Committees
Agri-Business Committee
The Agri-Business Committee actively promotes the understanding and appreciation of the business of agriculture as well as the value and economic impact of agricultural in our community. This committee meets the 3rd Thursday morning of every month at 7:00 a.m., at Good Samaritan Village-The Diner. This Committee also promotes many great events and activities such as:
- Ag Appreciation BBQ with announcement of the years AGGIE Award winner
- 4-H Auction
- College Scholarships
- 4-H Scholarships
Please contact Nichole Rundle at 402-461-8400 or for more information on this committee.
To apply for the most current scholarship please click on link below and return to the Chamber.
Annual Meeting Committee
This committee meets August - February to organize and direct the events of the Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet.
Ambassadors Council
Ambassadors actively recruit businesses and organizations looking to be a part of the Chamber. This group is made up of successful business people taking advantage of the Chamber's local network.
Finance Council
Operates as a sub-committee of the Executive Council to monitor the financial operations of the chamber and to recommend responsible financial policy to the Board of Directors.
Please contact Michelle Lewis at 402-461-8400 or for more information on this committee.
Governmental Affairs
Works to provide an effective business voice at the local, state and national levels of government as well as creating good will between government and the business community. This council makes public policy recommendations to the Board of Directors.
This committee also hosts a yearly Legislative Forum. This includes a social hour, dinner and program. To reserve a seat please call the Chamber at 402-461-8400.
Whoopers & Hoopers
Our annual Whoopers & Hoopers tournament is always held the third full weekend in March. Whoopers and Hoopers is one of the Midwest's largest adult 5 on 5 basketball tournament. There are 8 divisions with 5 for men and 3 for women, the Elite divisions play for a cash prize. Over 140 teams from all over the country participating in this annual event.
Business, Industry & Education Partnership
BIE is a subcommittee of the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce. This committee meets the 4th Tuesday of every month at 12 noon. Our goal is to work collaboratively with businesses, industries, and educational institutions to support and enhance our community. The BIE Partnership promotes quality education, and our long-term goal in offering these grants is to encourage students to stay in or return to the Hastings area for their career upon graduation from high school and college. Some of the events and activities this committee promotes are:
- New Educators Dinner- hosted in mid-September
- Student Discount Cards
- Educational Grant Funds
The Business, Industry, and Education Partnership (BIE) offers grants to area schools to help fund non-budgeted items such as career fairs and equipment that will impact the relationship between business, industry, and education in our community, and we would like to share it with you. You can apply now for a 2017/18 grant to fund projects to be completed between January and December. Funding could go to one project, or it may be split among numerous projects. Applications will be judged upon educational value and how well the project blends business, industry, and education; the application evaluation criteria is included. If awarded, the committee requests the project be completed by December 31, 2017 and a written summary submitted within one month of completion of the project.
Please click on the link below to print and return to the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce for submission.
Business Industry and Education Grant Application
2017 BIE Recently Funded Projects
Please contact Nichole Rundle at 402-461-8400 or for more information on this committee.
Diplomats Council
Serving as the official link between the chamber and its members, to recognize area business and community achievements and to provide community hosts. Limited to 25 members, elected by the Diplomat membership.
Retail Development
The purpose of the Retail Development Committee is to grow the number of retailers in the Hastings community, as well as, retain our current retailers. To help with this effort, the Committee recently employed the services of Dr. Corey Stutte of Strategic Pioneer to conduct a retail study to help us identify the community's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Dr. Stutte broke information down into several presentations geared toward specific market segments.
Please contact Michelle Lewis at 402-461-8400 or for more information on this committee.
Wellforce
Provides resources for business and industry to develop and implement worksite health promotion programs. This committee meets on the first Friday of every month.
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Walk Out On Work- Each year, Wellforce hosts Walk Out On Work as a way for employers to encourage healthy living in the workplace.
If you would like more information or have questions, please contact Becky Sullivan at 402.460.5852 or bsullivan@marylanning.org.
Crime Prevention Task Force
Establishes a liaison between law enforcement groups and the business community to help prevent unlawful practices in the community.
