By Katherine Herer

With an average of two events a week, the chamber can keep you busy. But we’re not just scheduling events for the sake of it. Quantity plus quality is the name of our game – and with over 900 diverse member businesses and an expanding regional footprint, the pressure is on to offer programming that is convenient, pertinent and valuable for a multitude of audiences. I think our fall calendar delivers. It’s chock-full of opportunities to grow your business, build your skill set – and have fun! 

Here are some highlights: 

Signature networking series: We won’t go a single month without a coffee connect, women in networking lunch, young professionals meetup and a business after hours. These four social networking series are the bread and butter of chamber programming, and are hands-down our most popular offerings, consistently drawing between 50 and 100 attendees looking to make new connections and build their professional networks. (Now might be the time to place that order to restock your business cards.)

Our autumn networking season kicks off Thurs. Sept. 6 with a business after hours at the spectacular lounge at the luxury Showcase SuperLux in Chestnut Hill. Then, young professionals will gather the following Wed. (Sept. 12) for a networking happy hour at the brand-new after-work hot spot, District 118 on Needham St.

Free for members and nonmembers, our fall coffee connects, presented by Century Bank, offer convenient before-work networking opportunities in varied locales. Join us at The Paint Bar on Washington St. in Newtonville (Sept. 27) and/or in the N-Squared District at the newly renovated common space of The Bulfinch Companies’ 117 Kendrick Street building in Needham (Oct. 23). And, you’ll want to register early for our Women in Networking luncheons presented by The Village Bank (we sell out almost every one). Enjoy a $20 all-inclusive meal with fellow members at The Capital Grille (Sept. 25) in Chestnut Hill and Olivia’s Bistro in Nonantum (Oct. 10).

Educational programs: Carefully curated seminars and workshops dive deep into topics that help business owners and managers navigate important issues or build their professional tool kits. Look for small business seminars the third Friday of every month, presented by Wellesley Bank and William James College, and most often led by chamber member thought leaders. This fall we’re covering how to support employees dealing with issues of domestic violence (Sept. 21) and how to prepare for and manage unexpected crisis with communications expert David Ball (Oct. 19).

Additionally, the New England Business Association will help small business owners navigate new options available through the Health Connector at a morning program Oct. 2. And, mark your calendar for Nov. 28; our annual economic outlook breakfast with the Fed’s Dr. Mary Burke is a must for real estate and financial professionals. 

Work…and play: Block parties, barbeque and bowling – at some of the region’s coolest new gathering places...what better way to let loose after work? Our second annual N-Squared Block Party will feature Blue Ribbon Barbeque, live bands, lawn games (and a surprise or two) on the lawn outside TripAdvisor Sept. 13. And, our young professionals group is heading to Boston Landing, a stone’s throw from the sleek New Balance HQ, for candlepin bowling, wood-fired pizza (and craft beer) at the new Flatbread Pizza Company in Brighton (Oct. 10).  

Mark and underline your calendar for our signature Fall Business Breakfast presented by Needham Bank on Tues. Nov. 13. The annual event fills the ballroom at the Newton Marriott with more than 500 of the region’s top business and civic leaders. It’s the capstone to our marquee programming for the year, and will feature a dynamic, high-profile keynote speaker, honor a community business leader who has gone above-and-beyond and recognize two student entrepreneurs in an awards presentation sponsored by The Bulfinch Group.

A full event calendar with detailed information is available by clicking here. Keep tabs on our website and watch for our email blasts for the most up-to-date upcoming events and to register. And, please feel free to call or email me to chat about chamber programming. I’m always happy to answer questions, or to field new ideas for venues or workshops.

Katherine Herer is the chamber’s operations director. She can be reached at 617-916-9064 or by emailing kherer@nnchamber.com.