Signature Events

Business Excellence Awards

February 23, 2023 ~ Hotel 24 South

Our largest event of the year, the Annual Meeting and Business Excellence Awards is an evening designed to honor and celebrate business success and Chamber success. Our annual award winners are chosen through a nomination process that is open to our members. These winners represent businesses, organizations and individuals who have demonstrated exemplary planning, operations and community involvement throughout the year. 

Congratulations to our 2023 Business Excellence winners:

• Small Business Excellence Award- Sooner BBQ & More
• Large Business Excellence Award- City National Bank
• Woman-Owned Business Excellence Award- Harmony Harvest Farm
• Nonprofit Excellence Award- Creative Works Farm
• New Business of the Year- The City Foxes: Wine Bar & Market
• Young Professional of the Year- Megan Burrows
• Citizen of the Year- Sheila Ahmadi

Hometown Expo

March 25, 2023 ~ Augusta Expo

Check out this brand new event celebrating all of our local businesses! Open to the public for a one day expo. 

Legislative Wrap Up

March 14, 2023 (Virtual)

 A post-session wrap up with members of our State delegation to discuss the overall outcomes of the past Legislative Session.

Nonprofit Connect

April 13, 2023 ~ Fishburne Military School, Hitt-Millar Field House

Nonprofit Connect is organized and hosted by the current Leadership Greater Augusta cohort. This networking event provides a space for local nonprofit organizations to set up an exhibit table and share their mission and needs. This unique event gives human services nonprofit organizations, corporate sponsors and other funding partners a chance to find ways to work together. The public is also invited to learn more, whether they need services or are looking for volunteer opportunities. 

Ignite Conference

April 27, 2023 ~ Blue Ridge Community College, Plecker Center

Everyone needs professional development in order to grow into and beyond their potential. This conference is first-class professional development right in your own backyard! A day filled with motivational and interactive speakers, speed networking, three tracks of breakout sessions- Entrepreneurship, Human Resources and Marketing- this day covers topics of interest to all businesses and business professionals regardless of where they are on their growth path. Ignite your professional development in 2023! Featuring keynote speakers Chris Auville, Jessica Hall and Stephanie Duncan from Harmony Harvest Farm!

Economic Outlook & Business Appreciation Breakfast

May 11, 2023 ~ Holiday Inn Staunton Conference Center

The annual economic outlook for our region and a thank you to our business community! Professionals from our economic development offices in Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro share the year's success in business recruitment, expansion and retention, job growth, trends, and a look ahead at the emerging business climate. Featuring keynote speaker Jason El Koubi, President & CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. 

GARCC Golf Tournament

May 19, 2023 ~ The Club at Ironwood

Enjoy a day on the greens networking with clients and other area business pros at one of the best golf outings around! Each player will receive a boxed lunch, great swag and plenty of beverages! 

Sold out!

Murder Mystery Dinner

June 22, 2023 ~ The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center

Join us for dinner and to solve the murder of a well-known community leader! Who among us has a surprising dark side??

Legislative Breakfast 

December 14, 2023 ~ Hotel 24 South

This annual, pre-session breakfast is an opportunity to hear first hand from our State delegation about their top priorities for the upcoming legislative session in Richmond. The Chamber also introduces it’s legislative priorities for the session. The panel of General Assembly members are asked questions regarding these priorities and others that have been identified for the forum.