2009 Annual Dinner is a Night for Celebration

BOWLING GREEN, KY-The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2009 Annual Dinner at Sloan Convention Center last night, with more than 650 local business leaders, regional partners and special guests attending the event.

Annual Dinner is the highlight of the Chamber's year, giving all who attend an opportunity to celebrate the previous year's successes and to honor the Chamber's many dedicated volunteers.

While recognizing the many special guests in attendance last night, 2008 Board Chairman Doug Gorman presented Kentucky State Representative Jody Richards with a special gift on behalf of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. "We present this gift to Representative Richards in thanks for 14 years of tremendous service as speaker of the House of Representatives," said Gorman.

President's Club partners were recognized for their support of the Chamber at its premium investment levels. "More than 60 Chamber partners participated in the President's Club in 2008," said Chamber Vice President, Operations Tonya Matthews, IOM, ACE. "Their financial support is truly a salute to their commitment to economic development in South Central Kentucky."

As part of the President's Club portion of the program, Gorman announced that because of their support of the new economic development menu of services program, the Chamber's regional partners have been added to the President's Club. These additions are as follows:

Bronze Star Partners - Barren Industrial Development Economic Alliance, Hart County Industrial Authority, and Logan Economic Alliance for Development

Gold Star Partner - County of Monroe

Platinum Star Partners - County of Butler, City of Morgantown, Edmonson County Industrial Foundation

During the program, Gorman gave his final remarks as 2008 Chamber Board chairman and looked back on a year filled with success and recognition for the Chamber. "When I became chairman last January, I had high expectations for what we would accomplish, but what the Chamber has done far exceeds what I envisioned. Not only did we see new growth in the community and in business, but we also announced that the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is one of the top three chambers in the nation of its size. What a fantastic honor for such a hardworking group of staff, board members, Ambassadors and volunteers."

Gorman referred back to his theme-"Building a better tomorrow... today!"-as well, commenting that despite a slowing economy, the South Central Kentucky region still experienced economic growth. "The Chamber is proud to have participated in that economic growth," said Gorman. "In total, new and expanding industries created 1,326 direct jobs and 276 indirect jobs in our region last year. They also invested $44.8 million in capital and provided a total of $100.9 million in local economic impact."

Chamber President and CEO James N. Hizer, CEcD introduced a special year-in-review video and agreed with Gorman that 2008 was filled with many successes, particularly in economic development. "Of particular note is that the Chamber launched our menu of services program, through which we are further positioning ourselves for economic development success by giving all counties in South Central Kentucky an opportunity to work closely with experienced economic development professionals."

Hizer continued, "Our new director of regional development, Miller Slaughter, is working with Butler, Edmonson and Monroe Counties to develop and implement strategic plans, thereby improving their competitiveness. While these three counties agreed to the entire menu of services program, Allen, Barren, Hart, Logan and Metcalfe Counties agreed to an enhanced marketing package, deepening the South Central Kentucky brand."

The 2009 Board of Directors and Ambassadors were formally inducted into their positions as District Court Judge John B. Brown administered the oath. Joining the Board of Directors for 2009 are William Borders, II; Amy Milliken; and Kim Thomas. New members of the Ambassadors Club are Keri Gies and Miles McDaniel.

Mary Cohron, Anne Grubbs and Heather Rogers were honored for their service during their terms as members of the Board of Directors. The year-end award winners, who were announced previously, were again recognized during the program. The winners were: Mary Cohron, Board Volunteer of the Year; Bruce Wilkerson, Ambassador of the Year; and Lisa Dunn, Volunteer of the Year.

Bill Waltrip, who served as the Ambassadors Club president in 2008, passed the Ambassador's gavel to Heather Rogers, the president for 2009. "The Ambassadors are an important group of volunteers who work closely with the board of directors and the partnership, and I look forward to a great year in 2009," said Rogers.

To conclude the evening, Gorman formally passed the gavel to 2009 Board Chairman Todd Davis, who then outlined his hopes for the year. Davis' theme is "Many faces. One voice." and his efforts will be focused on increasing the Chamber's governmental relations efforts.

"I'm honored to become chairman this year and could not do this without the support of my family and coworkers," said Davis. "I look forward to a great year, one in which we can enhance our legislative efforts and continue to better this region. My predecessors, including Mary Cohron and Doug, have built a great foundation in the Chamber, and I anticipate much success this year."

Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. As one of only 336 chambers nationwide to be accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.