PRESS RELEASE: The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 106th Annual Meeting9/30/2021 Bloomington, IN – The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce held its 106th Annual Meeting and Community Awards this afternoon. This year the Chamber used a hybrid model for the celebration, with sponsors, board members, and award recipients attending in-person at the Monroe County Convention Center and Chamber members participating virtually.
“This past year has been a challenging experience for many of our members as we continue to deal with the COVID pandemic,” said Erin Predmore, President & CEO of the Chamber. “Here at the Chamber, we are glad to be a steady resource for our members as we navigate the situation together, and we are grateful to have opportunities like our annual meeting to connect with you, even if in a hybrid setting.” Outgoing board chair and Regional President of German American Bank, Cindy Kinnarney, called the meeting to order, and noted her gratitude for the Chamber staff and her fellow board members during her time as chair. She also kicked off the Community Awards ceremony, honoring a variety of business owners and community leaders from the past year.
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The public is invited to join Chamber members on Friday, September 17, 2021, at the annual Health & Business Conference hosted by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. The conference will be a virtual webinar via Zoom. The program will be focused on the vision for the health community. Dr. Paul Calkins, Associate Chief Medical Executive of IU Health, Carol Weiss-Kennedy, Director of Community Health of IU Health Bloomington, and Penny Caudill, Administrator of the Monroe County Health Department, will offer insights on what is next to come at the local, regional, and state level. The event will also include a Q&A portion where attendees will have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have. On Friday, August 27, 2021, The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s Bloomington Women in Leadership (BWIL) will host its first Community Engagement Day. BWIL is a professional women’s group that empowers, inspires, and engages through mentorship, professional development, and community. This first Community Engagement Day will be a donation drive for The RISE! families, a transitional housing community for women and their families affected by domestic abuse. The donation drive will be in the parking lot across the street from First United Methodist Church from 10:00AM – 2:00PM. The BWIL steering committee requests the public and local businesses take part in bringing donations of new or very gently used household items to the corner of 4th Street and Washington Street at the donation tent. The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for seven awards that recognize and honor individuals, businesses and organizations that have distinguished themselves through outstanding volunteerism, accomplishments and contributions in the community. The awards will be presented at The Chamber’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 30, 2021. Anyone in the community may submit nominations. The forms are available by visiting www.ChamberBloomington.org or by contacting The Chamber at 812-336-6381 or info@ChamberBloomington.org. The deadline for submissions is Monday, August 23 at 5:00 p.m. Chamber members, their employees and the public are invited to share in the mouth-watering fun at PrimeTime Business After Hours & Slider Contest slated for Thursday, August 19, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. The event, which debuted in 2013, is three events rolled into one: Business After Hours, a Business Expo and a delicious slider contest with local restaurants. It is an exciting way for Chamber members to connect with other members and the public to connect with local businesses, while enjoying some tasty samples from local eateries.
This year’s PrimeTime Business After Hours & Slider Contest has over 90 exhibitors and features a variety of drink and food vendors besides the slider teams. Adult beverages are available for purchase. “We are so excited to bring Primetime back this year after the pandemic. It’s a chance for community members to connect with local businesses, enjoy delicious food and have fun together,” said Erin Predmore, President & CEO of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce today announced the ten young professionals who will receive a 10 Under 40 Award at this year’s celebration. The 10th Annual 10 Under 40 Awards will be held on Wednesday, July 28 at Switchyard Park Pavilion. The 10 Under 40 Awards, co‐hosted by The Chamber and its YPB (Young Professionals Bloomington) program, is an awards celebration honoring young notables under the age of 40 who are rocking the business world through professional achievement, leadership, and civic involvement. This year’s 10 Under 40 honorees are:
Kendra Gjerdingen has been a Partner at Mallor Grodner Attorneys for over 20 years, where her practice areas include family and appellate law. “Kendra has excelled in her profession as an attorney, in her service to those within the legal profession, and to the underserved population in her community of Monroe County and surrounding areas,” said nominator, Bonnie J. Costin. She received her J.D., cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, and an M.B.A., from Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. She was admitted to the Indiana Bar, in 1993. Kendra is a Certified Family Law Specialist, as certified by the Family Law Certification Board of the Indiana State Bar Association. Kendra is also a Registered Family Law Mediator. She has been named an Indiana Super Lawyer®, by Law & Politics magazine, annually since 2009, and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® in Family Law and Family Law Mediation, since 2017. Beth Theile, Marketing Director & Co-Owner of T.I.S. Group, "has proved to be an indefatigable, committed, creative, and selfless advocate for improving the lives of people who call Monroe County home," said nominator, Tina Peterson. Beth has a long history with the Community Foundation, starting with the philanthropic legacy of her parents, Ray and Marcie Tichenor. Beth has advised on more than $150,000 in grants that were made from the family's T.l.S., lnc. Fund, benefitting a long list of essential Monroe County nonprofits. Additionally, Beth and her husband, Kevin, have continued their own family philanthropy through their Theile Family Fund at the Foundation, which allows them to make grants each year to local nonprofits. "Amber Skoby has become a shining star in the world of affordable housing and providing housing for those who might not have it otherwise," said nominator, Kevin Cade. As the Director of the Bloomington Housing Authority, she has become familiar to those in her field, on a Local, State, and National level. She not only manages public housing and a rental voucher program that serves 1500+ families in the City of Bloomington, but she represents BHA on the Mayor’s task force for Affordable Housing, coordinates other non-profits who meet monthly to share ideas, strategies, and resources, and serves and meets regularly on the NAHRO (National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials) Board. She carries the banner of affordable housing clear to the national level. As Executive Director for three years, Debra has led Middle Way House to almost double the number of people utilizing its New Wings Emergency Shelter. The number of calls handled by Middle Way’s help and crisis line increased from 2,500 in 2017 to 3,700 in 2019; and the number of children served by the Building Healthy Relationships violence prevention program grew from 1,500 in 2017 to 2,250 in 2019. "Rising through hard work to take the helm of this 70-employee, five-location organization would be hard enough without having the added pressure of being Toby Strout’s successor. But Debra’s expertise and legitimacy from over 15 years of experience at Middle Way House, her two degrees in criminal justice, and her approachable warmth earn her staff’s respect, affection, and loyalty," said her nominator, Erin Hollinden. |
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