AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce hosted its 116th annual meeting Thursday night at the Bell Auditorium, spotlighting local businesses and their contributions to the community. The event, which is the largest of its kind each year, focused on entrepreneurship and served as a platform to celebrate the achievements of local businesses while looking ahead to new goals for the upcoming year.

The evening was filled with networking opportunities, as business owners, community leaders, and chamber members gathered to celebrate their successes. Angie Cox, President and CEO of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, reflected on the significance of the gathering. “It is a wonderful evening and a wonderful way to celebrate our member businesses, our community, our achievements, and our goals for the upcoming year,” Cox said. “It’s also an opportunity to say thank you to our board members, our outgoing board chairman, and to welcome our incoming executive leadership, including our new chair, Kim Wilder.”

The event’s keynote speaker, James M. Bailey, President and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, shared his insights on the importance of fostering entrepreneurship in the region. Bailey’s speech underscored the pivotal role of innovation in driving economic growth and community development.

Throughout the evening, Cox and other chamber leaders emphasized key goals for the year, including enhancing workforce development initiatives, supporting economic growth, and deepening community engagement. Cox also took the opportunity to express appreciation for the chamber’s dedicated staff, board members, and ambassadors. “We have an amazing staff, an amazing board of directors, and some awesome ambassadors who promote us on the streets and around town. We welcome new chamber members, entrepreneurs, and new businesses in the area to check us out because we love to serve you and to be a voice for you and to advocate on your behalf,” Cox added.

The event not only celebrated past achievements but also looked forward to the future. Cox expressed hope that attendees would leave with a deeper understanding of the chamber’s hard work and commitment to the community. “We are always thrilled to see new faces who have not been able to participate or attend a chamber event before,” she said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for folks to network, meet new friends, and reconnect with old ones.”

As the night came to a close, the energy was palpable, with attendees leaving inspired and motivated to contribute to the ongoing growth and success of Augusta’s local businesses and economy.