Chamber celebrates 101 years at annual meeting

The Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce has been around for quite awhile, 101 years actually. The organization celebrated that fact at its annual “Celebration of Business and Community” on Jan. 25 at the Knights of Columbus Main Hall.
The organization discussed what happened in 2023, and what would happen in 2024.
Former Chamber President Melissa Hoehn said that the organization was able to award schloarships to deserving seniors from Saxony Lutheran, St. Vincent and Perryville High Schools, had 10 graduates from Leadership Perryville, the Chamber co-hosted the Perryville Business Leadership Conference, along with Perry County Economic Development Authority to bring in professionals to help turn local companies into consumer destinations.
Hoehn said that the annual Moonlight Madness event held in October brought in a record number of attendees.
The Chamber currently has 300 members and 956 subscribers to their e-mail correspondence.

The board had no retiring board members this year so the board remained much of the same. The 2024 Board of Directors are: Greg Yamnitz, Jamie Robinson, Shannon Miesner, Brandie Mantz, Shelly Janet, Emily Blyzes, Annie Bauwens, Shannon Allison, Amy Hager (Secretary/Treasurer), Melissa Hoehn (Vice President), Alex Lueders (President).
Lueders said that 2024 is an exciting time for the Chamber of Commerce. In the near future there will be a Business After Hours event at Olive Branch Bakery, there will be a Coffee and Connections event at Robinson Event Center on Feb. 21, and the Spring Membership meeting on March 14, and Mayfest is set for May 10-11.
There were three businesses recognized for milestone anniversaries with the Chamber.
50 years: Culligan Water
25 years: Mercy Hospital-Perry, Mike Maloy Insurance Agency