McKenzie Chamber of Commerce Reflects on 2025 Activities

As we reflect on 2025, the McKenzie Chamber of Commerce is proud of the work accomplished alongside our members, partners, volunteers, and community leaders. This past year was marked by strong engagement, meaningful collaboration, and a continued commitment to supporting local businesses and strengthening our community.

One of the Chamber’s most visible events was the Annual Easter Egg Drop, held on April 12 at McKenzie City Park. This event remains our largest chamber event and is intentionally offered free to families, with the only cost for participants being optional food purchases from vendors. This year, 50,000 eggs were distributed, including a helicopter drop, and toys were placed throughout the field. Families also enjoyed balloon activities by MelRhea Balloons, face painting and crafts provided by Bethel University students, and attractions such as a petting zoo and bouncy houses. Thousands of children and families attended from McKenzie and the surrounding West Tennessee communities.

Supporting education remained a priority in 2025. During Teacher Appreciation Week, the Chamber partnered with the McKenzie Industrial Development Board to recognize all teachers and staff of the McKenzie Special School District. The Chamber provided lunch for 172 teachers and staff, donated gifts for the Teacher Banquet, hosted a teacher appreciation giveaway, and displayed appreciation banners at the schools to thank them for their dedication.

The Chamber remained focused on business growth and visibility through multiple ribbon cuttings and re-grand openings, celebrating milestones for Delia’s Sewing, Premier Furniture, West Tennessee Brewing Company – McKenzie Tap Room, Five-Star Detailing, The Happy Book Stack, Petals Azola, McKenzie City Florist and More, The Silly Goose Children’s Shop, and Manpower. We also welcomed several new members: Central Refrigeration, JC Educational & Office Supplies, Hospital Wing, Tosh Farms, D&D Wrecker Service, McKenzie Tap Room, Campbell Well Drilling, Manpower, CASA, Top Nail & Spa, Cedar Street Studios, The Happy Book Stack, Henry County Medical Center and Topflight CrossFit.

Throughout 2025, the Chamber hosted regular Chamber Coffees, providing consistent opportunities for members to connect, build relationships, and stay informed. These networking and conversation mornings were hosted by a variety of local businesses and organizations, including The City of McKenzie, FunZone Laser Tag, Lewis, Aird & Associates, Beating Hearts, Bobby Gee’s Diner, Dynamix, and L.I. Smith & Associates.

Chamber Coffees remains one of the most valuable membership benefits, offering an informal setting for business owners, employees, and community leaders to share updates, learn about new opportunities, and strengthen professional connections across industries.

Our partnership with Bethel University continued to grow. Chamber board members prepared and distributed 350 welcome bags with food staples and essentials, staffed move-in days to greet students and families, and shared information highlighting local businesses. These efforts helped introduce new students and their families to McKenzie and encouraged them to support our local economy.

Workforce development remained a primary focus through Manufacturing Month, a joint effort with the McKenzie Industrial Development Board. Activities included plant tours and a TCAT facility tour. TCAT students’ private industry tours for more one-on-one time with industry leaders and lunch. A Manufacturing Breakfast with approximately 60 attendees, including Industry Leaders and community stakeholders.

During Manufacturing Week, the Chamber and IDB provided boxed lunches to 420 manufacturing employees, catered locally by Hometown Hangout. Chamber Board Members assisted with packing and personally delivering lunches to each industry as a hands-on show of appreciation.

The Chamber also invested in business education, offering workshops on practical topics such as Canva design, social media marketing, and Reels training. These workshops were free to Chamber members and provided to the community at a minimal cost. In addition, the Chamber partnered with the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services to host A.I. for Manufacturing at Bethel University, bringing participants from across the state to McKenzie.

Tourism and promotion efforts included advertising in the Northwest Tennessee Tourism Guide and partnering with the City of McKenzie on an advertising in the Tennessee Vacation Guide. The Chamber also served as the breakfast sponsor for the Northwest Tennessee Tourism Legislative Breakfast, supporting continued investment in rural tourism.

Community outreach expanded through the Chamber’s participation in Boo Bash, where volunteers distributed thousands of pieces of candy to local children. The remaining candy was donated to Lakeside Senior Living, enabling residents to participate in Halloween activities.

Throughout the year, the Chamber continued to encourage residents, students, and visitors to Shop Local, including Shop Local Bingo with nearly 500 cards distributed and extensive social media and local newspaper advertising.

The year’s work was celebrated at the 2025 Chamber Banquet, held in June at Bethel University with approximately 175 guests in attendance. The evening recognized Businessperson of the Year, Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, and Chamber Champion, and honored all outgoing Chamber Board members for their service and leadership.

The Chamber’s year ended on a high note with the Annual Christmas Open House at The Happy Book Stack. We hosted 75 guests for lunch; door prizes were awarded, and every guest left with a gift.

None of this work would be possible without the support of our members, sponsors, and Board. Their investment of time, resources, and energy allows the Chamber to continue serving as a connector, advocate, and champion for McKenzie.

Monica Heath
Monica Heath TCEcD
Executive Director
McKenzie Industrial Development Board
McKenzie Chamber of Commerce & Industry
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