From the Director’s Desk

As we welcome the spring season, I would like to take a moment to personally express my gratitude to each of you. Spring represents a time of renewal and growth, and as we move forward into this vibrant season, it provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the strength and resilience of our Chamber community.
I want to thank you for your continued support and participation in our events and initiatives.

The success of our recent Annual Chili, Chowder & Soup Cook-off was made possible by the enthusiasm and dedication of our members. Whether you sponsored, participated, volunteered, donated items or attended the event, I thank you! It’s always inspiring to see so many of you come together in support of local causes, such as the Leadership Meadville program, which benefits from the proceeds of this event.

This month, we will have the privilege of recognizing outstanding members of our community through our annual Diamond Awards ceremony on April 23 rd at the Hotel Conneaut! From the Businesses of the Year to the new Meadville Chamber Community Champion, we look forward to celebrating those who go above and beyond in making a meaningful impact. I encourage you to stay engaged and take pride in the collective accomplishments of our Chamber members.

As always, we are committed to providing you with valuable resources and opportunities to support your business. Our Time Management seminar, facilitated by Gary Svetz of Svetz
Consulting, is one of several initiatives we are offering this spring to assist you in both personal and professional growth. I encourage you to take advantage of these resources to further enhance your business practices.

This season, I will also be out in the community, connecting with as many of you as possible. I would be pleased to meet with you to learn more about your business and discuss how we can continue to build on the many advantages available to you through your Chamber membership. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in scheduling a one-on-one conversation or if you’d like more information on any of our upcoming events.

Finally, as we enjoy the beautiful spring weather, I hope you take time to unwind and enjoy the many recreational opportunities our area has to offer. Whether it’s exploring local trails, golfing, or dining outdoors, there’s no better time to experience all that Meadville and surrounding communities have to offer.

Thank you for being an essential part of our community and the Chamber. I look forward to working alongside you in the months ahead and seeing all that we can accomplish together
continuing to make this the best community in which to live, work and play.

Wishing you a successful and blessed spring season.

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, 2025 Diamond Awards Finalists!

Winners will be announced during the Chamber's Annual Dinner & Diamond Awards at The Hotel Conneaut

on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Purchase tickets here 

Emerging Leader Award, Female
Jessica Hilburn, Crawford County Federated Library System

Kati White-Hartman, Bush Investment Group

Virginia Dann, Acutec Precision Aerospace, Inc.

Emerging Leader Award, Male
Casey Dickson, Crawford County Planning Office

Gabe Panchura, Hagan Business Machines of Meadville

Joshua Sherretts, Crawford County Historical Society

Nick Novosel, Howard Hanna Bainbridge Kaufman Real Estate

Dr. Ryan Pfeifer, Anchor Performance Clinic

Yoda Botka, Good Karma Jiu Jitsu Academy

Small Business Award
Finney's Chocolate Shoppe

Kathleen Layer Coaching, LLC

Lakeside Tranquility Massage & Spa

Meadville Market House

Save Room for Dessert

Yoga Spot Meadville

Mid-Size Business Award
One Federal Credit Union

Riverside Brewing Company

The Meadville Tribune

Large Business Award
Home Instead Senior Care

Interim HealthCare

Juniper Village at Meadville

New Business Award
43 Artisan Co.

Anchor Performance Clinic

Eternal Glow

Hello Sunshine Children's Boutique

Small Non-Profit
Crawford Central Community Foundation

The Learning Center K-8 School

Meadville Area Free Clinic

Large Non-Profit
Crawford County Fair Association

The Meadville Family YMCA

United Way of Western Crawford County