Annual Chamber Events

The Celebrating Business Awards Luncheon is held every February to honor the best of the best in local business. Members and the public are invited to join the Chamber for an elegant lunch while honoring members of the local business community for their contributions to Carteret County.

The annual Legislative Luncheon, organized by the Public & Legislative Affairs Committee, invites state and federal representatives to speak to Chamber Members about goings-on in DC and Raleigh, and how they can address the Chamber’s annual legislative agenda. In 2024, speakers included Congressman Greg Murphy, Sen. Norman Sanders, and Rep. Celeste Cairns. Starting in 2025, the Legislative Luncheon will be held in the spring.

Please Note: Legislative events give Chamber members an opportunity to connect with their elected representatives. The Chamber is non-partisan and neither endorses nor financially supports any political candidate or party at the local, state, or national level.

Part B2B networking opportunity, part business exposition, part happy hour–the annual Business After Hours Expo takes place at the Crystal Coast Civic Center each April. It features more than 60 exhibitors and attracts hundreds of other professionals and curious members of the general public. Between booths, visitors and vendors alike can participate in Speed Networking, facilitated by Connect Carteret Young Professionals. 

Every year, the Military Affairs Committee hosts 80 children of active military families for a morning of fishing off Oceanana Pier in Atlantic Beach followed by lunch at the Pier House Restaurant. Thanks to longtime MAC Star Sponsor Big Rock Sports, each kid gets to take home their fishing rod at the end of the day!

Who wants to win $10,000? More like, who doesn’t?! Every August we put on the biggest and best Disco party in town with dinner, dancing, themed entertainment, a silent auction, AND the chance to win $10,000! It’s the best costume AND dance party of the summer–plus, it’s our most important fundraiser of the year!

Our Military Affairs Committee hosts a free, adults-only Military Fun Day at the Cape each year where active duty service members can take a free ferry ride out to Cape Lookout for a morning at the beach followed by a traditional Eastern NC BBQ lunch and prize giveaways. This event is especially popular with the Single Marines Program aboard MCAS Cherry Point, but all branches are invited to attend.  

This all gathering provides a unique opportunity for the community to gain insights into the latest developments within the area as officials from various organizations share their perspectives on the region’s ongoing initiatives and future prospects.

Leadership from the following local institutions give updates: Carteret Community College, Carteret County Economic Development, Carteret County Government, Carteret County Public Schools, US Coast Guard – SFO Fort Macon, Carteret Health Care, Fleet Readiness Center East, MCAS Cherry Point, NC Port of Morehead City, Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority.

This long standing campaign allows the community to donate home-baked cookies and other treats for our local military personnel. The treats go primarily to service members who will be on duty over the holidays and are an easy way for our residents to show their appreciation for those who do so much for our country and community.

Feeling competitive? Sign up to compete in the annual Cookie Baking contest. The winning group gets to keep the cookie trophy for the following year!

This festive event is put on by our Connect Carteret young professionals group every December. Participants dress up in their finest tacky holiday gear and hit the town of Beaufort for exclusive specials on drinks, food, and free entrance to the After Party featuring live music, door prizes, and a costume contest. Funds raised support Connect Carteret programs and charitable giving.