News

Inside the Chamber:  April 19, 20183rd Graders are Making. Living. Better. Have you ever seen our community through the eyes of a third grader?  I have and it’s vibrant, energetic, fun and inviting.  As a matter of fact, it is so inviting that after hearing their “sales pitch” on why people should move here, I believe I could actually hear the sound of new residents running, not walking, to ...read more

2018 Partnership Survey Results As the President of your Chamber, my greatest concern is what keeps you up at night.  What are the most critical community issues that are impacting your business? Inhibiting your growth? Impacting your ability to maximize your profit?  As an organization, we continue to pursue value and relevance every day.  Therefore, it’s imperative that we ask the right ...read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On Thursday, March 1st, a Graduation Luncheon was held in honor of the thirty-nine business and community leaders who graduated from the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce’s 43rd Class of Leadership Catawba. 43 years and running, Leadership Catawba pulls together people of diverse backgrounds and experiences who have demonstrated leadership potential throughout our ...read more

Inside the Chamber 2/21/2018 :  2017 Community Leadership Award Recipient Named  Fred Rogers, infamously known as “Mister Rogers” perfectly defined community leadership in his quote — “We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say, "It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem." Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider ...read more

An entrepreneurial legacy began as an American dream.  Roxy Te Owens, the designer and owner behind Society Social, a line of home furnishings, and co-star of HGTV’s upcoming pilot episode based in Hickory of “Carolina Reno,” says that her value of hard work and hometown was inherited from her parents.  “My parents had the belief that in America, hard work can make dreams happen no matter who you ...read more

1.11.2018  Inside the Chamber: Chamber Welcomes New Staff   I am pleased to announce our newest team members, Connie Saunders & Ben Hoyle. Both Connie and Ben bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, talent and experience to their individual roles at the Catawba Chamber. Please help us welcome them to their new roles and the Catawba County Chamber family.       Connie Saunders, MA Shareholder ...read more

Inside the Chamber: 2018 Chamber Priorities   Your Chamber is committed to working closely with our collaborative partners to grow our population and fill jobs in 2018 and beyond.  The following is a summary of our 2018 program of work priorities.  To our Shareholders & Investors, thank you for your annual partnership with is directly invested into accomplishing this work on behalf of business ...read more

Inside the Chamber: “Good Vibes”  The Law of Vibration states that everything in the Universe moves and vibrates at one speed or another without ceasing. Every object, inanimate or living, has its own vibrational frequency, even our thoughts and feelings.  Furthermore, the law states that we attract objects or people who are emitting the same or similar frequency.  Hence positive energies ...read more

11.15.2017 National Apprenticeship Week  Over the last five years, the number of individuals enrolled in apprenticeship programs across the United States has significantly increased. According to the US Department of Labor, there are more than 545,000 apprentices across the country, 4,800 of whom are in North Carolina.  Since 2013, Catawba County employers Technibilt, Sarstedt USA, GKN Sinter ...read more

Inside the Chamber:  Please Don’t Tell My friend found himself in East Village on a business trip in Manhattan around dinnertime.  Yelp told him that the best place for a hot dog was Crif Dogs that was conveniently located down the street from his hotel.  After venturing two blocks over, there it was, a sign “Crif Dogs,” in the shape of a giant hot dog bearing its catch phrase, “Eat ...read more

10.12.2017 Inside the Chamber: You’ve Got to Jump!  I would like to invite you to join us for our 2017 Women's Leadership Conference, “You’ve Got to JUMP!” presented by Frye Regional Medical Center on November 8th at 74 South at Moretz Mills. Utilize this opportunity for high-quality professional development training, a team building retreat or as simply a way to treat your best team members.  ...read more

9.20.2017 Inside the Chamber: 2017 Edison Project Finalists Announced  The 6th Annual Edison Project Entrepreneurial Competition is a celebration and recognition of the entrepreneurial spirit of the Greater Hickory Metro. After much deliberation over the record of applicants, we are proud to announce this year’s finalists.     These entrepreneurs, who have an idea for an innovative, viable ...read more

8.30.2017 Inside the Chamber: Welcome Home Hickory Metro  In two weeks, from Friday, September 15th – Sunday, September 17th, we will have the distinct honor of hosting up to fifty veterans and their families who are seeking stability and fulfillment in their next phase of life outside of the armed forces for a special weekend getaway, we’re calling “Welcome Home Hickory Metro.”    This bold ...read more

8.16.2017 Inside the Chamber: Welcome Home Bears!   Welcome Home Bears! Starting this week, the population in Catawba County will grow by just over 2,600.  Our blood will turn a slightly deeper hue of red as we proudly welcome Lenoir Rhyne University students back in town as classes officially start tomorrow, Monday, August 21st.  What are some ways you can engage with these ...read more

8.2.2017 Inside the Chamber: Future Engineer Camps focus on STEM  According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics) occupations have grown by 17.0% in the last decade, while other non-STEM occupations are growing at 9.8%.  STEM jobs are the jobs of the future and are essential for the sustained growth and stability of our local and global ...read more

Inside the Chamber: The Science of Buzz  This week, I had the privilege of learning and growing alongside of approximately 1,200 of my peers from across North America at the Association for Chamber of Commerce Executives Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.  I heard from futurists, consultants, industry colleagues, as well as, subject matter experts aimed to educate, evoke reflection, ...read more

When you think of “Chamber of Commerce” what comes to mind?   Powerful people in pinstripe suits or patent pumps sitting around board room tables? Fancy galas, clinking glasses or business cards being exchanged? Big business and big scissors cutting to applause?   Do optimism, enthusiasm, patriotism or pride come to mind? Perhaps you think, expensive, unnecessary, or "no clue!"  Can I be frank?  ...read more

Inside the Chamber: 6.14.2017 --- “Operation Hire”  "At the end of the day, we're not saying, 'hire a vet' or 'hire a service member because it's the right thing to do. That is a given. What we're saying is, 'Hire someone because they're a proven success in driving bottom line results,' "said Kimberly Williams, Executive Director of NC4ME (North Carolina for Military Employment) at our Future of ...read more

Need Speed? Slow down!After completing her most successful year in business, Michelle Ellwanger, Executive Coach and Owner of Edge Coaching in Hickory, decided she needed to slow down to speed up.  “We reached the point of having more clients than we had space for.  Unfortunately, the growth was particularly stressful and I found myself slacking on self-care.  I didn't like the unhealthy physical, ...read more

Inside the Chamber 5/10/2017:  Welcome Madison Weaver!   Please allow me to introduce our newest addition to the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce team, Madison Weaver.  Madison joined our staff last week as the Director of Shareholder and Investor Development. In this role, she will serve as our master storyteller, responsible for recruiting and retaining new Chamber partners.    A Burke County ...read more

Tourism in Catawba County By the Numbers What do the numbers $252,790,000, 2,280, 500,000, 20, 136 & 31 have in common?  Economic impact generated by tourism in Catawba County.  Our collaborative partners at the Hickory Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau have been dedicated to marketing the assets of our community as an ideal destination for meetings, conferences and events since 1997.  Please ...read more