9th Annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon

Tickets for the 9th Annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon are now available!

The High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon will take place on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 10:30AM-1:00PM in the Grandview Ballroom, located at Appalachian State's North End Zone Facility.

The Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce and the Watauga Economic Development Commission proudly serve as co-hosts of this event.

Highstreet Insurance & Financial Partners returns as the title sponsor of the High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon. Coming in as a gold sponsor is Appalachian State University,
with additional event support from Appalachian CRE, DMJPS, and Skyline National Bank. Carolina Mountain Title returns as this year's Business of the Year awards sponsor. 

Doors open at 10:30AM for an opportunity to network with event attendees from across the High Country. A buffet-style lunch will be served beginning at 11:00AM, prior to the start of the presentation.

Presenters

Dr. Harry Davis, NC Bankers' Association Professor

Keynote presenter, Dr. Harry Davis, will deliver his 2025 High Country Economic Forecast. A regionally renowned economist and banking industry legend, he serves as both Dean and Instructor for the North Carolina School of Banking. 

Dr. Davis has served as professor in the department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance at Appalachian State's Walker College of Business since 1981. He is active in the consulting field and has presented seminars to business groups nationwide. Dr. Davis crafts feasibility plans, business plans and valuations for both financial and non-financial corporations. He has served as a consultant for numerous start-up banks in North Carolina and is presently on the Board of Directors of LifeStore Bank in West Jefferson.

In celebration of his decorated career and industry influence, in September 2024, Dr. Davis was honored by the North Carolina Bankers Association with induction into its Hall of Fame.

Dr. Davis is the past Chairman of the Board of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and continues to serve as a board member. He also serves on the advisory board for the Western Youth Network.

Joe Stewart, VP for Government Affairs, IIANC

Joe Stewart is the Vice President for Governmental Affairs for the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC), starting in that role in October 2017; in addition, he serves as the state lobbyist for the NC Chapter of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals
(agents who sell health insurance). Joe has nearly 40 years of experience in government, politics, association management, issue advocacy, campaigns and fundraising in North Carolina, Baltimore and Washington, DC.

Prior to his current position providing leadership for the legislative and political action efforts of the 10,000+ statewide membership of IIANC, Joe was the Executive Director of the NC Free Enterprise Foundation (NCFREE), a non-profit, nonpartisan political research organization with a business and economic orientation – Joe also served a term on the NCFREE Board following his departure as Executive Director.

While Executive Director of NCFREE, Joe served as producer and host of Bottom Line, a weekly program broadcast on North Carolina Public Television (UNC TV). The show examined how topics of politics and public policy impact North Carolina’s economic landscape and business climate.

Joe remains a media source for objective information and insights on North Carolina’s dynamic political environment, and has appeared as a guest political analyst for Capital Tonight on Spectrum News and on UNC-TV’s Front Row with Marc Rotterman (ended in 2022) and State Lines (launched in 2023). He did more than 150 presentations to association and business audiences during the 2016 election cycle, and was frequently featured in state and national media outlets ranging from The New York Times to Fox News.

Joe’s resume includes Political Director of the NC Chamber of Commerce (launching both the PAC and Independent Expenditure programs for that organization, and winning the 2010 and 2011 Business and Industry PAC President’s Award for outreach and advocacy efforts); Executive Director of the Insurance Federation of North Carolina (a trade association representing the insurance industry on legislative and regulatory issues, where he was ranked among the most effective lobbyists by the NC Center for Public Policy Research); and, Chief Deputy State Treasurer of North Carolina and Assistant Secretary of the NC Department Public Safety.

During the presentation, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce will reveal the recipients for the 2024 Watauga County Business of the Year Awards, presented by Carolina Mountain Title. Business of the Year winners will be recognized in three categories: Large Business, Small Business, and Start Up Business. 

NOMINATE A BUSINESS

Nominations close on Monday, December 30, 2024.

When: Thursday, January 16, 2025, 10:30 am-1:00 pm

Where: Grandview Ballroom, 135 Jack Branch Drive, Boone, NC

Tickets: $40/Individual

Corporate Table: $375 - This purchase includes 8 tickets for use by your business, logo recognition on special signage at the venue, and acknowledgment from the podium. Corporate tables are limited.

If you have questions, contact the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce at 828-264-2225 or email the Chamber’s Director of Events, Carrie Henderson, at carrie@boonechamber.com.