The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Business Recognition Breakfast returns on Friday, February 20, at Grand Upton Hall in the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College.
Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Honor Credit Union, and The Batalis Agency-Farm Bureau Insurance, this year’s event highlights the collaboration reshaping Southwest Michigan’s business and economic landscape. More than 600 business leaders have attended in each of the past two years and attendance continues to grow, making this one of the region’s most anticipated business gatherings.
Stronger Together
Chamber President and CEO Arthur Havlicek will deliver a keynote address focused on how Southwest Michigan is aligning in new and meaningful ways to strengthen our regional business ecosystem.
Central to his remarks will be the historic partnership between the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber and the Greater Niles Area Chamber. In 2025, the Greater Niles Area Chamber entered into a Management Agreement with the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, formally uniting north and south Berrien County for the first time in history. This milestone reflects more than organizational efficiency, it signals a shared commitment to collaboration across communities in service of a stronger regional economy.
That same spirit of collaboration is driving the expansion of Chamber Growth Alliances (CGAs). CGAs bring municipalities together under the regional chamber framework to advance coordinated economic development. Rather than competing for limited opportunities, communities are choosing to work collectively to attract investment, support business growth, and create jobs that benefit the entire region. What began with the Bridgman CGA has continued to scale, with the launch of the Central Berrien CGA in 2025 and the Southwest Berrien CGA in 2026.
These efforts represent a meaningful shift in how Southwest Michigan approaches economic development. By working together across municipal and organizational lines, the region is building a more resilient, competitive, and connected economy that prioritizes shared success over individual achievement.
In addition to the keynote, the Annual Meeting will include a recap of the Chamber’s 2025 accomplishments, a preview of priorities and initiatives for 2026, and the formal election of new members to the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
What to Expect on February 20th
The morning kicks off with doors opening at 7:00 am at Grand Upton Hall in the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College. The program begins at 7:30 am with breakfast and networking, giving attendees the chance to connect with hundreds of fellow business leaders.
Following the keynote address, the program transitions into the Business Recognition Awards ceremony. For the past several years, the Chamber has incorporated live audience voting, allowing attendees to participate directly in selecting award recipients—creating an interactive and engaging celebration of excellence.
This year, the chamber will recognize outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals across six award categories.
- The Best New Business Award:
Honors a standout company that’s between six months and two years old. - The Small Business of the Year Award:
Celebrates a local business with fewer than 50 employees that has demonstrated resilience, growth, and community commitment. - The Non-Profit of the Year Award:
Recognizes a 501(c)(3) organization making a significant impact in our community. - The Community Placemaking Award:
Honors a community that has transformed itself through innovative projects that bring people together and enhance quality of life. - The Rising Star Award:
Recognizes a professional between 21 and 40 years old who serves as a role model in their field and gives back to the community. - The Pat Moody Award:
Honors an individual or business with 10 or more years of established presence in Southwest Michigan who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and community service.
These awards showcase the collective strength of our business community and the impact we make when we commit to excellence and service.
Join Us
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Whether you are celebrating colleagues, building new connections, or drawing inspiration from regional success stories, this is an event you will not want to miss. Join us as we continue building a stronger, more connected regional business community.
Sponsored By:
