The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce was named the Indiana Chamber Executives Association Chamber of the Year at the ICEA conference last week in Terre Haute. The chamber also won several Innovative Excellence Awards. From left: LaunchPad Director Sherry Searles, Chamber Member Relations Manager Scott Wiley, Chamber President and CEO Rob Parker, Chamber Operations Manager Michelle Goble and Chamber Director of Marketing and Communications Lauren Klusman. Photo provided.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce has been named the top chamber in the state by the Indiana Chamber Executives Association.

The chamber received the honor while at the ICEA conference in Terre Haute last week.

Chamber President and CEO Rob Parker told InkFreeNews he was “thrilled” for the chamber to receive what he deemed “a great honor.”

Chambers across the state were welcome to submit entries for the award, with Parker stating Kosciusko beat nine to 10 other chambers for it. Leaders from outside Indiana judged the contest.

Judges cited the chamber’s number of new programs, member retention, giving back to member businesses through Kosciusko Cash gift certificates and working to address child care needs through LaunchPad as being noteworthy, said Parker.

He said other chambers have since reached out to the Kosciusko Chamber inquiring about creating LaunchPad-type programs in particular. The Kosciusko Chamber also won Innovative Excellence Awards for its Young Adult Professionals Golf Outing, through which more experienced golfers and business professionals interact with younger, less experienced ones; its Move Kosciusko health challenge last year; and its member tours, through which chamber members tour a group of neighboring chamber businesses before networking over a meal or drinks.

Parker said it’s the chamber’s hard-working staff which enabled it to win all the awards, calling them a “great team.”

“We’re super proud to represent our community,” he said.