News Articles

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PLAN

NEWS RELEASE                                                                    

For more information, contact: Anne Moore-Sparks  
Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce                                
150 Slayton Avenue
Danville, VA 24540
Phone:  434.836.6990
Email:  anne@dpchamber.org

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PLAN

PLAN FOCUSES ON ACTIONS TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESS GROWTH

[DANVILLE, VA] – The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is launching a four-year strategic plan designed to focus on the organization’s mission to support and engage business and industry through high quality resources and relationships. The plan is a complete set of goals, strategies, tactics, metrics, and timelines.

The four-month development process included surveys of Chamber members, community stakeholders, and Chamber leadership and studied Chamber demographics and trends to help target the initiatives that would best serve members and strengthen the organization.

“Our vision is to be recognized as the premier advocate for business and industry in the region,” said Anne Moore-Sparks, president and CEO. “We can realize that vision through a broader program of work and innovative initiatives that connect businesses with the resources for success.”

The plan has four priority areas. Strategies and tactics under Business Advocacy are designed to help the Chamber own the position as the regional voice of business. Business Support will focus on creating and providing value to members. The strategies under Leadership Development will make the Chamber the recognized source of leaders in the community through leadership training and development programs. Brand Sustainability will be built on operational and program excellence to make the Chamber recognized as the region’s premier business organization.   

Among key initiatives are the creation of an ambassador corps of Chamber members, integrating participants of leadership programs in community institutions and organizations, growing membership, and actively promoting business priorities to local and state legislators.

The plan has a four-year implementation timeline with most tactics assigned to the first two years. “This gives Chamber leadership clear direction on how we can best serve our members and the Danville and Pittsylvania County region.” said Hunter Byrnes,  chairman of the Board of Directors.

 The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, serving 521 members and more than 21,000 member employees, was established in 2001.

PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL PROSPERITY HOLDING THE BIG SORT IN PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
January 23, 2023

CONTACTS:
Ken Larking
Danville City Manager 434-799-5100 klarking@danvilleva.gov

J. Vaden Hunt
Interim Pittsylvania County Administrator
434-432-7710
Vaden.Hunt@pittgov.org

Clark Casteel
President & CEO, Danville Regional Foundation
434-799-2176 ccasteel@drfonline.org

PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL PROSPERITY HOLDING THE BIG SORT IN PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY.

Event will engage citizens in evaluating and prioritizing trends that will impact
the future of Pittsylvania County and Danville.

DANVILLE, VIRGINIA – The Partnership for Regional Prosperity, an organization focused on how to prepare for the growth coming to Danville and Pittsylvania County, will hold the second in a series of events called The Big Sort on February 9 at 5:00 p.m. at the Old Dominion Agricultural Center.

The free event is the latest in a series that started on December 5 in Danville and will continue in coming weeks around the area. The Big Sort is a table-top exercise in which participants evaluate regional and national trends for their local impact, certainty, and community readiness. Trends cover society, technology, economy, education, and politics and participants prioritize the trends to inform the work of the Partnership for Regional Prosperity as it continues to engage the community in a future-forward mindset and collaborative strategy that will prepare citizens, business, and government for the change that comes from anticipated growth. The Big Sort follows up on a November presentation by futurist Rebecca Ryan who encouraged attendees to think like futurists and leverage momentum to create the best future for the region.

There is no charge for The Big Sort and dinner will be provided. Participation for each session is limited to 80 and on-line registration is required at DPChamber.org

The Partnership for Regional Prosperity was formed by local elected bodies as a civic think tank that will make Danville and Pittsylvania County models of future-forward thinking and action.

2023 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

NEWS RELEASE
Anne Moore-Sparks January 10, 2023
Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
150 Slayton Avenue
Danville, VA 24540
Phone: 434.836.6990
Email: anne@dpchamber.org

ECONOMIST TO SPEAK ABOUT DAN RIVER REGION AT CHAMBER ANNUAL MEETING
MEETING WILL UNVEIL CHAMBER’S STRATEGIC PLAN AND INTRODUCE LEADERSHIP FOR 2023

[DANVILLE, VA] – The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Meeting of the Membership on January 25, 2023, at 7:30 a.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. Sonya Ravindranath Waddell, vice president and economist for regional and community analysis for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond will deliver the keynote on the challenges as well as unique assets of small cities and towns and rural areas that help attract employers and workers with a focus on the Dan River region.

The annual meeting will also present the 2023 officers and board of directors for the Chamber, deliver a report on 2022 accomplishments, and introduce a four-year strategic plan focusing on the organization’s mission to support and engage business and industry through high quality resources and relationships.

“The Chamber has an important role in leveraging the phenomenal growth that is coming to our region,” said Anne Moore-Sparks, president and CEO. “The region’s business community needs a strong advocate to help maximize the opportunities of that growth. Our leadership and strategic plan will ensure the Chamber fulfills that obligation for the benefit of our members.” The cost is $35 for members and $40 for future members and includes a breakfast buffet. Pre-registration is required by January 22. Click here to register or call the Chamber at 434-836-6990.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, serving more than 500 members and more than 21,000 member employees, was established in 2001.

CHAMBER ANNUAL AWARDS EVENT

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce recently held its annual awards event. During the event, the Chamber recognized five Young Professionals PACE [Professional and Community Engagement] award winners as well as this year’s Leadership Southside graduates. Averett University, in partnership with the Chamber, recognized the 2021-2022 Educators of the Year. Also honored were two outstanding businesses with the Pinnacle and Pinnacle Small Business awards.

Telly Tucker, President of The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research made remarks on leadership and encouraged attendees to continue to invest their time and talent in our region, a region that will see exponential growth over the next three years.

Five young professionals were honored as PACE award winners. The Chamber created the Professional and Community Engagement Awards to showcase exceptional young professionals in the Dan River Region. This year’s winners were Madison Eades, The Bee Hotel; Austin Scher, Danville Otterbots; Laura Singleton, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company; Kaylyn McCluster, Pittsylvania County – Deputy Clerk; and Stuart Sutphin, Open Doors FP.

Leadership Southside, a leadership cohort for outstanding local professionals, emphasizes leadership styles, team building, transformational leadership, problem solving, facilitation, and effective communication. Twenty-one professionals graduated from Leadership Southside XXVII and were recognized at the event:

• Kirsten Aherron, River District Association
• Laura Ashworth, City of Danville – Office of Economic Development
• David Coffey, City of Danville – Fire Department
• Amy Davis, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
• Madison Eades, Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
• Conner Finney, Travelnation
• Hailey Fowlkes, Sovah Health
• Charly Harris, J.T. Minnie Maude Charitable Trust
• Tamantha Hurt, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
• Cassie Jones, Averett University
• Brandie King, Negril
• Pete Kostopanagiotis, Daniel, Medley & Kirby
• Amy Parikh, Carlisle School
• Doug Plachcinski, City of Danville – Planning Department
• Jakeeta Scott, Danville Pittsylvania Community Services
• Donald Smith, City of Danville – Police Department
• Jarrett Stone, Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office
• Brad Stowe, Chandler Concrete
• Martina Tatum, Gateway Health
• Tammy Turner, ValleyStar Credit Union
• Kellie Wyatt, Dan River Nonprofit Network

This year, 33 teachers from Danville City Schools and Pittsylvania County Schools were recognized as winners from their individual schools, and three were selected from that pool each to receive a $2,500 stipend, generously provided by Averett University. The winners were Sharon Leigg, George Washington High School; Sharon Cobb, Chatham Middle School; and Elizabeth Echols, Chatham High School.

The Chamber’s Board created the Pinnacle Small Business Award in 2019 to recognize excellence in businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The winner is distinguished as a small business or organization that contributes to the economic vitality and quality of life in the region through innovative, ethical business practices, professionalism, and strong community involvement. It is the highest honor awarded to a small business by the Chamber, and this year was awarded to Marlow Services, LLC.

Marlow Services, LLC. started in 2015 as a side venture from a small room in their home as a husband-and-wife team. The initial goal was to provide phone and tablet repair services that would truly dazzle their customers by focusing on customer-based solutions and technical excellence. By 2019, the demand for services had grown enough for them to take the leap and make it a full-time job and focus. That customer focus guided the team in their expansion from mobile repairs out of a minivan, to a space in their garage, to a full-service repair and retail store with a full line of wireless accessories. Today, they continue to evolve and strive to find the best solutions for individuals and business customers. The company has been honored and motivated by the recognition they have received so far with over 335 combined 5-star reviews on Google and Facebook, 4,500+ social media followers, an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and the Danville Register and Bee’s Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Electronics Store (2022 and 2021), Best Customer Service (2022) and Best Place to Work (2022).

The Chamber's Board created the Pinnacle Award in 2011 to recognize a business or organization whose outstanding achievements serve as a model for success. It is the highest honor awarded to a business by the Chamber, and this year was awarded to Goodwill Industries of the Valleys.

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys stands out most for their vast contributions to our region, beyond the boundaries of Danville and Pittsylvania County. This company is so much more than their retail stores. Their mission is to help youth, adults, and seniors who have obstacles to finding employment. They provide training and employment programs to help people obtain the skills they need to be competitive, but also to provide opportunities to enter fields where they can build upon their skills and continue to grow. Goodwill also offers a healthcare training program, day support and a re-entry program to the Danville area. These programs provide training and employment assistance, and the result brings independent contributing individuals to the community. Goodwill offers afterschool and summer programs for at risk youth where the participants have free internet access, access to computers and other technology, tutoring services, nutrition aid, mentoring, summer camps and activities to foster positive experiences.

They believe that the more we pour into improving the lives of those living in our communities, the better the communities are for generations to come. When you give people not only the help, but the tools they need to succeed, you give them a lifetime of abilities to grow and achieve.

The Chamber was thrilled for the opportunity to honor this year’s extraordinary award winners. This was the first in person Awards Event the Chamber has hosted since the pandemic in 2019. Congratulations to each award recipient!

CHAMBER HIRES DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

New position plays an integral role in delivering high value to Chamber members.

[DANVILLE, VA] – The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce that Crystal Hairston has been hired as the Director of Operations, a newly created position that will play an integral role in delivering high value to Chamber members.

Hairston will be responsible for the management and coordination of operational activities which are vital to the execution of Chamber programs and initiatives. Hairston will also collaborate with Christy Harper, the Director of Member Engagement, to develop and oversee membership recruitment, retention, and engagement for the Chamber and manage administrative tasks related to communication with vendors, partners, board members, and event coordination.

Hairston brings a strong background in community engagement and workforce development. She holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Management from Patrick Henry Community College and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honors Society. Hairston is also a Certified Career Coach. 

Hairston most recently held positions with Piedmont Community Services as an Employment Specialist/Case Manager and with Goodwill Industries of the Valley as a GoodCare Regional Coordinator.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce accelerates business growth by connecting its members to dynamic resources and networks. The Chamber’s number one goal is to help area businesses of all sizes to grow and prosper.