The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce will conduct its sixth annual Business Walk on Friday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., bringing together business owners and local leaders to discuss the region’s economic climate.

Volunteers organized into small teams will visit local businesses throughout Newport County for 15-minute, in-person conversations. The initiative, coordinated with Connect Greater Newport, the chamber’s economic development division, aims to gather direct feedback from business owners about current conditions and concerns.

“We are looking forward to this impactful event this year,” said Erin Donovan-Boyle, president and CEO of the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce. “It is always a pleasure to get out in the community to hear directly from business leaders about how business is going and to make connections direct connections with government representatives, community leaders, and state officials in an effort to improve the regional business climate.”

Participants will include stakeholders from multiple levels of government, along with business and community leaders. Business owners will have the opportunity to share thoughts, questions, suggestions and concerns during the visits.

The chamber will compile information from the interviews into a report with recommendations to be shared with participants, government officials, business leaders and the broader community. The findings will be used to help shape policies and priorities for improving the regional business climate.

Businesses interested in hosting a visit can complete an interest form at business.newportchamber.com/ap/Form/Fill/Poe65ivr or contact Jo-anne Gorton at joanne@newportchamber.com. Business owners unable to participate in person are encouraged to complete the 2025 Greater Newport Business Trends and Outlook Survey, available at survey.alchemer.com/s3/8481497/2025-Greater-Newport-Business-Trends-and-Outlook-Survey.

The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce represents nearly 1,000 members with more than 50,000 employees across the region.