Chamber Bucks:
This program is to help stimulate business for Chamber Members and to help keep spending local. They are
checks available in $10, $20, $25 and $50 dollar increments and can only be spent at Chamber Member
businesses. We include a list of Chamber Businesses with each purchase. This is a dollar for dollar program
that we offer as a benefit to our members, there is not cost to you or the purchaser. You cash/deposit them like
a regular check.
Ribbon Cutting:
We offer a ribbon cutting ceremony for any new or existing business that joins the Chamber or for current
members that are have moved or remodeled.
Chamber BASH (Business Associates Social Hour):
This is an event that is usually held from 4:30/5p-6:30/7p on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday at a Chamber
Member’s business. We encourage you to host one if you have expanded your services, relocated, have an
anniversary, or you just simply want to show off your business. This gives you a chance to showcase your
business and goods/services you offer. The host business typically serves refreshments as well.
*Nibbles & Knowledge:
These are typically held in the months of February, March, April, May, August, September and October with
August’s being held as a welcome to new teachers in our area. We like to have a speaker at these events, if there
is ever a topic or speaker you are interested in, please let us know! The location varies from current Chamber
Members and there is a small cost to attend.
*Gala/Annual Meeting:
This event is typically held in the evening at a Member venue the end of January or beginning of February and
is a celebration with our Members of our prior years successes. Dinner is served by a catering member, we
recap the year prior, present awards to members and have some sort of entertainment at the end of the night, in
2022 we hosted improv comedians.
Awards we present:
Executive Directors Award – given to a member that contributes to the overall business success of the
community and Chamber
President’s Award – given to a civic leader who has contributed to the community and has strongly supported
the Chambers mission
Entrepreneur’s Award – given to a member who has proven to have a strong work ethic and is willing to take risk
where others may not
Above and Beyond/Volunteer of the Year Award – given to a member who has given their time and energy to
assist the Chamber in making our community a better place to live, work, and play
Future Focus Award – given in partnership with Friends of Jackson County Conservation and given to a member
that has invested in operating more sustainably (energy efficiency, local product sourcing, pollution control,
waste minimization, historical preservation, sustainable products and services, renewable energy)
*Great Maquoketa Scavenger Hunt:
This is a Member sponsored community event that combines brain power and team work. It is held on a Saturday
in April or May and entails participants getting clues that direct them to sponsoring businesses. As they find the
participating businesses, they take photos/selfies that include the business and post to social media tagging the
business and Chamber and move on to the next clue. Once all clues have been solved they email all photos to
the Chamber and are put into a drawing for prizes.
Sponsorships available: Treasurer $150 and Discoverer $100
*Chamber Challenge:
This is a Member sponsored event that gets teams of 4 together to compete in homecoming olympic type
challenges/games. In 2022 the games consisted of: Canoe Race, This Blows, Saltine Cracker Race, Oven Mitt
Free-Throw, 50-yard Scream, Caterpillar Race, Board Walk, Flippy Cup, Clothes Relay, and Human Ring Toss.
Sponsorships available: Game/challenge sponsor $150
*Golf Outing:
This is our biggest Member sponsored fundraiser of the year and it is typically held the first Tuesday in August.
Four person best shot with a shot gun start at 1pm and is held at the Maquoketa Country Club. Along with 9
holes of golf with mini games throughout, we also have a 50/50 raffle, live auction, and dinner catered by a
member.
Sponsorships available: Ball – $1500, Master – $1000, Eagle – $500, Birdie – $250, Par – $100
*It’s A Wonderful Life in Maquoketa:
This is a community event to celebrate the holidays and Small Business Season sponsored by our Members.
We encourage the community to shop, dine, and enjoy everything local with a Loyal to Local Holiday Passport –
You earn stamps at participating businesses, once filled you turn the passport into the Chamber to be entered
into a drawing for Chamber Bucks. Passports run Nov 1st – Dec 31st. The event we host has kids’ activities and
Santa. We end the event with lighting the community Christmas tree in the downtown greenspace.
Sponsorships available: Community Tree/Light Sponsor – $500, Santa/Mrs. Claus Sponsor: $150, Activity
Sponsor: $75
*Leadership Maquoketa:
The Community Leadership Program will be sponsored by members and is being designed to foster the growth
of leaders in the Maquoketa area. It will help prepare participants to be effective leaders and stewards for our
community’s future and also supports the Chambers mission to support and strengthen member success, which
enhances the quality of life, economic well-being and opportunities in the community. The five-month program
curriculum will offer a view of Maquoketa from different vantage points, heighten participant awareness of
current community conditions and issues, enhances individual and group leadership skills, helps participants
see themselves as partners for change, and provides them with tools focused on developing themselves. There
will be an application process that starts in the Spring and we will be including one high school and one college
student. With a graduation ceremony held at our annual gala
Sponsorships available: Program – $2000, Session – $500
Maquoketa Area Chamber of Commerce – 124 S Main St, Maquoketa – 563.652.4602 – info@maquoketachamber.com
*These events/programs have a planning committee made up of Chamber members,
if you are interested in joining any of the committee’s please contact us!