Several hundred leaders representing business, government, education, and nonprofit organizations gathered for The Chamber of Catawba County’s 54th Annual Meeting & Reception — an evening that reflected both the strength of our business community and the responsibility we share in shaping its future.
As shared in the program, when The Chamber calls the room together, it represents more than attendance — it represents alignment. Leaders from across sectors showing up with a shared commitment to economic vitality, workforce strength, and long-term regional competitiveness
Celebrating the Work That Moves Us Forward
The program recognized the investors and sponsors whose voluntary support fuels the Chamber’s ability to convene, advocate, and lead. We also celebrated the 2025 Chamber Ambassadors, who collectively made more than 500 outreach touches this year, strengthening partner engagement and supporting signature events throughout the year. Congratulations to Team Purple, our 2025 Ambassador Team of the Year, for their outstanding service and commitment.
In the absence of 2025 Board Chair Dana Killian, attendees heard a message reinforcing a theme that carried throughout the afternoon: progress in Catawba County happens when leaders lean in — not away — from challenges.
A Clear Strategic Direction
2026 Board Chair, Brett Bartles, President & CEO of Sarstedt, Inc. in Newton, NC, outlined the Chamber’s 2026–2027 Strategic Priorities, centered on:
- Providing catalytic leadership that anticipates challenges and opportunities
- Strengthening business success through practical connection and resources
- Maintaining thoughtful, pro-business advocacy
- Ensuring organizational excellence
- Executing the Catawba County Talent Strategy in alignment with the Chamber Foundation
These priorities reflect the Chamber’s role as both convener and catalyst — creating mission-driven spaces where leaders move beyond conversation and into action.
Foundation Update: Building the Backbone for Talent
The Annual Meeting also served as the 3rd Annual Meeting of the Catawba County Chamber Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Pat Carver, Market President of First Citizens Bank and 2025 Board Chair shared progress made in 2025 to build the structural backbone necessary for long-term execution of the Catawba County Talent Strategy that was finalized in May 2025.
Rather than launching programs prematurely, the Foundation has focused on capacity-building: clarifying implementation plans, defining performance metrics, refining budgets, and engaging private-sector investors to ensure sustainable, measurable impact.
He shared that the strategy centers on four priorities:
- Talent Pipeline Partnership
- Targeted Talent Marketing
- Housing & Amenity Development
- Family & Child Care Support
As shared during the program, this year has been about “laying the foundation” — ensuring the structure is strong before full-scale implementation begins.
Looking Ahead
The 54th Annual Meeting was both a celebration and a call to continued action. It reaffirmed The Chamber’s commitment to serving as a champion for business, a convener of leaders, and a catalyst for economic opportunity.
Bartles stated, “Progress in Catawba County does not happen by accident. It happens because leaders show up, invest, and work together with shared purpose. Thank you to the partners, volunteers, board members, and investors who make this work possible — and who remain committed to strengthening the future of Catawba County.“
Directly following the program, attendees enjoyed food, drinks, and powerful connections at the region’s premier professional networking reception.
The Chamber of Catawba County expresses a special thank you to First Citizens Bank, who serves as our Community Patron sponsor for yesterday’s celebration.
