A big thank you to all who attended the 2024 SAGE Awards & Annual Meeting, to all our sponsors and congratulations to all our recipients.
We are looking forward to our 2026 SAGE Awards!

2025 SAGE Awards & Annual Meeting - Recap

sponsored by DENSO

Honoring Excellence: The Greater Statesville Chamber's Annual Celebration

Chamber Update on the past year and moving forward in 2025

The SAGE Awards & Annual Meeting celebratd the exceptional achievements of individuals and organizations in the Greater Statesville area. This year’s ceremony honored excellence across various categories.

2024 Recipients

Citizen of the Year: Brett Eckerman
sponsored by Nicholson Funeral Home

Business of the Year Large Enterprise: Tim Johnson Landscaping
sponsored by Gordon Iron & Metal Company

Business of the Year Small Enterprise: Animal Hospital of Statesville
sponsored by PeopleShare

Community Impact (Nonprofit) of the Year: Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont
sponsored by Tim Johnson Landscaping Inc.

Partners in Education Excellence: Iredell County Crosby Scholars Community Partnership

sponsored by Iredell Economic Development Corp.

Innovator of the Year: HunkAJunk Hauling
sponsored by Iredell Economic Development Corp.

Launch Sage Award (for new businesses): The Watering Hole
sponsored by Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce

Leader in Advocacy: Mountaire Farms
sponsored by Mitchell Community College

Ambassador of the Year: Ayana Pass
sponsored by Iredell Health System

Volunteer of the Year: John Childress
sponsored by Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce

Fusion Award:

Statesville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Statesville Historical Collection
Dorothy Woodard
North Carolina African American Heritage Commission
sponsored by Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce

This prestigious event honored the exceptional achievements of individuals and organizations in Statesville and the surrounding area. We also took a look back at the Chamber's accomplishments over the past year and discussed our plans for the future.

The event started with a vibrant pre-meeting mingle featuring an array of beer and wine, providing a perfect opportunity to meet with fellow attendees.

Nominees, the esteemed guests of the evening, were treated to an exclusive VIP room experience preceding the main event.

To sponsor next year's remarkable event and position your brand as a leader in community engagement,

contact Nicole Kershner - [email protected]

The Finalists for 2024 SAGE Awards*

Animal Hospital of Statesville

Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont

Branded Peach Boutique

Fifth Street Ministries

Home Instead

HunkAJunk Hauling, LLC

Iredell County Crosby Scholars Community Partnership

Iredell Health System

Mountaire Farms

Mr. Handyman of Mooresville, Lake Norman, Concord

Piedmont HealthCare

Public Safety Division, MCC

Statesville Woman's Club

The Calm Manor

The Watering Hole

Tim Johnson Landscaping

Congratulations to all of our remarkable recipients and nominees for the 2024 Annual SAGE Awards. Your outstanding contributions, unwavering dedication, and innovative approaches have set an exceptionally high bar this year, making the selection process both inspiring and challenging. Each of you has demonstrated excellence in your own unique way, contributing to our collective success and embodying the values that make our organization special. While we can only select a handful of finalists, please know that your hard work, creativity, and commitment have not gone unnoticed. You are all winners in your own right, and we are fortunate to have such talented individuals as part of our community.

*Not all the nominees are listed here, these are the finalists. We look forward to hearing from you again next year.

SAGE Awards are as follows:

2025 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes a business that has consistently demonstrated excellence, innovation, and outstanding contributions within its industry and the broader community. This award serves as a symbol of appreciation for a company's remarkable achievements, leadership, and dedication to making a positive impact.

2025 PARTNERS IN EDUCATION EXCELLENCE

A distinguished honor that acknowledges and celebrates exceptional partnerships between businesses, organizations, and educational institutions. This award recognizes the collaborative efforts of those who have made a significant and positive impact on education and workforce development initiatives.

2025 INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

The Innovator Award celebrates businesses, or organizations that have demonstrated exceptional creativity, originality, and forward-thinking in their field or industry. This award is a tribute to the remarkable contributions and groundbreaking innovations that have reshaped and improved the way they do their work.

2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

A prestigious recognition that celebrates and honors nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated outstanding dedication, impact, and innovation in their mission to make a positive difference in the region. This award pays tribute to the nonprofit sector's invaluable contributions to society and highlights the significant achievements of a specific organization.

2025 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Nicholson Funeral Home
Candidates will be evaluated on their community experience and accomplishments, education, community/civic involvement and long term dedication to their family, business and community.

The award recipient will be announced at the Chamber's Annual Awards Event on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

2025 LAUNCH SAGE AWARD

To recognize and celebrate newly established businesses that have shown exceptional promise, growth, and potential in their respective industries. This award is dedicated to honoring the entrepreneurial spirit and achievements of businesses that are in their early stages and have already demonstrated noteworthy success.

2025 LEADER IN ADVOCACY EXCELLENCE

A distinguished honor that celebrates individuals or organizations that have demonstrated unwavering commitment, leadership, and effectiveness in advocating for important causes, rights, or issues that benefit society. This award acknowledges the outstanding efforts of those who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to creating positive change and raise awareness about pressing matters.

2025 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

A prestigious honor that recognizes and celebrates an individual who has demonstrated outstanding dedication, commitment, and selflessness in their volunteer work. This award acknowledges the invaluable contributions of volunteers and highlights the significant impact they make on their community and causes.

2025 AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR

The Ambassadors are the Chamber’s premiere volunteer organization composed of high-energy, outgoing and dynamic business men and women. The Ambassadors work together as a team to increase membership retention and to improve awareness of Chamber benefits. Ambassadors also act as hosts at Chamber events. The recipient is chosen based on the year's goals & objectives in the program.

LAST YEAR'S 2023 ANNUAL MEETING AND AWARDS BANQUET

2023 Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet: Celebrating 95 years!

Schools, workforce development among key issues addressed at annual banquet

BY AMY FUHRMAN, Iredell Free News

Kamari Dalton and Brianna Hincapie stood on stage Thursday evening in a room packed with Statesville’s business leaders and confidently fielded questions about the path to success. Their answers — seeking a balanced and stable life and a career that provides both financial and personal fulfillment — were on point. But even more impressive was the fact the speakers, who are in the sixth and ninth grades, are already paving their own paths thanks to programs through the Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont and the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce.

Article and photographs reprinted from Iredell Free News

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