As many folks know, the Chamber is celebrating its centennial year. While there are many unifying links between then and now, there is one that I think rises above all others. It is powerful and speaks volumes about what we value most. At the core of what we believe is the view that the employees of our member companies are the most valuable asset that a company possesses. The LCRCC member businesses employ roughly 60,000 staff. Every president, CEO or business owner that I speak is quick to attribute their success to the skill, dedication and commitment of their employees. Their view is a predictable as the sun rising in the east. Industries may change names of companies change, ownership can change, physical plants get altered but the constant in any business remains the people. It’s for this reason that the Chamber focuses so intently on training, leadership development and the dissemination of information. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to increase the value that an employee can make to a business. It is our critical point of differentiation and is one point that makes membership in the chamber so important.

So as we begin to celebrate our centennial year, we cannot ever lose sight of the fact that the people who constitute the membership create not only our success but the success of their companies.