Today started with that Christmas morning feeling! I had feelings of anticipation and excitement for my first day as president of the Auburn Chamber. This day feels like a gift that has been handed down from the legends that helped build this organization to where we are today.
First, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the Auburn business community and represent the 1,000+ members who help make our community the special place it is. Secondly, it is a pleasure to serve alongside such a great staff, board of directors, Diplomats and others who help the chamber deliver programs, services and benefits to the membership at large.
I’ve been asked what I will do my first day, month and year on the job, and while the to-do list is ever-growing, I have a few things I expect will remain on my list as long as I serve in this role.
I want to ensure you that the lines of communication are open, and I extend the invitation to stop by, call or email me. Feel free to connect with me to ask questions, share your ideas and feedback or just to say hello. My hope is that the Auburn Chamber will be your first call when you need assistance, information, a connection or a referral.
The Auburn Chamber will take every opportunity to celebrate the efforts and accomplishments (both small and large) of our membership. We will also seek opportunities, when possible, to collaborate with others so we can make an impact in our community.
While there are many other items on my to-do list, I am looking forward to finalizing the chamber’s strategic plan. Those goals will be shared soon.
This week is exciting because we are hosting our Auburn Young Professionals Kick Off! We will safely connect in-person with some of the area’s finest young professionals. Attendees will hear from Mayor Ron Anders and we will celebrate three standout members of the AYP program for the efforts they made in 2020.
Looking ahead, we will provide opportunities in March for the membership at large to start engaging with one another. At our in-person events, we will be sure to adhere to safety protocols. We have missed the opportunity to see you, and we look forward to connecting with those who feel comfortable participating.
Through feedback we received in 2020, we have formed a partnership with one of your fellow chamber members who will be filming our Tuesday Talk series. The chamber staff has also been working to create hybrid versions of our programming, so please continue to look out for invitations and join us in the way that makes you most comfortable.
There are many great things ahead for 2021. I would like to personally encourage you to follow the Auburn Chamber on social media as we share information and highlight our membership. I would also like to encourage you to visit our brand-new website that was built with you in mind.
We have many other great things in store for the year ahead. The staff has been working to create different ways to share information, and I hope you have noticed those new efforts.
We will continue celebrating the investments being made in the area with ribbon cuttings and as always, we encourage you to support our local businesses.
Although 2020 was unexpected, it taught me that we still have many great things to celebrate around us.
Kind Regards,
Anna Hovey