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: Lora McMahon at 603-224-5388, or search via Eventbrite
WORKSHOP
INTENTIONAL GROWTH: PLANNING AN ANTI-CAPITALIST BUSINESS FOR 2026
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 22, noon to 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, or programs@hannahgrimes.com
SEMINAR
WORKING HARD AND FALLING BEHIND: THE HIGH COST OF LIVING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 24, 8 a.m. to 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/2025nhfpi-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, 700 Elm St., 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-lean-conference
WORKSHOP
YOUR MARKETING BLUEPRINT
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Hannah Grimes Center, 25 Roxbury St., Keene
WHAT: This hands-on, interactive workshop led by Emily Aborn, a small-business copywriter and content marketing consultant, will help you map a blueprint that’s unique to your business goals. This workshop can help you gain momentum in your marketing planning for 2026.
COST: $75. Scholarships are available. Contact programs@hannahgrimes.com to see if you qualify.
CONTACT: info@hannahgrimes.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 are $80-$90; Ambassador tickets are $65-$75
CONTACT: www.distillersshowcase.com
NETWORKING
WEN CAFÉ-WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS NETWORK MORNING NETWORKING
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: 163 South River Road, Bedford

WHAT: Network and make new connections with fellow women entrepreneurs at WEN Café. Making valuable business connections is a great way to grow your network and support other women in business. Refunds up to seven days before event.
COST: $0-$10
CONTACT: Search via Eventbrite
Please send calendar items to AANDREWS@NHBR.COM