The Quality Coach® is pleased to launch a new professional networking group called the HR Leadership Forum (HRLF).
 
Pre-COVID, we hosted our 5P (Positive People Practices, Plus Pie) networking events. These popular sessions provided a great opportunity to network, learn from each other, and hear from HR experts. We expect HRLF to be a next-level event drawing from a larger geographic area, attracting more special guests, and just what you need when you need it.
 
ECC staff from the Center for Workforce Development will host our first event and serve as our guest speaker sharing some amazing funding opportunities for which your organization may qualify. Local manufacturing, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations along with small businesses, have recently benefited from these new funding sources for potential, new, and, incumbent workers. These programs are more flexible than ever. Come learn if your company is eligible for these training dollars!

On October 27, the Missouri Chamber is bringing together manufacturers from across the state at the first-of-its-kind MFG Summit. This hybrid summit allows attendees to join virtually or in-person at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel. We have an agenda full of the most pressing topics in manufacturing: supply chain resiliency, building talent through apprenticeships, cybersecurity threats, smart factory technologies and post-pandemic manufacturing in Missouri. 

As a member of the Missouri Chamber Federation, we want to offer a discounted rate for the upcoming summit. We’ve created a special promotional code just for you and your members. Use MCF20 when registering to receive 20% off. 

We encourage you to share this information and special promo code with your membership to help connect our manufacturers state-wide! If you need graphics or sample text for your communication, please reach out to Ashley Schwab, Director of Conference Development at the Missouri Chamber - aschwab@mochamber.com  

As an extra incentive to spread the word, forward your MFG Summit promotional email to Ashley to receive one complimentary registration for either yourself or a member of your local chamber staff. 
Brought to you by the Missouri Chamber Manufacturing Alliance. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with top industry professionals and help grow manufacturing in your community. Click here for more information and to register!

After cancellations in previous years for weather and COVID, Pumpkin Palooza will return for 2021!  The free Halloween event will be held Saturday, October 30, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Main Street between Elm & Pine.  The Farmers’ Market will open at regular time (8:00 a.m.) and remain open for the duration of the event.  In addition to favorites like the downtown merchant candy crawl, activity booths, pumpkin roll, costume contest, ghost hunt, and giant pumpkin weigh-in, 2021 brings the return of the Baking Contests, plus BINGO and a Cake/Treat Walk.  Other entertainment includes Story Time, a performance from Babaloo, interactive Safety Town, Pony Rides, and Monkey Bus.  

More information, as well as registration forms and a complete schedule of events, can be found at www.washmochamber.org/pumpkin or on the “Pumpkin Palooza (2021)” Facebook Event.  For additional questions, please contact the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce at (636) 239-2715 or e-mail cquennoz@washmo.org.  

On-site Registration Only:
Pumpkin Roll (register by 11:45 a.m.)
Pumpkin Decorating / Ugliest Pumpkin / Ugliest Gourd  (register by 2:00 p.m.)

Pre-Registration Encouraged:
Baking Contests
Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In

No Registration Required:
Farmers’ Market Cake/Treat Walk
Ghost Hunt
BINGO
Costume Contest

​The Washington Farmers’ Market will host its annual “Craft & Gift Expo” on Saturday, November 20 at the Washington Knights of Columbus Hall.  The one-day event will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.  The expo will feature over 60 booths, including vendors from the Washington Farmers’ Market, as well as other local businesses, direct sales companies, and craft/gift sellers.  There is no admission charge for the event.  Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Interested vendors should register online at www.washmomarket.com/expo.  Questions can be directed to Amanda at the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce (636-239-2715 x106, info@washmomarket.com).  More information on the Washington Farmers’ Market and the Craft & Gift Expo can be found at www.washmomarket.com.  

Protecting yourself and those around you from influenza (flu) will be a little easier this year as Mercy hosts four drive-thru flu shot clinics. The clinics will be held across the St. Louis region over four weeks.
In addition to the convenience of allowing recipients to stay in their cars, the drive-thru clinics will allow for plenty of distancing, an important step in preventing the spread of both COVID-19 and the flu.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends Americans receive a flu vaccine every year as the most important step in protecting oneself from flu viruses. The vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of illness and hospitalization; it also lowers the risk of flu-related deaths in children.
In addition to protecting people who receive the shot themselves, the vaccine allows recipients to help protect those around them, including those most at risk: babies, young children, older people and anyone with certain chronic health conditions like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes.
Mercy will hold the drive-thru clinics on four consecutive Saturdays staring on Sept. 11. They will be provided in four different counties in the region: St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Franklin County and Jefferson County.
All flu shots will be given without appointments on a first come, first served basis. They are available to anyone seven years and older.

The Washington Farmers’ Market will officially open its 2021 season on Saturday, April 3.  Visitors can find a great selection of locally grown seasonal bedding plants and produce, plus baked goods, jams/jellies/honey, meat, eggs, and handcrafted items.  The market is open Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the open-air pavilion at 317 West Main Street in downtown Washington.

Over 30 vendors have registered for permits for the 2021 season.  Applications for new vendors are available at www.washmomarket.com or can be requested from info@washmomarket.com or from the Chamber of Commerce Office (636-239-2715).
 
The Sprouts Kids Club will again be offered at the market, beginning in May.  Members of the club, children ages 3-10, can check-in at the Sprouts table each week and receive two $1 tokens to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at the market.  On-site activities for participants are being planned.  Participants must be registered once a year for the free program.  Pre-registration is available now at washmomarket.com/sprouts, or parents can register children while visiting the market beginning May 1.  The Sprouts Club is made possible through many generous sponsors, including Altemueller Jewelry, Bank of Franklin County, Bank of Washington, KLPW AM 1220/92.7 FM, Cassette Electric, Citizens Bank, Deppe Farms, DMR Events, First Choice Facilities, Hillermann Nursery & Florist, KFAV 99.9 FM, Little Smiles of Washington, Eric Park & George Meyer with LPL Financial, USA Mortgage – Leesmann Mortgage Team, and Mark & Joyce Wessels.   Businesses and/or individuals interested in sponsoring or volunteering with the program should contact Amanda Griesheimer at the Chamber Office (636-239-2715 x106, info@washmomarket.com). 
 
Market customers are encouraged to stay up-to-date with Farmers’ Market news by following the market Facebook page.