The Amarillo Chamber of Commerce hosted its 28th annual Good Times Celebration Barbecue Cook-Off on Thursday night, drawing approximately 10,000 attendees to the festivities, according to Penny Bentley, vice president of communication and marketing. The event, which has become a major networking opportunity for local businesses, featured nearly 100 teams showcasing their culinary skills.
“This event is about business networking, but it’s also an important fundraiser for the chamber,” Bentley said. “We’re a membership-based organization with about 2,000 members representing 75,000 to 85,000 employees in Amarillo’s workforce, and we’re here to advocate for business.”
Bentley emphasized the vital role events like the cook-off play in supporting the chamber’s mission, noting that membership dues alone cannot sustain operations. To help offset basic operating costs, the chamber hosts multiple events throughout the year, including a business connection in May and a golf tournament in July.