Terre Haute Chamber Named 2019 Indiana Chamber of the Year, Receives Multiple Awards
Clarksville, IN – The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce was awarded top honors by the Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA), naming the organization 2019 Indiana Chamber of the Year.
The award, sponsored by Old National Bank, was announced at the ICEA annual conference, hosted June 19-21 in Clarksville, Ind.
In a release about the awards, ICEA explains the Terre Haute Chamber “…exceled this past year with great growth and regional leadership… Advocacy has become the largest selling point for this chamber. The organization led the collaboration to develop a six-county regional approach to not only LEAD the region, but to CHANGE it… On the local level, the Chamber realized that the organization serving the downtown area was struggling, so they took action by adopting this downtown focus as a subset of the Chamber. This partnership has been recognized by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs with grant funding… At the state level, this chamber organized to enhance business and economic growth in the area through the Chamber’s initiative ‘Terre Haute is All In.’ which supports a casino in Terre Haute. Terre Haute is All In . . . and state legislators heard that message loud and clear. The Terre Haute collaboration helped lead Governor Eric Holcomb to signing the gaming bill in May 2019.” To read the full announcement from ICEA click here.
Terre Haute Chamber President David Haynes, who will retire at the end of the month, says the award was the perfect way to celebrate his five years at the Terre Haute Chamber.
“As I listened to the list of recent accomplishments at the presentation, I realized what a team effort they have been both within the Chamber and with its local partners,” he said. “I am also convinced that the best is yet to come.”
Chamber Vice President Kristin Craig will replace Haynes as Chamber President beginning July 1. During the three-day conference, a board of Chamber leaders also voted to add Craig to the ICEA Board of Directors.
Along with the Chamber of the Year distinction, Terre Haute was one of eleven chambers to receive recognition for “outstanding effort with communications excellence”. The Chamber’s advocacy focused initiative, Terre Haute Is All In, was honored with the award. The marketing campaign supported a casino in Terre Haute and was a collaboration between the Chamber and communications and legislative lobbying firm, RJL Solutions.
“Our team at RJL was beyond excited to hear that Terre Haute Is All In won ICEA’s Best Marketing Campaign,” says Betsy Peperak, Director of Strategic Communications at RJL Solutions. “While we certainly saw the impact of the brand in generating support from citizens and educating legislators, seeing its success recognized in the form of a statewide award is very rewarding. Thank you to the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce for trusting us with this campaign.”
ICEA is a statewide organization with the purpose is to establish a strong network of professionals leading local chambers of commerce in Indiana. From valuable benchmarking resources to sample templates and peer mentors, ICEA members are part of a network that will support the growth and development of each staff member at the local chamber.
About the Chamber
Established in 1913, the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce has been and always will be, committed to creating a community that is a great place to live, work and do business. Its mission is building business, building communities.
For more information, contact Katie Shane, Director of Membership and Communications at kshane@terrehautechamber.com or (812) 232-2391.
