From the Director’s Desk

Fall is upon us. This not only brings changes in temperatures, changes in clothing options and so forth, but many changes are also happening at your local Chamber office. With Karen Staudt leaving last month after many years of dedicated service to the Chamber, we decided now is the perfect time to refresh, rejuvenate and reorganize some things. We are pleased to say that we are adding new team members and have restructured. Stephanie Beach, who has been with the Chamber for almost a year and done an exceptional job, is taking on the role of Communications Coordinator. We have added a new person to our team, that many of you may know through her various roles in the community. Julie Panchura is our new Marketing Coordinator in the office. Please help me in welcoming both women to their new roles and wish them the very best.

As we navigate things in a new manner, please also be patient with us. We will continue to provide the best service to you, our membership. Things will look a little different. Sometimes change is good. We will continue to promote our members and stand by our mission and vision statements. Our mission and vision statements are simple, but direct. The Meadville Chamber of Commerce works collectively to build business and connect community, provide educational programs, promote our members, and empower leaders of tomorrow. Our Chamber Vision is Leading our community to prosperity. We want to thank all those who helped to make our last couple of events a success. Our 10th Annual Wine, Brew & Spirits Walk was wonderful. Thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers, host locations, vendors and all that attended the event. We loved seeing so many packages from local merchants this year at the wine check. We added this feature last year and people are taking advantage of their time in these places and supporting our merchants. Mark your calendars for next year’s event on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

Our Golf Outing was also a great success and a fun day at Mt. Hope Golf Course. Thanks to all our sponsors, golfers and volunteers and the many businesses that donated items for prizes and the auction. A full course enjoyed a wonderful day of golf, good food, cold beverages on the hot day, and networking at its finest.

Our Leadership Meadville Class 15 is enjoying the start to their year. History Day taught them much about various leadership styles and they got to hear from featured speakers, Doug Sekerski, a local historian about Meadville’s history. Josh Sherretts spoke about the BRH Museum, Lon Sippy spoke about the history of manufacturing as he gave a tour of the Sippy Historical Machine Shop Museum and then Victoria Dickson rounded out the day speaking about the connection with France and Meadville.

Please mark your calendars for two of my favorite events, that always occur in this last quarter of the year. Our Women in Business Expo is Wednesday, October 16th at the Country Club of Meadville. Read all the event details in this newsletter and make your reservations soon. Sponsorship opportunities are still available that include event tickets.

Our main fundraiser of the year and best event of the year is our Chamber Auction on Wednesday, November 13th at the Movies at Meadville. Food provided by Hunter’s Inn and desserts provided by Save Room for Dessert. Mark your calendars. If you are unable to attend, be sure to send a company representative. There is something for everyone. For every budget. Some of the packages include advertising with radio, television, print, billboard space & more. There are numerous employee appreciation or packages for persona use such as salon & spa packages, health & wellness packages, golf packages, numerous trips, event space, catered breakfast, lunch & private party packages, overnight stays, fitness packages, local shopping sprees or private parties, website design, IT services and so much more.

I want to thank you for your continued support of the Chamber and all that we do for our members and the community. We could not continue to do all that we do without you! I hope to see you soon. If you would like to schedule a meeting with me, please feel free to reach out at any time.

Sincerely,

Christa

2024 WOMEN IN BUSINESS EXPO

MEADVILLE MASTER THE MIC

  Chamber of Commerce Presents 2024 Annual Dinner & Diamond Awards

The Meadville-Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce recently held their annual Annual Dinner and Diamond Awards at Saegertown's Pampered Palate Catering and Conference Center.

Christa Lundy, Executive Director of the Chamber says, "The Chamber is delighted to be honoring these deserving individuals, nonprofit organizations and businesses that are doing so much for our community. There are so many wonderful acts happening. That is why we always look forward to recognizing these Chamber members who have been doing remarkable things."

One of the biggest highlights of the evening is the recognition of the prestigious Governor Raymond P. Shafer Award for Distinguished Community Service, presented by the Chamber, Allegheny College and Shafer Law Firm. Rob Smith was honored as this year's recipient based on his decades-long volunteer service in Meadville. Among his contributions over the past 30 years, Smith, in addition to being the former President and Owner of Acutec Precision Aerospace, has served on the Crawford Central School Board, on the Board of Trustees of Allegheny College, the NTMA Board, The Chamber of Commerce Board and serves on the Women's Services Board, the Meadville Medical Center Board, the Academy Theater Board and the Board of Corporators for the Economic Progress Alliance and MMC just to name a few. He remains on the Board of Directors for Acutec Precision Aerospace and is active with the National Tooling and Machining Association, the Meadville Literary Union and is bringing his vision of revitalizing the Meadville Community with the Cussewago Square project. This project is an active renovation of the former Race Street Lumber Co. property being redeveloped with restaurants, a community theater, an artist studio and gallery space and more in hopes to become a destination draw.

The esteemed Lew and Ellie Davies Award for Outstanding Community Service was bestowed on Ashley Tipton, an Allegheny College junior. Tipton was nominated for her work with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mentoring Program at Meadville Area Middle School. She's worked with the Tamarack Wildlife Center and as a tutor with Operation Reads and the MAMS Saturday Study Help program, with the Fourth Graders as Scientists Program and Crawford County 8th Grade Career Awareness Fair. Honorable mention recognition was presented to Bianca Sanchez, a senior who was nominated for her service as a four-year project assistant with Creek Connections, a program that supports regional K-12 schools in turning their local waterways into outdoor environmental laboratories. She is active with Green Students of Color Society and with the Center for Political Participation as an Andrew Goodman Foundation Ambassador. She formerly served as the Director of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs for Allegheny Student Government. 

The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the 2024 Diamond Awards. And the winners are:

Emerging Leader, Male - Adam Prenatt, UniFirst Corp.

Emerging Leader, Female - Jayne Martin, Bayshore Homes Inc.

New Business - You Matter, LLC

Small Business - Confections of a Cake Lover

Mid-Sized Business - Inspire Salon & Spa

Small Non-Profit - Hunters Sharing the Harvest

Large Non-Profit - Family & Community Christian Association (FCCA)

The Emerging Leader Award is presented to an individual in the early years of their career who has demonstrated leadership qualities within their businesses and community. The Emerging Leader Award was established to foster young leadership and enhance retention of young professionals in our community. All nominees have demonstrated professional leadership and a commitment to community service. 

Both the Small and Mid-Sized Business Awards are issued to recognize local businesses that have achieved success and to support initiatives and organizations that enhance the quality of life in the Meadville-Western Crawford County area. All nominated businesses have demonstrated admirable performance, growth, innovation, creativity, and community involvement.

The Small Non-Profit and Large Non-Profit of the Year Awards celebrate local organizations that have achieved success while supporting initiatives and projects that enhance the quality of life in the Meadville-Western Crawford County area.

Congratulations, 2024 Diamond Awards Finalists!

Winners were announced during the Chamber's Annual Dinner & Diamond Awards on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Emerging Leader Award, Female
Virginia Dann, Acutec Precision Aerospace, Inc.
Jayne Martin, Bayshore Homes, Inc.
Amber Pfeifer, Anchor Performance Clinic

Emerging Leader Award, Male
Gabe Panchura, Hagan Business Machines of Meadville
Adam Prenatt, UniFirst Corp
Corey Young, French Creek Framing & Fine Art and Hospice of Crawford County

Small Business Award
Blue Canopy Marketing
Confections of a Cake Lover
The Woolen Mill

Mid-Size Business Award
Inspire Salon & Spa
Riverside Brewing Company
The Meadville Tribune

New Business Award
Anchor Performance Clinic LLC
Black Bear Hemp Dispensary
Chalets by the Lake
You Matter, LLC

Small Non-Profit
Hunters Sharing the Harvest
Meadville Community Theatre
The Learning Center K-8 School

Large Non-Profit
Family & Community Christian Association (FCCA)
The Arc of Crawford County
The Meadville Family YMCA