Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce

Join us for the Up North Community Expo 2025 with exhibitors from 7 counties! Get your application in before Dec 31st to get the best pricing and check out our current list of exhibitors who took advantage of the discount!

Join us on Wednesday, November 20th for Business After 5! The Chamber's Business After Five events are a way for professionals to learn about upcoming Chamber events & programs and provide time for networking in an informal, social atmosphere. November Business After 5 is being hosted by The Pines Event Center and Briar House at The Pines, 5840 Forest Lane. We hope to see you there!

We'd like to congratulate Rachel Boehlen for 5 years as a Chamber team member! Thank you for your dedicated service, creativity and commitment to success. <3

We'd like to extend a big thank you to Chuck Williams from Williams Studio 2. Chuck recently cleaned and repaired our beloved Hodag statue. Thanks to his care and craftsmanship, our Hodag is refreshed and looking great.

Searching for ways to grow your existing business? Looking for ways to hit the ground running with your new business? This Business Education class is for you! Learn a variety of strategies to gain exposure and increase profits from SCORE expert, Ray Burgan. SCORE serves businesses through mentoring and education and are a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Join us on Thursday, November 21st from 9a-11a at the Rhinelander Chamber. No previous classes are required to take this class. Thanks to our sponsor SCORE, this class is completely free for chamber members ($15 for non-members). Attendees must pre-register by emailing [email protected] with name, cell phone number, and business name. This class is only available in person at the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce at 450 W. Kemp St., Rhinelander, WI. Limited seating is available.

*Tourism Grant Funding Available for Non-Profit Groups and Organizations* The Rhinelander Tourism and Marketing Committee (RTMC) in collaboration with the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the 2025 Room Tax Community Grant. Unlike previous years, this grant will operate with a single cycle, providing a streamlined opportunity for funding. If you have a tourism-based event or project planned for 2025, you are encouraged to apply. Learn more at - https://lnkd.in/gQXqrZdb

The Chamber's Business After 5 events are a way for professionals to connect with Rhinelander Area businesses, learn about an organization's purpose, and provide time for networking in an informal, social atmosphere. The October Business After 5 is Wednesday, October 16th and will be hosted by Catalyst Wine and Downtown Rhinelander Inc at Catalyst, 51 S. Brown St.

**Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce Marks 100 Years with Office Renovations and Hodag Statue Cleaning and Repair** As the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce (RACC) marks its 100th Anniversary in 2024, they are excited to announce renovations to the Chamber Office/Visitor Center plus some cleaning and repair work of the beloved Hodag statue. The projects are slated to take place this fall and reflect the Chamber’s commitment to honoring its past while preparing for the future. During RACC’s 100th anniversary year, the Chamber Office/Visitor Center is undergoing renovations to enhance their workspace and improve functionality. The updated office layout will provide a more efficient and collaborative environment for their growing staff. In addition, they are replacing the building's windows and doors to improve energy efficiency and create a more welcoming experience for visitors. “During this time, the Chamber/Visitor Center will remain open as much as possible to continue to serve guests,” stated Lauren Sackett, Chamber CEO. “There may be some minor disruptions and may be limited access to certain areas, but the Chamber staff will be onsite as much as possible to assist our visitors and members.” The Hodag, a symbol of community spirit and identity for over a century, embodies the unique character of our town. The Hodag statue, prominently displayed at the RACC office, was first designed in the 1990s by local artist Tracy Goberville. It now serves as a favorite photo op spot and a beacon for visitors and locals alike. The Hodag statue will have cleaning and repair work done by Chuck Williams, a skilled local sculpture artist who has experience working for Disney. Mr. Williams repaired the Hodag statue in 2016 after claws had been damaged. With a deep respect for the statue’s history and significance, Mr. Williams is carefully cleaning and repairing the statue, ensuring its vibrancy and durability for the future. The building and statue projects have been funded by the generous contributions of the community through the RACC Anniversary Investor Campaign with support from the Rhinelander Tourism & Marketing Committee. RACC is grateful to all who contributed to these efforts and look forward to unveiling the results later this year. If you would like to support these efforts, you can donate to the RACC Anniversary Investor Campaign by visiting https://lnkd.in/gQycKaZi

Every Tuesday we publish Hodag Happenings, an e-newsletter that shares Chamber news, business news and updates, area events and more! Sign up here to get Hodag Happenings in your inbox! https://lnkd.in/gWCZp_qn

Rhinelander Chamber CEO, Lauren Sackett, recently chatted with the Round Trip with Colleen Kelly podcast. You can hear the Rhinelander Segment from 11:38 - 21:15 at this link! https://lnkd.in/gxGiJY73