RESCHEDULED TO FEBRUARY 26TH

2025 SAGE Awards & Annual Meeting
sponsored by DENSO

Honoring Excellence: The Greater Statesville Chamber's Annual Celebration

Wednesday, February 26th, 2025
6pm-9pm

Seats are still available

Keynote Speaker

Ray Starling, General Counsel of the NC Chamber and President of the NC Chamber Legal Institute

Pre-meeting mingle beer & wine

Dinner Catered by 220 Cafe and Andrea's Sweet Shop

Chamber Update on the past year and moving forward in 2025

Awards Presentation

The SAGE Awards & Annual Meeting will celebrate the exceptional achievements of individuals and organizations in the Greater Statesville area. This year’s ceremony will honor excellence across various categories, including:

Citizen of the Year
sponsored by Nicholson Funeral Home

Business of the Year Large Enterprise
sponsored by Gordon Iron & Metal Company

Business of the Year Small Enterprise
sponsored by PeopleShare

Community Impact (Nonprofit) of the Year
sponsored by Tim Johnson Landscaping Inc.

Partners in Education Excellence Innovator of the Year
sponsored by Iredell Economic Development Corp.

Launch Sage Award (for new businesses)
sponsored by Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce

Leader in Advocacy
sponsored by Mitchell Community College

Ambassador of the Year
sponsored by Iredell Health System

Volunteer of the Year
sponsored by Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce

Fusion Award
sponsored by Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce

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

Attendees can look forward to 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, will be treated to an exclusive VIP room experience preceding the main event.

Please join us in welcoming Ray Starling, General Counsel of the NC Chamber and President of the NC Chamber Legal Institute, as our keynote speaker and his topic is "Fourth Creek at Dawn: Statesville's Journey to Greatness.". A respected leader in agriculture and North Carolina's business community, Ray brings a wealth of experience from his service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the White House, and the North Carolina General Assembly.

All award recipients will be announced at the SAGE Awards & Annual Meeting Event on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

SAGE Awards & Annual Meeting - Tickets on Sale NOW

SAGE Awards & Annual Meeting - Table of 8 - on Sale NOW

To sponsor this 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 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.

Keynote Speaker: Ray Starling
General Counsel of the NC Chamber and President of the NC Chamber Legal Institute

Ray Starling also serves as a key member of the organization’s executive leadership team, providing guidance and counsel to the public policy development functions of the NC Chamber, and assessing and advising on current and emerging laws, rulings, and regulations affecting the NC Chamber and business community in North Carolina.

He previously served as the principal agriculture advisor to the President of the United States at the White House, served as chief of staff and chief counsel for U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, after serving as general counsel when Tillis was Speaker of the House in the North Carolina legislature, and worked as general counsel for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, interfacing daily with Commissioner Steve Troxler.

Ray has a deep understanding of North Carolina’s economy and has proven experience building relationships that transcend politics. In the fall of 2022, Starling released his book "Farmers Versus Foodies" in which he shares some perspective on the question of who will call the shots for the future of the farming and food system in the United States and beyond. The book is an Amazon best seller and has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

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.

2024 Recipients & Categories

Citizen of the Year - John Koppelmeyer, Sponsored by Nicholson Funeral Home

Business of the Year - Small Enterprise - Iredell Free News, Sponsored by Iredell Statesville Community Enrichment Corp.

Business of the Year - Large Enterprise Doosan Bobcat, Sponsored by Iredell Health System

Ambassador of the Year - Tommacena Douglas, Sponsored by Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce

Community Impact (nonprofit) of the Year - Iredell Arts Council, Sponsored by Piedmont HealthCare

Partners in Education Excellence - Flow Automotive of Statesville, Sponsored by Jon Packman, DDS

Innovator of the Year - New Image Services, LLC, Sponsored by Doosan Bobcat

Volunteer of the Year - Melissa Haines, Sponsored by New Image Services

Launch Sage Award for new businesses - Native Ceuticals Apothecary, Sponsored by First National Bank

Leader in Advocacy - William Morgan, Sponsored by Flow Automotive of Statesville

Fusion Award - Iredell Ready

You don't want to miss the event of the year - recognizing and celebrating excellence in business

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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