The good, bad, and what others are doing
Business After Hours (BAH) events are just what chambers do, right? The events offer casual networking opportunities and visibility for host businesses. But are these events still viable and sustainable? Are they worth the time and resources if attendance numbers are dwindling? And if your chamber’s attendance for these types of events are decreasing, is it time to give them up or simply restructure them to suit today’s networkers?
In a work world that’s become increasingly remote, flexible, and saturated with networking options, chamber professionals are asking: are BAH events still relevant, or is it time to let them go?
Based on candid insights from dozens of chamber professionals across the country, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. The success (or struggle) of BAHs today depends less on the format itself and more on how chambers have adapted (or failed to adapt) to changing member priorities and lifestyles.
The Case for Change: Declining Interest, Evolving Lifestyles
Many chamber leaders report dwindling attendance and waning interest, citing post-pandemic work habits and shifting personal priorities. As Joe Tant put it, “Folks like to spend time with family after hours. Priorities with members are God, Family, and hobbies. We fall in the 3rd category. Adapt and keep rockin!”
Tonia Stephenson, President & CEO at Burke County Chamber of Commerce stopped doing BAHs back in 2019 after realizing they mostly attracted ambassadors who already knew one another. In her chamber, daytime events like breakfasts and lunches have been far more successful. Jamie Henke Taylor (President/CEO at Greater Martinsville Chamber of Commerce), Paige McDaniel (from the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce), and Macie Ford Schubert (President/CEO at Mont Belvieu Area Chamber of Commerce) echoed similar concerns: attendance was poor before COVID and never rebounded, even after pivoting to quarterly formats.
Some chambers, like Melissa Martinez’s Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce, surveyed their membership and found minimal interest. “Not enough to make it worth it,” she admitted. Others, such as Naomi Larsen and Heidi Scrivo, Executive Director/CEO at Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, tried to revive BAHs only to be met with empty rooms or lackluster turnout.
Clearly, for many communities, the traditional after-hours format has lost its edge.
The Flip Side: Still Thriving, But Under New Terms
Despite the trend toward decline, many chambers are proving that BAHs are far from dead, they just need a refresh. For Deb Neuman, President at Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, BAHs remain the most popular chamber event, with businesses booking over a year in advance. “Last month, a member took home a new kayak,” she noted. Prizes, exciting venues, and a well-established rotation have kept her BAHs vibrant and highly anticipated.
Rebekah Arthur, President/CEO at Seminole County Chamber, has elevated the experience by adding video previews and highlight reels, boosting visibility and creating buzz. Her chamber is now booked out nearly a year in advance, showing that innovative promotion can reignite interest.
Others, like Charlie Clark, have found that being selective about venues matters. “Location can make or break attendance,” he observed. Rebranding their event as Conversation + Cocktails brought new life to an old format, drawing a wider crowd. Natalia Martin’s Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce added a “Chamber Help Desk,” tech support, and co-hosts from nearby chambers to enhance engagement and diversify turnout.
Jeri Hansen shared that at the Napa Chamber of Commerce they alternate BAHs with smaller “Happy Hour” events capped at 50 attendees, offering a casual, unintimidating vibe. These micro-events help build comfort and familiarity, eventually feeding attendance into the larger BAHs.
The Middle Ground: Rethinking Frequency and Format
Many chambers aren’t giving up on BAHs entirely but are adjusting how and when they offer them. Christina Chapman Van Yperen, President and CEO at Grundy County Chamber of Commerce & Industry, moved theirs to a quarterly format from 4–6 p.m., which improved turnout. Kaylynn Winegar’s chamber alternates BAHs with morning events like Morning Momentum, finding success with varied timing.
Meanwhile, Norm Nelson, Membership Director at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce aligns BAHs with member orientations to increase value and foot traffic. And Jennifer Sands-Fertig, Executive Director at Glenpool Chamber of Commerce, is trying a BAH pilot with no speaker, just pizza and networking, while actively surveying attendees to learn what they want moving forward.
So, Are BAHs Dying?
The answer: not entirely—but they’re evolving.
Where chambers haven’t changed the format, frequency, or location, BAHs are indeed struggling or fading away. But in places where chambers have reinvented the experience: adding video, narrowing the focus to specific industries, adjusting timing, or choosing better venues, BAHs remain a beloved, effective engagement tool.
As Jamie Church, President/CEO at Farmington Chamber of Commerce pointed out, these events can still be a “key signature offering” when supported by structure, promotion, and clear expectations for hosts.
Ultimately, as Jerilyn Rumbarger, President & CEO at Plant City Chamber wisely advised, “Every chamber is different.” The real question isn’t whether BAHs are dying, it’s whether your chamber is listening, adapting, and willing to experiment.
So, before you cut your next BAH from the calendar, ask your members what they want, review what’s working elsewhere, and reimagine what’s possible. With the right changes, your Business After Hours may still have plenty of life left.
