FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Kami Latham, Marketing and Events Director
Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce
500 Franklin Street
Columbus, Indiana 47201
(812) 379-4457


Chamber Keynote Pink Says Right Brain Thinking Will Rule The Future

COLUMBUS, INDIANA— Wednesday, January 30, 2008—The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce hosted bestselling author Dan Pink at their 99th Annual Meeting.

This year’s theme built upon last year’s keynote presentation from Dr. Richard Florida who is an expert of the social implications on the “Rise of the Creative Class” and what cities can do to attract talent and creative capital.

Pink’s keynote address focused on the shift from the information age to the conceptual age where he demonstrated the importance of high-touch, high-concept occupations to the future of the U.S. as well as the implications for educational reform and management processes.

Pink’s latest book, A Whole New Mind, charts the rise of right-brain thinking in modern economies and explains the six abilities individuals and organizations must master in an outsourced and automated world. The six abilities are design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning.

Pink encouraged those in attendance to pay close attention to the “3As”:
    • Automaton: Can a computer do it faster?
    • Asia: Can someone else do it cheaper?
    • Abundance: Does what I do create meaning in a world of abundance?

The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting is one of the community’s largest business events held each year in January. The event sets the tone and spirit of the Chamber’s Program of Work for the remainder of the year. This year is of particular importance as the Chamber will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary.

Jack Hess, President of the Columbus Chamber, presented the organization’s Annual Report reaffirming its leadership principles which are:
    • Building on our strengths by working to actively grow regional economic clusters,
    • Creating a sense of community by increasing member engagement in something
       bigger than themselves, and
    • Fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation by creating a regional
       business climate which values human creativity and diversity.

Hess also presented the major achievements of the last year including:
    • In 2007, the Chamber more than doubled member engagement in its program of
       work.
    • The creation of the first regional Tri-County Business Expo with more than 100
       participating vendors.
    • Being a collaborative partner in securing a $38 million dollar grant from Lilly
       Endowment, Inc. to invest in a regional system of learning serving the workforce
       within advanced manufacturing, healthcare services, and hospitality and tourism.
    • The Amazing Race, presented by Columbus Young Professionals, which engaged
       more 45 teams of 125 young professionals to complete 60 community-based
       challenges in 12 weeks.
    • The Maverick Awards which celebrated innovation and entrepreneurship
       involving more than 200 high-growth company participants.


AWARDS
Each year the Chamber bestows a number of awards of distinction in order to help create and foster a culture of excellence and innovation--a true pocket of greatness. These awards recognize extraordinary contributions made by people, projects, and companies. Following are the 2007 recipients:

The Community Service Award
Presented to: Sarla Kalsi
The Community Service Award is meant to recognize outstanding service and leadership in a broad range of community affairs, leadership that has benefited the residents of our community, and service that has stimulated and inspired a disposition to public service among others.

The Company of the Year
Presented to: Cummins, Inc.
The purpose of the Company of the Year Award is to recognize a business/organization because of superior or unique accomplishments in the operation of its business or other endeavors. These accomplishments have reflected positively on the quality and expertise of the Columbus community as a whole.

The Community Initiative Award
Presented to: Economic Opportunities 2015 – John Burnett & Sherry Stark
The Community Project of the Year Award is presented for the depth and quality of a project's work to stimulate community spirit and participation.

The ATHENA Award
Presented to: Barbara Garton
The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive toward the highest level of professional accomplishment. Women & men, who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and who also open paths so that others may follow. The ATHENA Award is sponsored by National City Bank.

The Edna V. Folger Outstanding Teacher Award
Presented to: Linda Coggin
The award was designed to renew awareness of the immeasurable influence teachers have on their students and to recognize the traditional image of the teacher as a community role model. The Edna V. Folger Award is sponsored by Emcon Technologies.
 

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The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce engages its members in the pursuit of excellence and economic growth by fostering an innovative business environment and a world-class community. In 2008, it will be celebrating its 100th anniversary as the premier business leadership organization within the Columbus Area.