The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce noted 125 years of staying power with its Annual Meeting on Friday night at the Emporia State Memorial Union Webb Hall.
Chamber President and CEO Jeanine McKenna says there is a lot of momentum heading into this year.
Part of the evening involved a recognition of last year’s projects, whether directly through the Chamber or through its Trusler Business Center partners like Ignite Emporia, Visit Emporia and the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas. And part of the evening involved the official recognition of award winners, including Eastside Community Group for the Chamber’s Community Impact Award. Spokesman Al Slappy says perserverance has paid off.
Missy Floyd took home the Volunteer of the Year. She says she grew up with great examples.
Coffelt Signs took home the Business of the Year, while Jim Kessler took home the Lifetime Achievement Award. Also, the event featured the traditional passing of the gavel from 2022 Chamber board chair Carla Barnett to incoming chair Matt Johnson.
