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In what was described by Master of Ceremonies Brad Goodwin as “Manchester’s own Academy Awards,” The Manchester Chamber of Commerce 48th Annual Awards Gala was a celebration of community spirit and accomplishment.

Hosted January 25 at the Manchester Coffee County Conference Center, the sold-out event recognized area industry and business with awards, as well as those individuals dedicated to improving their community.

The theme of the evening was partnerships.

“You will soon notice that tonight’s theme is all about partnerships,” Goodwin said. “As a business leader you are well aware that the right partnership can completely change the trajectory of your business and this is regardless of how old your company is.”

Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Katy Riddle provided a look back at the Chamber’s accomplishments from 2023, as well as a look ahead at things to come.

“Your Manchester Chamber was able to accomplish many things this past year and by design, none of it was in a vacuum,” she said. “Instead, we collaborated with individuals and organizations that helped us accomplish goals and add value to your membership.”

Riddle said the Chamber luncheons, occurring on nearly a monthly basis throughout the year, have been a great way for people in the community to connect.

“We averaged 118 attendees at our luncheons last year, a new record,” Riddle said.

Riddle said when she started working as Chamber director, that number was around 65 to 70 attendees.

“So that just shows you in a small amount of time the engagement that has been built by this membership and it is so much fun,” she said.

Riddle said another success in 2023 was the second annual Lemonade Day program. Lemonade Day had 485 student entrepreneurs from every Coffee County and Manchester City Schools elementary school learning about starting their own business through 27 lemonade stands located at schools and businesses throughout the town.

“It is a national program,” Riddle said. “We pay to have it in our community and it is pretty pricy for a community our size but we know we can justify it because of the experience it gives to students and with sponsorships we are able to do it.”

Other Chamber achievements include hosting the Manchester Chamber Golf Classic at WillowBrook Golf Club, graduating the second Coffee County Leadership class and partnering with the City of Manchester for marketing through the Greater Manchester Economic Development Board and welcoming tourists through the Manchester Tourism and Community Development Commission.

“Partnerships aren’t just fun, they are crucial to the success of our organization,” Riddle said.

Riddle also paid tribute to the late Mike Niederhauser during the evening.

“As most of you know we have one more board member who would have completed his term, but he left us too early to do so,” she said. “Mike was a passionate advocate and loyal friend to those he held close to him. He always pushed us to be our best and never wanted us to give up. In Mike’s honor we will keep pushing, keep striving, keep climbing mountains…”

Outgoing Chamber President Kayla Transue thanked the Board of Directors for their support and encouragement during her term as president before handing over the gavel to 2024 Chamber Board President Misty Weaver.

“I didn’t grow up in Manchester, I was what they call a transplant, so when I came here, I didn’t know anybody in this room and over the years I blossomed with growing and running a business with being a part of the Chamber,” Transue said. “It is a bittersweet moment to end my term, but I know the Chamber will be in great hands with Misty.”

When it came to the awards portion of the evening, several businesses and individuals were nominated for eight different award categories including The Tourism Community Partner Award, Industry of the Year, Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Spotlight Award, Ambassador of the Year, Board Member of the Year and the Wayne Bramblett Award.

The 2024 award winners include:

-Tourism Community Partner Award: Beans Creek Winery

– Industry of the Year: Batesville Casket Co.

– Business of the Year: Sherrill Pest Control

– Small Business of the Year: The Mercantile Café

– Spotlight Award: Spring Street Market

– Ambassador of the Year: Josh Carney, First Vision Bank

– Board Member of the Year: Holly Peterson, Thunder Radio

– Wayne Bramblett Award: Ray Marcrom