Post Falls Chamber: Reflecting on 2023 and looking toward the future
Christina Petit
The new year stands before us, a time to reflect on the past and write a new future. 2023 has been a fantastic year and I am thrilled for what 2024 will bring.
This year, membership grew to more than 500 members, a 12% increase. That means we have an even bigger impact on our community, economic development and legislation. We also launched our new website and continue to add features, places to highlight members and resources for our community. The monthly membership meetings and other annual events grew in a big way right along with membership and we are so grateful for the support of members, volunteers and sponsors that help made that happen. Together we are stronger.
I want to thank our most amazing chamber team: Val Wilcox, RaeAnne Capaul and Jamie Lynn Morgan. They are committed to doing all that we can to support our members and we would not be able to do what we do without them! I also want to thank the 2023 Post Falls Chamber Board of Directors; with special thanks to Dena Naccarato our Chair from the Post Falls School District, we made a lot of changes and Dena helped lead the way. I also want to say goodbye to two board members that are near and dear to my heart. Jerry Lyon and Julie Holt have completed their terms and will be stepping down from the board. They were by my side in 2020 and beyond, as I learned my role while navigating all of the challenges that COVID brought us. They were not only incredible mentors, but they are dear friends. I know that they will continue to be an active and giving part of our community and it was a true pleasure to work alongside them.
I also want to thank our longstanding members… without all of you, we would not have had the ability to serve our growing community and we truly appreciate you!
30 Years: Watson and Associates (EXPO), CDA EDC (Jobs Plus), Camelot Estates, Humanix, Watkins Distributing, Washington Trust Bank, Spokane Chiefs/Spokane Indians, Riverbend Commerce Park, Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d’Alene and Overhead Door Company of Spokane/CDA.
25 Years: Coeur d'Alene Casino/Circling Raven Golf Club, Wolf Lodge Inn, Kevin E. Kimpton CPA, Panhandle Area Council, University of Idaho Research Park, Golden Dragon, Super 1 Foods, VCA Kootenai Animal Hospital and American Clinical Institute of Massage (AiCM).
20 Years: Treaty Rock Realty, Express Employment Professionals, Intermax Networks and Rathdrum Power.
Our next opportunity to celebrate the great work going on in the community is our Annual Community Recognition Gala on Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn. We are accepting nominations for Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Small Business of the Year under 50 employees, Big Business of the Year over 50 employees and Spirit of Post Falls, the nominations are due by Feb. 1. Please send them to jamie@postfallschamber.org.
For more information on our events and programs, visit our website www.postfallschamber.org.
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Christina Petit is the president/CEO for the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce.
The Post Falls Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon cutting at North Idaho Bungee Fitness, 1649 N. Nicholson Center St., Suite 101, Post Falls.
