ANNUAL EVENTS
The Small Business Department organizes the Chamber’s large annual events including: Best Places to Work® Awards, Small Business Awards Gala, the Annual Membership Meeting, Holiday Open House, and the Chamber Golf Classic.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
The Chamber’s Annual Membership Meeting recaps and provides updates on economic development activities and promotes other outstanding successes from the previous year. It also serves as a celebration of the outgoing board chair passing the gavel to the incoming chair. In addition, the Distinguished Service Award is presented to the community’s most dedicated and deserving volunteer. The luncheon also features a prominent speaker for the lunch keynote address.
Past Distinguished Service Award Winners
- 2019 - Bobby Bradley
- 2018 - Alicia Ryan
- 2017 - Dave Hargrove & Liz Hurley
- 2016 - Bryan Dodson
- 2015 - Dorothy Davidson
- 2014 - Ronnie Boles
- 2013 - Tommy Beason
- 2012 - John Stallworth
- 2011 - Bob Ludwig
- 2010 - Hundley Batts, Sr.
- 2009 - Chairman Mike Gillespie
- 2008 - U.S. Congressman Bud Cramer
- 2007 - Jim Hudson
- 2006 - Mayor Loretta Spencer
- 2005 - Gerald Toland
- 2004 - Howard Thrailkill
- 2003 - Joe Ritch
- 2002 - Hall Bryant, Jr
- 2001 - Raymond Jones, Sr.
- 2000 - John Riche
- 1999 - W.F. Sanders, Jr.
- 1998 - Roy Nichols
- 1997 - Mark C. Smith
- 1996 - Joe Hinds, Jr. & Charles Younger
- 1995 - Charles Grainger
- 1994 - Martha Simms Rambo
- 1993 - Olin King
- 1992 - Joseph C. Moquin
- 1991 - Patrick E. Richardson
- 1990 - Dr. Francis Roberts
- 1989 - W.L. Halsey
- 1988 - J.R. Thompson
- 1987 - Louis Salmon
- 1986 - Alvin Blackwell
- 1985 - Tom Thrasher
- 1984 - Joe W. Davis
- 1983 - Leroy A. Simms
- 1982 - C.M. (Chick) Russell
- 1981 - Charles E. Shaver
- 1980 - H.E. Monroe, Sr.
- 1979 - not awarded
- 1978 - James Record
- 1977 - Lula Mae McBride
- 1976 - Dr. Walt Wiesman
- 1975 - Dr. Otis Gray
- 1974 - Beulah N. Ware
- 1973 - Harry M. Rhett
- 1972 - Dr. R.D. Morrison
- 1971 - Loyd Little
- 1970 - Dr. Homer Crim
- 1969 - Dr. William McKissack
- 1968 - Judge Ashford Todd
- 1967 - U.S. Sen. John Sparkman
- 1966 - Herbert Johnson, Sr.
- 1965 - Carl T. Jones
- 1964 - M.B. Spragins
- 1963 - Milton K. Cummings
- 1962 - Dr. Carl A. Grote
- 1961 - P.S. Dunnavant
- 1960 - Dr. E.V. Caldwell
- 1959 - Henry B. Chase
- 1958 - Reese T. Amis
- 1957 - Dr. Wernher Von Braun
SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS CELEBRATION
For over 30 years the Chamber has been supporting and recognizing individuals and businesses that make a positive impact on our community through their products, services, and outstanding attributes. Our annual Small Business Awards Gala honors the best of the best small business entrepreneurs, young professionals, nonprofits, and executive leadership.
BEST PLACES TO WORK®
The Chamber’s annual Best Places to Work® awards honors outstanding companies in Huntsville/Madison County whose benefits, policies and practices are among the area’s best. Along with full bragging rights, Best Places to Work® gives businesses a unique tool that cultivates employee engagement in the workplace.
Rankings are based on an Employee Engagement Survey that asks employees to rate their company on a variety of workplace issues and topics. Surveys are administered and tabulated by Quantum Workplace—a third party research firm—and results are exclusively based on survey response participation. All companies are guaranteed anonymity regarding participating and results.
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Ring in the holiday season with fabulous food, festive entertainment and the perfect opportunity to greet and meet other Chamber members. The holiday event welcomes Chamber members, community and Redstone Arsenal senior leaders and local elected officials. Every year, it is one of the most celebrated community holiday events of the season.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT:
Amberly Kimbrough Event Specialist 256-535-2031
Contact Small Business & Events Team
