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THE BRISTOL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CELEBRATES 98TH ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCHEON
Bristol Tenn./Va. - The Bristol Tennessee/Virginia Chamber of Commerce highlighted the accomplishments of 2007 at the Chamber’s 98th Annual Awards Celebration, on January 16, 2008 at the Holiday Inn and Suites, in Bristol Va. Incoming chairman Wes Rosenbalm accepted the Chairmanship of the Board of Directors for 2008 from 2007 Chair Mark Lucas, Comfort Systems, USA.
Following a powerful rendition of the national Anthem by Scott Branson, entertainment was provided by 15 year old Thomas Walker High School sophomore, singer Morgan Wheeler, who opened for SugarLand at age 12. Kevin Triplett of the Bristol Motor Speedway presented the Bristol Chamber’s annual Lifetime Achievement Award to Sullivan County native Doyle Lawson. “With dozens of music CD’s, music videos, and DVD’s ranging from bluegrass to gospel, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver have achieved great success. Doyle has been called ‘One of the prime architects of modern bluegrass,’ while his group’s golden harmonies can be heard on more gospel albums than bluegrass.” said Triplett. The IBMA has awarded Doyle and the band the Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year award four of the last five years.
The Chamber also honored several key 2007 Chamber volunteers. The 2007 Service Awards recipients included Keep Bristol Beautiful-Tracy Easterling, Vance Middle School; Convention and Visitor’s Bureau-Leah Ross, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, Leadership-April Eads, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services; and the Ambassador of the Year- Mike Musick.
Keep Bristol Beautiful Service Award- Tracy Easterling
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An outstanding volunteer for her commitment to educate our youth about the importance of recycling and preserving our natural resources. Easterling has led the effort for Vance Middle School’s “Return the Warmth Plastic Recycling Drive” – a nationwide recycling drive sponsored by Keep America Beautiful, Sam’s Club and Aquafina. With Easterling’s assistance and dedication Vance Middle School was one of the top 50 schools in the nation for collecting plastic for recycling and the only school in Tennessee to win. As a top 50 winner, Vance Middle School received 2,500 fleece jackets that were made of recycled plastic and the jackets were distributed to needy children in the community. |
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With her efforts and the enthusiasm of her students, the school now has an ongoing recycling program and her students prepared a presentation on recycling that they presented to city council to encourage curbside recycling for the community. Easterling’s work and dedication to educating our youth has made her a valuable asset to Keep Bristol Beautiful and our community |
Convention and Visitor’s Bureau 2007 Service Award- Leah Ross
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Over the past year, this recipient has given tremendous amounts of time to the Bristol CVB in working to promote the Twin-Cities to potential visitors. Over the past year, this individual served as a CVB Board member, assisted in hosting bus tours, national travel writer tours, media tours, and is an avid proponent of downtown Bristol. |
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Also as a supporter of various types of music and live music venues – old time, country, bluegrass, and Americana; this person is a passionate tourism leader working to preserving and promoting Bristol’s rich music heritage. An event known world-wide as the third weekend in September is synonymous with this person and encapsulates the energy, dedication and spirit of both she and the music festival she champions – Rhythm & Roots Reunion. |
Leadership Service Award- April Eads
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Eads has been a member of the LEAD Bristol! Steering Committee for the past 5 years, serving as the Chair, Past-Chair and Logistic Chair during that time. Eads is a graduate of the 2001/2002 LEAD Bristol! class, and has also served on the Bristol Youth Leadership Steering Committee of 3 years, serving as the Community Service Project Chair. |
2007 Ambassador of the Year-Mike Musick
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The Ambassadors are an organization of recognized professionals who serve as the Chamber’s volunteer outreach to existing members. This allows Ambassadors to gain community-wide recognition and exposure for themselves and their own businesses while enhancing the outreach efforts of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce. The Ambassador of the Year award is given to the ambassador who recognizes and strives to achieve the overall goal and mission of the Chamber. |
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Musick has attended nearly all First Friday Business Briefings and Business After Hours, participated in ribbon cuttings, and grand openings. He is always willing to give his time and energy in his Ambassador role. He has represented the Chamber with integrity and projects a strong positive image in a professional manner. He is currently enrolled in the 2007-2008 LEAD! Bristol class. |
The outgoing Chairman Mark Lucas thanked the outgoing members of the Board of Directors, before passing the gavel to Wes Rosenbalm. “In 2007, the Bristol Chamber of Commerce entered into cutting edge technology initiatives. The Chamber uses technology for recruiting members, increasing the number of visitors, providing the most up-to-date information, using stats to explore more benefits and features, surveying its membership, offering links to members to increase their commerce, retention and to show the value of how the chamber represents the business community” said Lucas.
Upon accepting the 2008 Chairmanship, Rosenbalm announced the 2008 board of Directors.
2008 Executive Board
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Chairman- Wes Rosenbalm |
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Chairman-Elect- David Wagner |
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Treasurer- David Wagner |
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Past Chairman- Mark Lucas |
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President & CEO/Secretary- Lisa Meadows |
Rosenbalm closed the annual meeting providing a glimpse into 2008 by highlighting several key goals. “It is the role of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce to unite and lead business through diversity, economic staying power, and regional cooperation all with a common purpose. Innovation, initiative and action will result in a system that works towards our common goals. I believe that we have a firm foundation to stand on and our board of directors looks forward to leading the chamber this coming year” said Rosenbalm.
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