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Chamber News
Press Releases & News Updates

PRESS RELEASE: Bloomington Chamber Seeks Nominations for Annual Awards

6/16/2025

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The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for community 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 110th Annual Meeting & Community Awards on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
 
Anyone in the community may submit nominations. The online forms are available by visiting www.ChamberBloomington.org or by contacting The Chamber at 812-336-6381 or [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is Monday, July 28th, at 5:00 p.m.
 
Award Criteria:
  • The nominee must be a member of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce or employed by a member organization/business. ‘4 Under 40’ nominees are exempt from this. 
  • A person/organization may be nominated in more than one category. However, each nomination must be submitted separately.
  • Please provide as much detail as possible for the nomination. The independent selection committee solely uses the nomination form for selecting the award winners.
 
The 2025 awards slate includes:
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
    • Recognizes individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on our community over a sustained period.
  • New Business of the Year
    • Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for less than five years.
  • Business of the Year
    • Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for five years or more.
  • Community Anchor Award
    • Recognizes a business or organization that has contributed positively to the local community over a sustained period. 
  • 4 Under 40 Awards
    • Recognizes young professionals that make a significant impact within their organization through their leadership and work ethic, while also giving back to the community through civic involvement. 
  • Outstanding Educator Awards
    • Recognizes an individual teacher, program director, counselor, administrator, or staff member at Monroe County Community School Corporation or Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation.

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A Few Questions for Chamber President Eric Spoonmore

6/16/2025

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NOTE: This article featuring President & CEO, Eric Spoonmore, was originally published in Bloom Magazine's June/July Issue. 
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PRESS RELEASE: Celebrating Excellence: Local Leaders to be Honored with Women Excel Bloomington Awards

6/12/2025

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​The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the Women Excel Bloomington (WEB) 2025 award winners. These distinguished women were chosen for their exceptional leadership, business acumen, entrepreneurship, and community involvement. The 15th Annual WEB Awards celebration will take place on Thursday, July 10th, from 5:30 – 8:00 pm at One World at Woolery Mill.
 
Those to be honored at the 2025 Women Excel Bloomington Awards are:
 
  • Ann Harrison – Owner of Elder’s Journey/Comfort Keepers Bloomington, Columbus, Wabash Valley, Terre Haute
  • Maggie Mobley – Executive of Ministries, Sherwood Oaks Christian Church
  • Sharr Pechac – Director of Human Resources, City of Bloomington
  • Amanda Shettlesworth, SHRM-CP, PHR – Human Resources Director, Monroe County Community School Corporation
  • Vicky Sorensen – Board of Trustees Chair, Monroe Fire Protection District
  • Gladys DeVane – Mae Cassady Lifetime Achievement Award
 
“Each of these incredible honorees embodies the strength, vision, and compassion that drive our community forward,” said Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Eric Spoonmore. “Their impact is felt not only in their workplaces, but across Bloomington through their service, mentorship, and leadership. We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and recognize the many ways they enrich our community.”
 
The WEB Awards celebrate the achievements of local women leaders who inspire through their actions and initiatives. These women serve as mentors, excel in their professions, and demonstrate outstanding leadership and community service. The WEB Awards is the highlight of the Bloomington Women in Leadership's annual calendar and honors women who balance professional success with a commitment to volunteerism and civic engagement.
 
To learn more about the 2025 WEB Awards, please visit The Chamber’s website at ChamberBloomington.org or call the Chamber at (812) 336-6381.

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PRESS RELEASE: Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Named Finalist for ICEA 2025 Chamber of the Year

5/6/2025

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​The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce has been named a finalist for the Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA) 2025 Chamber of the Year Award. This distinguished honor places the Chamber among the top eight chambers in Indiana and recognizes its outstanding leadership, innovation, and service to the business community.

"This recognition as a finalist for Chamber of the Year is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and members," said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. "It reflects our unwavering commitment to strengthening the business climate in Bloomington and supporting our members through advocacy, connection, and opportunity."

The Outstanding Chamber of the Year Award is one of ICEA’s highest honors and celebrates chambers that demonstrate excellence across core areas such as member services, community leadership, advocacy, and organizational development. Finalists undergo a rigorous review process that highlights strategic impact, measurable results, and overall member engagement.

Being named a finalist comes at a time of continued growth and impact for the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, which recently expanded programming, deepened its advocacy efforts, and launched new initiatives to support workforce development and local entrepreneurship.
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The winner will be announced during the ICEA Annual Conference at the Awards Luncheon on June 5th. The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is proud to stand alongside Indiana’s leading chambers and looks forward to celebrating the shared accomplishments of chambers across the state.

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PRESS RELEASE: Hannah Hutton Named Full-Time Program Coordinator at the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce

4/22/2025

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The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Hannah Hutton has been promoted to full-time Program Coordinator. In this role, Hutton will support the Chamber’s growing event portfolio by managing the planning and execution of more than 60 programs and events annually. She will report directly to Kaytee Lorentzen, Director of Communications & Events.

“To meet the rising demand for high-quality programming and event execution, we created this new full-time position,” said Lorentzen. “Hannah has already proven herself as an invaluable asset in her part-time role. Her strong work ethic, creativity, and attention to detail have enhanced our events tremendously. I’m excited to see her thrive in this expanded capacity.”

Hutton joined the Chamber in Spring 2023 as the Events & Program Intern while studying Tourism, Hospitality, & Event Management with a minor in Media & Creative Advertising at Indiana University. She was then hired part-time at the Chamber while pursuing her studies full-time. During her tenure, she has contributed significantly to Chamber initiatives including Showcase Bloomington, the Women Excel Bloomington Awards, and the Chamber’s Member Appreciation campaigns. She also played a key role in redesigning the Chamber’s Impact Report and elevating the Chamber’s visual branding and marketing collateral.


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PRESS RELEASE: The Exchange Club of Northside Bloomington and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Host the 2025 Valor Awards

4/18/2025

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This year marks the second year of the Valor Awards, a distinguished ceremony brought to you by the Exchange Club of Northside Bloomington in partnership with the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony is dedicated to honoring the bravery and selflessness of our first responders. Set to spotlight these everyday heroes, the Valor Awards will recognize one individual from each sector for their exemplary service. The event, proudly presented by Old National Bank and Weddle Bros. Construction Companies, will unfold at the Monroe Convention Center on Tuesday, May 6th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Nominations were solicited from Monroe County entities in five categories: law enforcement, fire, correctional center, dispatch, and emergency medical technicians, with an outside selection committee tasked with reviewing submissions. The winners of each category will be announced during the awards presentation. The following individuals have been nominated in recognition for their outstanding service:
  • Law Enforcement
    • Cpl. Josh Fuller – Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
    • Detective Jon Muscato – Bloomington Police Department
    • Melissa Stone – Bloomington Police Department (Social Worker)
    • Officer Aaron Thomas – Indiana University Police Department
    • Officer Matt Williams – DNR Bloomington
  • Fire Department
    • Capt. Jayden Elkins – City of Bloomington Fire Department
    • Capt. Ryan Fipps – Monroe Fire Protection District
  • Correctional Center
    • Officer Sam Crowe – Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
  • Dispatch
    • Brooke Raybould - Monroe County Central Dispatch
  • Emergency Medical Technician
    • Sgt. Brandon Hudson – City of Bloomington Fire Department
    • Dr. Andrew Watters - IU Health LifeLine EMS


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PRESS RELEASE: Regional Collaboration Strengthens Uplands Region Talent Pipeline

4/16/2025

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​Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI), The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s Foundation – The Success School, Monroe County Community Schools, and Richland-Bean Blossom Community Schools have announced a new partnership aimed at strengthening the regional talent pipeline in the Uplands region. This collaboration focuses on providing students with opportunities for success after high school through various career exploration and skill-building initiatives.

The partnership comes at a crucial time as local employers seek new ways to develop a skilled workforce while offering high school students hands-on experience in various fields. "By working together, we are ensuring that students are well-equipped with the knowledge and experience they need to succeed after graduation, while also addressing the ongoing workforce needs of our local businesses," said Christopher Emge, Senior Director of Government & Community Relations of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.

Through a variety of opportunities, local businesses are invited to get involved and help shape the next generation of talent. These opportunities include job shadowing, mock interviews, mentorship programs, company tours, career discovery meetings, and more. Employers will have the chance to directly engage with students through in-person or virtual events such as career fairs, panel discussions, and internships. Additionally, employers can collaborate with students through mentorship opportunities or by participating in student-run business initiatives.

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PRESS RELEASE: Bloomington Chamber Now Accepting Nominations for the 2025 Women Excel Bloomington Awards

4/14/2025

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​The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce it is now accepting nominations for the 15th Annual Women Excel Bloomington (WEB) Awards. Each year, several women are recognized for their outstanding leadership in influencing the growth of others in the community and/or in their professional organization. WEB has a history of recognizing local, civic-minded women from various backgrounds and professions who mentor others and lead by example. Through their actions and initiatives, these women serve as an inspiration and demonstrate outstanding leadership in all they do. These prestigious business leadership awards will be presented at the WEB Awards reception scheduled for Thursday, July 10th at One World at Woolery Mill.
 
WEB nominees serve as an inspiration, helping others to excel as they lead by example. They may be employed in either the business sector or a non-profit organization. Other criteria include:
  • The nominees must be at least 21 years of age or older.
  • Chamber membership is not required; EXCEPT for nominees who live outside of Monroe County, who must be a Chamber member in good standing.
  • Nominees cannot be a previous WEB award winner (a full list is available on our website).
  • Nominees should balance their professional contributions with demonstrated leadership through community service or in volunteer capacities outside of their occupational obligations.
 
“We encourage our community to help us recognize the remarkable women who lead with purpose and inspire others to grow,” said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. “By nominating someone for the Women Excel Bloomington Awards, you’re not only honoring their contributions—you’re uplifting the values of leadership, mentorship, and community impact that make Bloomington thrive.”
 
Nominations may be submitted on the Chamber’s website (chamberbloomington.org/webnominations). A nomination form is also available online or by calling the Chamber at (812) 336-6381. All nominations should be submitted to the Chamber on or before Thursday, May 29th, 2025 at 5:00p.m.

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League of Women Voters Legislative Update April 19, 2025

4/11/2025

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NOTE: This Legislative Update featuring Senior Director of Government & Community Relations, Christopher Emge, was originally published on CATS on Monday, April 21st, 2025.
The Leagues of Women Voters of Bloomington-Monroe County, Brown County, and Johnson County, and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce are pleased to co-sponsor this event.
See on CATS
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Convention Center expansion picking up steam

4/11/2025

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NOTE: This news article featuring Senior Director of Government & Community Relations, Christopher Emge, was originally published by Indiana Public Media, WFIU on Noon Edition by Patrick Beane on Friday, April 11th, 2025.
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(Schmidt Associates, Convergence Design)
Trees have been cut down, parking barriers installed, and plans are underway for construction to begin in June on the expansion of the convention center in downtown Bloomington.

Even the name has changed, from the Monroe Convention Center to the Bloomington Convention Center.

It’s taken almost a decade to get the expansion project to this point. The plan includes a 61,000-square foot building across College Avenue from the current convention center, along with renovations to the current building.

That includes a full-service kitchen that could serve close to 2,000 people, a bus pull-off with Third Street corridor alignment, a loading dock ramp, relocation of utilities, and a climate-friendly green roof.

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    Chamber News

    This blog contains press releases, other news updates from the Chamber, news articles and radio interviews featuring interviews with the Chamber and team members,  and much more!

    All press releases have been sent out to community organizations and news agencies. Downloadable version of these press releases are available at the end of each blog post.

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    For media inquires, please contact Director of Communications & Events, Kaytee Lorentzen.

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​The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce provides leadership through member engagement, business advocacy and civic partnerships to strengthen our community and business environment.

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