hosted by local business teams throughout Barry County.
BARRY COUNTY ECONOMIC SUCCESS SUMMIT
Join us in November for an informative and inspiring afternoon focusing on all things Economic Development in Barry County! The Barry County Economic Development Alliance presents brief snapshots of current and upcoming activities of the EDA, including business retention & expansion, capacity-building throughout the county, and workforce development. This event often features inspiring and informative speakers to present a well-rounded, accurate view of the state of Barry County’s economy.
BREWFEST
Launched in 2016, the Barry County BrewFest featured 19 breweries from across the state and is West Michigan’s ‘Freshest’ craft beer fest! We call a different Barry County location “home” each summer.
The event will take place in Hastings in 2021.
AFTER HOURS BUSINESS MIXER
Chamber After Hours Business Mixers, formerly Business After Hours, are a great way for our members to network with each other! Held quarterly, Business Mixers are hosted at various member businesses and organizations throughout Barry County!
CHAMBER 101
Current and prospective Chamber members are encouraged to attend this FREE educational program that will feature an overview of your Chamber: who we are, what we do and all of the benefits of membership. Chamber 101 workshops are held throughout the year at various locations in Barry County.
CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER & AWARDS PROGRAM
The Chamber Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony is held annually in January and recognizes the achievements of our members, from new businesses, expansions, and major re-designs to making Barry County a destination place to visit, to providing excellent customer service! With nearly 200 guests (and growing annually), the Annual Dinner is the Chamber’s way of recognizing, appreciating, and thanking our members for their support and contributions!
CHAMBER OPEN ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance invites you to promote your business by sponsoring our annual Golf Open. The Golf Outing is our largest fundraiser, with proceeds used to sustain services that are vital to all members and Barry County Communities. The Chamber Open kicks-off each year in early June with a shotgun start at 8:30am, drinks, a 50/50 raffle, and much more! After 18 rounds with colleagues, all 120 golfers meet at the Hastings Country Club Clubhouse for lunch, prizes, drinks and more!
GROUND-BREAKING & RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONIES
Groundbreaking and ribbon cutting ceremonies are a testimony to the growth and strength of the Barry County business environment. We are proud to support and promote new businesses, expanding businesses, and businesses that have under-gone major reconstruction and additions!
HASTINGS GUS MACKER 3-0N-3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
The first Hastings Gus Macker tournament was held in 2012 and featured about 150 teams. Since then, the tournament has grown annually, with over 250 teams participating in 2019. The courthouse square area in downtown Hastings transforms into a basketball haven with teams ranging from grade-schoolers to men and women with moves straight out of a video game. All of these teams, family members, friends, and spectators descend on Hastings – some from a few streets away and some from many states away – and bring a big-time shot of activity to the community.
Follow the Hastings Macker Facebook page to stay up-to-date on the latest tourney news!
HASTINGS SUMMERFEST
The Hastings Summerfest is an annual summer festival held in Downtown Hastings by the Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance Summerfest Committee. The event features arts & crafts vendors on the courthouse lawn, concessions, free trolley rides, children’s activities, a softball tournament, 3-on-3 basketball, 10K/5K run, roller hockey tournament, weight lifting contest, parade, car show, live entertainment, and a refreshment tent.
For a complete list of activities, or to register for an event, or the parade, please visit www.hastingssummerfest.com
ROTH AWARDS PROGRAM
Established in 2015, the Chamber ROTH Award recognizes outstanding business professionals that, throughout their careers, have proven to be responsive to the needs in their communities, create opportunity, teach,and lead others, and are a herald of business in Barry County. The ROTH Award is presented annually during the Chamber Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration in January.
TECH TALKS
Tech Talks are free, educational programs that are offered quarterly by the Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance. Each workshop will cover a topic related to technology, or technology trends, that are expected to impact business practices in the future. Past topics have included QuickBooks Online, Microsoft office suite, social media, cyber security, SEO, and mobile devices.
THE BIZ!
Working closely with the Michigan Small Business Development Center, Michigan State University, local libraries, and others, the Barry County Chamber and Economic development Aliiance established a network of Business Resource Centers here in Barry County. By sharing resources, we are able to offer research and business development tools, provide business counseling, and present valuable workshops and training programs specifically for the needs of the entrepreneur.
Battle of the Bulbs
Bring some holiday cheer to your neighborhood by decorating the outside of either your business or home! All businesses or residences within Barry County are invited to participate.
For more information please click here.