From the Director’s Desk

Spring has sprung. The time has changed. We are happy to be enjoying nicer weather and are gearing up for summer! Last month we enjoyed our annual Chili, Chowder & Soup Cookoff, with the most participants ever, many of them being first time participants!! So many delicious options and congratulations to all the winners! Special thanks to all our event sponsors, all the businesses who donated auction items and to all who attended. Not only was this a fun, family friendly event with a little friendly competition among our great local cooks, but the proceeds from this event benefit our leadership program. This year’s class learned some event planning and fundraising skills while working on the event. Thanks to them too!

This month brings our Annual Diamond Awards Night on April 24^th. This is a night we honor our members who have gone above and beyond. They have given their time and resources to the community. I am blessed to have read about all the nominees, and the remarkable service they are doing in our local communities. All who are nominated are deserving of an award! Please join us at this event to help celebrate all the nominees and with the awards winners.

Although spring has sprung, we have been busy planning summer and fall events. This year’s Thunder in the City will prove to be an incredibly fun-filled, free weekend to all on the first weekend in August. We are currently looking for sponsors for this event!  This weekend includes First Friday sidewalk sales downtown, live entertainment, a car cruise in, a bike show, Thunder Jeep Jam, crafters & vendors, food trucks and so much more. This is a fun, family friendly free event for locals and visitors alike. Help us continue this long-standing event, by being an event sponsor!

I recently was given the opportunity to tour a member company, Meadville Forging. I truly enjoy learning more about companies in our community and meeting with staff members who are   interested in learning more about the benefits of being a Chamber member. If you are interested in learning more about the Chamber, please contact the Chamber office so that I can make an appointment to meet with you and learn more about your company or organization. Special thanks to the staff at Meadville Forging for the plant tour and meeting.

We are thrilled to have a new member on the Chamber team, Stephanie Beach. Stephanie is no stranger to the Chamber. She is a Leadership Meadville alumni, has been a Chamber volunteer over the years in her various roles at other companies and is pleased to now be part of the Chamber team. If you have not yet met her, please stop by the office or be sure to introduce yourself at any of our upcoming events. She is doing a tremendous job, and we hope she is a long-term part of our team!

I know that we are all busy. With family, career, friends, and just daily life. We would never  expect anyone to attend all our monthly events or all our signature events. We do, however, hope to see you at any event you wish to attend. We provide numerous networking opportunities, time to make new connections, meet new members, share stories with business colleagues, the opportunity to learn more about numerous businesses and more.  Our monthly after hours and our businesswomen’s group meetings are booked into 2025. We have the next four months of speakers for our Human Resources meetings scheduled to offer educational resources for you. Be sure to take advantage of these FREE member benefits. If you would like to book one of these meetings for later, please contact the Chamber.

As always, thanks for being a Chamber member. I appreciate you. We could not do all that we do without your continued support of our many programs and events. I hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

Christa

2023 WOMEN IN BUSINESS EXPO

MEADVILLE MASTER THE MIC

  Chamber of Commerce Presents 2023 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. Jan Van Tuil was honored as this year's recipient based on her decades-long volunteer service in Meadville. Among her contributions, Van Tuil served on the Crawford Central School Board for decades, now serves on the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Meadville, as well as on Greendale Cemetery's Board. She also served the First Christian Church for more than 40 years.

The esteemed Lew and Ellie Davies Award for Outstanding Community Service was bestowed on Kaitlyn Royal, an Allegheny College junior. Royal's work with "4th Graders as Scientists", a cooperative program of Partners in Education and the Crawford Central School District. She is also an active volunteer with His Work, His Way and the First Baptist Church of Linesville and participates in various French Creek Valley Conservancy volunteer projects. On campus, Kaitlyn works as an educator with Creek Connections, an environmental education program. Honorable mention recognition was presented to Autumn Peterson, a senior who was nominated for her service with Juniper Village of Meadville, where she prepares and leads activities for residents. She has also served two years with the Meadville Area Free Clinic and participated in the Health Coach program with the Meadville Medical Center.

The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the 2023 Diamond Awards. And the winners are:

 Emerging Leader, Male -  Evan Kardosh, City of Meadville

Emerging Leader, Female - Sarah Miller, Women's Services, Inc.

New Business - Cup n' Spoon

Small Business - Chateau Christine

Mid-Sized Business - Hunter's Inn

Small Non-Profit - St. James Haven

Large Non-Profit - Vallonia Industries

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, Mid-Sized and Large Business Awards Small 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.