Boone County Chamber expands member programming and debuts Business Boom podcast

Boone County Chamber Executive Director Sean Reeves said the chamber has broadened its programming to give local businesses more networking and training opportunities, and launched a podcast series to extend that reach.

Speaking on the Love in Lebanon podcast, Reeves outlined recurring programs such as a monthly marketers meetup, an Emerging Leaders cohort and a new “top tier” networking event for higher-level members. He also described Business Boom, a video and audio podcast produced by the chamber, and sponsors helping underwrite the first episodes.

The chamber has increased the range of entry points for business members, Reeves said, from free drop-in programs to cohort-based training. “I probably use the word too much, but I really think that's the secret sauce of a really good chamber is if you're offering that connectivity,” Reeves said. He added the chamber aims to make more programs available at no cost to members: “we are trying to move towards as many member programs as possible that don't have a cost as long as we don't incur a cost for them.”

Details Reeves gave on programming and funding include: the monthly marketers meetup is offered free to attendees; the Emerging Leaders cohort carries a $400 fee and includes assessments and lunches across its sessions; a “top tier cocktail hour” is a targeted networking event for higher‑tier members; and the chamber’s Business Boom podcast is a video/audio series produced with local partners. Reeves said Boone REMC agreed to sponsor the chamber’s first 16 podcast episodes and that other local organizations (Deep In Talent Strategies and local businesses) are participants or sponsors.

Reeves described partners that host or co‑market events: the Boone Economic Development Corporation (Boone EDC), Hickory Cottages and Farmers Bank Field House were cited as venues where chamber events have been held. He said the chamber coordinates programs intended to serve a range of business sizes and job functions — from founders and CEOs in an executive exchange to staff learning marketing skills at the marketers meetup.

Host Joe LePage, City of Lebanon Communications and Community Development Director, asked how new members should engage; Reeves said anyone can attend many chamber programs and that free events such as marketers meetup and some off‑the‑clock networking opportunities are a way to “come try us.”

Reeves framed the chamber’s approach as partnership-focused. He described working with nonprofit and economic-development partners on leadership programs and said the chamber markets some complementary leadership offerings together rather than competing. He credited prior chamber leadership for building a stable base and said the current strategy emphasizes connectivity and peer learning.

LePage said he would include links to the Boone County Chamber and the Business Boom podcast in the episode description so listeners can follow the chamber’s offerings.

The interview focused on programming and outreach rather than municipal policy or formal board action; Reeves did not propose or introduce any ordinance, vote or regulatory change during the conversation.