On February 22, 2023, we held our Annual Meeting at the Hickory Metro Convention Center. Attendees were welcomed by our 2022 Board Chair, Lori Alala, of Broome Insurance, a Legacy Insurance Partner. Alala shared her thoughts and honor of serving during our 50th Anniversary year and how we adopted the theme “Legacy Forward” over the past 12 months.
Alala recognized our 117 contributors to the 1972 Legacy Forward Club, our Chamber Investors, Past Board Chairs, and Collaborative Partners in attendance.
Alala also announced the release of our 2022 Annual Report, which can be found here. Inside, you’ll find many of your Chamber’s success stories in the areas of talent recruitment and development, entrepreneurship and small business development, pro-business advocacy, leadership development and organizational excellence.
Dan Swan, Partner Relations Manager, took the stage to recognize our 2022 Chamber Ambassadors, a special group of individuals that serve as a volunteer extension of the Chamber staff and are our public relations team. Last year, our Ambassadors made 750 touches in the form of calls, emails, virtual visits, and mailed cards to Chamber partners on our behalf!
Carolina West Wireless, sponsor of our 2022 Chamber Ambassadors, had the honors of announcing the Ambassador Team of the Year. Congratulations to AJ Kerley, Becky Petree, Freda Turnmire, Megan Smith, and Dan Swan.
Alala ended her remarks by introducing Zack Cranford, President of Cranford Hospitality and 2023 Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors. Cranford presented Alala with an award and made remarks dedicated to Alala’s leadership, then proceeded to recognize our retiring Board of Directors and announce the formation of the Catawba County Chamber Foundation, Inc., which is a separate 501(c)3 organization that will be charged with further enhancing our region’s economic prosperity through education, partnerships, and engagement.
President/CEO Lindsay Keisler took to the stage to help lead a Community Visioning Exercise, where she asked the following questions: “What are the most critical community issues impacting business and/or economic generation in Catawba County” and “All limiting factors aside, what is an idea you have that if executed would be a game-changer for our community?”
Attendees were encouraged to participate in round table discussions, then several volunteered to share their discussions with the audience. Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Shareholders & Investors Luncheon. To see all the event photos, click here.
