In the first weeks of 2025, perhaps you’ve gotten your feet wet in terms of networking and goal setting and you’re ready to take the dive to become more involved in your community. If you’ve tested out the waters of the Chamber, or haven’t had a chance to yet, we want to encourage you to jump right in with the upcoming events, programs, and initiatives that can make you a stronger community representative. Let’s take a look at a sampling of what’s in store for the Chamber in 2025.
You can engage with us four times a month (at minimum) through our primary networking events, which are Good Morning Cherokee, Business After Hours, Power Hour, and Meet & Eat. Good Morning Cherokee, held on the first Thursday of the month (except January and July), is our signature engagement event. Attended by approximately 150 community members each month, the event features open networking, breakfast, and a sponsored program that will inform you about businesses or organizations making an impact on Cherokee County. The doors open at 6:30 AM for registration and networking followed by breakfast then the program begins at 7:30 AM. Business After Hours is a casual networking event, held monthly (except July & August) from 4:30 – 6:00 PM on-site at a Chamber member business. It’s an opportunity to get out of the office and into the community, experiencing a location you might not have been to before and connecting with like-minded professionals. On average, this event attracts approximately 40-60 attendees each month! Power Hour is a fast-paced networking event, like a leads group. You can quickly connect with fellow professionals while sharing what you do! Power Hour is held at the Chamber office from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Meet & Eat is a networking lunch that is exclusively for Chamber members, due to the limited availability of seats. Each month, our members engage with one another over lunch at a Chamber member restaurant.
Other events throughout the year are also open to both current and future Chamber members. Bring your electronics for recycling at the Chamber’s annual Earth Day Recycling Event in April. Celebrate your membership with us and connect with others over a casual cook-out at Picnic in the Park in May. Spend the day on the golf course with us, making business contacts along the way at the Chamber Classic Golf Tournament in August. SchmoozaPalooza is a business expo meets casual networking event that is open to the public, giving you the opportunity to show off your products and services that also occurs in August. The Chamber’s Women in Business event celebrates October’s National Business Women’s Week and encourages partnerships and continued professional development among professional women. Enhance your leadership skills with us at Leadership Symposium, a full-day October event featuring four expert speakers and lunch!
If your passion is in education and making an impact on community schools and educators, you might be interested in taking on a role with the Chamber’s E3 Committee, which blends the initiatives and missions of the previous Education Committee and Workforce Development Council. Its mission is to Educate, Employ, and Engage Cherokee County’s existing and future workforce, while cultivating relationships between individuals, businesses, and schools. The education-focused aspect of E3 will oversee programs including the National Civics Bee® in Cherokee County, the Partners in Education program, Going Green coloring contest, Pi Day Celebration, an updated School Supply Express Drive, and Lemonade Day. Also, part of E3 is the workforce development-focused aspect, which will oversee programs like Work Readiness, SchmoozaPalooza, and 8th grade Career Fairs. This committee is an excellent fit if you are interested in equipping Cherokee County’s existing and future workforce!
If you have a special interest in government and staying in-the-know about legislation affecting the business community, consider joining the Governmental Affairs Council. This council tracks business legislation and collaborates with elected officials through the coordination of Cherokee Day at the Capitol, an Elected Officials Appreciation Reception, and a Legislative Appreciation Luncheon for members of Cherokee’s state legislative delegation.
By participating in Chamber events as a volunteer, you will gain a deeper understanding of the resources offered by not only the Chamber, but fellow businesses and organizations, and how they are being used in our community for growth. There is also the opportunity to create meaningful connections for your own organization, or even personally.
Other community initiatives offered by the Chamber include a variety of leadership recognitions and programs. If you are a talented young professional, be on the lookout for the Top 10 in 10 ‘Young Professionals to Watch’ recognition, which will begin accepting nominations in March. If you’re interested in growing your leadership skills and learning more about Cherokee County, consider nominating yourself or a co-worker for the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2026, which will accept nominations beginning in August. Maybe you know a 10th grade student that could benefit from the Teen Leadership Cherokee (TLC) program, which teaches students valuable leadership and professional skills. The application window for TLC will open in November.
There are endless ways to become involved with your Chamber – this isn’t even all of them! For a more in-depth look at all upcoming annual events, educational events, and programs in 2025, please visit CherokeeChamber.com. You can peruse photos from last year’s events and find short descriptions of each initiative to help you determine which is the best fit for you.
The Cherokee County Chamber is here to serve its members, giving them the opportunity to thrive in business and community engagement. The best way to get the most of your membership? Get connected and ask questions! Getting involved is the best use of your investment and your time!
If you have any questions about upcoming events or programs, please contact Info@CherokeeChamber.com. We look forward to connecting with you!
