LEADERSHIP MATTERS A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
A s we head into the end of the year, things are not slowing down at The Chamber. We have launched new events and festivals, celebrated local businesses at our yearly awards dinner, and more. This time of year in the Rogue Valley is a time of abundance and thankfulness, and when people have the opportunity to experience our beautiful region in many different ways. The 103rd annual Excellence in Business Awards was held on October 13th at the Rogue Valley Country Club. The ceremony recognized the achievements of local businesses and individuals and celebrated their outstanding efforts and visionary attitudes. There were several awards, including Member of the Year and Retailer of the Year, among others. We were proud to announce this year’s First Citizen — Roy Vinyard, the former President and CEO of Asante Health. We honored his outstanding dedication to the healthcare community in the Rogue Valley and beyond. His commitment to the wellness of our community has made a lasting impact. The first Forum of the new season was on October 17th, with Avista as the monthly sponsor. It was our first fully in-person Forum since the pandemic. The keynote speaker, Jason Thackston, Senior VP, Chief Strategy and Clean Energy Officer with Avista, discussed aspects of national and regional energy resources, sector trends, de-carbonization of natural gas, and renewable natural gas supply opportunities. The next Forum will be on November 14, 2022, at the Rogue Valley Country Club, and Rogue Credit Union is the sponsor. Tickets are available on our website. On October 14th and 15th, we celebrated the inaugural Heart of the Rogue Festival. This new event was an extreme success, drawing crowds of locals and visitors to downtown Medford. There were numerous food and drink vendors, as well as live music and kids’ activities. Additionally, the Rogue Marathon had runners from around the world, even from Kenya. The Bikes n Brews ride also welcomed riders from around the west. We are excited about next year’s event and to have the opportunity to grow this festival. The next Young Professionals Network event will be at The Chamber on November 10th from 4:45 p.m. - 7 p.m. It is a great chance to network with fellow Chamber members and meet with individuals seeking to start their businesses or entrepreneurs who want to share their stories with like-minded professionals. Tickets are available online and include light food and drink. Election Day is November 8th, and we encourage you to get out and vote. Your vote matters! Voting is how you make your voice heard. For more information on the upcoming election, visit the Jackson County Elections Office website. The Rogue Valley’s history is rooted in abundance and community. Those same feelings are alive and well today, as seen during the new Heart of the Rogue Festival, and any time you visit one of our local businesses.
Yours in success,
Irmes Dagba-Craven Editor in Chief/Vice President of Communications & Programs The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County
4
The Business Review | October 2022
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online