Proudly called “The Most Military Friendly Community in America,” Columbia and the greater Midlands region contain the second largest military presence in South Carolina. Columbia is home to the US Army’s largest training base at Fort Jackson, the South Carolina National Guard Base, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, and the US Army Reserve. As advocates and champions for our military, the Columbia Chamber works tirelessly to strengthen the relationships between the business community and the military, to support their families, and to retain and expand the local military footprint. The benefits of a vibrant military community are numerous, and we work with local leaders and elected officials (city, county, state, and federal) to enhance military benefits and opportunities. These efforts help create an atmosphere that welcomes our military families, embraces and supports their needs, and encourages them to retire in the Greater Midlands area.
The Chamber’s Military Affairs initiative, working through the Military Outreach Group, is committed to achieving the following goals on behalf of the military community:
- onboarding of senior leadership (both military and civilian)
- serving as a liaison with legislative members and elected officials on military affairs
- serving as a liaison with the South Carolina Military Base Task Force
- connecting local Department of Defense Contractors and businesses to enhance relationships
- connecting military organizations such as USO, AUSA, and ESGR with local community representatives to reinforce partnerships and enhance support for our
Venue: SC State Fairgrounds |1200 Rosewood Drive
2024 Dates (Quarterly – 4th Tuesday): registration is open to the public
• 2/27
• 5/21
• 8/27
• 11/19
Military Affairs Events:
- July TBD – Senior Leader’s Tour Luncheon is held in July, typically at the Capital City Club. This event is an opportunity to welcome all new Senior Leadership from Fort Jackson to our thriving City and introduce them to things to do around town, how to do business, and offer support while they are stationed in Columbia.
• Exclusive recognition as the Star-Spangled Sponsor and announcement of sponsorship on social media
• Exclusive recognition as the Presenting Sponsor for the Senior Leaders Tour Luncheon and announcement of sponsorship on social media
• Top billing in Military Affairs advertising
• Company name or logo and hyperlink on the Military Affairs webpage and registration page
• Recognition in Military Affairs specific eCommunications
• Company name or logo on printed and digital materials including the Military Affairs meeting agendas and Senior Leaders Tour Luncheon agenda
• Opportunity to display promotional materials during each Military Affairs meeting including setting up a display table and/or a pop-up banner
• Company name or logo on the screen at each Military Outreach meeting
• Opportunity to address the audience at each Military Affairs meeting and at the Senior Leaders Tour Luncheon
• Registration for six (6) guests to attend the Senior Leaders Tour Luncheon (closed registration)
• List of attendees for each Military Outreach meeting (available upon request)
• Sponsorship fulfillment report
• First right of renewal to sponsor at this level in the next year
- Exclusive recognition as the Joint Forces Sponsor and announcement of sponsorship on social media
- Company name or logo and hyperlink on the Military Affairs registration webpage
- Recognition in Military Affairs specific eCommunications
- Company name or logo on printed and digital materials including the agendas distributed to all attendees at each Military Affairs meeting
- Opportunity to display promotional materials during each Military Affairs meeting including setting up a display table and/or a pop-up banner
- Company name or logo on the screen at each Military Outreach meeting
- Registration for three (3) guests to attend the Senior Leaders Tour Luncheon (closed registration)
- List of attendees for each Military Outreach meeting (available upon request)
- Sponsorship fulfillment report
- First right of renewal to sponsor at this level in the next year
- Exclusive recognition as the Brass Buttons Sponsor and announcement of sponsorship on social media
- Company name or logo and hyperlink on the Military Affairs registration webpage
- Recognition in Military Affairs specific eCommunications
- Company name or logo on printed and digital materials including the agendas distributed to all attendees at each Military Affairs meeting
- Opportunity to display promotional materials during each Military Affairs meeting including setting up a display table and/or a pop-up banner
- Company name or logo on the screen at each Military Outreach meeting
- List of attendees for each Military Outreach meeting (available upon request)
- Sponsorship fulfillment report
- First right of renewal to sponsor at this level in the next year
- Exclusive recognition as the Red, White, and Blue Sponsor and announcement of sponsorship on social media
- Company name or logo and hyperlink on the Military Affairs registration webpage
- Recognition in Military Affairs specific eCommunications
- Company name or logo on printed and digital materials including the agendas distributed to all attendees at each Military Affairs meeting
- Opportunity to display promotional materials during each Military Affairs meeting including setting up a display table and/or a pop-up banner
- Company name or logo on the screen at each Military Outreach meeting
- List of attendees for each Military Outreach meeting (available upon request)
- Sponsorship fulfillment report
- First right of renewal to sponsor at this level in the next year
- Exclusive recognition as the For Our Heroes Sponsor and announcement of sponsorship on social media
- Company name or logo and hyperlink on the Military Affairs registration webpage
- Recognition in Military Affairs specific eCommunications
- Company name or logo on printed and digital materials including the agendas distributed to all attendees at each Military Affairs meeting
- Opportunity to display promotional materials during each Military Affairs meeting including setting up a display table and/or a pop-up banner
- Company name or logo on the screen at each Military Outreach meeting
- List of attendees for each Military Outreach meeting (available upon request)
- Sponsorship fulfillment report
- First right of renewal to sponsor at this level in the next year
- Exclusive recognition as the Patriotic Reception Sponsor and announcement of sponsorship during your sponsored meeting
- Company name or logo and hyperlink on the Military Affairs registration webpage
- Recognition in Military Affairs specific eCommunications
- Company name or logo on printed and digital materials including the Military Affairs meeting agenda distributed during your company’s sponsored meeting
- Opportunity to display promotional materials during your company’s sponsored Military Affairs meeting including setting up a display table and/or a pop-up banner
- Company name or logo on the screen during your company’s sponsored Military Outreach meeting
- List of attendees for your sponsored Military Outreach meeting (available upon request)
- Sponsorship fulfillment report
- Recognition as a Four-Star Sponsor and announcement of sponsorship on social media
- Company name or logo and hyperlink on the Military Affairs registration webpage
- Recognition in Military Affairs specific eCommunications
- Company name or logo on printed and digital materials including the agendas distributed to all attendees at each Military Affairs meeting
- Company name or logo on the screen at each Military Outreach meeting
- Sponsorship fulfillment report
- Recognition as a Friends of Our Military Sponsor
- Company name or logo and hyperlink on the Military Affairs registration webpage
- Recognition in Military Affairs specific eCommunications
- Company name or logo on printed and digital materials including the agendas distributed to all attendees at each Military Affairs meeting
- Company name or logo on the screen at each Military Outreach meeting
- Sponsorship fulfillment report
• Exclusive recognition as the Senior Leaders Luncheon Presenting Sponsor
• Registration at quarterly Military Outreach Meetings (2 attendees)
• Company name to follow event title (i.e. Presented By: Company Name)
• Opportunity for up to 6 guests to attend luncheon
• Opportunity to address audience and provide welcome
• Prominent display of logo on the event agenda
• Recognition on event signage and printed materials
• Company name listed on the screens during the Senior Leaders Luncheon
• Recognition as a Senior Leaders Luncheon Sponsor
• Registration at quarterly Military Outreach Meetings (2 attendees)
• Opportunity for up to 6 guests to attend luncheon
• Opportunity to address audience
• Prominent display of logo on the event agenda
• Recognition on event signage and printed materials
• Company name listed on the screens during the Senior Leaders Luncheon
For more information regarding sponsorships and events, please email Hilary Bell or call (803) 733-1115.