Understanding Your Chamber Events and Committees
Ever wonder what a Business after Hours is all about? Do you know what a Good Morning Alpena breakfast is? Have you ever wondered what goes on at a New Member Welcome Event? Here are a few short explanations to give you a better idea of what Chamber events and programs are all about.
Chamber Member Referral
Earn credit toward your membership investment plus ensure the stability and future of the Chamber. For details on how this Members Referral Program works, or to view helpful information about the Chamber that you can utilize when participating in this program, view this link
Good Morning Alpena Breakfast
Always at 7 a.m. GMA’s are a great opportunity to learn a lot of information in a short amount of time. The morning comes complete with a hot breakfast, a full program, and the opportunity for networking.
New Member Welcome Event
Sponsored by Top O’ Michigan Insurance, these events take place three to four times a year and are an opportunity for new members to meet members of the Chamber Board of Directors and Ambassadors, hear from current members why they belong to the Chamber, and share and network with other new Chamber members.
Business Roundtables
Idea sharing groups of 8-12 business owners/entrepreneurs 
meet on a monthly basis with a Chamber supplied
facilitator/note taker. These groups are at least a one year
commitment and are like having an advisory board for your
organization.
“My roundtable experience allowed me the opportunity to gain awareness of the multitude of resources I have through my colleagues. The confidential setting made it a comfortable atmosphere to discuss our business ideas and issues. Not only did I gain valuable contacts that I feel I can call on in the future to ‘bounce’ a business idea or issue off of, I have made some new friends that I look forward to exploring interests with.”
Denise Hoeksema, H&R Block Alpena
Open House/Grand Opening Kit
Everything has a life cycle, and our Business After Hours program has now come to an end. Through the years we have hosted many Business After Hours. Each year, when attendance started to fall, we made adjustments to the program. This year, we decided to retire the program altogether. However, because we realize open house and grand opening events are important to our members, we still wanted to provide support for those events as a member benefit. We have replaced our Business After Hours with an Open House/Grand Opening Kit that we now offer to our members and non-members. This kit, if used properly, is a HUGE value for a business. Please follow this link for details. Questions? Call Alisha at the Chamber.
Military Support
The Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center is an important asset to the community. In an effort to encourage the units to return to Alpena for future trainings and return to the community to visit with their families, the military support committee holds receptions for several units throughout the spring, summer and fall. These events are a great way to share your business with the units, thank them for their service, and invite them back to Alpena.
Electronic Member Decal
Several members requested to not only have a window decal to show their membership, but to also have a website “decal” to demonstrate to their customers their membership with the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce. Use this decal to show all visitors to your website that you participate in the good business practice of belonging to your local chamber of commerce. If you wish to link the “decal” to the chamber’s website please use www.alpenachamber.com.
4th of July Parade
This annual parade is sponsored by Lafarge Cement-Alpena Plant and the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce. It is held every year on July 4 at 11a.m. (time may vary). To view 2010's parade click here.
Holiday Parade
This annual parade is sponsored by Bolenz Jewelry and Lafarge Cement-Alpena Plant. It is held every year on the day after Thanksgiving at 5:30p.m. To view 2010's parade click here.
