COLUMBUS, INDIANA—The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce was awarded the 2008 Chamber of the Year Award by the Indiana Chamber Executives’ Association (ICEA) at their winter conference.

The criteria for the Chamber of the Year award include financial stability, marketing & communication, overall strategic planning, member relations, industry benchmarks, member benefits and overall community impact. The selection committee was comprised of members of the ICEA along with out of state judges who recognized the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for their commitment to engage its members in the pursuit of excellence and economic growth by fostering an innovative business environment and a world-class community.

The Chamber of Commerce was recognized as a leader in the State of Indiana when it comes to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, member engagement, and regional cluster development. The Chamber has been a catalyst for regional leadership and connecting residents to education opportunities. In 2007, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce played a key role in assisting with the Economic Opportunities 2015 initiative (better known as EcO 15) as well as organizing the first regional Tri-County Business Expo.

The Chamber of Commerce has been a passionate advocate for assisting companies in becoming high-tech and knowledge intense. As a result of Chamber efforts, the community received a Strategic Skills Initiative Grant that will help more than 200 software and mechatronics engineers to receive advanced certifications and high tech skills. Additionally, the Columbus Chamber has increased member engagement, retention, growth, and market penetration, surpassing all of the industries national benchmarks.

Chamber of Commerce staff includes:
Valerie Chowning, Membership Director, Judy DePugh, Financial Services Director, Amber Fischvogt, CEDC Director, Jack Hess, President, Kami Latham, Marketing and Events Director, Saundra Perry, Administrative Assistant and Barbara Whipker, Incubator Administrative Assistant.

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The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce engages its members in the pursuit of excellence and economic growth by fostering an innovative business environment and a world-class community. In 2008, it will be celebrating its 100th anniversary as the premier business leadership organization within the Columbus Area.

The Indiana Chamber Executives Association (commonly known as ICEA) is more than 200 paid Chamber of Commerce and associate staff members representing 99 local chambers of commerce throughout Indiana who, through their collective strength, seek to improve their profession and their organizations.