Chamber Olympics brings out competitive edge of area businesses

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part.

The same goes for Chamber Olympics hosted by the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance on Friday, April 26, from noon to 5 p.m. at East Lake Park.

The games will be 'a little bit of a mystery,” said Timber Haschemeyer, director of membership at the Chamber.

'We don't want people to practice or get too good,” Haschemeyer said with a smile. 'A lot of our games have a spin to it. Think back to elementary school field day - we'll have a three-legged race but with a twist, corn hole, and longest drive, so whoever is good at golf are the people you will want on your team.”

Other games will be giant pong, which is like beer pong, but with trash cans and does not involve alcohol; volleyball target; giant tic-tac-toe; and logo matching.

Chamber Olympics takes the place of the Chamber's annual Dueling Pianos event that was formerly held at Airport Road Vineyard. Haschemeyer said while that was always such a successful event, the Chamber was looking for something new that would attract a different group of Chamber members.

'You do not need to be an athlete. You just need to come out and have fun with us,” Haschemeyer said. 'Some of the games might be more physical, but this event is meant to be a healthy motivator. There are some brain-teaser games.”

Haschemeyer said that Walmart and Walmart Distribution are partnering up on a 'The Price is Right” mountain climber game where teams will get to compete to guess the right prices on Walmart products.

'That will be not so physically demanding,” she said.

Teams need to be made up of four people, and Chamber members are welcome to have two teams. Smaller offices are invited to partner up with another office to create a team of four, Haschemeyer said.

Spectators are welcome. If the weather is nice, Chamber Olympics will be held at East Lake Park. The gym at Iowa Wesleyan University is Chamber Olympic's rain location.

KILJ will be doing a live broadcast of the event during the day.

Haschemeyer said that Chamber Olympics will be similar to the Chamber's annual Fun Day Golf outing in August.

'A lot of people know exactly what that day entails,” Haschemeyer said. 'Our members really love it because it's a day to get out of the office, hang out with other Chamber members and have a good time.”

Chamber Olympics is giving area business professionals the same opportunity to network and get out of the office environment for the day.

'Just have fun, do quirky games and let loose a little bit,” Haschemeyer said.

Registration for Chamber Olympics will begin at noon. Games kick off at 1 p.m. and will conclude around 5 p.m. Immediately following the games, participants and the community are invited to an awards dinner and trivia at Airport Road Vineyard. There is a fee for community members who would like to join dinner and trivia and did not participate in the games.

Businesses and community organizations can also sponsor game or healthy snack table for $200. This helps cover the cost of supplies, Haschemeyer said.

'After the day is done, come out, see who participated in the events that day, play trivia, drink some sangria and have fun with us,” Haschemeyer said.

The company that wins will be awarded a trophy from Staats Awards.

'People love bragging rights,” Haschemeyer said.

The deadline to register a team for Chamber Olympics is Friday, April 12. Participants must be business members. Team registration is $200. There are only 24 spots available for teams.

If interested in having a team, sponsoring a game or purchasing an evening meal ticket, contact Timber Haschemeyer at timber@mpiowa.org or call the Chamber at 319-385-3101.