Photo of pizzas and a musican, beside a photo of four colleagues smiling outdoors in casual attire with trees and string lights. Text below reads Business After Five

BA5 Chamber of Commerce and GCF

Guelph Chamber of Commerce’s Business After 5: Hosted by The Guelph Community Foundation

The Guelph Community Foundation (GCF) was delighted to host the Guelph Chamber of Commerce’s Business After 5 on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The event brought together Chamber members, local business leaders, and community partners for an evening of connection. We were fortunate to enjoy a beautiful sunny afternoon at local winery Cox Creek Cellars, one of Wellington County’s most welcoming event destinations. The gathering was held in the new tented outdoor gathering space, which provided the perfect setting for conversation and fireside networking amid the colours of autumn.

Guests enjoyed wood-fired pizza and the opportunity to sample Cox Creek’s locally crafted wines. The food was accompanied by an acoustic performance by local musician Jessica Hart. Jessica’s beautiful singing voice provided the perfect soundtrack to the lively evening. In between the conversations was the evening’s brief presentations. Executive Director Sarah Haanstra introduced Chamber members to GCF and shared who we are, the work we do, and the impact GCF has in the community and charitable sector. We were grateful for the opportunity to present about our funding model and appreciated the thoughtful questions that came up during and after the presentation.

We extend our sincere thanks to Jessica for her performance and to Cox Creek Cellars for their warm hospitality. We are grateful to GCF Board Member and former Board Chair, Carly O’Brien, who generously provided the space at no cost. We especially thank the Guelph Chamber of Commerce who made the whole event possible. We appreciate their supportive partnership, their promotion of the event, and the management of registrations. Their support helped make the evening a tremendous success!

Most of all, thank you to everyone who attended and took the time to connect with us. The introductions and connections formed throughout the evening highlighted the strength of the Guelph community and business sector. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this Business After 5 gathering such a success and look forward to participating in future Chamber events. We hope to continue building these relationships and sharing the work of GCF with our community.

Two women sitting behind a registration table with sign-up sheets and informational brochures inside a large tent with string lights.
People socializing under a tent with string lights, surrounded by greenery and wooden barrels outdoors.
Three professionally dressed people smiling and holding drinks near a white event tent outdoors.
Guests socialize outdoors near a black barn-style building and a clear tent with white curtains during a sunny event.
Four colleagues smiling outdoors in casual attire with trees and string lights in the background at dusk.
People socializing outside a white event tent surrounded by trees during a sunny day.
Variety of freshly baked pizzas displayed on a wooden table inside a tent with string lights overhead and a musician playing guitar in the background.
Woman speaking into a microphone inside a tent decorated with string lights and banners.
People mingling and networking inside a large, well-lit event tent with string lights overhead and informational tables set up.
A female speaker stands inside a tent with a microphone
People gathered inside a large white tent with string lights, seated and standing around wooden tables during an event.
People socializing near a white event tent and wooden cabin surrounded by trees at dusk.
Indoor event space with a musician playing guitar in the background and a table featuring a business card drop box and snacks.
A female speaker stands inside a tent with a microphone
Gravel path leading through lush greenery to a white event tent with people gathered inside on a sunny day.
Two women sitting behind a registration table with sign-up sheets and informational brochures inside a large tent with string lights.
People socializing under a tent with string lights, surrounded by greenery and wooden barrels outdoors.
Three professionally dressed people smiling and holding drinks near a white event tent outdoors.
Guests socialize outdoors near a black barn-style building and a clear tent with white curtains during a sunny event.
Four colleagues smiling outdoors in casual attire with trees and string lights in the background at dusk.
People socializing outside a white event tent surrounded by trees during a sunny day.
Variety of freshly baked pizzas displayed on a wooden table inside a tent with string lights overhead and a musician playing guitar in the background.
Woman speaking into a microphone inside a tent decorated with string lights and banners.
People mingling and networking inside a large, well-lit event tent with string lights overhead and informational tables set up.
A female speaker stands inside a tent with a microphone
People gathered inside a large white tent with string lights, seated and standing around wooden tables during an event.
People socializing near a white event tent and wooden cabin surrounded by trees at dusk.
Indoor event space with a musician playing guitar in the background and a table featuring a business card drop box and snacks.
A female speaker stands inside a tent with a microphone
Gravel path leading through lush greenery to a white event tent with people gathered inside on a sunny day.
Graphic promoting Business After 5: a Chamber of Commerce networking event at Cox Creek Cellars with wood-fired pizza, live music, and outdoor games hosted by The Guelph Community Foundation.
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