BY JEFF BACON
The Chamber is starting the fourth quarter of 2016 with our largest Business After Hours of the year, the Wood River Business Expo. The expo will run tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 20 from 4-8 p.m. at Atlantic Aviation in Hailey.
The Wood River Business Expo is a great chance for the general public to come and meet business owners, managers and community leaders and find out about many of the products and services that are available in our Valley. The Chamber regularly surveys its membership to find out which functions it serves are of the most value and networking opportunities are always listed at the top. This Business After Hours promises to be one of the best networking opportunities of the year.
Additionally, The Chamber is excited to continue the work it’s been doing in 2016 as we finish with a strong fourth quarter and look ahead to 2017.
Hailey’s Halloween Hoopla will follow the business expo on Monday, Oct. 31. This annual Chamber event literally brings hundreds of kids and their families to Main Street each year to celebrate the holiday in a safe, family-friendly environment. Please thank the downtown merchants that make this possible by shopping local this holiday season.
Speaking of holidays, this year, for the first time, The Chamber is taking over organization of Hailey’s venerable Turkey Trot. Now in its 13th year, the Turkey Trot has become an annual tradition for many families in the Valley wanting to enjoy the beauty of the Draper Wood River Preserve before heading home to spend Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. It truly is one of the great benefits of being a local in our Valley.
The Turkey Trot starts a weekend of festivities leading us into the holiday season. Be on the lookout for information on this year’s Tree-Lighting ceremony, Shop Small Saturday and Holiday Hoopla.
As we head into 2017, The Chamber will hold a membership drive to boost our membership numbers in all of the communities in our Valley. We have already begun to build the second edition of our popular Community Guide and Membership Directory. With our offices located just outside the airport in the Visitor’s Center at Wertheimer Park, The Chamber’s Community Guide and Membership Directory is a valuable tool to enhance the experience for visitors to our Valley. Look for the new guide this spring.
Last, in the first quarter of 2017, The Chamber will hold its Annual Dinner and Community Awards, honoring local businesses and business leaders for their commitment to the Valley. New this year, Chamber members will be able to both nominate and vote for their choices in several important categories.
The Chamber looks forward to 2017 with great anticipation. As we build on the programs we’ve developed to help promote Valley businesses and events, we remain committed to helping our members take advantage of the myriad opportunities available in our Valley. Won’t you consider joining us today.
Jeff Bacon is The Chamber’s membership director. For more information, visit haileyidaho.com or call The Chamber at (208) 788-3484.