Albany Chamber’s 114th meeting looks back at 2023, ahead to 2024

ALBANY – The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 114th year during its annual meeting Thursday, held “on the bricks” at the former train depot in downtown Atlanta that now houses the Thronateeska Heritage Center.

“It’s a celebration of our chamber and our members and our community,” Chamber President and CEO Barbara Rivera Holmes said during an interview prior to the start of the outdoor event. “We recognize the work accomplished in the previous year and celebrate the chamber and Albany’s tireless volunteers.”

Currently, the Chamber has about 700 members, Holmes said.

The annual meeting, presented by the city of Albany and The X for Boys, saw the passing of the gavel from 2023 Chamber Board Chairman Perry Revell to Jeretha Peters, the 2024 chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

“Serving as the chair of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce is an honor, and I’m humbled to have been in this capacity twice,” Revell said. “With purpose, our chamber serves to champion the collective interests of our members and foster a thriving environment for business and community growth.”

The chamber also honored Cindy Wisham of the United Way of Southwest Georgia as its 2023 Ambassador of the Year.

The late Anthony Parker, who had a lengthy tenure as president of Albany Technical College, was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Dr. Parker’s commitment to empowering individuals through education reflected a genuine passion for nurturing talent and fostering success, and his visionary leadership and unwavering advocacy have fostered meaningful collaborations with local businesses, highlighting the interconnectedness of education, personal growth, and economic prosperity,” Peters said. “His legacy of generosity, innovation, and unwavering dedication will continue to inspire generations to come.”

Looking to the future, the chamber is poised to build on its accomplishments by focusing on talent development, impactful advocacy and fostering a thriving Albany community and economy, Holmes said during her remarks.

Some new initiatives planned for 2024 include the Albany Dougherty Talent Strategy 2.0 and the new chamber-affiliated young professionals organization that will help nurture the next generation of talent.

Among the accomplishments for the previous year mentioned by Holmes was the recently culminated strategic plan, #ImpactABY2023. Others include the introduction of a new tiered benefits investment model aligning member benefits with business goals, establishment of the Albany Area Political Leadership Institute to cultivate future public servants, redirection of the Albany Area Chamber Foundation toward talent and innovation, and the launch of The Ray, a field guide to Albany.

For its next strategic plan, #ImpactABY2026, the chamber will pursue a comprehensive approach focusing on the core pillars of talent, economy and community.

“I am honored to lead the chamber into the next chapter of growth and prosperity,” Peters said of her role, which she assumed in January. “With the support of our dedicated members and community partners, I am confident that we will continue to make a positive impact in the Albany area.”

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]