From the Director’s Desk

Fall is almost here, and this is one of my favorite seasons of the year! It is my birthday month, Grandparents’ Day, cooler weather, & so much more. The Chamber staff is moving full steam ahead with more signature and monthly events.

After a very successful Thunder in the City and fun day on the course for our Fall Golf Outing last month, we are now ready for our Annual Wine, Brew & Spirits Walk on September 9th in

downtown Meadville. Our downtown is thriving, and we are thrilled to feature 27 stops, showcasing many of these businesses. There will be a lot going on that day, with other events such as Second

Saturday, so come enjoy the day downtown! You can enjoy breakfast, enjoy a beverage at a local coffee shop, shop the unique merchants, stop for lunch, have a sweet treat at one of incredible bakeries, visit the historic Market House, attend the Walk, stay for great food afterwards, and maybe catch some local music at one of these places...the possibilities go on!

Another one of my favorite signature events is also just around the corner! This year’s annual Women in Business Expo will be held on Wednesday, October 18th at the Meadville Country Club. This event is planned by the Chamber’s Businesswomen’s Roundtable group, an amazing group of professionals who meet every month to discuss business and community. The Expo will feature and highlight women owned/managed businesses throughout our region. Some vendors will have items to sell, kicking off the holiday shopping season! Other exhibitors will have flyers, rack cards, and other promotional materials publicizing their businesses products/services. We will enjoy delicious food, desserts, signature cocktails and more! We are pleased to have two dynamic and community-minded businesswomen speaking this year, including Susie Delo of You Matter, LLC and Mindy Nearhoof of Annie’s Flooring and Commercial Services. Susie will share her story from overcoming abuse to inspiring others. Susie is dedicated to mental and physical self-defense, and enthusiastic about others succeeding in life. Her message has been taking her around the country and abroad. Mindy is the recent recipient of the Small Business Person of the Year award by the Small Business Association. Both are remarkable women, with unique stories to tell, and we can’t wait to hear them.

I hear often that we are the “fun” Chamber. Yes, we are. But we are so much more than that! We are one of the few regional chambers with a foundation. The Meadville Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation focuses on education and connecting our youth with our community and business leaders. Eileen Mullen, the Program Coordinator of the Crawford County K-12 Career Education Alliance, a Foundation program, does a tremendous job. The CCK12CEA encourages younger students through career exploration activities and older students participate in mock interviews, after school programs, and more. We also have one of the best leadership programs in the region, which recently began its 14th class year. The Leadership Meadville program has led many individuals to grow professionally and personally over the years, as they’ve learned about their personal leadership style. Class members also receive exclusive “behind the scenes” experiences at many of the unique and successful businesses and organizations within Crawford County. There is always something to do and learn here!

Our next educational seminar is upcoming later this month, and you don’t want to miss it! Our Cyber Security Seminar is on September 14th at the Iroquois Club, featuring several experts and a time for questions and answers. We appreciate NTMA for their partnership with this event, and look we look forward to a large crowd to learn more about this important topic.

I hope you enjoy a nice holiday at the beginning of the month and get to relax on Labor Day. Happy

Grandparents’ Day to those of you who are, and if you are lucky enough to have your grandparents in your life, call them, visit them, send a card. Whatever you do, appreciate them! I was beyond blessed to have not only amazing grandparents in my life, but my great grandparents until I was in college. I am now blessed to be a grandparent and enjoy every minute I get to spend with them! I hope to see you soon, whether it is at one of our events or programs or if you would like to schedule a one-on-one meeting.

Sincerely,

Christa

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.