Put your Chamber membership to work for you — participate in any of our special events listed here. Utilize professional development opportunities, be seen at networking events, get involved and volunteer. When you’re a member of the Chamber, you belong.
to go to the free community events calendar to view or post events.
Following is description of Chamber annual events. Call (605) 336-1620 and ask for the appropriate staff contact(s) to find out more information.
Ag Appreciation Day  
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Each year the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with dozens of area businesses, sponsors Ag Appreciation Day in conjunction with the Sioux Empire Fair in August. Approximately 5,000 area farmers take part in a free meal sponsored by the Chamber and served by its member volunteers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hundreds of Chamber member volunteers help support the activities of the Agri-Business Division throughout the year.
Contact Cindy Christensen for more information. |
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| Annual Meeting
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 The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting offers a unique opportunity for our members to celebrate the business accomplishments from the past year and preview the Chamber’s vision for the upcoming year. The Annual Meeting, typically held in October, is the Chamber’s official business meeting to conclude the fiscal year and kick off the next Chamber year.
Contact Amy Smolik for more information. |
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| Business Sense Workshops
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Sponsored by the Chamber’s Small Business Council, Business Sense Workshops provide practical information to benefit your business or organization. Workshops are held each Tuesday in January-March. They are “brown bag” (bring your own lunch) and last for one hour. Topics have ranged from human resources issues, dress code, advertising tips for small business, and credit and collections.
Contact Kate Foley for more information. |
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| Candidate Forums
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The Chamber co-sponsors candidate forums prior to local Sioux Falls School Board and Sioux Falls City Council elections. These events are open to the public and offer an opportunity for citizens to gain a better understanding of the issues and the candidates before casting their votes.
Contact Sara Weber for more information. |
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| Chamber Café
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Chamber Café is a series of one-hour programs on a variety of topics presented by Chamber members and their employees in their areas of expertise. All Chamber Café sessions are held at the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce from April-September on the last or fourth Wednesday of each month.
Contact Kate Foley for more information. |
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| Committees
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| Click here to go to the Committee Information page, where you can find details about committee activities and meeting times. |
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| Good Morning Sioux Falls
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 This informative event is held twice each year, once in January as a preview to the South Dakota Legislative session, and again in the spring to talk about topical issues like summer road construction projects, recent elections and other business issues. Sponsored by the Diplomat Committee, Good Morning Sioux Falls is also a great way to network with other Chamber members over breakfast.
Contact Pat Lund for more information. |
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| Inside Washington
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 The Chamber invites each member of South Dakota’s congressional delegation to join Chamber members for a luncheon meeting to discuss issues of importance and answer questions from Chamber members in attendance. The event provides the chance for a valuable exchange of ideas and information between members of Congress and the Sioux Falls area business community. The Chamber’s Issues Management Council sponsors the Inside Washington series.
Contact Sara Weber for more information. |
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| Leadership Sioux Falls
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 Since 1986, the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has promoted and fostered the development of leadership in the greater Sioux Falls community. Leadership Sioux Falls is a program designed to meet the community’s need for active participation of informed and dedicated community leaders. Leadership Sioux Falls uses the community as its classroom as sessions are held at various locations in the community. The program is open to all people who live or work in the Sioux Falls metro area. Individuals from all segments of the community are encouraged to apply. Applications are generally due at the end of August each year. The program runs from October-May. Click here for more information about Leadership Sioux Falls.
Contact Kate Foley for more information. |
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| Legislative Coffees
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 During the legislative session, members of the South Dakota State Legislature from the Sioux Falls area (Districts 9, 11-15) return home to report to their constituents about the major issues of the current session. Several coffees are held on Saturdays during the legislative session and legislators answer questions posed by constituents in a moderated format. The public is invited to attend these events.
Contact Amy Smolik for more information. |
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| Military & Veterans Affairs Events
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 The Chamber’s Military/Veterans Affairs Committee works with a variety of organizations to promote veterans activities throughout the year. The Military/Veterans Affairs Committee sponsors the following events/activities:
VETERANS DAY
Each Nov. 11, the Chamber’s Military/Veterans Affairs Committee helps plan and sponsor Veterans Day activities. As part of the Chamber’s program, four area veterans are recognized for outstanding achievement to their organization, community and country.
ARMED FORCES DAY
Armed Forces Day ceremonies, held annually in May, recognize men and women who have served or are currently serving in the military. This event presents four Outstanding Achievement Awards to reservists and guard members for outstanding military performance and commitment to their country and community; it also hosts the Stars and Stripes Awards to an area family and business organization for showing outstanding support by displaying the American flag year-round.
Contact Amy M. Farr for more information or visit the Military & Veterans Affairs page. |
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| Operation Thank You
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 Each fall more than 300 volunteers hand-deliver to members in the Sioux Falls area copies of the Chamber’s Annual Report, Membership Directory and Sioux Falls Community Guide. Also included in this packet is a survey for members to rank the services they appreciate from the Chamber and to provide suggestions for ways to enhance Chamber membership. The event is called Operation Thank You because it’s one way the Chamber can personally thank members for their investment in the Sioux Falls area. The event is organized by the Diplomat Committee.
Contact Pat Lund for more information. |
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| Ribbon Cuttings
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 The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce holds ribbon cuttings for members to celebrate joining the Chamber, anniversaries, grand openings, expansions or remodelings. These events are organized free of charge for Chamber members and are held Monday though Friday at 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Photos are printed in each issue of Chamber News and can be found online by clicking here.
Contact Amy M. Farr for more information. |
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| Sioux Empire Farm Show
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 The Sioux Empire Farm Show has been sponsored by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce since 1956. This event brings approximately 30,000 people to Sioux Falls for several days of market and purebred livestock shows and sales. Several hundred volunteers make sure everything runs smoothly.
Contact Cindy Christensen for more information or visit www.siouxempirefarmshow.org. |
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| Sioux Falls Day at the Legislature
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 This one-day event takes place in Pierre during the legislative session. Chamber members can meet and visit with state legislators and show community support for Sioux Falls area issues being discussed in Pierre. Members leave Sioux Falls in the morning on buses, attend a luncheon in Pierre featuring top government officials or legislative leaders, watch session in action, host an afternoon social, take a photo on the Capitol steps and return to Sioux Falls. This event is co-sponsored by more than 50 Chamber members.
Contact Sara Weber for more information. |
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| St. Patrick’s Day Parade
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 In 1980, the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held in downtown Sioux Falls. Sponsored by the St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza Committee, with help from Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, the annual parade was designed to be a people’s parade — meaning anyone can participate as long as they’re wearing a button. The “official” St. Patrick’s Day Parade buttons cost $3 each. All proceeds are donated to the Special Olympics and other worthwhile children’s charities in the Sioux Falls area. St. Patrick’s Day activities are always held the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day and officially kick off with the annual Painting of the Shamrock that takes place at the center of the city, 9th Street and Phillips Avenue.
Contact Wendy Neuharth for more information or click here (PDF 909KB) to download the 2013 information packet.
Click here to visit the Sioux Falls Irish Club's website. |
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| Young Professionals Network
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 The Chamber’s Young Professionals Network exists to create business opportunities, support civic involvement and promote an overall investment in the future of the community. It is designed to provide opportunities for young professionals to develop the skills they need to succeed in their chosen profession or occupation and to engage and introduce young professionals to the region’s resources and possibilities.
Contact Lesa Jarding for more information or visit www.siouxfallsypn.com. |
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