A bicyclist takes a break during RAGBRAI's stop in Grinnell to cool off and check out the Merchants National Bank building, home of the Grinnell Chamber of Commerece, during the cross-state tour stop on Thursday, July 27. The chamber has a number activities planned for the first six months of 2024.

       The Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a variety of programming and events in 2024. Please note that additional events may be added during this time frame.
      More specific details regarding the events will be released, and you can also view updates on events at www.grinnellchamber.org.
        “I am excited that we can announce our first six months of programming for 2024. Our members have been asking to get all the events on their calendars, and our team has listened and responded to their requests,” noted Rachael Kinnick, President and CEO of the Grinnell Chamber. “We hope folks will mark their calendars now and make plans to join us in 2024!”
Bite Sized Learning
       Bite Sized Learning is an educational series where attendees will learn about various topics applicable to community organizations, small businesses and large corporations. Attendees are invited to join us over breakfast & coffee from 8:30-9:30 AM to hear presentations aimed at helping their businesses thrive. Bite Sized Learning is open to all regardless of membership status and is set as a pay what you can ticket with pricing starting at $10. Topics and how to purchase tickets will be released in early 2024. Bite Sized Learning will be held on the following
dates:
      ● Thursday, January 25
      ● Thursday, March 21
      ● Thursday, May 9
Lunch & Learn
      The Chamber’s Lunch & Learn program highlights a member nonprofit organization in our community over lunch from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM at a local member restaurant. Attendees will hear from a representative of the nonprofit about an event or programming change as well as general information and awareness of their organization and cause. Lunch & Learn events are exclusive for members and lunch is purchased on your own. Lunch and Learn will be held on the following dates; speakers and locations TBA:
      ● Wednesday, February 7
      ● Wednesday, April 10
      ● Wednesday, June 12
Connecting for Women
      The Connecting For Women event works to bring together women for a networking, coaching and mentoring session from the region’s most influential business leaders. Connecting for Women is open to all regardless of membership status. Networking events are free to attend, the keynote event will require a ticket. Connecting for Women will be held the following dates, more information to come:
     ● Thursday, February 22 Breakfast Business Networking Event
     ● Thursday, April 4 Keynote Speaker Luncheon Event
     ● Thursday, April 18 Evening Social Networking Event
Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Celebration
       Join as we celebrate the 2023 year. Enjoy an evening with dinner, drinks, networking and annual business awards. This event is open to all regardless of membership status, tickets will be required. More information about the event and how to purchase tickets will be available in early 2024. This event will be held on Wednesday, March 6.
Grinnell Chamber of Commerce New Member Orientation
       New members are invited to a luncheon to learn how to maximize the resources the Chamber has to offer and meet other Chamber members. This is also a great opportunity for existing members to get a refresher on membership offerings. Orientations are scheduled for:
      ● Friday, January 12
      ● Friday, June 28
Grinnell Farmers Market Opening Days
      The Grinnell Farmers Market is an open air 100% producer market. The market runs Thursdays 3 - 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. - Noon at the corner of 4th Avenue and Broad Street. Come celebrate the opening week of market season on Thursday, May 9 and Saturday, May 11.
Mother’s Day Build A Bouquet
      Celebrate the mother or mother-figure in your life by building a bouquet downtown. Head store to store with participating retailers and vendor to vendor around farmers market to pick up individual flowers and build a Mother’s Day Bouquet! This event will be held on Saturday, May 11, more information to come.
New Resident Welcome Event
       This event welcomes residents that have relocated to Grinnell in the past 12 months with a meal and an opportunity to meet community organizations and businesses to learn more about the community. Organizations and businesses have the opportunity to set up booths to share more about their mission or offerings with new residents to the community. This event will be held on Thursday, May 23, more information to come.
   If your organization is interested in sponsoring any of the events please contact Kendra at [email protected].
       For more information, please visit the Chamber website at www.grinnellchamber.org or call the Chamber office at 641-236-6555.

      The Brooklyn Opera House, a cornerstone of the Brooklyn community since 1911, celebrated its local impact at its annual fundraiser dinner with more than 250 people in attendance. Throughout 2023, the Opera House hosted more than 124 events and more than 15,000 guests throughout the year. 
      These events, hosted at both the Opera House and the Michael J Manatt Community Center, included business meetings, family gatherings, weddings, funerals, fundraisers, religious events, concerts, community theater, children’s theater camp, school events, free summer movies, and more. Many of the community outreach events are offered to the community at a reduced rate so cost is not a barrier to attendance.  
       “We are proud to offer free programming for the community, like family movies in the summer and over winter break, a children’s theater camp in June and other educational programs throughout the year,” said Laura Manatt, General Manager of the Brooklyn Opera House. “As you can tell, we are a very diverse venue and proud to be a vibrant attraction in our community. Our concerts alone have brought people from Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, and Illinois to the Brooklyn community.”  
      The venue provides a local economic impact with 18 part-time employees managing the operations at the opera house and adjoining Michael J. Manatt Community Center, along with increased local sales tax revenue for the community.   
     To support more community events and help keep costs low for community members, donations are always welcomed. The opera house is able to accept both in-person, over the phone at 641-522-2424 and oiling donations at www.brooklynoperahouse.com.