2025 Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce Annual Report
As 2025 comes to a close, we take this opportunity to reflect on the remarkable progress and many achievements we’ve made together throughout the year. None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our valued members. Your commitment has been essential to our success, and it’s what empowers us to look toward 2026 with optimism and determination.
On behalf of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and staff, thank you for your continued investment in our organization. Your membership not only brings meaningful benefits to your business but also fuels the Chamber’s mission to serve as the voice of business through advocacy, connection-building, and professional growth. We’re excited for the year ahead and remain dedicated to making a lasting, positive impact on our business community.
MEMBERSHIP
The Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce is proud to reflect on a year marked by growth and engagement. Throughout 2025, our in-person events have drawn great participation, fostering meaningful new relationships while strengthening the bonds that unite our dynamic business community. This collective energy has enhanced visibility, collaboration, and opportunity across Greater Nashua, further demonstrating the value of Chamber membership.
As we approach our goal of 500 member businesses, we are proud to note that 67% represent small businesses, the backbone of our city’s economy. Additionally, nearly 20% (98 organizations) of our membership consists of non-profits and service providers, reflecting our community’s deep commitment to supporting one another. Together, all our members represent tens of thousands of individuals from a diverse range of industries, all sharing a common goal: to see Nashua prosper.
From skilled trades to technology assistance, housing to human services, our membership network continues to expand not only in size, but in depth and diversity. As we look ahead to 2026, the Chamber remains steadfast in its mission, to be a primary catalyst for the success of Greater Nashua’s diverse business community through advocacy, building connections and professional development.
ADVOCACY
2025 was another year with an active group of Chamber members meeting early Monday mornings to review legislation that could impact the Greater Nashua business community in a positive or negative way. GNCC continues to champion policies that foster a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient business community.
At the state level, reviewing the one thousand plus bills before the NH Legislature is always the first step, and identifying those that concern the Chamber’s highest priorities of affordable housing, available and affordable childcare, energy cost, business regulations and business tax policy, healthcare cost and having a ready, educated workforce.
We supported legislation to expand affordable housing options and streamline zoning regulations. The Chamber applauds the passage of reforms to the NH Child Care Scholarship Program. These changes make a small dent in the state’s housing crisis and reduce regulations for childcare participants and providers alike. And we were successful in beating back the perennial pesky bill prohibiting any future state dollars for passenger rail.
Much of the legislative focus this year was on the state’s biennial budget. With slowing revenues, we did not see additional funding for many priorities. The upcoming legislative year will again be busy with the Legislature taking up several bills related to housing, childcare, energy, and healthcare costs. The Advocacy Committee will pay close attention to the state’s financial picture and all upcoming legislation that will have an impact on the Greater Nashua business community.
CHAMBER PROGRAMS
Over the past year, the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) has seen growing engagement across its programs. Our monthly Out of the Box Lunch series consistently reaches capacity, often with a waitlist. Since moving from quarterly to monthly, Business Education has continued to provide our members with the exclusive opportunity to learn from and connect with business leaders. Covering topics like Financial Fraud Prevention, Cross Training and Reskilling, and Planning for Retirement, members utilization of GNCC’s Business Education seminars continues to grow.
Since returning last year, the GNCC Referral Networking Groups have only grown. This year our Thursday group has doubled in participants, and in April we launched our second group that meets on Wednesdays. The Greater Nashua Young Professionals (GNYP) continues to average 40+ attendees, showing the younger workforce truly how much Nashua has to offer. With our Jingle Mingle Mixer(JMM) holiday event, co-hosted with the GMSVCC YPN, returning for the third year in a row, we are excited to once again bring 80+ attendees together. JMM is not only a networking event, but also a fundraiser with all proceeds going to one of our community’s essential non-profits. This year’s JMM theme is “Island of Misfit Toys: A Tropical Holiday” and it’s sure to sell out again. Tickets are now available!
In its 31st year, our Leadership Greater Nashua program continues to thrive, with the 2026 class being comprised of 28 participants from nonprofits, the business sector, and local government, covering critical topics like economic development, education, and healthcare.
Lastly, our Chamber Chats radio show, now in its second year provides members a unique outlet to promote and market their organization. Airing bi-weekly with live broadcasts and social media promotion, it has quickly become a popular platform, now accepting submissions for Spring 2026 episodes.
2025 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
In addition to our monthly networking events* like Business After Hours, Young Professionals Socials, Out-of-the-Box Lunches, and Coffee Connections, 2025 was an active year for our Signature events at the Greater Nashua Chamber. In January, we kicked off the year with our Economic Outlook-Legislative Kickoff breakfast. February saw the return of our popular 9th Annual Indoor Mini-Golf Tournament. In March, we held the State of the City Lunch featuring Mayor Jim Donchess, Director of Economic Development and Matt Sullivan, Director of Community Development. As bills in the NH Legislature “crossed over” in April, we organized our annual Crossover reception, bringing together legislators and members of the business community. May was highlighted by our 22nd Annual Eminence Business Awards Luncheon, themed “NETWORK, CONNECT & GROW.” Late May marked the graduation of our 30th Leadership Greater Nashua class, which included 32 participants. In June, we hosted our annual State of the State lunch with Governor Kelly Ayotte. In September, in collaboration with WSMN 1590AM and 95.3 FM, we launched our 2025 three-part “Meet the Candidates” radio series, featuring candidates from Nashua’s Board of Education and Aldermanic races. The radio series was also live-streamed in partnership with Nashua Public Television. We also proudly kicked off the 31st year of our Leadership Greater Nashua program, welcoming 29 participants! As we conclude the year, we look forward to celebrating our 97th Annual Gala and Citizen of the Year event—“Kick-off to the Chamber’s Centennial Celebration”— and on November 12th and will wrap up 2025 with our annual holiday Business After Hours at the Nashua Center for the Arts in December.
*2025 Monthly events hosted: 12 BAH; 12 Out of Box lunches; 12 GNYP Socials; 12 Coffee Connections; 12 MMOM;9 LGN DAYS; and 3 LGN Alumni events.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Hunt, President & CEO- November 12, 2025