- April 24, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
The 2021 Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce board. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Past chairwoman Caryn Baker and Chamber CEO and President Debbie Cotton present the Bill Partington New Member of the Year award to Pam Woodsome. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
O'Quinn Insurance Agency representatives accept the chamber's award for Chairwoman's choice business of the year. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington accepts the chamber's leadership award for the city. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Ormond Beach City Commission and City Manager Joyce Shanahan accept the chamber's leadership award. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Carrie Torres, of Provision Packs, was awarded the chamber's Rising Tide award. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Past chairwoman Caryn Baker presents Chamber CEO and President Debbie Cotton with an award for Outstanding Leadership. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The 2021 board members are sworn in by Mayor Bill Partington. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Chamber CEO and President Debbie Cotton spoke highly of past chairwoman Caryn Baker, whom she said was her 'calming voice' in 2020. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Past chairwoman Caryn Baker and Chamber President and CEO Debbie Cotton. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Past chairwoman Caryn Baker raises her glass in celebration. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Chairwoman Billie Jo Kaler said her vision for 2021 is to bring unity to the community. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
After a challenging year for local businesses, the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce is looking to 2021 in high spirits.
New Executive Board Chairwoman Billie Jo Kaler — installed at the chamber's annual banquet on Friday, Feb. 5 — said that despite the hardships in 2020, the chamber saw local businesses and the community come together. Light and positivity were brought back to the chamber, Kaler said, and she promised more of that to come as she energetically takes the helm of the board.
“As we move into a brighter 2021, let’s maintain the core values that we base our efforts on," Kaler said. "Let us continue to be positive beacons of light in our community and flourish the chamber into a stronger chamber.”
Her vision for this year is to reestablish unity in the Ormond community, she said to a sizable crowd of the chamber's members inside ballroom at Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach. The chamber was a great resource for its membership as local businesses navigated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that included the distribution of personal protective equipment and the virtual enrichment programs, according to Kaler, who works for Realty Pro Title.
“We at the chamber have always prided ourselves on being a place to develop meaningful relationships and connections to support local businesses and our community," Kaler said.
Kaler has succeeded past-chairwoman Caryn Baker, who Chamber CEO and President Debbie Cotton said was the right person to hold the position in 2020. It was thanks to Baker's patience, guidance, leadership and humor that the chamber had a fairly good year, Cotton said. Visibly emotional, Cotton called Baker an inspiration.
“She’s been my calming voice when I really needed somebody in 2020 to let me know everything’s OK," Cotton said.
When remembering the events of 2020, Baker, of Realty Pros Assured, said it was better to laugh than cry. She gave a rundown of all the novel events experienced throughout the nation: The mastering of the Zoom platform, increased purchases of pajamas and sweat pants, the essential nature of toilet paper, and the difficulties of homeschooling.
Baker also detailed the chamber's successes: The launch of both Startup Grind Ormond Beach and the BOSS program, the OB Open for Business campaign that instructed people on how to support local businesses through a pandemic and the distribution of personal protective equipment kits.
At the end of 2020, the chamber had 600 members, and boasted not only the addition of 72 new members, but an 81% retention rate.
“It’s been an interesting year to say the least," Baker said. "It’s also been a year that has shown me a community that honors and supports one another, and I’m humbled and blessed to be a part of that community.”
The chamber also handed out its annual awards at the banquet. The recipients were:
