Events

Get ready to celebrate talent and showcase our seniors at the MIX at RID+I event on April 30th.Get ready for an unforgettable evening of creativity and inspiration! We are thrilled to invite you to a special event celebrating the expanded WMU Richmond Institute for Design + Innovation (RID+I) program. This is your exclusive opportunity to […]

Join local women in business for a networking lunch with Shannon Jacobs on personal branding & visibility.Women2Women is a welcoming community where women in business connect, support one another, and build meaningful relationships grounded in kindness, advocacy, and mentorship.Join us for a networking lunch featuring Shannon Jacobs with Slick Raven Marketing, who will share insights […]

Learn how to supervise interns with confidence through practical tips on onboarding, feedback, inclusion, and expectations.Join us for an interactive training designed for professionals preparing to supervise interns this summer. Whether you are hosting an intern for the first time or looking to strengthen your approach, this session will cover the key practices that help […]

Join us on Monday, May 11th for the Monday Midday Mixer—network, build relationships and boost your business over lunch.People do business with those they know, like, and trust. Relationships are the foundation of the best business partnerships, and the Southwest Michigan First Chamber is here to help you build those connections.Join us for an opportunity […]

Join us for a six-week intensive for Southwest Michigan storefront business owners.Running a storefront is one of the hardest jobs in business right now. Inventory, staffing, margins, marketing, customer expectations -- it all lands on you. The Brick & Mortar Retail Growth Lab was built for owners who are ready to step back, get clear, […]

Give your employees a path to save – without adding costs to your business – with practical, affordable options for businesses of any size.If you’re a small business owner, offering meaningful employee benefits can feel out of reach, but it doesn’t have to be. Hosted by the Southwest Michigan First Chamber, this one-hour seminar is […]

Broaden your professional network with the Southwest Michigan First Chamber at our May Chamber Connect!People do business with who they know, like, and trust. Come get to know your next business partner, collaborator, or client in a behind-the-scenes space hosted by the Advia Credit Union.Your network is only as strong as the relationships it's built […]

Join us on May 28 for the Kalamazoo Township Business Community Townhall to connect with local leaders and hear key updates.The Southwest Michigan First Chamber invites you to the Kalamazoo Township Business Community Townhall on Thursday, May 28 beginning at 9:30 a.m.This event is a great opportunity to connect with leaders from the City of […]

Join us as we hear from elected officials to discuss the connection between accessible childcare and regional economic success.Join us for a conversation to discuss how accessible childcare plays a critical role in strengthening our workforce and driving regional economic success.Southwest Michigan First’s Advocacy & Ales brings together municipal, community, and business leaders to discuss […]

Join local women in business for a networking lunch on being kind to yourself, integrity, and an entrepreneurial mindset.Women2Women is a welcoming community where women in business connect, support one another, and build meaningful relationships grounded in kindness, advocacy, and mentorship.Join us for a networking lunch featuring Tanya Thompson, owner of The Aroma Labs, who […]

Join us for this member-exclusive event to learn how you can get the most out of your Southwest Michigan First Chamber membership.Joining the Chamber is an important step for many businesses. But what is the best way to maximize your investment? The Southwest Michigan First Chamber invites all new or returning members to our Chamber […]

Join us for a behind the scenes look at the NEW Career Connect Facility!This is a unique opportunity to connect with fellow creatives, spark new ideas, and get a behind the scenes look at this state of the art educational faculty. Learn about the robust curriculum designed to develop the talent your organization needs! Find […]

Join us on Monday, June 8th for the Monday Midday Mixer—network, build relationships and boost your business over lunch.People do business with those they know, like, and trust. Relationships are the foundation of the best business partnerships, and the Southwest Michigan First Chamber is here to help you build those connections.Join us for an opportunity […]

Make the most of your internship! Connect, grow, and explore with our Intern Mixer Series.Build Connections. Grow Professionally. Experience Kalamazoo.Your talent pipeline is crucial to the future of your business. That’s why the Southwest Michigan First Intern Mixer Series is an essential part of our talent initiative, designed to provide interns across the region with […]

Join local women in business for an After 5 Summer Social focused on connection, conversation, and community.Women2Women is a welcoming community where women in business connect, support one another, and build meaningful relationships grounded in kindness, advocacy, and mentorship.This month, we’re switching things up with a special After 5 Summer Social at the Catalyst Center. […]

Join us Tuesday, July 28, for lunch, learning, and a conversation on the human side of business transition.Join us at the Southwest Michigan First Catalyst Center for an event focusing on the personal and emotional side of transitioning a business. In partnership with Kalamazoo Forward Ventures, you’ll hear from a local business owners who recently […]

Join the Chamber for this quarterly downtown discussion, including a number of updates and changes as we continue building our downtown.The Southwest Michigan First Chamber invites you to the next Business Community Townhall: Downtown Kalamazoo on Tuesday, July 28 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Catalyst Center.Downtown Kalamazoo is entering an important next chapter. […]

Join us for this member-exclusive event to learn how you can get the most out of your Southwest Michigan First Chamber membership.Joining the Chamber is an important step for many businesses. But what is the best way to maximize your investment? The Southwest Michigan First Chamber invites all new or returning members to our Chamber […]

Broaden your professional network with the Southwest Michigan First Chamber at our Chamber Connect!People do business with who they know like and trust. And one of the best ways to build trust is to get outside of the traditional corporate environments and have a little fun! The June Chamber Connect is hosted by the Village […]

Join the Chamber to discuss updates in Richland/Augusta/Galesburg and collaborate on ways to move our community forward.Join the Southwest Michigan First Chamber for the upcoming Richland/Augusta/Galesburg Business Community Townhall on Thursday, July 30!This is your chance to connect with local city and community leaders, share your insights, and explore opportunities that shape the future of […]

Make the most of your internship! Connect, grow, and explore with our Intern Mixer Series.Build Connections. Grow Professionally. Experience Kalamazoo.Your talent pipeline is crucial to the future of your business. That’s why the Southwest Michigan First Intern Mixer Series is an essential part of our talent initiative, designed to provide interns across the region with […]

Join local women in business for a networking lunch with Lauren Lasater of Colors & Cocktails on creativity, happiness, and entrepreneurshipWomen2Women is a welcoming community where women in business connect, support one another, and build meaningful relationships grounded in kindness, advocacy, and mentorship.Join us for a networking lunch featuring Lauren Lasater, owner of Colors & […]

Join us and get your product-based business listed on Shop Local Greater Kalamazoo, The Chamber's online marketplace for buying local.Bring your products or product photos, leave with a live online shop. This is a complimentary, hands-on workshop to start selling your products on Shop Local Greater Kalamazoo, The Chamber's online marketplace. Chamber membership not required.Shop […]

Join us on Monday, August 10, to make new connections, build relationships, and grow your business over lunch at the Monday Midday Mixer.People do business with those they know, like, and trust. Relationships are the foundation of the best business partnerships, and the Southwest Michigan First Chamber is here to help you build those connections.Join […]

Join the Chamber to discuss updates in Portage and collaborate on ways to move our community forward.The Southwest Michigan First Chamber invites you to the next Portage Business Community Townhall on Tuesday, August 11.We look forward to hearing from you and some of our local community leaders on the issues that matter most. We want […]

The Southwest Michigan First Chamber invites you to our third annual fundraiser—a portion of the proceeds will benefit a nonprofit partner.Introducing the Pins not Putts 3rd Annual Chamber Bowling Classic!The Southwest Michigan First Chamber is excited to bring back this unique event where we can “strike” up a little friendly competition—and where the winning team’s […]

Broaden your professional network with the Southwest Michigan First Chamber at our August Chamber Connect!People do business with those they know, like, and trust. Chamber Connect is built to make those introductions feel easier, more natural, and a little less like traditional networking.The August Chamber Connect will take place at Kellogg Hall at Sherman Lake […]

Join us and get your product-based business listed on Shop Local Greater Kalamazoo, The Chamber's online marketplace for buying local.Bring your products or product photos, leave with a live online shop. This is a complimentary, hands-on workshop to start selling your products on Shop Local Greater Kalamazoo, The Chamber's online marketplace. Chamber membership not required.Shop […]

Bring your favorite mug and join us for coffee and conversation at the Rise & Thrive Coffee Connect.It’s time to Rise & Thrive!We know schedules can be packed with work, family, and other commitments. If evening events don’t fit your routine, Rise & Thrive Coffee Connect is the perfect way to start your day with […]

Join us Tuesday, August 25, for lunch and a regional look at data, demographics, and business succession.Join us at the Southwest Michigan First Catalyst Center for an event focusing on the macro-economic reality of the Silver Tsunami in our region. In partnership with Kalamazoo Forward Ventures, you’ll hear from a an expert of research on […]

Join the Southwest Michigan First Chamber for a morning of networking and insightful discussions at our Business Breakfast Roundtable.Competing For Your People: Retaining, Engaging, and Training Today's and Tomorrow's WorkforceSomething is shifting in the talent landscape and most companies are feeling it whether they can name it yet or not. Open roles sit unfilled while […]

Join us and get your product-based business listed on Shop Local Greater Kalamazoo, The Chamber's online marketplace for buying local.Bring your products or product photos, leave with a live online shop. This is a complimentary, hands-on workshop to start selling your products on Shop Local Greater Kalamazoo, The Chamber's online marketplace. Chamber membership not required.Shop […]

Celebrate small business with speakers, awards, and networking at this high-energy Chamber conference and celebration.Chamber’s Choice Small Business Conference and CelebrationNew This Year! Be part of something truly special—the first-ever Chamber’s Choice Small Business Conference and Celebration, hosted by the Southwest Michigan First Chamber in partnership with Varnum LLP. This signature event brings together small […]

Join us and get your product-based business listed on Shop Local Greater Kalamazoo, The Chamber's online marketplace for buying local.Bring your products or product photos, leave with a live online shop. This is a complimentary, hands-on workshop to start selling your products on Shop Local Greater Kalamazoo, The Chamber's online marketplace. Chamber membership not required.Shop […]