Category Archives: Chamber News

Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Biz Expo 2023

We are thrilled to announce the much-anticipated Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Biz Expo 2023! Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 28, as the Albany Civic Center once again becomes the hub of dynamic business interaction.

Prepare to supercharge your networking efforts and elevate your business success! Engage in valuable business-to-business and business-to-consumer connections and drive your overall business outcomes to new heights.

With a history of more than 500 people in attendance, our booth packages offer incredible value, starting at just $395 for a standard-sized booth. And here’s the icing on the cake…Albany Area Chamber of Commerce members enjoy exclusive special pricing! For businesses aiming for an even greater impact, we also have a limited number of enhanced booth spaces.

For more information, please reach out to Mary Bickerstaff at mbickerstaff@albanyga.com or call (229) 434-8700.

Seize this golden opportunity to showcase your business, forge meaningful partnerships, and tap into a world of possibilities. Ready to make your mark? Register here: https://bit.ly/BizEXPO2023

Albany Area Chamber’s Barbara Rivera Holmes Graduates from Institute for Organization Management

Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce Barbara Rivera Holmes, IOM, president & CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM Graduate Recognition signifies the individual’s completion of 96 credit hours of course instruction in non-profit management. In addition, participants can earn credit hours towards the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE), certifications. Nearly 1,000 individuals attend Institute annually.  

“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”  

Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.  

Roll up your sleeves and join a talent strategy implementation team

Talent is the driving force for business location and a critical component of business success. Albany is a strong, innovative and leading community in which people want to live and businesses want to invest. It’s a community in which small businesses emerge and grow and global industries thrive. The Albany – Dougherty County Works! Talent Development Strategy 2.0 leverages Albany’s assets, spirit, and community resources to enhance prosperity and maximize impact an opportunity for our citizens and its businesses.

We are actively implementing these strategies now and need your help! To JOIN the Talent 2.0 team via these committees, please fill out the form below and a member of our team will reach out with more details: https://bit.ly/AlbanyDoughertyTalentTeam

Talent 2.0 represents a two-year roadmap to strengthen build a modern and adaptive work force. The 2023 effort, launched by the Albany Area Chamber Foundation, advances and amplifies impact by building on the successes and opportunities of the 2020 strategy. The work centers around three key priority areas: Community Connection and Coordination; Youth Pipeline Development; and Continued Adult Preparation. Each priority has a committee to reach their individual growth goals.

Learn more about the goals & objectives of this missive >> https://bit.ly/AlbanyDoughertyWorks2023

We a grateful to the dedicated community members who have so graciously volunteered their time to champion this mission in each of our three priorities:

Priority 1:

Community Connection and Coordination:

Jessica Castle (Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital)

Chris Hatcher  (Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission chairman)

Priority 2:

Youth Pipeline Development:

Jodi Collins (Mars Wrigley Confectionary)

Angie Gardner (Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy)

Priority 3:

Continued Adult Preparation:

Nathaniel Cooper (Turner Job Corps)

Gabe Lord (Lord Solutions)

2023 Albany Area Chamber Business Award nominations are OPEN!

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 11, 2023

 

Contact:

Jay Houston

(229) 434-8700

jhouston@albanyga.com

 

Nominations open for Albany Area Chamber’s Business Awards

 

Albany – Nominations are open for the Albany Area Chamber Business Awards, a prestigious annual event which celebrates businesses and organizations in the region that have demonstrated a unique vision, innovation and best business practices.

“The Albany Area Chamber Business Awards celebrates excellence and shines the spotlight on member organizations that are innovating, growing and finding new ways to make a difference,” said Barbara Rivera Holmes, president & CEO of the Albany Area Chamber, the region’s leading business organization. “Through the awards we tell the stories of success, innovation, talent and impact. This year we’re excited to amplify this storytelling by expending our award categories to include recognition of veteran-owned businesses.”

The 2023 Albany Area Chamber Business Awards recognize organizations in the following categories: small business of the year; nonprofit of the year; “Uniquely Albany” award; women-owned business; and veteran-owned business.

Organizations may self-nominate or be nominated by peers via this online form. Businesses may be nominated in multiple categories. Nominations close Friday, July 28, at 5 p.m. Eligible organizations will be notified of their nomination and encouraged to apply.

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Albany Area Chamber names new 2023 Chairman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 10, 2023

Media Contact: Jay Houston

(229) 434-8700

jhouston@albanyga.com

Albany Area Chamber appoints AB&T CEO Perry Revell as chairman of the board

Albany, Ga. — The  Board of Directors of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Monday appointed Perry Revell, CEO of AB&T, to serve as 2023 chairman of the board. The move follows the unexpected death in late June of Chandu Kuntawala, who took helm of the board January 1.

The organization’s chair-elect, Jeretha Peters, Wells Fargo Advisors branch manager, will assume the role of board chair on January 1, 2024. Don Gray, facilities manager for the city of Albany, will continue in his role as immediate past chair of the board.

“With a devout belief in the transformative power of our Chamber’s work, fueled by our collective commitment to #ImpactABY2023, I’m honored to assume this role. While circumstances render heavy hearts, I’ll approach this term with the honor it deserves; as a champion of our collective vision,” said Revell. “With respect for Chandu’s legacy of service, I pledge to continue advancing our future-focused strategic plan, propelling us to meaningful community outcomes.

“Our Chamber staff is elite, and our Board is a force for good,” he said, “and together, we’ll lift the mission while solidifying the foundation for Jeretha’s 2024 term as chair.”

Revell served as the 2020 chair of the board, providing extraordinary leadership during the pandemic, one of the most challenging times in recent history.

“Perry is a trusted and gifted leader who empowers and inspires,” said Bárbara Rivera Holmes, president & CEO of the Albany Area Chamber and the Albany Area Chamber Foundation. “We are grateful for Perry’s service and for his long-standing commitment to the Albany Area Chamber as a purpose-driven force for connection, engagement, leadership and impact.”

Prior to his role as chairman, Kuntawala served the Albany Area Chamber for many years, leading its education division and bringing forth innovative programs including the popular Go See! Tour, which welcomes Chamber members to monthly visits at schools throughout Dougherty County thereby strengthening the connection between the business community, students and educators.

“Chandu was a model servant leader,” said Holmes. “The vision and enthusiasm with which he led and served helped build a stronger Albany and a stronger Albany Area Chamber, and we are forever indebted.”

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The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1910, is leading a multi-year strategic effort to advance economic opportunities and a thriving community. With a diverse business community in our corner, the Albany Area Chamber works diligently to serve area businesses, develops strategies that help our community prosper and designs the path of Albany’s future. Learn more at www.albanyga.com.

The Albany Area Chamber Foundation, founded in 1991, leads talent, economic, innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives that provide impact beyond the business community’s normal reach. The Albany Area Chamber Foundation is the 501(c)3 affiliate of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at albanyga.com.

Chamber’s Laura Russ Graduates from Talent Pipeline Management Academy®   

June 23, 2023 

 

Albany Area Chamber Foundation’s Laura Russ Graduates from Elite U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation TPM Academy®   

72 participants join a network of more than 850 professionals committed to building high-performing talent pipelines  

 

Albany, Ga. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced that Laura Russ, strategic initiatives coordinator at the Albany Area Chamber Foundation, graduated from Cohort XXIII of the national organizations’ premie

r workforce development program, the TPM Academy®. This program is facilitated by the U.S. Chamber Foundation based on its Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) framework and was funded by the Lumina Foundation.  

Russ was selected to participate in this cohort along with 71 other leaders from across the United States representing the business community, economic development agencies, community colleges and community-based org-

Laura Russ, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator at the Albany Area Chamber Foundation

anizations. Individuals were selected by a panel of their peers based on their understanding of the skills gap challenges in the community they serve, a demonstrated understanding of the TPM approach and a track record of putting plans into action.   

“TPM is a nationally-recognized framework that seeks to unlock employer leadership and orchestrate talent supply chains aligned to industry demand,” says Cheryl Oldham, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber Foundation. “We congratulate the graduates of the TPM Academy and look forward to seeing how these leaders will apply what they have learned to improve career pathways for opportunity populations in their communities.” 

The Albany Area Chamber Foundation, the 501©3 affiliate of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, leads talent, economic, entrepreneurial and innovation initiatives that provide impact beyond the business community’s normal reach. Programming includes the Albany-Dougherty County Works! Talent Development Strategy 2.0; FLEX ABY, Albany’s first youth entrepreneurship competition; and Propel+, a youth talent development initiative that through connection nurtures, provides for and empowers Albany’s female youth to design their paths.  

 “A talented work force with the knowledge and skills to meet evolving employer needs is driving business success, economic development and community success,” said Bárbara Rivera Holmes, president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber and the Albany Area Chamber Foundation. “We are proud that Laura has completed the TPM Academy and that, working with our employers and partners, will apply the experience to advance the Albany Area Chamber Foundation’s efforts to build a modern and adaptive work force.” 

 Upon completion of the training, TPM Academy graduates join the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s dedicated network of more than 850 workforce and economic development professionals from 44 U.S. states, Washington D.C. and Canada to build dynamic, sustainable talent pipelines and close the skills gap for their industry.  

“I am passionate about helping build Albany’s talent pipeline,” said Russ, who holds a PhD from the University of South Carolina. “The TPM approach is data driven, employer led and will catapult Albany’s efforts to align talent pipeline to local business needs.” 

To learn more about Talent Pipeline Management and the TPM Academy, visit the U.S. Chamber Foundation website.  

The Albany Area Chamber Foundation, founded in 1991, leads talent, economic, innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives that provide impact beyond the business community’s normal reach. The Albany Area Chamber Foundation is the 501(c)3 affiliate of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at www.albanyga.com. 

 The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1910, is leading a multi-year strategic effort to advance economic opportunities and a thriving community. With a diverse business community in our corner, the Albany Area Chamber works diligently to serve area businesses, develop strategies that help our community prosper and design the path of Albany’s future. Learn more at www.albanyga.com.  

 

Morning Mix & Mingle

Join the Albany Area Chamber June 13 for its quarterly Morning Mix & Mingle, presented by Doublegate Country Club, for Chamber 101, coffee and breakfast and networking. The event is an opportunity to meet others and learn more about how your business can benefit from membership in the Albany Area Chamber. The event is free to members and prospective members of the Albany Area Chamber.

Doublegate Country Club
3800 Old Dawson Road | Albany, Georgia

Tuesday, June 13, 2023
8 a.m. — Check In & Networking
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. — Program

Propel+ program builds business connections for female students

The room was electric May 15 as students and adults made connections during the Albany Area Chamber Foundation’s Propel+ program, which aims to build a web that through connection nurtures, provides and empowers Albany’s female youth to design their paths. More than 50 female students at the Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy participated in professional development exercises, built relationships with adult women in the work force, and were inspired by stories of entrepreneurship shared by panelists Quinetta Hall of Q’s Cakes, Sherrer Hester of Indusa Investments and peer students that participated in the FLEX ABY youth entrepreneurial competition.

The Propel+ Career Closet, unveiled at the event, is a resource that provides students with access to professional wardrobe items.

One hundred percent of participating students reported feeling better equipped to communicate with adults in a business setting. All adult participants said they were more likely to hire someone who has participated in Propel+ compared to someone who has not.

Building community looks like a lot of things and it requires a lot of hands. Through Propel+, the business community is helping build Albany’s talent and by doing so, building a stronger Albany.

Propel+ is the youth development component of the Albany Area Chamber’s women at work program, Propel.

Albany Area Chamber-led delegation advocates in DC on funding, policy, defense

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2023

 

Contact:

Barbara Rivera Holmes

(229) 434-8700

bholmes@albanyga.com

 

Albany Area Chamber-led delegation advocates in DC on funding, policy, defense

Albany – The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce last week led a delegation of local leaders to Washington, D.C., for its annual “DC Fly In,” the organization’s long-standing annual federal advocacy event. The delegation, representing the public and private sectors, met with defense officials and federal lawmakers on the issues most vital to Albany and Southwest Georgia.

The two-day, policy-intensive event included meetings with the Albany Area Congressional Delegation — U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock — and the Pentagon-based leadership of Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany (MCLB Albany) and Marine Corps Logistics Command, including Meredith Berger, assistant secretary of the Navy for energy, installations and environment, and Lt. Gen. Edward Banta, deputy commandant of Marine Corps Installations & Logistics. Col. Michael Fitzgerald, commanding officer of MCLB Albany, participated in the Pentagon discussions.

During meetings the delegation provided updates on a variety of fronts including Albany as a military community of excellence and MCLB Albany as a defense leader in energy security and logistics innovation; economic development and Albany as a premier industry location; health care delivery and expansion of services to meet regional needs; education and employer-led initiatives aimed at developing the talent pipeline in high-demand fields; and infrastructure investment as a component of community and economic development.

“Albany-Dougherty County has, through vision, action and results positioned itself as a leader in innovative partnerships that have local, state and national impact, and this distinction is well recognized among federal leadership,” said Bárbara Rivera Holmes, president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber, the region’s leading business organization, and its 501c3 affiliate, the Albany Area Chamber Foundation. “Through the Albany Area Chamber’s DC Fly In our community demonstrates a united front in our nation’s capital, shares views on federal issues that impact businesses and the community, builds allies with national leaders and advocates for funding and policies that advance and bolster our talent, development and defense initiatives.”

The advocacy event is aimed at informing leaders on local priorities and initiatives, and requesting support for critical components of the community’s overall framework for development. Calls for Congressional support include:

  • DEFENSE: $46 million for mission-critical consolidated communications center at MCLBA that enables full utilization of the base’s 5G capabilities and strengthens communications resiliency and readiness; and $56 million for operational readiness facility at Albany-based Headquarters Marine Corps Logistics Command as a required component of the Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030 strategy.
  • TALENT & HEALTH CARE: Investments in talent initiatives and projects that amplify the employer-led work force pipeline and in health care projects that address critical-need areas; and smart immigration policy reforms to support work force demands, boost economic growth, create jobs, and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship,
  • INFRASTRUCTURE: Investments in federally-mandated infrastructure improvements including the city of Albany’s combined sewer separation project.

“The Albany Area Chamber spearheads our community’s advocacy initiatives with audiences including the Albany Area Congressional Delegation and U.S. Marine Corps leadership, and is the conduit through which the business community connects, convenes and collaborates,” said Chandu Kuntawala, 2023 chairman of the Albany Area Chamber and a program manager at Booz Allen Hamilton “The Chamber’s Government Affairs Division – along with its four other member-led committees that help drive organization’s overall objectives – embodies the mission of the Chamber as a center point through which the business community is empowered to take action and design the path.”

The local delegation also met with senior leadership of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, discussing work force and talent; federal policies and regulations that impact businesses; and national economic forecast.

“A strong, united voice is central to the Chamber’s mission and to its role as the region’s leading business organization,” said Bridges Sinyard, chairman of the Chamber’s Government Affairs division and vice president of Adam’s Exterminators. “We further advance business and community success by building strong relationships between business leaders, elected officials and decision makers, and, with Albany’s role as a leading military community, build the community-Corps relationships that advance the nation’s defense efforts.”

The DC Fly In is a component of the Albany Area Chamber’s Government Affairs division. The program is program is supported by AB&T; Adams Exterminators; Albany Area Primary Health Care; the Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau; the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission; Albany State University; Albany Technical College; AT&T; the City of Albany; Dougherty County; the Dougherty County School System; Georgia CEO; Georgia Power; Horizons Community Solutions; McLendon Acres; Molson Coors; and Phoebe Putney Health System.

Visit bit.ly/AACCLegislativeAgenda2023 to view the Albany Area Chamber’s 2023 legislative agenda.

 

The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1910, is leading a multi-year strategic effort to advance the business success and economic opportunities in Albany and the Albany Area. Learn more at www.albanyga.com. 

 

A delegation of business and community leaders traveled to the nation’s capital this week as part of the Albany Area Chamber’s policy-intensive DC Fly In to meet with defense officials and federal lawmakers on the issues most vital to Albany and Southwest Georgia. The delegation is pictured here with U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D, GA).