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Community Coffee, Business After Hours, Ribbon Cutting

Community Coffee

Community Coffees

Community Coffee is about more than networking. It is about building relationships, sharing your story, and strengthening our local business community.

Set in an inviting atmosphere, this event allows you to connect with other professionals, present your business, and meaningfully showcase your work.

Community Coffees are free, open to the public, and require no registration.

We encourage you to:

  • Share updates and announcements about your business or organization
  • Engage with attendees and build genuine connections
  • Provide business cards, brochures, or promotional materials

Typical Schedule

  • Wednesdays from 9:30–10:30 AM (Tuesdays and Thursdays are also options but must be approved by the Chamber.)
  • Featured speaking opportunity at 10:00 AM
  • Community Coffees are not held on weekends, holidays, or during other Chamber events
  • There will be one Community Coffee scheduled per week
  • Please confirm availability before finalizing your date

Business Responsibilities

This is your opportunity to showcase your business, and we’re here to support you every step of the way!

Location

  • Host at your business or another venue in the community
  • Space should comfortably accommodate 15–30 attendees plus those you personally invite.
  • Need venue ideas? View available locations in our Chamber Directory  <LINK>

Food & Beverages

  • Provide coffee and light refreshments (optional but encouraged)
  • Need coffee and pastry ideas? View available vendors in our Chamber Directory <LINK>

Promotion Materials

  • Submit an event graphic with all details to the Chamber at least one month in advance

Chamber Services Included

When you host a Community Coffee, the Chamber helps spread the word and celebrate your business:

  • Promotion in the Chamber Monday Member Email prior to your event
  • Listing on the Chamber website events calendar
  • Listing in the Chamber's monthly newsletter
  • Social media post approximately two (2) days before the event
  • Inclusion of your business name/logo in marketing materials

Scheduling Your Event

To host a Community Coffee, please complete the online form.

Business After Hours

Business After Hours

Business After Hours is designed to bring professionals together in a fun, relaxed, and social atmosphere after the workday.

Hosted by Chamber members, these events are a great way to showcase your business while building meaningful connections with fellow members and the community.

Free to attend and open to all, guests are welcome to come and go as their schedule allows.

Business Responsibilities

Hosting a Business After Hours is your opportunity to highlight your business and create a memorable experience for attendees while growing your visibility in the community.

Why Host?

  • Introduce Chamber members to your business
  • Increase visibility and name recognition
  • Showcase your products and services
  • Bring guests into your physical space
  • Build relationships and generate new leads

Event Planning & Setup

  • Secure and confirm your event location at the place of business or other Chamber venue. Chamber Directory <LINK>
  • Plan the overall flow and atmosphere
  • Provide a check-in table near the entrance

Event Experience

  • Create a fun, relaxed, social environment (this is not a sales presentation)
  • Wear company-branded apparel or name tags
  • Have business cards readily available
  • Consider offering tours, games, or interactive elements
  • Provide two door prizes (your business or partner businesses)
  • Option to partner with other Chamber members to co-host
  • Add a signature drink or themed décor
  • Offer product samples or promotional items

Food & Beverages

  • Provide food and beverages. Beer, wine, water, soda, juice and etc options. View available vendors in our Chamber Directory
  • Plan for 30–50 attendees plus those you personally invite.

Invitations

We encourage you to invite anyone who supports your business. The more, the merrier!

Suggested guest list:

  • Employees
  • Extended teams or additional locations
  • Family and friends
  • Customers and prospective customers
  • Vendors and suppliers
  • Business partners (bankers, accountants, attorneys, contractors, etc.)
  • Neighboring businesses
  • Community organizations and nonprofits
  • Local media outlets
  • Civic and professional leaders

Schedule of Events

Free to attend and open to all, guests are welcome to come and go as their schedule allows.

  • 4:30 PM start time; guests check in at the registration table
  • At approximately 5:10 PM, the Chamber will gather attendees’ attention and the host will speak:
    • Share a brief (5–10 minute) overview of your business
    • Introduce your team
    • Thank attendees and recognize partners or contributors
    • Door prize drawings
  • Following the remarks, the remainder of the event is dedicated to networking

Chamber Services Included

When you host a Business After Hours event, the Chamber helps spread the word and celebrate your business:

  • Promotion in the Chamber Monday Member Email prior to your event
  • Listing on the Chamber website events calendar
  • Listing in the Chamber's monthly newsletter
  • Social media post approximately two (2) days before the event
  • Inclusion of your business name/logo in marketing materials

On-Site Support Includes:

  • Introduction of the host business
  • Door prize coordination and announcements

Business After Hours is more than just an event. It is where connections are built, visibility grows, and community thrives.

We look forward to helping you host an unforgettable experience!

Scheduling Your Event

Business After Hours events are scheduled in advance and hosted by Chamber members.

Event Details:

  • Second Thursday of each month
  • 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Speaking opportunity at 5:10 PM
  • Hosting opportunities are first-come, first-served
  • Events are scheduled at least 2 months in advance

Interested in hosting? Contact the Chamber to reserve your date!

Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings

Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings

A ribbon cutting or groundbreaking ceremony is a great way to celebrate an exciting milestone for your business and Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce is here to help make it memorable!

This service is exclusive to Chamber members. Not yet a member? Click here to get started!

Eligibility Requirements

To schedule a ribbon cutting or groundbreaking with the Chamber, your business must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Opened within the past 12 months
  • Relocated, remodeled, or expanded within the past 12 months
  • Experienced a change in ownership or management within the past 6 months
  • Celebrating a significant anniversary (Significant anniversaries are typically recognized in 5-year increments. The Chamber may also consider additional milestones at its discretion.)
  • Chamber member dues paid 30 days prior to the event

Business Responsibilities

This is your celebration, and we’re excited to help you share the news! Below are recommendations to help make your event successful:

Promotion & Marketing

  • Share event details across your marketing channels
  • Create a social media event and add the Chamber as a co-host
  • Le Mars Sentinel
  • KLEM Radio

Event Logistics

    • Provide accurate address and parking instructions
    • Consider accessibility (ADA accommodations)
    • Need beverages and food ideas? View available vendors in our Chamber Directory <LINK>
    • Hire a professional photographer

Planning Your Program

  • Prepare a simple agenda or script
  • Arrange who should be included in the ribbon cutting or groundbreaking photo.
  • Confirm attendance of any speakers or dignitaries in advance
  • Consider seating or a sound system if expecting a large crowd

Invitations

We encourage you to invite anyone who has supported your business. Your event can be as large or small as you’d like.

Suggested guest list:

  • Employees
  • Family and friends
  • Customers and prospective customers
  • Vendors and suppliers
  • Business partners (bankers, accountants, attorneys, contractors, etc.)
  • Neighboring businesses
  • Community organizations and nonprofits you support
  • Local media outlets
  • Civic and professional leaders

Enhancing the Experience

  • Offer tours of your space
  • Provide samples, giveaways, or special promotions
  • Encourage staff to engage with attendees

Chamber Services Included

All ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings include the following support from the Chamber:

  • Attendance of Chamber Ambassadors
  • Promotion in the Chamber Monday Member Email prior to your event
  • Listing on the Chamber website events calendar
  • Listing in the Chamber's monthly newsletter
  • Post-event Facebook post
  • Inclusion of your business name/logo in marketing materials
  • Use of ceremonial scissors and ribbon or shovels for groundbreakings
  • A volunteer to capture the ribbon-cutting or groundbreaking monumental moment

Scheduling Your Event

To ensure availability and proper promotion, please contact the Chamber at least 3 weeks in advance.

General Scheduling Guidelines:

  • Ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings may be scheduled on Monday-Friday. Based on availability
  • Events are not scheduled on weekends, holidays, or during other Chamber events
  • Please confirm availability before finalizing your event date

Contact us to schedule your ribbon cutting or groundbreaking today!

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