At the Chamber, summer is made for planning

June, July and August. Could there be a better time of year to slow down? Calendars fill with family vacations and long weekends. Inboxes are dotted with "Out of Office" replies, and for many businesses, the season offers a brief opportunity to catch their breath before fall arrives.

But at Quad Cities Chamber, these months are our busiest when it comes to planning.

While many in the business community are taking a well-earned break, our team is hard at work preparing for the fiscal year, which began on July 1. Behind the scenes, conversations are happening, venues are being secured, speakers are being confirmed and details are coming together to ensure the Chamber continues delivering the events, connections and opportunities our members expect throughout the year.

Months of planning go into creating these experiences that bring business leaders together, create new partnerships and strengthen our regional economy.

“Although there’s a bit of a pause on the calendar of events during the summer, there’s not a pause on planning,” said Anna Possehl, Director of Events for the Chamber. “First on the list is our Annual Meeting in August. This year, we’ve changed the format, and hope people enjoy a more casual event that’s still packed with information – and of course, our annual business awards.”

In tandem with this planning, the Chamber team is also supporting Alternating Currents, a uniquely Quad Cities event that showcases the creativity, culture and vibrancy of our area through music, art, comedy and film.

Thinking ahead to fall, our programming turns to networking events, giving Chamber members more opportunities to build relationships, share ideas and build their contact lists in a welcoming and informal environment. This year, in addition to our regularly scheduled programming, we have a few larger, business-focused events, including a newly revamped Business Summit coming in October.

And while December may feel like a long way off, our team will be gathering input to create the legislative agendas for the year. Those conversations and preparations will begin soon. It’s our goal to ensure members have meaningful opportunities to engage with elected officials and stay informed about policy issues affecting the business community.

“Great events don't happen overnight,” said Brandon Skahill, Executive Director at the Chamber. “They begin with intentional planning, strong partnerships and a commitment to creating value for our members and the entire Quad Cities region. Every event is an opportunity to connect people, strengthen businesses and move our region forward."

So, while your inbox may be filled with vacation messages this summer, know that the Chamber team is already looking ahead. We are planning for the connections you'll make, the insights you'll gain and the opportunities you'll discover in the months to come."