Chamber Programs & Events
Chamber Programs
Businesses complete an application, which is submitted to a committee. A weighted-matrix identifying what you are involved in, have you improved the look of your business and what impact you have had on the community, is used for selection. The business selected receives a plaque and Business of the Month Banner at a ceremony. All monthly award winners then have a chance to win Small Business of the Year. This is announced at the Annual Banquet.
Bay Blazers
The Bay Blazers Membership Team is made up of 15-20 members who attend ribbon cuttings, ground-breakings, meet monthly, bring in new members and host Business After Hours and Business Expo. They wear white shirts labeled with Bay Blazers across the back and the Chamber logo embroidered across the front. To become a Bay Blazer, go to "Get Involved" on this website and click "Bay Blazers."
Charmers
A volunteer greeter program of the Visitor Center. Mostly retired individuals who love to assist our visitors. Volunteers help answer phones, stuff goodie bags and assist the staff. They have a lot of fun at their monthly half-day tour, training, and luncheon.
Economic Development Council
The Economic Development Council (EDC) is an advisory board made up of elected officials, past chairmen of the board of the Chamber and key individuals in the community. They meet monthly on the first Monday to review new businesses, existing business expansions, job creation, vacant buildings, etc.
Leadership Aransas County Class - More Info
A leadership and community orientation program for business and organization leaders, formed in 1995. Providing a continuing source of business leaders by ensuring Leadership Aransas County participants receive the necessary community information/orientation and leadership skills. Click for brochure and application.
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Leadership Aransas County Alumni Association
A program for all the graduates of the Leadership Aransas County Program. The group conducts social and special activities throughout the year. -
Leadership Aransas County Alumni Candidates Panel & Issues Forum
On Monday or Tuesday of the first day of Early Voting, the LAC Alumni host a session to highlight those candidates running for the upcoming election. Election information is given. Issues and topics are presented. Watch your calendars. - Leadership Aransas County Alumni Candidates & Issues School A program offering skills training and knowledge in oral and written communication, public speaking, presence, the issues, and the process of running for office. Any person having an interest in the objectives of running for office or just learning the issues of the community. The school will be held on Friday, January 25, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The location is The Inn at Fulton Harbor. brochure
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Youth Leadership Aransas County (YLAC) - More Info
A leadership and community orientation program for middle school student leaders. It provides a connection to our schools by ensuring our youth receive the necessary community information/orientation and leadership skills. For program BROCHURE, for program APPLICATION or for more INFORMATION. Like us on FACEBOOK. Returning participant click HERE for job description. YLAC MENTOR APPLICATION.
A business specialist representative will be available to assist your business.
This is a program created to assist businesses during the recovery process after Hurricane Harvey. It was developed as a result of community input that included workshops and a Business Assessment Survey. Watch for Toolkit Talks on Thursdays.
Annual Reoccurring Events
This event celebrates the success of the Chamber and its volunteer leadership and contributions. The following annual awards are given: Bay Blazer of the Year, Business Builder of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Chamber Member of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Non-Profit Organization of the Year. There is a featured speaker, silent auction and raffle. The banquet will be held in June of 2019.
This event gives members an opportunity to travel to Austin and schedule sessions with Texas Senators and Representatives to discuss the Chamber’s legislative agenda. We also incorporate a student representative from each school into the event. The students are honorary pages for the House and Senate Chambers for the day. A committee puts this event together every other year.
Business Expo
Opportunity for business members and non-members to showcase their business in a fun setting at The Rockport Festival Grounds. This event is held the last Thursday in April. For more information on being a vendor or to serve on the Committee, call 361-729-6445.
Business Breakfasts
The Small Business Council “Business Builders” develop morning breakfasts filled with networking and great speakers with topics based on the needs of the members. They are held at various locations. Meeting people and learning is a high priority. To serve on the Business Builders, contact the Chamber today.
Business After Hours
Held the last Thursday of every month. This mixer is where businesses and non-profit organizations enjoy networking, food, and fun. There is a casual speaker with a “Hot Topic” that pertains to something current and happening in the community. These events are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. As you walk up, there will be a chance for you to put your business card in a drawing for a chance to win prizes. They are held from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. the last Thursday of the month.
Candidate & Issues Forums
This is an event, coordinated by the Leadership Aransas County Alumni Program, allowing members to meet and hear a fair and balanced forum of candidates running for political office as well as participate in impact issues of direct interest to our community. They are usually held in the evening prior to a particular election. Watch for dates and times.
Join your fellow Chamber members for the quarterly business luncheons. Each has an action-packed agenda of “hot topics” and happenings. Spotlights of the community are featured. Everything is focused on informing our businesses and organizations on current activities and events.
September 19-22. This is an event created to increase the awareness of birding in the Rockport-Fulton area. The event is run by a committee of the Chamber. It involves coordinating a Hummer Home Tour Program, bus, boat and field trips to birding sites, a full program to educate the public on birding and an expo hall for local and out of town vendors. This event puts “heads in beds” during an ordinarily slow-period therefore impacting the economy for our businesses.
June 1st, 2019 More and more people are spending time on the water in kayaks and fishing is still a favorite past time so no wonder Kayak Fishing is at an all-time high. A kayak can slip into any size pond and the fish won't even know you're there! Kayak Fishing is an exciting, inexpensive, simple, and healthy sport where you set your own pace and catch great fish.
The second weekend in October. This event is a festival the Chamber took over in the year 2000. It is run by a committee of the Chamber and is held during an economically slow-period. It also provides an opportunity for many businesses and organizations to generate funds by being a vendor. (i.e. boat show, food booths, political party vendors, raffles, kayak demos, cooking demonstrations, bands, sponsorships, etc.)
An opportunity for members to travel to Washington, DC and schedule sessions with US Senators and Representatives as well as staffs to discuss the Chamber’s legislative agenda.
Join in with other members of the community on a narrated bus tour of progress and productivity of the Rockport-Fulton area in January of every year. The Business Builders will be your hosts! It's fun and educational at the same time.