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Members of Manchester’s business community gathered for the final Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon of the year at the Manchester Coffee County Convention Center Tuesday, Dec. 5.

Chamber Director Katy Riddle provided a recap on some of the Chamber’s activities over the course of the last 12 months, as well as a look ahead at some things to come in the New Year.

“We had a busy fall, we are headed into obviously a busy time for all of us in our workplaces and our homes so we really appreciate you taking the time to be with us,” Riddle said during the event.

One new Chamber event for this year was “Member November.” The event brought the Chamber together with Great Lakes Cheese and MDS Foods, which donated cheese to be hand delivered to Chamber members by their fellow members.

“We were able to gather a bunch of volunteers together and then they all hand delivered packages to say thank you for being a member,” she said. “We truly appreciate everybody in this room that helped make that happen because it wouldn’t have happened without you and we just want you to know how thankful we are for your membership. It is something that we don’t take for granted.”

Riddle said Manchester also enjoyed a successful Small Business Saturday this year. Celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the day is designed to encourage community members to shop local and support the locally owned businesses in their communities.

“We were able to help promote that and the shops I have spoken to have a really great small business Saturday and again, that is because of the people in this room that believe in spending their dollars locally and we appreciate that,” Riddle said.

Riddle encouraged local business owners to keep the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce informed of their upcoming events, so the Chamber can help advertise and promote them.

Tickets for the 48th Annual Awards Gala scheduled for January 25 are currently available.

“We have opened up reservations for seats and sponsorships for the gala, so you can look on our website for that information and of course we will be reaching out as well,” Riddle said. “Friendly reminder, that is an event that will sell out pretty quickly, so make sure to get your spot.”

Riddle said nominees are officially in for the three different awards categories, and it has been a banner year for nominations.

“In my tenure, I have been here for five years now, I don’t remember ever having a more robust list of nominees,” Riddle said. “We had more nominations than ever before. “The board of met and had a very healthy discussion and picked the following nominees, three in each category.”

The 2023 Awards Gala nominees include:

-Industry of the Year: Batesville, Great Lakes Cheese and Ravago manufacturing

-Business of the Year: KK’s Loans, Music and Jewelry, Sherrill’s pest Control and Spring Street Market.

– Small Business of the Year: Baker Bros. Drug Co., The Mercantile Café and SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin and Warren Counties.

The Chamber will also host its Downtown Christmas Stroll Friday, Dec. 15 from 5- 8 p.m. on the historic Manchester square. Businesses will be open late for the event, which will also feature strolling characters, photos with Santa Claus and live storefront displays.

“That is super fun,” Riddle said. “In front of the stores people kind of act out little scenes and you will have a QR code to vote for your favorite.”

For more information about The Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce, visit www.manchestertinchamber.org.