Welcome to Wabash County, Indiana!

Your Wabash County Chamber of Commerce is a business membership organization dedicated to the promotion and retention of businesses.  This means we pride ourselves on partnering with civic, government, and community leaders to ensure Wabash County has the infrastructure and resources for our businesses to grow and thrive.  We truly believe that the relationships we build today will ensure a great future for generations to come.  It’s our goal to provide an innovative environment for business development, educational advancement, and cultural enrichment.  Won’t you join us?

Governing Board/Staff

COMMITTEES

AG Committee:  Wabash County Salute to Agriculture
The Ag Committee is responsible for bringing Agricultural issues to the Chamber and identifying areas we need to be involved in to further support this business sector.  They establish contact and dialogue with the Wabash County Farm Community and Agri-Business.  This group is responsible for nominating a family farm/business for the Wabash County Farm Family of the Year Award.  The committee then plans the associated annual awards banquet to be held during the last Monday evening in January.

Annual Dinner

This committee’s purpose is the entire process and planning of the Chamber Annual Meeting.  This includes working closely with the Business of the Year (selected by the Chamber Chair by March 1), as well as the staff, and the facility where the event is to be held.  The committee starts meeting monthly in March with frequency increasing as the event draws near.  The evening includes the formal dinner, changing of the Chamber leadership, and acknowledgment of volunteers, the awarding of the Business of the Year, President’s Choice Award, and the Distinguished Citizen honors.  The Annual Report is distributed during the evening as well.

Education Projects

This is the oversight committee for projects and communication between business and education in Wabash County.  It is the birthplace of the LIFT project, Honors Student Luncheon, Speakers Bureau, CAPE initiatives, MAC program, etc.  this Committee meets to discuss opportunities and identify areas of need for joint projects between the school systems, Ivy Tech, Manchester College, Heartland Career Center, and Wabash County Businesses.

Home and Business Expo

This Annual Event usually held in late February or early March provides a forum for Wabash County businesses to showcase their products and services.  Trade booths, Vendor to Vendor special events, children’s activities, and so much more make this one of the county’s biggest events.

The Honor Student Luncheon is a county “Brain Gain” event which brings Wabash County Honor Students together with business persons in their first networking luncheon.  A speaker shares their story of their higher education and post college experiences and why they chose to return to Wabash County to use their skills and/or raise a family.  Students get to introduce themselves and share what college/major they will be pursuing.  Businesses share internships or employment opportunities they may have for the students.

Government Affairs

This Committee is responsible for the dissemination of material concerning all state and federal legislation that may affect Wabash County businesses.  They may recommend statements of position on individual pieces of legislation, and they work closely with the President to ensure regional, state and federal resources are available to our members.  The group organizes at least one 3rd House Session, Legislative Update(s) per year and conducts debates and/or  meet the candidate sessions for local elections.  This group also holds the annual State of the City/County Event.

Membership Division

This group determines the needs of the membership through annual surveys and makes recommendations and implements member benefits/events.  This includes member/prospect orientation luncheons, ribbon cuttings, the Blue Ribbon Business of the Month, awarding 1st Dollar Plaques, Shop Local initiatives, the Member2Member Discount Cards, GiftCheck Program, Young Professionals Network and so much more. It really is all about our members!

Public Relations / Networking

This committee oversees the tremendously popular and successful Business Before Hours held bi-monthly October through August.  Attendees enjoy a full breakfast buffet, networking at the round tables, perusing the business sponsor displays and the chance to pass business cards in a lively manner (you’ll have to attend and find out the “how”).  This group also hosts the Business After Hours on the opposite months.  This is an Open House style event held at the sponsoring business.  Attendees enjoy tours, meeting the staff, meeting fellow Chamber members, and great refreshments.  The committee also oversees the Calendar Project, Community Attraction Guide, and Chamber branding.

Small Business

We are proud to partner with the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center to bring their business counselors to our offices each week of the month.  FREE business counseling for marketing, finance, business plans, succession planning, etc. is available right here in Wabash for our members.

Small Business Week

– this is a week- long celebration of our businesses during May.  Seminars, tours, special events, and fun activities throughout the county culminate in a special celebration where one business receives the 5-Star Business Award recognizing their community, business and chamber contributions.

Seminar Programs

LunchBytes is held bi-monthly for the five months of September, November, January, March and May.  The Program consists of sponsored speaker presenting a topic of broad member interest while attendees enjoy lunch.  Other professional workshops in ½ day increments are held twice annually with morning and afternoon options available.  We also partner with local colleges/universities to bring advanced training/certifications to our businesses.