The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce hosted its 140th annual meeting on Thursday, January 28, 2010, at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel. Over 700 Chamber members attended this year’s sold-out event.
Comments from Chamber President, Wendy Birdsall, Lincoln Mayor, Chris Beutler and 2010 Chairman of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Nick Cusick of IMSCORP all referenced the proposed arena and redevelopment in the west Haymarket. Support for the initiative and a positive vote on May 11, 2010 was set forth as a challenge to the audience.
The Chamber’s annual report was also distributed at the meeting and highlighted key success for the Chamber in 2009 that included:
- Retention of its 5-Star Accreditation from the US Chamber of Commerce
- Strong membership numbers when peers across the country were re-stating budgets, cutting staff and services
- Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau’s surpassed of all previous records for room nights booked
- Lincoln Young Professionals Group’s continued growth and leadership
- Leadership of a collaborative effort between the Omaha, State and Bellevue Chambers for one the most successful events in Chamber history, the 2009 Federal Fly Back
- Several companies made significant investment in Lincoln representing over 1000 potential jobs and well over $100 million in capital investment
Keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Martin A. Regalia. Dr. Regalia is vice president for economic and tax policy and chief economist at the United States Chamber of Commerce.
