Programs and Events

These programs and events are great ways to get involved with the Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce (CLCC) and the many businesses and professionals of which the CLCC is comprised. As a member, you can choose to sponsor programs and events as a commitment to your community, or you can simply choose to attend some of these events. Whichever you decide, being a part of the community and getting involved in some way is beneficial in connecting the community, which can only make it grow and prosper.
Click here to view the sponsorship menu and pricing. 

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS (BAH)

Business After Hours is a local—and now regional—networking event held the second Thursday of the month from 5-7 p.m. This sponsorship presents businesses an opportunity to showcase their business to Chamber members and promotes networking in Lowndes County. The event presents an excellent opportunity to entertain your fellow Chamber members and exchange ideas and business cards. This event is open to any Chamber member who wishes to participate. 

BUSINESS OVER BREAKFAST (BOB)

Similar to BAH, Business Over Breakfast is a local networking event held monthly at 7:30 a.m. This sponsorship presents businesses an opportunity to showcase their business to Chamber members and promotes networking in Lowndes County whilst enjoying a light breakfast. This event is open to any Chamber member who wishes to participate. 

SOUNDS OF SUMMER

Sounds of Summer is an outdoor concert series the Chamber co-hosts with Main Street Columbus. Every other Thursday in June and July, this free concert brings quality entertainment to the Columbus Riverwalk and is open to the public. The Columbus Riverwalk is the perfect place to bring your lawn chair and listen to music performed by local musicians, visit with friends and neighbors, and enjoy food and beverages while overlooking the river.  

LUNCHEONS

Annual Luncheon: The leadership and the membership of the Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce gather to celebrate accomplishments and provide a roadmap for the upcoming goals. This event recognizes sponsors and volunteers who donate to the continued improvement of Lowndes County. This event is open to Chamber members.  Held in December.

Economic Development Update Luncheon: GTR LINK CEO, Joe Max Higgins, will be addressing Chamber Members and providing an update on economic development.

Legislative Luncheon: All six representatives of Lowndes County address the Chamber Membership with a review of the year’s session as well as a question and answer period form the audience. Typically held in May.

Mississippi Economic Council: Our State Chamber of Commerce presents to our local membership updates from the state level. Typically held in the Winter.

SEMINARS

The Chamber currently produces professional development seminars focused on providing valuable information to its members. Events are sponsored by various agencies and the Chamber works hard to bring in the very best in presentations for its members. Previous topics have included Small Businesses, Financial Security, Online and Electronic Marketing, Bitcoin, Women In Business, Personal Brand, and many more. This event is open to Chamber members. 

EDUCATORS ARE ESSENTIAL

The CLCC, MUW, Education Committee, and community sponsors team up to recognize and thank every k-12 educator in Lowndes County. Attendees are welcomed by Education Committee and community members and are treated to a guest speaker that will motivate the teachers at the start of their new school year. Our goal is to truly make the educators see how thankful the community is for their hard work and dedication to the children in our community. 

EDUCATION AWARD PROGRAM

The Chamber’s Education Committee recognizes the best and brightest students and educators in Lowndes County at its annual Education Awards Program in the spring of each year. Corporate scholarships, Outstanding Senior awards, Highest Grade Point Average awards, and Teachers of the Year are presented.

Students apply for scholarships by filling out a detailed application that highlights their educational achievements, community service, and financial needs. They are also required to submit two letters of recommendation and an essay describing the importance of continuing their education after high school. Top teachers from each school level—elementary, middle, and high school—are also chosen to submit an application in order for the overall Teacher of the Year from each level to be awarded. Their application includes two letters of recommendation, resume, and an essay on their philosophy of teaching. The post-secondary community college and post-secondary college Teacher of the Year awards are selected by facility at East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) and MUW. All applications are then reviewed and the recipients are selected and an award’s luncheon is held to recognize these students and teachers.

COLUMBUS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS (CYP)

The Columbus Young Professionals is a group of individuals, typically ages 21 to 40 years old, who work for businesses within Lowndes County. They balance networking and business alongside of their commitment to civic duty to their community. The mission of the Columbus Young Professionals is to engage young leaders in serving the Columbus community, expand their professional network, and empower them through professional development. They host a quarterly Professional Development Series and Social for networking opportunities and to discuss upcoming events and volunteer opportunities for the group.

BECOMING A MEMBER: $75
CYP is open to the public. Your company does not have to be a Chamber member in order for you to become a CYP member. Once you send in your membership application and dues, you will begin to get involved and aid in the planning of CYP’s social events and volunteer opportunities within the community.

Registration Form

PILOT FOR A DAY

This program designates seriously ill children from the Golden Triangle area as Pilots for a Day at Columbus Air Force Base. Children receive custom-tailored flight suits, a tour of the base, and an airplane and aircraft simulator ride. Children and their families are treated to lunch on base and a personalized, once-in-a-lifetime experience at our local military base. Community sponsors make all this possible with generous sponsorships for each Pilot for a Day. The Military Affairs Committee organizes this event. 

PILOT PARTNER WELCOME (PPW)

Approximately every three weeks, the MAC, along with community partners, welcomes a new class of pilots to the community with an evening event. Pilots are partnered with local businesses and provide support and resources throughout their year at CAFB. The Military Affairs Committee organizes and attends these events.

LOWNDES YOUNG LEADERS (LYL)

The Mission of Lowndes Young Leaders is to identify future leaders of Columbus and Lowndes County and provide personal, cultural, social, and leadership development that will enhance their ability to serve as effective leaders. This is a ten-month leadership program for high school sophomores that is designed to develop an energetic and diverse group of informed and qualified young leaders who will become our business and community leaders of tomorrow. The program currently allows students to explore varying aspects of business and economic development, law and criminal justice, health care, quality of life, and government. Activities are designed to develop skills in teamwork and collaboration, problem-solving, communication, organization and planning, ethics, networking, personal development, and leadership skills. Participants gain an increased awareness of how leadership affects all aspects of life. In order for a participant to be selected for Lowndes Young Leaders, students must put in their application and write an essay explaining a problem within their community and an innovative way to solve it. They must also have two letters of recommendation sent in. From there, 40 students are selected to come for an interview. Once the interview is completed, 20 students are selected for the program. The group is sponsored by the CLCC, Columbus Rotary, and the MUW Office of Outreach & Innovation. Click here to see the Lowndes Young Leaders Facebook Page or CLCC Website Page.

Golden Triangle Leadership (GTL)

The Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, Greater Starkville Development Partnership, and the West Point Growth Alliance have partnered together to form the Golden Triangle Leaders (GTL). This is an adult leadership program designed to bring the leaders of the Golden Triangle together in order to strengthen the bond and development between all three regions. GTL will enhance the leadership potential of emerging and experienced leaders through eight sessions from October until May ending with a graduation in June. Each session is designed to offer a comprehensive, interactive experience for the participants and for them to learn about pertinent issues within our region, have networking opportunities with business leaders, and gain further knowledge about our community. Sessions may cover team building, community development, economic development, industry, education, government, media, and leadership training; however, sessions will be tailored to the needs of the group. The GTL’s will also be required to attend two LINK forums and two Regional Business After Hours. Cost of the program is $500. Click here to check out the GTL Facebook Page.

For more information on our Golden Triangle Leadership program visit our website here.