Chamber Celebrates 100 years at Annual Meeting

The Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce has been around for quite awhile, 100 years actually. The organization celebrated that fact at its annual “Celebration of Business and Community” on Jan. 19 at the Knights of Columbus Main Hall. The Chamber held its first annua meeting in November 1923.
“2022 saw few changes within the Chamber,” Former Chamber President Brandie Mantz said. “One of those few was welcoming Kiley Eiland as the new executive director. She has jumped right in and helped businesses build, grow, and be the best they can. Renee Lottes has stuck with the Chamber as well and moved into the operations manager position with the Chamber. These two as a pair have shown strides to where they can take the Chamber and we are excited to see where they can take it.”
Mantz said that 2022 saw a Mayfest fundraising record and introduced the “Lit Up and Local” campaign that encourages businesses to decorate for Christmas for a prize. There were also plenty of Business After Hours and ribbon cuttings that welcomed businesses to the community.
The meeting continued with the recognition of three retiring board members which included Caitlin Pistorio who served for six years with stints as vice president and president. Jacob Ritter was honored for his three years to the board and served as a chair for several committees. Kaitlyn Wibbenmeyer was honored for her six years of service to the board and previously was vice president.
New board members were recognized including Shannon Miesner, Conner Stark, and Annie Bauwens. Those board members will be joined by the existing members of the board: Emily Blyzes, Shelly Janet, Alex Lueders, Mantz, and Greg Yamnitz, vice president Amy Hager, Secretary/Treasurer Jamie Robinson.
Melissa Hoehn was elevated as Chamber president and will serve another three-year term.
Hoehn noted as president she is looking forward to serving as president and has great things planned for 2023.

“We’ve had some changes this past year that we are excited about,” she said. “One of those things is a new website as part of our rebranding of the Chamber. With that we are going to have a new renewal process and we hope everyone will have patience as we work through that. We have had a rich history and looking ahead to a bright future.”
The Chamber will host a centennial celebration on July to recognize the history of the organization.
We look forward to serving our communities for another 100 years,” Hoehn said.
Businesses were also their milestone anniversaries with the Chamber:
25 years- Computer Connection, LLC, Independence Court, Ready Mix Concrete Inc., Regional Family Crisis Center, and The Webb Law Firm, LLC.
75 years- Citizens Electric Corporation, Guyot Lumber Company, Inc., Hoeckele Bakery and Deli, MFA Agri-Services, Perryville Auto Supply, Inc.
100 years- American Legion Post 133, Brewer Monument Company, Ford and Young Funeral Home, Perry County Farm Bureau, Roziers Mercantile Co., U.S Bank