Boone Chamber Staff on the Move: Awards, Conferences, and Community Impact

From Monday, March 24, to Wednesday, March 26, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce team was on the move, representing our community at key conferences, earning prestigious awards, and continuing our commitment to professional development.

David Recognized at the NC Rural Summit in Raleigh, NC

President/CEO David Jackson attended the 2025 Rural Summit, hosted by the NC Rural Center, where he was honored with the Community Advocate of the Year award. The summit, which brought together over 600 policymakers and advocates, featured discussions led by Governor Josh Stein, Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green on strengthening rural North Carolina.

During the event, the NC Rural Center recognized legislative and community leaders for their contributions to infrastructure, health, education and workforce, and business and economic development. David was celebrated for his unwavering commitment to supporting local businesses, as well as his advocacy for improving access to affordable childcare. Additionally, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, he emerged as a crucial voice for recovery efforts in Western North Carolina. His regular updates became a vital source of information for those outside the region, offering a clear picture of the storm's impact and Boone’s path to recovery.

While at the conference, David also attended a presentation from Mountain BizWorks, a company the Chamber recently partnered with for grant funding, and strengthened connections with Chamber members SkyLine SkyBest and First Horizon Bank.

Patrick & Emma Attend the CACCE Staff Development Conference in Chapel Hill, NC

Patrick Setzer, Director of Membership Engagement, and Emma Faulkner, Content Manager, traveled to the CACCE Staff Development Conference in Chapel Hill, a valuable learning experience for chamber professionals across the Carolinas. 

The Boone Area Chamber received a Communications Excellence Award for the 2024 Spirit of Boone Community Awards & 75th Anniversary Video, showcasing the resilience and vibrancy of our local businesses and leaders. 

Emma was presented with a 5-year service award for her time in the chamber industry, and the team also earned a conference registration scholarship, further supporting the team’s professional development and ongoing efforts to better serve our members.

Appreciation to the Chapel Hill Chamber for hosting this conference and providing a unique welcome experience for attendees. Rather than a sit-down reception, attendees were sent to Franklin Street with cash to support local businesses in downtown Chapel Hill.

Patrick and Emma gained insights from keynote sessions by Kyle Sexton and Amy Shields from ACCE and participated in breakout sessions relevant to their respective roles.

"Opportunities to see and hear from fellow Chamber professionals from around North Carolina and South Carolina is always a treat! And, of course, being able to share successful programming and member engagement ideas from our own home Chamber is rewarding as well. The CACCE executive officers and conference planning group does a great job in facilitating professional development outlets for members!" - Patrick Setzer, Director of Membership Engagement

Additionally, they enjoyed connecting with chamber professionals from across the state, including those from the McDowell Chamber, Wendell Chamber, Catawba Chamber, Chapel Hill Chamber, Wilmington Chamber, and many others.

Lindsay Represents at the Discover Watauga Tourism Summit

Lindsay Cook, Director of Operations, stayed local, attending the Discover Watauga Tourism Summit at App State's Grandview Ballroom, where she engaged with industry leaders to discuss trends and opportunities that will help shape the future of our local visitor economy. 

 “The people who make up our tourism industry are the reason visitors keep returning year after year,” said Tilley. “Our guides, outfitters, hoteliers, restaurateurs, and attraction operators make this destination truly special, and their resilience in the face of hardship is what keeps Boone thriving.”

Here, the audience heard from Marlise Taylor from Visit NC. Marlise provided updates on the state's marketing strategies for Northwestern and Western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The campaign is centered around "Inspiring Awe," emphasizing authentic travel experiences and aims to reassure visitors that western North Carolina is open and ready to welcome them back.​

This summit also recognized several deserving businesses with awards and grants, celebrating their contributions to the tourism industry and their resilience in challenging times. The following Boone Chamber members were recognized:

• The 2024 Social Media Award was presented to Hatchet Coffee Roasters
• The 2024 Hospitality Professional of the Year Award was presented to Cody Morgan of
  Sky Valley Zip Tours
• 2024 Tourism Partner of the Year Award honored Mast General Store

A Strong Home Base & Reuniting for the 4 Under 40 Awards

While some of the team was out and about, the Chamber office remained in great hands. Carrie Henderson, Director of Events, Megan Biddix, Director of Communications + Marketing, Ethan Dodson, Director of Development, and Natalie Harkey, Director of Finance, held down the fort, ensuring seamless operations and preparing for one of our largest events of the year, the 9th Annnual 4 Under 40 Awards. On the evening of March 26, the entire team reunited in Boone to celebrate young professionals who are shaping the future of our community.

A class of 16 emerging leaders and a longtime industry and community mentor were among the honorees at this event, in front of a crowd of over 200 people at the Appalachian Theatre in Downtown Boone. The event was made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

"These leaders are curious about how to connect community betterment to their professional interests, and that inspires them to constantly survey ways to engage with important projects and ideas. It goes without saying that each one of these honorees have been active in the recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, and they were ready to serve in that moment because of the skills they have developed and their desire to find a genuine way to impact their own backyards." - David Jackson, President/CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. 

This year's finalists embody the traits of community leadership by shaping young minds in classrooms, stabilizing and growing businesses in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, driving the missions of local non-profits, and providing talent, energy, and insight to established local businesses. While this annual showcase honors these emerging leaders as the next generation of community advocates, their current impact on key issues and projects more than demonstrates their abilities and passion for serving the High Country.