Shawano County Chamber marks 100 years with Menominee gala

The Shawano County Chamber of Commerce is planning a formal centennial celebration set for Feb. 26 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Menominee Casino Resort Convention Center, an event the organization says will honor 100 years of service to local businesses and the broader community. Chamber leaders describe the evening as a more elevated affair than recent gatherings, with live music, expanded sponsorship opportunities, and a program designed to both reflect on the past and convey a forward-looking agenda.

Executive Director Suzanne Whitman framed the night as a balance between history and vision, noting the chamber intends to highlight how it has evolved while sharing goals for continued growth, advocacy, and community engagement. Organizers are encouraging black-tie attire, with suits for men and evening gowns or cocktail dresses recommended for women.

The celebration is billed as an opportunity for community members, business leaders, and Chamber supporters to converge. For Menominee County that convergence has two practical effects: it brings a regional business event to a local venue, and it creates networking and sponsorship openings that can translate into contracts, partnerships, and visibility for area firms. Live entertainment and a formal program increase the likelihood the event will draw attendees from across the region, which can produce short-term spending at nearby restaurants, hotels, and service businesses.

Over its century of operation the Chamber has functioned as a hub for advocacy, business promotion, and community programming. A formal centennial provides a moment to quantify and reframe those functions for a modern economy where chambers increasingly serve as conveners of public-private collaboration and organizers of sponsorship-driven activities that subsidize member services. The new sponsorship opportunities announced for the centennial reflect that trend and signal a push to diversify revenue streams while amplifying member exposure.

Community members invited to attend should note the event timing and dress code. Local business leaders weighing sponsorships or table purchases can use the occasion to sharpen outreach plans and align event participation with marketing calendars for spring and summer trade or tourism seasons.

The takeaway? Treat Feb. 26 as more than a party: it’s a networking window and a public signal about the chamber’s priorities for the next 100 years. Our two cents? If your business wants to be seen in the county’s next chapter, consider attending, explore sponsorship options, and come ready to talk specifics.