ROUNDTABLE

NH SEACOAST REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 14, 9-10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Pease International, 36 Airline Ave., Portsmouth

WHAT: Your feedback will go a long way toward helping shape and develop the Business and Industry Association’s 2026 public policy priorities and legislative agenda at this roundtable. Discuss the current challenges surrounding employers, the state’s economy, and potential policy solutions the BIA can proactively advance. These areas include workforce availability, housing supply and energy costs.

COST: Free

CONTACT: biaofnh.com

NETWORKING

CENTRAL NEW HAMPSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 7, 5-7 p.m.

WHERE: 287 Highland St., Plymouth (Camden Bank building)

WHAT: Strengthen business connections through casual networking, and learn about new developments in the Central NH community. This event will include complimentary refreshments, a networking activity, chamber news and updates, host remarks and a door prize drawing. Area businesses and organizations (members and non-members) are invited. This event is hosted by the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative and sponsored by Service Credit Union.

COST: Free; advanced registration required.

CONTACT: centralnh.org

FESTIVAL

13TH ANNUAL POWDER KEG BEER & CHILI FESTIVAL

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 4, 1 – 4 p.m.

WHERE: Swasey Park, downtown Exeter

WHAT: Those who love breweries and local beers should attend this day of sampling and chili-tasting. This event is hosted by the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce and the Exeter Parks and Recreation Department and sponsored by Meredith Village Savings Bank. All tickets include unlimited beer and chili samples. Ticket prices change on the day of the festival.

COST: VIP admission, $60; general admission, $45; chili only, $10

CONTACT: powderkegbeerfest.com

FUNDRAISER

NH LIQUOR COMMISSION’S ANNUAL DISTILLER’S WEEK

WHEN: Monday through Friday, Nov. 3 – Nov. 7

WHERE: Pembroke Pines Country Club, Hilton Manchester Downtown

WHAT: The annual Distiller’s Week, hosted by the NH Liquor Commission, is filled with events for curious distillers around the state. Sample global spirits during the Worldwide Spirits Sabbatical on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Pembroke Pines Country Club, 45A Whittemore Road in Pembroke. On Thursday, Nov. 6, from 6-8:30, talk with distillers and brand owners while sampling premium spirits at the 12th annual Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits at DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown at 700 Elm St. in Manchester. Proceeds benefit the New Hampshire Food Bank.

COST: Connoisseur tickets $80-$90; Ambassador tickets $65-$75

CONTACT: distillersshowcase.com

WORKSHOP

INTENTIONAL GROWTH: PLANNING AN ANTI-CAPITALIST BUSINESS FOR 2026

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 22, noon – 2 p.m.

WHERE: Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship, 25 Roxbury St., Keene

WHAT: Instructor Emily Eley, an anticapitalist business coach, activist and organizer, will help you reflect, recenter and shape your business for 2026 based on what aligns with your values and is sustainable to your community. Eley will help small business owners and values-aligned businesses plan for growth and navigate next steps with strategy, clarity and purpose.

COST: $20

CONTACT: hannahgrimes.com

AWARDS

BIA’S 112TH ANNUAL DINNER AND AWARDS CELEBRATION

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 22, 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Hotel, 700 Elm St., Manchester

WHAT: This annual celebration recognizes outstanding individuals with BIA’s coveted Lifetime Achievement Award, and one New Hampshire nonprofit with BIA’s NH Advantage Award for its work in enhancing NH’s special character and quality of life. Honorees include: Tim Sink, outgoing president and CEO of the Greater Concord Chamber; retiring U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen; and Alex Walker, former president and CEO of Catholic Medical Center. This year’s recipient of the NH Advantage Award is Swim With a Mission.

COST: $160 to $1,600

CONTACT: Search via Eventbrite

SEMINAR

WORKING HARD AND FALLING BEHIND: THE HIGH COST OF LIVING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 24, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHERE: Grappone Conference Center, 70 Constitution Ave., Concord

WHAT: Why are so many Granite Staters working hard, but struggling to make ends meet? Join the NH Fiscal Policy Institute for a conference focused on the rising cost of living and how we can build a more affordable and equitable New Hampshire. From housing and health care to caregiving and more, this event brings together advocates, nonprofit leaders, business leaders, researchers and policymakers to dive into the data about New Hampshire’s affordability crisis. It’s a chance to engage with fellow leaders, hear fresh insights and explore practical solutions together.

COST: $60

CONTACT: nhfpi.org/events/2025-nhfpi-budget-and-policy-conference

WORKSHOP

BRING BACK THE TRADES SKILLS EXPO EVENT

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHERE: Gillette Stadium, 1 Patriot Place, Foxborough, Mass.

WHAT: The Bring Back the Trades Skills Expo, presented by F.W. Webb Company, will gather 5,000+ students, parents, educators and industry professionals to learn more about the trades. Attendees can expect handson exhibits from skilled tradesmen, nationally recognized keynote speakers, Patriots football player appearances, raffles, stadium tours and other community-focused experiences.

COST: $10 plus fees

CONTACT: bringbackthetrades.org, or search via Eventbrite

CONFERENCE

GBMP CONSULTING GROUP’S 21ST ANNUAL NORTHEAST LEAN CONFERENCE

WHEN: Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 27-28

WHERE: DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester

WHAT: The theme for this year’s conference is “Transforming Together: Paving a Unified Path to Excellence.” During the conference, Lean business professionals and others committed to advancing continuous improvement through Lean Manufacturing and the Toyota Production System (TPS) will attend keynote events, plenary sessions and breakout sessions, participate in problem-solving discussions, share best practices and exchange ideas with others, and make new connections along the way.

COST: GBMP members, $1,495; nonmembers $1,795

CONTACT: gbmp.org/ne-leanconference; contact Lela Glikes at LGlikes@gbmp.org or 617-862-5725

Please send calendar items to AANDREWS@NHBR.COM