CHAMBER EVENTS

The Lakeland Chamber hosts a luncheon on the fourth Wednesday of each month, January through

October. The luncheons are held at Lakeland

Golf Club and doors open at 11:30 a.m. with a catered lunch and a presentation that starts at noon. Members have the opportunity to sponsor a luncheon, allowing them the time to introduce their business to attendees and to provide any marketing materials or information they would like to distribute. For more information on sponsoring a luncheon or being a guest speaker, contact Diana Crenshaw. Every January, we recognize our outstanding members for the past year. In 2022 we recognized the following members: Business of the Year – McDonald’s/Jeffers

Enterprises, Inc. This award recognizes a business organization which has diligently built and maintained a strong and dependable relationship with the Lakeland community for many years.

Person of the Year – Wesley Wright. Wesley is a

City of Lakeland commissioner who passionately has a vision of how he wants the city to grow. With his charismatic ideas, he has been a trailblazer for growth within the community by bringing in businesses and working with those that are already established. He is organized, diligent and supportive of the City of Lakeland as well as the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce.

Outstanding Community Partner – Rock N’ Roll

Sushi. This award recognizes a business that demonstrates outstanding performance and growth while providing leadership in the community. The Estes family, with Rock N’ Roll Sushi, have supported the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce by being title sponsor for the annual golf tournament for the past four years. They also sponsor various other organizations in Lakeland.

Outstanding Business Partner – Masters Roofing.

This award recognizes the company that acted as a catalyst for business members of the community for success and growth. Masters Roofing has been active in our community, serving its customers,

and its employees volunteer to support various organizations in Lakeland. Ambassador of the Year – Amy Foster. While the chamber doesn’t have an official ambassador program, if you look up the definition of ambassador, you will see Amy’s name. She exemplifies volunteerism, attends chamber functions, volunteers for various events around the city and is active in the business community. She is a business owner, realtor, mom of four and a volunteer. She also loves to connect people! She has supported the Lakeland Chamber throughout the long two-year pandemic with her two business memberships, Bryan Realty and Nutrition Spot, and the non-profit membership Lakeland Education Foundation, of which she is a board member.

RIBBON CUTTINGS

The Lakeland Chamber is always excited to celebrate with our members! Ribbon Cuttings are one of the many benefits of being a Chamber member. Contact a staff member for more information.

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Lakeland Chamber is proud to host an annual golf tournament, Lions on the Links, each fall at Lakeland Golf Club. The past two years the tournament has raised $14,000 for Lakeland schools. This event wouldn’t be a success without the support of sponsors, donors, golfers and volunteers. It has become a tradition that participants look forward to every year. The 2023 tournament is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 3. Stay tuned for the official announcement and don’t miss it!

Lakeland Golf and Paddle Club (formerly Stonebridge Golf Club) is home to a 180-acre golf course as well as a pro shop, a clubhouse with a lounge, an event center and Victory Lane BBQ. Many improvements and additions are coming or already underway, including renovating the clubhouse, upgrading the sound system, improving cart paths and constructing new pickleball courts. Book a tee time and come see the new Lakeland Golf and Paddle Club.

WHY LOCALS LOVE LIVING IN

LAKELAND

Who wants to be involved? There are plenty of options in the City of Lakeland. Annual traditions such as the Youth Fishing Rodeo, Harvest Festival, Breakfast with Santa, parades and movie nights always bring a big crowd. Lakeland’s Summer Outdoor Concert Series and Delta Blues Winery both offer a seasonal line-up of live music, dancing, food trucks and fun for the whole family. The annual yard sale is a great opportunity to get out and find all the “treasures,” or to get rid of some.

Lakeland offers a variety of options for the athlete in the family. Flag football, tackle football and cheerleading, sponsored by the Parks and Rec Department, always start the season out with excitement. Youth basketball and soccer offer both

competitive and recreational teams. Tennis players find plenty of opportunities for a match on the community courts in Windward Slopes Park. The city sponsors adult soccer and flag football, and grown-ups are always needed to help as youth sports coaches.

Parks are a large part of the Lakeland community. The city’s youngest residents love the playgrounds at City Hall, Windward Slopes Park, Zadie E. Kuehl Memorial Park and Oak Ridge Park. dog park to accommodate furry family members. Walking and cycling on the many trails in Lakeland is a part of everyday life, for recreation as well as transportation to and from school.

With new developments opening and growing, more dining options are available to our residents. Soon, Lakeland will have many options to sit down and have dinner with friends, in addition to its local bakeries, coffee, and tea shops. Fitness facilities have started to dot the Lakeland retail landscape, as have local boutiques and specialty shops.

Lakeland is a community of growth with a familyfriendly environment. Even though it is so close to major roadways and with easy access to Memphis, it has a culture and lifestyle all its own.

“Don’t overlook this gem of a city; Lakeland offers a quiet family-friendly lifestyle with all the conveniences of being near Memphis.” —Megan Dupuy, Artist (Megan Dupuy Arts)