Showcasing Greater Vidalia® was a huge success. Approximately 300 people attended the Chamber’s largest event of the year on Friday, May 9th at the Vidalia Community Center and nearly $100,000 was raised to foster the Chamber’s mission of preparing, developing, and promoting our businesses and community for economic growth. This successful endeavor would not be possible without our community partners: an incredible, hard-working committee, the sponsoring businesses including the Presenting Sponsor, Paul Thigpen Automotive Group, and those who donated auction items, and those who attended and supported these efforts.
Our community partners are vital to the success of the Chamber and the economic prosperity of the region. They understand that connecting their name to these efforts by sponsoring the event demonstrates they are an integral part of the economic engine led by the Chamber. Businesses see a return on their investment by participating in high profile visibility programs and initiatives.
Chamber initiatives that are supported by the efforts of Showcasing Greater Vidalia® include the implementation of the Greater Vidalia® Center for Rural Entrepreneurship. The Center provides existing and startup businesses with the resources they need to be successful. The Public Policy Council initiatives include offering civic education through the State of the Community series, a voice for business through the Legislative Luncheon, and taking a stand on the state’s legislative agenda in the areas of taxation and economic development, health and wellness, and talent and workforce. The adult and youth leadership programs integrate people in the community in a way no other program does, allowing participants an opportunity to leave a legacy that benefits the entire region. These are just a few examples of what we do to support economic growth.
It takes courageous leadership to take on the co-chair responsibility of Showcasing Greater Vidalia®. A huge thank you to this year’s co-chairs, Laura Dowd and Natasha Goss!