It’s August, which means it’s the last month of another fiscal year for us at The Chamber. As our team is full steam ahead on planning the Annual Meeting, it’s impossible to not be proud of what our chamber has done this past year, and excited for what is to come.

But first I want to talk about the man on the cover of this newsletter. One of my favorite things as Chamber president each year is being a part of selecting the Legacy Leader award. It’s an annual award that recognizes the great accomplishments of an individual who has influenced positive change for our region, business climate and Chamber. We are absolutely thrilled to name Gate City Bank’s Steve Swiontek this year’s recipient. I have learned an even greater respect than I had for Steve by witnessing first hand his role as the chair of the Chamber board. He has in many ways been a mentor to me. His involvement and leadership in the community speaks volumes, and I can think of no better recipient this year for the year’s highest award. Congratulations, Steve! 

As I mentioned, it’s been another fantastic year. The past 12 months have brought so many new and exciting offerings to us, our members and the community. None of this would be possible without the hard work of our staff, volunteers, and support of members. I can’t wait to share them and celebrate with you!

What’s new this year?

• A relaunched website with enhanced features
• Exciting upcoming events (Psst, did you hear about Peyton Manning on Nov. 5?)
• Professionals of Color programming
• Education committee
• Increased advocacy efforts and a variety of public policy stances
• Fueling Our Future community initiative
• Deals and special offers from other members just for you
• Job postings board
• Even more discount programs to save you $$

Being part of a membership organization is an investment no business should take lightly. That’s why we’ve worked harder than ever to evaluate what we do and what we offer to you.

While we’re proud of these new offerings, we remain dedicated to being the best advocate for business in town, so going forward you can continue to expect cutting-edge programming, informational events and top-notch networking opportunities, in addition to being a part of a network of others working for the good of the region.

So, will I see you soon? I hope so!