Mike Wolanin | Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO delivers the keynote address at the Columbus Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at The Commons in Columbus, Indiana. Vanessa Sinders.
The new head of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce spoke Tuesday at a gathering of local business leaders, announcing the chamber's commitment to making Indiana and its communities a better place for businesses to operate and for people to live, work and visit. claimed a vision.
“We're thrilled to be able to launch this tour and start this conversation in a place like Columbus, which is truly leading the way for our state and nation in so many areas,” said Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. I couldn't be more excited about it.” Vanessa Green Cinders spoke at the Columbus Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting in the Commons.
Cinders, a former Fortune 100 executive, consultant, and veteran national policy strategist, is in Columbus as part of a statewide spring speaking tour to regional chambers of commerce and business organizations titled “Partners in Prosperity.” , gave a speech at the Chamber of Commerce. The tour is part of Cinders' introduction to local chambers of commerce and business groups, but also promotes the state chamber's and Indiana Chamber Foundation's initiative, “Indiana Prosperity 2035—A Vision for Economic Acceleration.” Also serves as.
This plan advances the Chamber's policy goals in six key areas: K-12 education; economic growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship. infrastructure and energy. Place quality strategies. and a healthy and prosperous community and people.
“There are a lot of good things happening in this state and that should be celebrated,” Cinders said. “…However, I am a strong believer that no matter how good you are, there is always more you can do.”
Cinders was chosen in September to replace longtime Indiana Chamber of Commerce leader Kevin Breinger, who retired in January after 22 years leading the statewide business organization. She is the first woman to be elected speaker of the 102-year-old state legislature.
This is a transition period for both state and local legislatures. As Cinders gets to know the state's local business community, the Columbus Regional Chamber of Commerce is moving to a new location at Third and Franklin Streets after the 2022 Irwin Brock Building fire forced the chamber from its former headquarters. We are preparing to settle into our new office space.
“This new chapter represents a new start,” Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Frey said in prepared remarks. “We have reimagined our brand, adopted a modern look, and moved our new space to represent the dawn of a new era for the Chamber and the communities we serve with a clean, modern brand identity. A new outlook is born.”
Part of that identity includes the chamber's new logo, unveiled Tuesday, which incorporates a new interpretation of the stylized letter “C,” which is widely used in city and region branding. .
Frey said the chamber's new space, which it shares with the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation, will better serve its members and the people and businesses it serves.
She also highlighted the work of local chamber foundations and organizations such as Catalyst Columbus, Targeted Investments in Minority Entrepreneurs (TIME), and Columbus Airpark's new makerspace Propeller. She noted that the foundation managed more than $590,000 of her money for these three programs last year. Frey said the chamber's new office space will make these and other chamber services more accessible.
“With offices in this prominent downtown location, you can meet with our partners from (Senior Corps of Retired Executives), Indiana Small Business Development Center, Catalyst Columbus, and Time. Members use one of three meeting rooms. We hope you will feel like this is a place that celebrates our community and our commitment to quality design,” Frey said.
He said the ribbon-cutting for the new office will take place in the summer. The new office is still being renovated, and the Chamber of Commerce is operating in a temporary capacity.
