Chamber recognizes Times-News publisher at 65th annual dinner
KINGSPORT — A record crowd of more than 1,800 guests gathered Friday night at the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce’s 65th annual dinner to celebrate the city’s successes of the past year.
Hosted at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort and Convention Center, the sold-out event is the largest annual chamber dinner in the nation, attended by folks from throughout the region.
“Kingsport continues to enjoy remarkable growth and development during a challenging national economy,” said Olan Jones, 2011 Kingsport Chamber chairman and president and CEO of Eastman Credit Union. “Kingsport and the Tri-Cities region have fared better than most of the nation during and following the recession. The regional economy has shown remarkable resilience in terms of jobs and home values. Our existing businesses, industry and community leaders are to be commended for that.”
Etta Clark, 2012 Kingsport Chamber chair and vice president of communications and public affairs at Eastman Chemical Co., said Kingsport is “poised for a great future with so many of the wonderful and exciting projects we have happening now.”
“Kingsport’s future is bright thanks to the strong and successful partnerships between your Kingsport Chamber and so many organizations, most notably the city of Kingsport,” Clark said.
The chamber celebrated the city’s accomplishments of the past year, including the start of construction on the new Kingsport Aquatic Center and Kingsport Wellmont YMCA; the chamber’s plans for a new $2.6 million headquarters in the Press Building on the former Quebecor property in downtown Kingsport; the decision by Irish company C&F Manufacturing to invest $12.5 million in Kingsport and create 450 new jobs; completion of a $4.5 million parking garage in downtown Kingsport; the opening of Mountain Region Family Medicine’s new $18.5 million medical facility; the opening of the new Kingsport Farmers Market; and the opening of the new $8 million Food City and retail courtyard in downtown Kingsport.
The chamber also recognized Keith Wilson with its Lifetime Member Award for outstanding service to the community. Wilson is publisher of the Kingsport Times-News and Northeast Tennessee Media Group president. He is the 23rd recipient of the honor.
Eastman Chemical Co. served as title sponsor of the chamber dinner, and WJHL 11 Connects served as host sponsor. Holston Valley Medical Center was the entertainment sponsor, Eastman Credit Union served as concert hall and stage sponsor, King College served as education sponsor, KIA of Kingsport was the associate sponsor, and Oak Hill Memorial Park, Funerals and Cremations served as reception sponsor.
“This community is so proud of its Kingsport Chamber’s annual dinner,” Kingsport Chamber President and CEO Miles Burdine said. “We are, as always, so very appreciative to the event’s many corporate sponsors and the Kingsport Chamber members who attend and support it each year. It was a perfect night to celebrate this great community of Kingsport that we are so fortunate to call home.”
To comment, you must register and verify your email address by telephone.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the registered user participating in online discussions. You agree not to post comments off topic, abusive, obscene, defamatory, vulgar, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned.
Browse Premiere Local Businesses
