Portland Chamber of Commerce held its 2020 Awards Dinner on April 13 with approximately 150 people attending. The event recognizes business and community leaders each year. The event was held at the Southern Occasions Event Center and Catering and featured a southern style buffet meal.
Eleven awards were given to recipients this year. Those include Citizen of the Year — State Rep. William Lamberth, Business Leader of the Year — Bonnette Dawson, Old Hickory Credit Union, Public Safety Award Fire — Lt. Chris Petitt, Public Safety Award Police — Officer Blake Conyer, Ambassador of the Year — Shelley Gregory, Non-Profit of the Year — Hands of Hope, Small Business of the Year — Shannon Insurance, Large Business of the Year — Food Lion, Industry of the Year — Dorman Products, New Business of the Year — Big Poppa Corn, Community Impact Awards — Cumberland Connect and Rotary Club.
President/CEO of Portland Chamber of Commerce Sherri Ferguson gave a report on the chamber for 2020. During the year, the chamber gained 37 new members making 344 members and maintaining a retention rate of 90%. They sponsored over 40 events in-person and virtual. They also sponsored the 2020 Fall Festival, The Back to School Bash, and Music on Main.
The chamber had 7,493 likes on its Facebook page and 13,010 likes on its Strawberry Festival Facebook page. The chamber received approximately 5,000 phone calls, 9 visitor packet requests, and over 14,000 office visitors.
Events Coordinator Kristen Daughtry said, “We had a great turnout for the awards dinner, and were excited to honor several local businesses, organizations and community members for their service during 2020. We have many businesses who could win the awards every year, and it goes to show what a great community Portland is to live, work, and play.”
Prior to the awards, President/CEO Sherri Ferguson recognized the chamber’s Premier Partners. Those include Old Hickory Credit Union, Shoals Technologies Group, The Farmers Bank, Dorman Products, Volunteer State Bank, Portland Utilities Construction Company, Staff Easy, Exit Realty Garden Gate Team, and Wayne’s Pest Control.
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