Presented by The Van Winkle Law Firm and Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, the Annual Meeting of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is the Chamber’s largest corporate event. We will recognize outstanding leaders of our business community, announce new Chamber board members and induct the new Board Chair. Help us celebrate the successes of the past fiscal year and share our vision for the future.
Annual Meeting
Overview
Celebrating a year of successes
Keynote Address
Keynote: “Asheville’s Future Door 1, Door 2 or Door 3?
Asheville, like many communities across North America, is going through a transformation. Our demographics are changing – attracting both millennials and boomers from across the country. Our population is growing – creating strain on government, education and non-profit sectors. Our economics are changing – despite the lowest unemployment in North Carolina for three years running – not all residents are feeling the benefits of a strong economy. At the same time – the pace of technological change is transforming daily life as we know it – from business, education and healthcare to how we communicate with one another and build community.
As keynote speaker for the 2018 Annual Meeting, futurist and economist Rebecca Ryan argues this is a moment of regeneration, a period that occurs every 80-100 years, and is full of opportunity – if you can approach it with an innovator’s mindset.
About the speaker:
Rebecca Ryan has been called “a human spark plug.” She is the author of several books, has been a guest on NBC and CBS and holds resident futurist and senior advisor posts at the Alliance for Innovation, the Governing Institute, and the Local Government Institute of Wisconsin (where she lives.). Rebecca is no stranger to North Carolina. She led the strategic foresight process at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government, credited by the Dean as having a transformational and positive impact on the School’s future. And this fall, Ms. Ryan will lead the Asheville Chamber and its partners through a six month “Futures Lab” – to discover and innovate a next generation plan for the Asheville area.
Awards
It’s an honor to celebrate our members accomplishments and contributions to the Asheville community with our annual leadership awards.
Small Business Leader of the Year
These awards, sponsored by HomeTrust Bank, recognize two individuals who clearly reflect quality and dedication to the operation of business in the Asheville area and provide leadership accomplishments including innovation, initiative and civic responsiveness. One award is given to an individual from a company with under 15 employees; the other is given to an individual at a company with 16-50 employees.
Family Business of the Year Award
The Family Business of the Year Award, sponsored by UNC Asheville Family Business Forum, recognizes a family-owned business for their contributions to the community and success as a family-owned enterprise. Self-nominations accepted.
Excellence in Public Service
This Public Service Award, sponsored by First Bank, recognizes an individual for their outstanding contribution to the community through involvement, service or motivation to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Buncombe County.
Volunteer of the Year
This award, sponsored by Roberts & Stevens recognizes a Chamber member who has given of his or her time and talents beyond the call of duty in volunteer efforts with the Chamber.
