Hutch Connect Partner Meetup 11-22-2025 Recap: Building Community Over Competition

Introductions & Business Updates

Each partner introduced themselves and shared an update on their business. Industries represented included trades, retail, food, creatives, home services, makers, personal services, and specialty shops.
A wide range of businesses — both new and established — were represented.

Major Themes from the Meetup

1. Cross-partner collaboration is increasing

Partners are:
• hiring each other
• recommending each other to clients
• trading services
• referring overflow work
• teaming up on events, podcasts, signage, and more

This is becoming one of the most valuable parts of Hutch Connect.

2. Visibility on the site is translating into real interest

Partners shared stories about customers mentioning Hutch Connect, discovering listings through events pages, and finding businesses through the scavenger hunt and holiday maps.

Cross-traffic between listings continues to be a big advantage.

3. Social media support is needed

Common concerns:
• limited time
• uncertainty about TikTok/Instagram/Snapchat
• not knowing what to post
• wanting simple, repeatable content strategies

Several partners offered to help provide guidance.
Future workshops will focus on practical, beginner-friendly approaches.

4. Hutch Connect Pass (Quarterly Pilot)

We discussed launching a free partner-powered “discount pass” with rotating quarterly offers.
Customers show a QR code → partners scan → we log Hutch Connect referrals.
This will help track engagement and provide added value to customers.

5. Smallville Festival involvement

We’ve been brought in to help bring more local/small businesses into the festival’s planning and execution.
Goal: ensure Hutch Connect partners get first access to opportunities where appropriate.
More specifics will be shared once timelines and structure are finalized.

6. Requested topics for future meetups

Partners asked for help with:

• Google Business Profile setup + verification

• Basic CRM systems

• Branding and content creation

• Social media fundamentals

• Lead tracking and analytics

• Partner-led knowledge sessions

• Tools to manage workload and customer communication

These will be built into the next events.

Closing notes

The meetup confirmed that the strength of Hutch Connect is the community behind it.
Partners are connecting, collaborating, and supporting each other in ways that weren’t happening before.

The next meetup date will be posted soon in the partner Facebook group and emailed out.

If you want to participate in Smallville planning discussions or the Hutch Connect Pass, reach out.

Meeting Agenda

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Welcome & Introductions:
Brief welcome from Joey and Abbie followed by quick introductions from everyone (name, business, and one thing they’re focused on right now).

• What Partners Receive:
  Overview of partner benefits including your business listing on HutchConnect.com, feature opportunities like spotlights and promotions, access to job postings and B2B trades, and increased visibility through events, maps, scavenger hunts, and other Hutch Connect initiatives. Partners Only Page. Password HutchConnectPartners.

• Making the Most of Hutch Connect:
  Encouragement to tag Hutch Connect in posts, share your listing and spotlight features, send updated photos or business changes, leave a Google review, and reach out if you'd like to be highlighted. Inviting additional trusted businesses to join strengthens the network. Helping out with Holiday Light Trail Submissions.

• Smallville Festival Note:
  Hutch Connect has been asked to help plan certain aspects of the Smallville Festival. Specifics cannot be shared yet. Partners will be the first to hear confirmed opportunities to get involved.

• Hutch Connect Pass Preview:
  Introduction to the upcoming quarterly digital discount pass. Consumers will show a digital pass on their phone, and partners will quickly verify authenticity by scanning a QR code. Participation is free and optional. Partners should begin thinking about what type of Q1 offer or discount they may want to include.

• QR Code Demo:
  A live demonstration using the QR code printed on this sheet to show how simple the verification process will be for both partners and customers.

• Future Meetup Topics:
  A short discussion on what partners want next, including CRM tools, Google Business Profile tips, website improvements, SEO basics, social consistency, new Hutch Connect features, and tools that would better support their business.

• Open Discussion & Feedback:
  Time for partners to share what’s working well, what can be improved, ideas for collaborations or events, suggestions for the Hutch Connect Pass, and any general feedback to strengthen the Hutch Connect ecosystem.

• Wrap-Up & Next Steps:
  Closing reminders to tag Hutch Connect, leave a Google review, send updated info, think about your Q1 Pass discount, and stay tuned for the next meetup date.

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