PROGRAMS

The Chamber and it’s partnering agencies of Southwestern Michigan Urban League, Choose Health Calhoun, and the Battle Creek Area Chamber Foundation’s Silent Observer Committee hosts this premier evening affair to recognize the achievements, and the contributions they make to the growth and prosperity of the local economy, of successful businesses, nonprofits, organizations, and industry people in the Greater Battle Creek Area. Awards announced on behalf of the Chamber’s partnering agencies include Choose Health Calhoun Workplace Wellness Recognition presented by the Regional Health Alliance – Choose Health, The Randall Brock Memorial Award presented by the Southwestern Michigan Urban League, and the 2020 Harley Simmons Award presented by the Battle Creek Area Chamber Foundation’s Silent Observer Committee. Businesses of the Year Awards announced on behalf of the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce include the Start-Up Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Mid-Size Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Footprint Award, and the Woman of the Year and Women in Business Nominations. Held annually on the third Wednesday in May with an expected 300 in attendance.

The Chamber’s Golf Outing is your opportunity to invite your board of directors, volunteers, clients and employees to join you for an afternoon of building relationships and making connections while out on the course. Golf has always been known as the top sport for mixing business and pleasure. Hosted in June at one of the Chamber’s member golf courses annually with an expected 128 players.

The Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee presents the General of the Army Omar N. Bradley Service Awards to all of the military installations, along with several other distinguished acknowledgements, at the Chamber’s Armed Forces Appreciation Luncheon. Also, the Chamber presents the Community Service Award to an individual who’s provided outstanding service to our community. Hosted in November with an expected 300 in attendance.

Fall & Spring into the Arts is the Battle Creek Area Chamber Foundation’s bi-annual artwalk which provides businesses, artists and art organizations the opportunity to create meaningful partnerships that support a healthy, creative and artistic community. Located along the beautiful Linear Path alongside the Battle Creek River, the Chamber’s artwalks introduce new ways for both artists and businesses to gain a competitive advantage showcasing all that our community has to offer. Artwalks are held on the third Friday in both October (Fall into the Arts) and May (Spring into the Arts) with an expected 1,500 in attendance.

Your taste buds will thank you the fourth Saturday in August by attending the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce’s Backyard Burgers & Brewsfest at Festival Market Square in downtown Battle Creek. The Annual Backyard Burgers & Brewsfest features local food and brews, burger competition, live music, backyard-style games including a cornhole tournament and MORE! Hosted annually with an expected 5,000 in attendance.

The Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce’s Eye Opener Breakfast & Business Expo provides members and the community with the opportunity to meet, mingle, and do business with each other. Eye Opener Breakfast & Business Expos consist of information speakers presenting on timely topics of interest to our business members as well as a business-2-business expo. Meeting the second Tuesday of each month (except January, July & August) from 7:30 – 9 a.m. at Kool Family Community Center with an expected 80 in attendance.

Java & Beer is Coffee Hour with the Chamber’s President Kara Beer. Java & Beer provides members with the opportunity to meet and take part in informal discussions with the Chamber Staff about what’s happening within their industries, communities, and the Chamber. Hosted quarterly with an expected 20 in attendance.

Leadership Battle Creek is designed to engage established and emerging leaders in executive leadership skills. Executive Leadership skills move leaders outside of their title and/or role and into the framework of designing a culture where teams are happy and engaged. Curriculum focuses less on what leaders do and more on how and why they do it! Leadership Battle Creek specifically addresses the value of business and community by raising awareness of and educating leaders on the framework of sustainable leadership. Additionally, Leadership Battle Creek provides a venue to practice and implement applicable community and organizational change. It’s a premier program of the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation. Hosted monthly between October thru May with an expected 25 in attendance. Visit the Battle Creek Area Chamber Foundation’s page to learn more on how to enroll.

The Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce’s Netwalking vision is to create stronger and deeper personal relationships while encouraging friendships and the sharing of ideas; bring people together through walking to build a stronger community that breaks down barriers, and increase local collaboration and group activities – activities bring joy to life. Hosted bi-monthly with an expected 20 in attendance.

Party Politics provides legislatures, members, and community an opportunity to increase civic engagement within our state and local governments. Party Politics allows attendees to be able to meet and mingle with candidates prior to the November election and discuss how they encourage a pro-business climate for the Greater Battle Creek Area. Also, attendees are encouraged to participate in the Chamber’s Mock Election with results being shared following the event. Hosted annually with an expected 100 in attendance.

Rap with Your Reps provides members with the opportunity to meet directly with local lawmakers and representatives in a meet-and-greet style discussion. Be an active member of the community by voicing your concerns with lawmaker’s first-hand, and build meaningful relationships while you’re at it. Hosted quarterly at the Chamber’s Loft with an expected 20 in attendance.

Ribbon Cutting Celebrations are a great way to introduce your business to the community and fellow Chamber members. It can be as simple, informal, extravagant or ceremonious as you want it to be. It’s your event and reflects your company’s values and personality. Hosted on an ongoing basis with an expected 20 in attendance.

Join the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, staff and ambassadors for the bi-annual Salute to the Military Ball. A black-tie affair, the Salute to the Military Ball provides Calhoun County citizens and surrounding business communities an opportunity to show their thanks and support to local military and their families. Hosted bi-annually with an expected 250 in attendance. Visit the Battle Creek Area Chamber Foundation’s page to learn more on how to participate and support the Salute to the Military Ball.

The Battle Creek Area Chamber Foundation’s Silent Observer Committee provides the opportunity for the community to connect, network and fundraise with local law enforcement and business professionals. All proceeds from the Silent Observer Golf Outing go towards the Silent Observer crime prevention programming. This is an opportunity for you to build relationships for your business. Hosted annually every June with an expected 100 players. Visit the Battle Creek Area Chamber Foundation’s page to learn more about Silent Observer.

The Chamber invites the community to hear from the City of Battle Creek and Calhoun County on the State of the Community during this luncheon. City and County Representatives have an opportunity to inform attendees on what was accomplished within the previous year and what is planned for the upcoming year. Hosted annually every January at the Kool Family Community Center with an expected 125 in attendance.

This is an opportunity for members to connect with our Chamber Ambassadors as they “pop” in to say hello and check in. Thank you to NCG Cinema for providing popcorn to our members as we show our appreciation for being a part of our network.

Join the Chamber’s Women in Business initiative with networking and collaboration during the Women in Business (WIB) luncheons. WIB promotes and empowers women business leaders to achieve their personal and professional goals. The WIB initiative inspires women by:

• Learning from and networking with women in all stages of their careers
• Promoting women entrepreneurs and helping improve their business prospects
• Conducting research with leading institutions to explore women’s business issues and highlight their economic potential

 Working together we can inspire, empower, and learn from women around the Greater Battle Creek Area enhancing their personal, business, and career goals.

WIB provides resources that are important to ensuring women are successful:

• Supporting entrepreneurs as important contributors to our economy
• Working with local Chamber members to facilitate the advancement of women in business
• Mentoring for women to build strong networks and advance careers
• Supporting military spouses in planning careers and building networks
• Building formal and informal networks that are critical for career advancement

Hosted monthly with an expected 25 in attendance.