Members of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce gathered Tuesday to recognize outgoing leaders and look to their goals for the coming years.
The chamber held its 129th annual meeting Tuesday morning at the Jefferson City Country Club, where 2021 Chamber Board Chairman Jeff Davidson was honored alongside other outgoing officers and directors.
"It was clear that 2021 would take concentration, commitment and hard work if we wanted to be successful. I'm proud to say that we have a long list of accomplishments to show for all that effort," Davidson said. "Thank you to my fellow board members and executive committee members. I'm humbled to have served with some of the most talented leaders in our community."
Davidson pointed to the chamber's activities throughout his tenure as chairman, including the ratification of its three-year strategic plan, successful events and an increased focus on increasing its membership value propositions.
Davidson also presented the 2021 Chairman's Award to Paula Benne for her contributions to the chamber during his tenure.
"I am honored to present the Chairman's Award to a member that has answered the call to fill critical leadership roles over the past few years," Davidson said.
Benne, who is also owner and president of local staffing agency C&S Business Services, has served on the chamber board for the past five years and as a member of the executive committee for three years. She has served on numerous committees and has been an active sponsor and participant in several events, Davidson said.
"My heartfelt thank you to chamber staff," Benne said. "Without them through these last few years, the chamber board could not have done everything that we've been able to do. This is an awesome community, and I appreciate that."
Gaspare Calvaruso, the 2022 chairman, presented an overview of the chamber's strategic plan for the next three years, touting its commitment to advocacy and providing services to small businesses, including technical assistance.
The chamber also hopes to address workforce challenges, accelerate the engagement of potential talent, create a council focused on minority representation in business, and diversify the chamber's revenue streams and membership base.
"We have re-established our mission and values. We are here to boldly promote economic vitality," Calvaruso said. "I want to assure our membership that we will work tirelessly on accomplishing these goals. We have a great staff and board to lead us."
Members also heard an update from several chamber programs, including its Civic Progress and Young Professionals committees.
Civic Progress Co-Chairman Gregg Bexten said the committee invested $30,000 in support for local ballot issues, the quarter-cent public safety sales tax set to fund equipment and salaries for the police and fire departments approved by Jefferson City voters last year.
Young Professionals 2021 Chairwoman Brinn Thorsten and 2022 Chairman Jacob Robinett touted the professional development and networking opportunities offered to Jefferson City's next generation of business leaders.
Last year's meeting marked a change for the chamber: Its 2021 annual meeting was held in January, while a separate annual gala was held in the fall. The separate events were received well enough to follow the same pattern this year, said Gary Plummer, chamber president and CEO.
Tuesday's event also marked a return to in-person annual meetings after last year's event was held remotely amid the pandemic.