News

A Reflection on Gratitude Do I say I’m grateful or do I truly live gratefully?  This week, I spent some time reflecting upon these words.  What does it mean to “live gratefully”?  To me, living gratefully is more than feeling appreciation for what we have.  We begin thinking about possessions, wealth, health, family, friends or any of the other items on the list of life’s pleasures and privileges. ...read more

Inside the Chamber:  “Telling Our Story”   Is there anything more compelling than a great story?  Storytelling is the oldest way to communicate important information - and arguably the most effective. Used properly, the power of a well-told narrative is quickly understood and long remembered. Marketers, whether of widgets, experiences or even communities, can harness this power with creative and ...read more

Inside the Chamber: Leadership Advice Worth Following   What's the best leadership advice you have ever received? Sometimes, it takes just a small sound bite to inspire, motivate, or keep you focused.  I reflected this week on some of the advice I’ve been given along the way and thought I’d pass along the favor.    1)    Surround yourself with inspiring beings Those words are prominently ...read more

Inside the Chamber: 2018 Women’s Leadership Conference I would like to invite you to join us for our 2018 Women's Leadership Conference, presented by Frye Regional Medical Center on November 6th at the Hickory Metro Convention Center. Utilize this opportunity for high-quality professional development training, a team building retreat or as simply a way to treat your best team members.  Each ...read more

Inside the Chamber:  Are you a seed?     A wise individual once told me that an effective leader is like an apple seed, instead of an apple. One apple contains five seeds; however, the number of apples that one seed will yield is immeasurable.  The impact that leadership has on your organizations not only impacts morale, productivity and effectiveness today, but your ability to achieve ...read more

Inside the Chamber: “The Robots Have Arrived”In September of 1997, in her book “The Death of Distance,” Frances Cairncross, economist and author, predicted the economic and social effects of technological change.  She stated that the falling cost of internet, mobile phones and other telecommunication technology would drastically change the way we live.  AA&T consultants predicted that by the ...read more

Inside the Chamber: Intern Reflection  The following was written by Allison Guthrie, Intern, at the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce.    “I always thought that an internship was supporting the staff by doing odd work for their clients, doing all the filing that fell behind and making or retrieving coffee.  One will put in hours on mundane tasks simply to get your foot in the door, prove ...read more

Inside the Chamber July 1, 2018  I hope when you discover that a person you meet served in the military you always thank them for their service. But then what do you say?  Like anything in which you associate yourself, it has a unique culture – ideals, standards, rituals, and even language – the military is no different.  For those of us who have never served, we don’t need to know, nor do our ...read more

Chamber to produce Made Magazine & Talent Attraction Guide   This week, we will launch the design and publishing process for the 2nd edition of the Made Magazine, a workforce guide targeting the next generation of talent, our middle school and high school students, as well as, their key influencers, school counselors and parents.  Utilizing captivating photography, engaging personal success ...read more

Inside the Chamber: Catawba County is Home to Heroes  In April, we had the distinct honor of hosting 39 veterans and their families (over 100 people, including spouses and children) for our second all-expenses paid community experience and hiring event, “Welcome Home Hickory Metro.”    Nineteen employers partnered with us and contributed generous sponsorship investment to sustain the vision of ...read more

It was a steamy summer in the pit of the south in Savannah, Georgia, where I first realized that women could lead.  I was a bright-eyed pony tail seventh grade tourist meandering the cobblestone streets sporting a green vest adorned with embroidered spheres along with a group of my closest girlfriends when I discovered that the passion of one woman propelled her to lead and nurture a global ...read more

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