2007 Annual Dinner
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2006 Board Chair Rick Kelley and retiring Board Member Gary Dillard (right) |
The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their 2007 Annual Dinner on January 25 at the Sloan Convention Center. The event sold out with 800 Chamber partners and special guests attending. Mary Cohron, 2007 Chamber Board Chair, announced this year’s theme: Strong Partners. Powerful Solutions.
“It was exciting last night to see such a large crowd! To know that the Chamber staff is already talking with the convention center to try to determine how we can reconfigure the room arrangement for future annual dinners because we’ve maxed out the space, is a true testament to why I chose the Chamber theme this year to represent the strength of our partners,” said 2007 Chamber Board of Directors Chair Mary Cohron.
Rick Kelley, 2006 Chamber Board Chair, presented an overview of results and achievements this past year. “We kicked off 2006 with the theme It’s All About Results knowing we had set some lofty goals for the year. I really knew we had hit a home run when the capital campaign for the new building resulted in $2.8 million dollars generated for our new Chamber Headquarters, exceeding our expectations and allowing us to have the building paid off in five years.
Chair Rick Kelley and Board Volunteer of the Year Ann Puckett |
"We really have something here in the Bowling Green area that is unique!" continued Kelley. "When we compare this to similar projects around the nation they want to know our secret. It is the same thing that has made this Chamber strong for so many years - our 1,200 plus partners! Mary was on the mark when she chose the 2007 theme.”
Regional partner counties were recognized for their partnership with the Kentucky Transpark and regional economic development efforts. “We have witnessed the benefits of working together in our marketing and recruitment efforts that extend beyond the Kentucky Transpark partnerships. Additionally the new economy has opened up opportunities for our region. When I asked the Annual Dinner crowd if they knew of someone who would move back to Bowling Green for information technology (IT) jobs, nearly half the room or more raised their hands. These companies have a workforce interested in their locating in the Bowling Green area,” said Chamber President & CEO James N. Hizer, CEcD.
Retiring members of the Chamber Board were honored and several special awards were presented to outstanding volunteers. “The very best part of our Chamber is its volunteers! When a community puts a volunteer team together that includes dedicated individuals like Ann Puckett, proven leaders like Rick Kelley, visionaries like Mary Cohron, and so many more that fit these descriptions, you’ve got a group that makes good things happen. Rick’s comments regarding the numerous results in 2006 and the message shared in the South Central Kentucky Video really only begin to summarize the outcome of this energy,” said Chamber Vice President of Operations Tonya Matthews.
Honored as retiring board of directors were Mark Alcott, Jean Cherry, Gary Dillard, Tim Earnhart, Charles Fortney and Ann Puckett. Honored as Chamber Board Volunteer of the Year was Ann Puckett, Volunteer of the Year was Trish Jones and Ambassador of the Year was Kim Thomas. Judge Steve Wilson served as master of ceremonies.
Outgoing Board Chair Rick Kelley passes the gavel to 2007 Board Chair Mary Cohron. |
Several partners were recognized for their support of the Chamber at its premium investment levels. “The growth in the President’s Club this year has been astounding. We now have 55 President’s Club members contributing to the Chamber’s economic development efforts at
levels ranging from $2,500 - $25,000 annually. We’ve had nearly 20 partners opt to join or increase their level in the President’s Club this year,” said Chamber Director of Partnership Development Dana Matukas.
“I would stack this event up to any similar event anywhere,” said Jessie Thompson, associate with Campbell’s Chevrolet Limousine Service. Humana Director of West KY Business Development Sean McGuinness elaborated, “Our company representatives attend these state-wide and the Bowling Green Area Chamber’s Annual Dinner was best and biggest per membership size that we’ve seen.”
2007 Annual Dinner
Local business leaders celebrated the previous year's achievements and helped kick off the Chamber's goals for the new year at the Annual Dinner in January.
Retiring Board Member Tim Earnhart (left) |
Retiring Board Member Ann Puckett |
Volunteer of the Year Trish Jones |
Ambassador of the Year Kim Thomas |
2007 Ambassador President David Wiseman presents 2006 Ambassador President Kim Thomas with a gavel plaque in appreciation for her service. |
Jim Hizer (right),President & CEO, presents 2006 Chairman Rick Kelley with a plaque showing the Chamber's appreciation for a successful 2006. |
