See highlights of the Chamber’s accomplishments and data by department
We are pleased to share these highlights from 2024. These include updates in economic development, talent initiatives, networking and professional development events, small business support, communication, events with our elected leaders and more. The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber offers plenty of ways for you to engage throughout the year!
The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber serves as the catalyst for economic development in our community through project management, national and international recruiting, and existing industry support.
Huntsville/Madison County saw growth last year for both new and existing companies across our targeted industry sectors of Aerospace & Defense, High-Tech Manufacturing, Information Systems & Security, Life Sciences, Corporate and Regional Headquarters, and Music.
1,192 new jobs
$598,680,000 in capital investment
2024 New Industry Highlights
On
2024 Expanding Industry Highlights
The Huntsville/Madison County job market draws talent from a 16-county labor shed that has grown significantly over the past five years. Estimates for 2024 show 54 people a day moving into the region.
2023 Population for 16-county labor shed: 1,356,073
The Huntsville/Madison County job market draws talent from a 16-county labor shed that has grown significantly over the past five years. Estimates for 2024 show 54 people a day moving into the region.
(includes Alabama counties: Madison, Limestone, Morgan, Jackson, Marshall, Lawrence, Lauderdale, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Marion, & Winston; and Tennessee counties: Lincoln, Giles, & Franklin)
2023 Population for 16-county labor shed: 1,356,073
2023 Employment: 614,628
(includes Alabama counties: Madison, Limestone, Morgan, Jackson, Marshall, Lawrence, Lauderdale, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Marion, & Winston; and Tennessee counties: Lincoln, Giles, & Franklin)
Regional employment and population both grew 8% over the past five years
2023 Employment: 614,628
Average annual population growth over the past five years: 20,043
Three Years Running: Huntsville Named #1 City for Tech Talent Growth (CBRE, September 2024)
Why Huntsville could be the South’s Best-Kept Secret Destination (Forbes, August 2024)
Three Years Running: Huntsville Named #1 City for Tech Talent Growth (CBRE, September 2024)
Huntsville is among 10 Best Places to Live in the South (Travel & Leisure, July 2024)
Why Huntsville could be the South’s Best-Kept Secret Destination (Forbes, August 2024)
Huntsville 5th Best Metro for Millennials in the U.S. (CommercialCafe, July 2024)
Huntsville is among 10 Best Places to Live in the South (Travel & Leisure, July 2024)
Huntsville ranks Top 10 in the U.S. for new grads looking for tech jobs (BizInsure, May 2024)
Huntsville 5th Best Metro for Millennials in the U.S. (CommercialCafe, July 2024)
Huntsville named one of the Top 10 Best Places to Live in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report, May 2024)
Huntsville ranks Top 10 in the U.S. for new grads looking for tech jobs (BizInsure, May 2024)
Huntsville 2nd Affordable Place to Live in the U.S. in 2024-2025 (U.S. News & World Report, May 2024)
Huntsville named one of the Top 10 Best Places to Live in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report, May 2024)
Huntsville named one of the country’s Top 20 Performing Cities (Milken Institute, February 2024)
National Space Symposium, Colorado Springs CO (April 8-11)
Farnborough Air Show, London (July 20-24)
Space & Missile Defense Symposium, Huntsville AL (August 6-8)
, Nashville TN (September 18-20)
Our Talent Initiatives focus on building and sustaining a strong talent pipeline to ensure we are ASmartPlace® today and into the future. We are committed to efforts that educate, recruit, and retain talent in the Huntsville region. We seek to engage talent outside of our market and to showcase what makes Huntsville so smart.
Our Talent Initiatives focus on building and sustaining a strong talent pipeline to ensure we are ASmartPlace® today and into the future. We are committed to efforts that educate, recruit, and retain talent in the Huntsville region. We seek to engage talent outside of our market and to showcase what makes Huntsville so smart.
Our Talent Initiatives focus on building and sustaining a strong talent pipeline to ensure we are ASmartPlace® today and into the future. We are committed to efforts that educate, recruit, and retain talent in the Huntsville region. We seek to engage talent outside of our market and to showcase what makes Huntsville so smart.
In 2024, our programming reached more than 1,000 individuals in our targeted populations and engaged more than 300 companies, organizations and schools. The Chamber remains focused on minimizing barriers to employment while maximizing awareness of the in-demand jobs in our region. This includes a strong partnership with the Chamber Foundation, sharing information about career pathways, collaborations to ensure all citizens have access to gainful employment, a focused effort to attract veterans to our growing community, and ongoing efforts to address childcare challenges.
In 2024, our programming reached more than 1,000 individuals in our targeted populations and engaged more than 300 companies, organizations and schools. The Chamber remains focused on minimizing barriers to employment while maximizing awareness of the in-demand jobs in our region. This includes a strong partnership with the Chamber Foundation, sharing information about career pathways, collaborations to ensure all citizens have access to gainful employment, a focused effort to attract veterans to our growing community, and ongoing efforts to address childcare challenges.
In 2024, our programming reached more than 1,000 individuals in our targeted populations and engaged more than 300 companies, organizations and schools. The Chamber remains focused on minimizing barriers to employment while maximizing awareness of the in-demand jobs in our region. This includes a strong partnership with the Chamber Foundation, sharing information about career pathways, collaborations to ensure all citizens have access to gainful employment, a focused effort to attract veterans to our growing community, and ongoing efforts to address childcare challenges.
ReLaunch Job Fair: Spring & Fall
April 2
Employers: 33
Job Fair:
ReLaunch Job Fair: Spring & Fall
April 2
Job Seekers: 100+*
April 2
Employers: 33
Employers: 33
*Job seeker attendance impacted by severe weather
Job Seekers: 100+*
October 29
Job Seekers: 100+*
Employers: 28
*Job seeker attendance impacted by severe weather
*Job seeker attendance impacted by severe weather
October 29
Job Seekers: 200+
October 29
Employers: 28
Employers: 28
Senior Sprint Career Fair: April 30
Job Seekers: 200+
Employers: 34
Job Seekers: 200+
Job Seekers: 200+ high school seniors
Employers: 34
Employers: 34
80% of employers planned to continue the hiring process with students from the event
Job Seekers: 200+ high school seniors
Job Seekers: 200+ high school seniors
College Career Fair: December 17
80% of employers planned to continue the hiring process with students from the event
80% of employers planned to continue the hiring process with students from the event
Employers: 31 registered; 28 attended
Job Seekers: 200+ attendees
Employers: 31 registered; 28 attended
Employers: 31 registered; 28 attended
Job Seekers: 200+ attendees
Job Seekers: 200+ attendees
GO Rocket City! Get Onboard - Summer Intern Program: June/July
Partnership with EDPA’s FuelAL and Innovate Alabama
GO Rocket City! Get Onboard - Summer Intern Program: June/July
Rocket City! Get Onboard - Summer
Partnership with EDPA’s FuelAL and Innovate Alabama
Partnership with EDPA’s FuelAL and Innovate Alabama
7 events during June and July
7 events during June and July Social (4) Service (1) Professional Development (2)
7 events during June and July
Social (4)
Social (4)
Service (1)
175+ college interns/recent grads
Service (1)
36 colleges/universities
Professional Development (2)
Professional Development (2)
175+ college interns/recent grads
175+ college interns/recent grads
36 colleges/universities represented
36 colleges/universities represented
55 employers represented
55 employers represented
What’s So Smart – it’s not a question but an exploration of what makes Huntsville ASmartPlace®. In 2024 we talked with 21 of Huntsville’s most interesting people who are creating the future of the Rocket City. From rockets to genomics, from cyber to music, What’s So Smart explores the visionary and data-driven initiatives that make Huntsville, well, so smart. We have recorded two dozen episodes to date. Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts!
Top YouTube episode: What’s So Smart about Space Farming with Christopher Udall
- 1,148 views on YouTube
- 4.8K impressions
- More than 200 new viewers
State of the Schools: February
12th Annual event
February 27 @ the Jackson Center
425 attendees
State of Higher Education: October
Inaugural event
October 17 @ the Jackson Center
350 attendees
Industry Insights: February, June, November
February: Advanced Manufacturing | 34 Educators
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing Training Center
June: Music | 41 Educators
Orion Amphitheater
Von Braun Center
November: Healthcare | 32 Educators
Huntsville Hospital
Crestwood Medical Center
The Chamber Foundation, a 501(c)(3), is dedicated to the continued cultivation of Huntsville’s greatest asset - its people. The Foundation ensures the growth of Huntsville by supporting the education and workforce talents here. It exists to align resources that address employment opportunities and challenges in Huntsville/Madison County and improve the quality of life for all residents.
Best Place for Working Parents®
140 Huntsville companies earned the designation in 2024, a 23% increase over 2023.
The Chamber Foundation, a 501(c)(3), is dedicated to the continued cultivation of Huntsville’s greatest asset - its people. The Foundation ensures the growth of Huntsville by supporting the education and workforce talents here. It exists to align resources that address employment opportunities and challenges in Huntsville/Madison County and improve the quality of life for all residents.
140 Huntsville companies earned the designation in 2024, a 23% increase over 2023.
12 transitioning enlisted military service members visited Huntsville from 9 states, meeting with dozens of employers and community partners. Nine of 12 candidates are enthusiastically seeking to call Huntsville home with several already employed locally.
Teacher Mentorship Supporting Teachers with 0-3 years of experience
2023-2024 school year - 117 teachers mentored in 8 schools, impacting 3,800+ students
2024-2025 school year - 236 teachers mentored in 15 schools, impacting 6,000+ students
Teacher retention rate improved by 9.2 percentage points from 22-23 school year to 23-24 school year
Industrial Technology (INDTECH) Career Tech Program
New program established and hosted at Jemison High School for 24-25 school year
25 students enrolled, including 8 dual enrollment students
DRIVE grant awards
$130,900 distributed to 64 teachers in 8 schools
53% of funded projects were STEM related
In 2024, we saw the opening of Arcadia in CRP East. Located at the corner of Bradford and Wynn Drives, Arcadia is the first mixed-use development in CRP East that was identified in our 2016 CRP Master Plan. With more than 200 high-end apartments to serve employees in and around the Park, and more food and beverage options to come, we are thrilled that you can continue to work, learn, play and LIVE inside CRP.
In 2024, we saw the opening of Arcadia in CRP East. Located at the corner of Bradford and Wynn Drives, Arcadia is the first mixed-use development in CRP East that was identified in our 2016 CRP Master Plan. With more than 200 high-end apartments to serve employees in and around the Park, and more food and beverage options to come, we are thrilled that you can continue to work, learn, play and LIVE inside CRP.
In 2024, we saw the opening of Arcadia in CRP East. Located at the corner of Bradford and Wynn Drives, Arcadia is the first mixed-use development in CRP East that was identified in our 2016 CRP Master Plan. With more than 200 high-end apartments to serve employees in and around the Park, and more food and beverage options to come, we are thrilled that you can continue to work, learn, play and LIVE inside CRP.
from
Arcadia is located at 4810 Bradford Drive NW, at the corner of Wynn Drive in Cummings Research Park. It is just across from the Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering.
Thoughtful and modern details elevate the experience at The
This
Thoughtful and modern details elevate the experience at The Arcadia. This beautiful mural is on the wall of one of the common areas.
We launched the CRP DefenseTech Accelerator in 2024! Twenty companies applied and five were selected to participate in the inaugural cohort, which began in December. Thank you to our founding sponsors, listed below.
We launched the CRP DefenseTech Accelerator in 2024! Twenty companies applied and five were selected to participate in the inaugural cohort, which began in December. Thank you to our founding sponsors, listed below.
We launched the CRP DefenseTech Accelerator in 2024! Twenty companies applied and five were selected to participate in the inaugural cohort, which began in
The purpose of the CRP DefenseTech Accelerator is to grow our defense industrial base with the next generation of small businesses focused on technology products. Companies selected for the cohort learn how to grow their products for the defense and commercial markets. Our first cohort is focusing on supporting the U.S. Air Force.
The purpose of the CRP DefenseTech Accelerator is to grow our defense industrial base with the next generation of small businesses focused on technology products. Companies selected for the cohort learn how to grow their products for the defense and commercial markets. Our first cohort is focusing on supporting the U.S. Air Force.
Participating companies
Participating companies
The inaugural cohort of the CRP DefenseTech Accelerator. The five companies selected to participate are Huntsville-based and are meeting the week of December 2-6 for the initial kick-off
The inaugural cohort of the CRP DefenseTech Accelerator. The five companies selected to participate are Huntsville-based and are meeting the week of December 2-6 for the initial kick-off
Thanks to our founding sponsors!
Thanks to our founding sponsors!
Thanks to our founding sponsors!
We host a number of events in Cummings Research Park throughout the year to offer your companies opportunities for engagement and networking. These include pop-up ice cream socials, pop-up coffee stops, and more. In May, we also added the Blue Bike West Bike Share! Subscribe to our CRP Newsletter to get updates on our events. The signup link is at the top right of cummingsresearchpark.com
Congratulations, Erin!
CRP Executive Director Erin Koshut concluded her two-year tenure as board president for the Association of University Research Parks (AURP).
The Chamber represents the business interests of the Huntsville/Madison County area in all levels of government, promoting policies and legislation that enhance the economic prosperity of the region. Federal spending on Defense, Space, and Homeland Security accounts for over half of the Huntsville Metro GDP. As a result of the importance of this sector to our economy, much of the Chamber’s government and public affairs efforts are focused on the growth and protection of Redstone Arsenal and these related activities.
Washington Update with Sen. Britt
The Washington Update Breakfast with Senator Katie Britt was re-scheduled for March 19, 2024 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, after it became apparent that authorizing federal funding would require votes on March 1. The event was sold out with over 900 people attending.
The Chamber’s 2024 Washington DC broke attendance records with over 190 people registered to attend. The April 7-9 trip included excellent presentations from the US Army, FBI, PSC, SBA, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, National counterintelligence leaders, the US Chamber, and the FAA Commercial Space Division. The group also heard from several members of the Alabama Congressional delegation including Senators Tuberville and Britt and House members Sewell, Carl, Strong and Aderholt. The trip also included presentations from Majority Whip Emmers and the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Johnson, thanks to Rep. Strong. Travelers were also able to enjoy the solar eclipse from the Capitol. We are very grateful to the members of the Alabama Delegation for all of their support for this trip!
Washington Update with Congressman Strong
Ove 1,000 people attend the Chamber’s Washington Update with Congressman Dale Strong on August 19.
Update with Sen. Tuberville
On September 30, the Chamber hosted our inaugural Washington Update with U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, with over 900 people attending.
Senator Tuberville’s staff hosted their FY25 National Defense Authorization Act kick-off briefing for local companies at the Chamber
On February 18, Military Legislative Assistant Samantha Power and District Director Brian Naugher briefed local companies about the process of submitting NDAA requests to the Senator.
Chamber leadership team meets with Congressional Delegation
The Chamber’s senior volunteer leadership and staff met with the members of the Congressional Delegation on March 12, to brief them on the Chamber’s priorities, as reflected in the Chamber’s 2024 Federal Agenda
Legislative Update
The Legislative Update was re-scheduled to January 22 at the Jackson Center as a result of the winter weather the prior week. Speakers included the new Speaker of the Alabama House, Nathaniel Ledbetter; Minority Leader Anthony Daniels; General Fund Committee Chair Rex Reynolds; Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield and Senator Arthur Orr, chair of the Education fund committee.
Montgomery Trip
The Chamber’s Montgomery Trip was held March 5-6. We had 128 people on the participant list for this year’s trip, breaking the all-time high registration record. Thanks to State Committee Chairs Tracy Doughty and Heather Wilson for their support. We were joined by the Madison Chamber of Commerce.
Alabama Update with Governor Ivey
Governor Kay Ivey addressed a record crowd of over 1,000 people at her Alabama Update with the Chamber on May 13 at the VBC.
Chamber hosts State Agenda meeting with local Delegation
The Chamber hosted a luncheon meeting with the members of the Madison County legislative delegation on Feb. 2 to review the Chamber’s State Agenda.
Chamber supports human space exploration DC advocacy efforts
For over 30 years, the Chamber has supported the Citizens for Space Exploration, a national coalition of communities supporting human space exploration. In partnership with the National Space Club, the Chamber sponsors UAH graduate students to attend the DC fly-in. Over the course of two days, 10 teams of 3-4 people will meet with over 350 congressional offices, advocating for policies supporting human space exploration.
New Alabama Aerospace and Defense Council
The Chamber supported an effort to create a new Alabama Aerospace and Defense Council, under the umbrella of the Manufacture Alabama organization. This Council will take responsibility for preparing a Statewide agenda for the aerospace industry and for organizing the Alabama Aerospace Day. The Council debuted on September 11, in conjunction with the Manufacture Alabama Government Affairs Conference. Chamber SVP Mike Ward serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Executive Committee.
The Chamber hosted our Annual Outing on Oct. 22 with over 300 people attending, and the weather could not have been nicer! The Outing was well attended by Redstone guests and elected and community leaders.
The Chamber’s Redstone Update was held on December 11. The Update included briefings from Redstone’s Garrison, NASA, the FBI, SMDC, RCCTO, Contested Logistics Cross Functional Team, and a panel discussion called “Driving Innovation Together with AI and Advanced Analytics.”
Proclamation
The Concert in the Park, also on June 10, was held at Big Spring Park. The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band from Fort Moore, Georgia performed on the steps of the Huntsville Museum of Art. This event always brings a huge crowd! An estimated at 4,000 people attended the concert.
Our luncheon featured a presentation from MG Gavin Lawrence, who covered key developments for Team Redstone over the last year. The event was very well attended and received excellent media coverage.
MG (Ret.) Jim Myles, Chairman of the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee, and CSM (Ret.) Bill Counts, co-chair of the Committee, led the effort to coordinate a number of events to celebrate the community’s Armed Forces Celebration the week of June 10. The week kicked off on June 8 with a Gold Star Family appreciation event held in conjunction with the Huntsville City Football Club game. Other events held during the week which the Chamber helped to coordinate included:
•Proclamation Signing on June 10
•Concert in the Park, also on June 10
•Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon on June 11
•Community vs Redstone Softball Game on June 12
The Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon was held on June 11 in the VBC Saturn Ballroom, featuring LTG Chris Mohan, with nearly 600 people in attendance.
Our annual Community vs. Redstone Softball Game was held on June 12 at Toyota Field with over 1,200 people attending! For the first time since we moved the game to Toyota Field, the community team beat Team Redstone by a healthy margin. Thanks to Claire Aiello for her terrific organizational effort with the game.
Chamber hosts Reception for new Redstone leadership
The Chamber hosted a reception for several of Team Redstone's new leaders on February 13 at the Chamber. The event was well attended and marked the first time we have hosted such an event since the pandemic.
Chamber hosts reception for the Assistant Secretary of Defense – Aprille Ericsson
The Chamber hosted a reception for Assistant Sec. of Defense for Science and Technology, Aprille Ericsson on November 20.
The Chamber co-hosted the Madison City Update with the Madison Chamber on June 5. The event was well attended, with over 600 people attending. Mayor Paul Finley provided an excellent program.
A capacity crowd of 1,200 people attended the Chamber’s State of the City of Huntsville with Mayor Tommy Battle on September 10. The Mayor gave an excellent update on his 16 years in office and the progress and challenges that the City has faced and is facing.
Over 800 people attended the Chamber’s State of the County Update with Chairman Mac McCutcheon on November 13 in the VBC Saturn Ballroom. Chairman McCutcheon gave an excellent presentation, addressing the roles of the Commission, the work of each of the Commissioners and his expectations regarding new facilities for the County Judicial system and County Administrative offices.
Through your investment and active engagement, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is working to improve the region’s business climate, infrastructure, and overall quality of life. With more than 2,100 members, we all benefit from the Chamber’s work to make Huntsville and north Alabama the best place to live, work and play.
The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber supported 88 ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings in 2024. Below, you'll see just a few examples. If you would like to host a ribbon cutting or groundbreaking at your business, visit our Membership page for more information.
The Ambassador and Emissary Programs allow Chamber members to become more engaged with the community. Chamber Ambassadors are individuals who help represent and promote the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, as well as promote their own business to other companies. Chamber Emissaries are chosen individuals who act as messengers to advocate the Chamber to current members.
26 Emissaries 126 Ambassadors
Are you interested in getting involved as an Ambassador or Emissary? Contact Lakeysha Brown at lbrown@hsvchamber.org or 256-535-2038.
Thank you for your continued support of our events during 2024! Increased member participation in Chamber activities such as ChamberON helps us to prepare, develop, and promote our community for economic growth. Your strong engagement allows us to continue our mission. Through ChamberON, you can purchase sponsorships and tables for upcoming events at a discount. Our ChamberON team helps us with this effort. Please reach out to one of them today to learn more, or contact Kristy Drake at kdrake@hsvchamber.org or 256-535-2036.
234 participating members
986 sponsorship contracts
$1,433,950 in sold reserved tables/sponsorships
11 volunteers
The Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative, or HREGI, establishes Huntsville/Madison County as a stronger and more visible community in the national competition for economic growth. The Initiative's overarching vision is for our community to remain a primary center of technology in the South and in the nation.
Learn more about our HREGI program and current investors here
We featured these investors in the Chamber's Initiatives magazine in 2024:
The Small Business Office provides a supportive ecosystem where small businesses and entrepreneurs can thrive by providing access to valuable resources, knowledge and connections. We know these elements are crucial to success in the competitive world of small business.
Since its launch in April 2024, the page has had 2,000+ active users, with over 3,000 views! Please share the page Received Network Designation from Innovate Alabama along with a $20,000 grant. Grant was used to conduct a study on our entrepreneurial and venture capital ecosystems.
Business Resources page
On our page, we share information on programs that are offered through the Chamber and other organizations. Our goal is to share all of these resources in one place so you can find ones that are best suited for you.
We hosted 1,792 business professionals at 41 monthly programs!
This year, professional development programming showed the most growth!
Delivered 26 Professional Development programs. The growth was attributed to the increased number of presentations by commands from Redstone Arsenal including AMCOM, SMDC and MDA, as well as Cyber Huntsville and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Hosted 11 Networking programs (5 Breakfast & Biz, 6 Business After Hours) at venues across the city to include Calhoun Community College, BeeZr and the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.
Partnered with a local small business (Meister) to Beta test their software, making the rotation schedule for Breakfast & Biz (think speed networking) more effective.
Hosted 4 C-Suite presentations, a valuable mentoring tool, where attendees gain unique insights into the journeys of top leaders.
100% of attendees report gaining professional insight!
We hosted 1,792 business professionals at 41 monthly programs!
This year, professional development programming showed the most growth!
Delivered 26 Professional Development programs. The growth was attributed to the increased number of presentations by commands from Redstone Arsenal including AMCOM, SMDC and MDA, as well as Cyber Huntsville and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Hosted 11 Networking programs (5 Breakfast & Biz, 6 Business After Hours) at venues across the city to include Calhoun Community College, BeeZr and the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.
Partnered with a local small business (Meister) to Beta test their software, making the rotation schedule for Breakfast & Biz (think speed networking) more effective.
Hosted 4 C-Suite presentations, a valuable mentoring tool, where attendees gain unique insights into the journeys of top leaders.
100% of attendees report gaining professional insight!
Event Locations:
Topics included:
Doing Business With The FBI, The U.S. Department of the Treasury, Huntsville Utilities, MDA; Cybersecurity Forum; The Power of AI; Excel and QuickBooks classes
Jan. 9: Redstone Federal Credit Union - Downtown Huntsville
May 7: The Westin Huntsville
July 25: Embassy Suites
Sept. 17: Calhoun Community College
Nov. 14: AC Hotel Huntsville Downtown
Locations:
Feb. 15: The Venue at Oak Place
March 14: Propst Arena
April 11: Huntsville Symphony Orchestra
June 13: Stars and Strikes
Aug. 29: BeeZr
Oct. 15: Huntsville Country Club
speakers:
Feb.
July 23: Ellen Didier
Sept. 24: Frank Williams
Dec. 17: Dr. Annie Saylor
Best Places to Work® reached 97% of its registration goal! 103 companies competed for 15 awards
100% of participants indicated they will participate again
A new Wellness Award is being added in 2025
Small Business Awards Gala SOLD OUT with 1,000+ attendees
30% increase in applications this year with 160 companies and individuals competing for an award
3 winners went on to compete in the state Business Council of Alabama (BCA)/Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama’s (CCAA) small business awards in Birmingham, with one, InSight Strategic Solutions, earning an honorable mention.
Best Places to Work® reached 97% of its registration goal! 103 companies competed for 15 awards
100% of participants indicated they will participate again
A new Wellness Award is being added in 2025
Small Business Awards Gala SOLD OUT with 1,000+ attendees
30% increase in applications this year with 160 companies and individuals competing for an award
3 winners went on to compete in the state Business Council of Alabama (BCA)/Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama’s (CCAA) small business awards in Birmingham, with one, InSight Strategic Solutions, earning an honorable mention.
Our annual Best Places to Work® Award luncheon was held on on May 14, 2024. Companies win these awards based on employee surveys, and it's a serious matter of pride to win. Results are tabulated by Quantum Workplace.
We hosted the 39th Annual Small Business Awards Gala on September 13, 2024. We distributed 20 awards this year. The biggest winner of the night was Dr. Karockas Watkins, pictured here in the center. He won the Russell G. Brown Executive Leadership Award. It is presented jointly by UAH and Alabama A&M University.
The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is committed to fostering inclusive relationships with diverse and underrepresented populations to increase their participation in the regional economy.
Continued to honor the achievements of socially and/or economically disadvantaged business owners, including minority-owned (MO), veteran-owned (VO), and woman-owned (WO) businesses at the Small Business Awards.
52 companies competed in the MO, VO, and WO categories, a 17% increase over last year.
78% of Small Business Award winners represented a socially and/or economically disadvantaged business owner.
The Women's Business Council (WBC) of the Chamber is a dynamic group of passionate women business owners dedicated to championing the advancement of women in the workplace. Through leadership, collaboration, and a shared commitment to success, these trailblazers inspire others to reach new heights and create a thriving environment for women to excel in business and beyond. The WBC provided opportunities for networking, mentoring and leadership development with unique speakers, business socials, and panel discussions.
Speakers this year included:
Helena Duncan, CEO of the Business Council of Alabama
Stephanie Bryan, CEO and Board Chair for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians
88% of program participants said they made valuable professional contacts and learned something new when attending.
! I enjoyed networking and learning how to better support other women in business. !Great networking with wonderful women!
! I appreciate this program!
Hosted 10 events and sold 425 tickets.
Is made up of 14 Woman-Owned Businesses representing 10 different industries.
A member of the Council, Kanique Mighty-Nugent, Founder and CEO of Komposition LLC, was selected to participate in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.
We provide accurate, up-to-date information to help your business grow and thrive through multiple communication channels. These include Initiatives magazine, e-newsletters, social media updates, and videos about working and living in the Huntsville area.
Six issues in 2024, printed 8,500 copies each time for distribution among Chamber members and stakeholders
Digital publication:
Total reads: 11,767
Impressions: 90,227
Average read time: 5:20
April
For the second year, the Chamber team continued its work with national PR firm Pace Public Relations to raise Huntsville’s profile in local and national media outlets. Our partners in this effort also include the City of Huntsville, the Port of Huntsville, and the Huntsville-Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Here are a few examples of coverage:
NBC News visit to the Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering
Commercial Observer: When Music is the Economic Development Engine Forbes: Why Huntsville, Alabama Could Be The South's Best-Kept Secret Destination
National coverage of the inaugural South Star Music Festival
Huntsville’s space community weighs in on milestone moments such as eclipses, launches
Our team creates plenty of videos for you to share as you recruit to Huntsville.
our
Facebook: 18,602 followers
LinkedIn: 16,993 followers
Instagram: 4,398 followers
Flickr: 4.4 million views in 2024
We've included some of our top posts below.
Explore Huntsville: There are plenty of fun experiences to try throughout the Rocket City, as you'll see in this video
Users: 274,052
Page Views: 616,537
Top pages: Events: 19,260 views Movers & Shakers: 13,511 views Business Directory Search: 9,228 views
Total sent to the entire membership: 152 Successful Deliveries: 1,050,654
These include weekly business headlines & member events -sign up