ANNUAL REPORT
Growth +
Connection
A year of stronger relationships and new possibilities for Madison businesses.
MADISON, ALABAMA
CELEBRATE, INSPIRE & CONNECT.
Table of Contents Our Mission & Approach............................................................................... 3 Chairman & President’s Letters......................................................4-5 Strategic Plan.................................................................................................. 6 Our Pillars........................................................................................................... 7 The People Behind the Progress........................................................... 8 Madison Chamber Team, Board & Ambassadors............ 9-13 Our Impact in Our Community............................................................. 14 Membership Report.................................................................................. 15 Events Summary.................................................................................. 16-17 Tourism Initiatives...................................................................................... 18 New Initiatives.............................................................................................. 19 Our Committees.................................................................................. 20-21 Celebrating Our Members....................................................................... 22 2026 Best in Business Awards Finalists............................... 23-25 Chamber Advocates Acknowledgement................................. 26
I
mission approach OUR
AND
3
Madison Chamber Members, It’s hard for me to put into words what the last nine years serving on the Madison Chamber Board has meant to me. I moved my family to Madison from Northern Vermont in 2016 to take a position with Polaris. To say convincing my wife and kids that this would be a good move for our family was challenging would be a monumental understatement. My oldest son Matthew was already in college in New Hampshire, my middle son Michael had just graduated high school and was heading to the University of Alabama and I was moving my daughter Rachel between her sophomore and junior years of high school. I was also asking my wife Traci to leave a teaching job she loved. As you can imagine, I didn’t get many votes for father of the year in 2016. If you have never moved with older kids, you don’t realize how many of your friends are actually the parents of your kids’ friends. You end up on ball fields, gym bleachers and at school events together and suddenly they become your support system. Moving with kids who are basically young adults changes that dynamic. You are on your own to rebuild that network. For me, being asked by my HR manager to consider joining the Madison Chamber Board was the start of that process in 2017. The chamber introduced me to community leaders, elected officials and local business leaders. My first few years were spent learning what the chamber did and getting to know the people who make our community work. I became secretary in 2020 and then chairman in 2022 — which was supposed to be my last year on the board. Coming out of COVID, membership had dropped to about 250, we had a new Executive Director finding her way and we were struggling financially. Looking back over the last four years, the chamber I inherited in 2022 is unrecognizable today. Everything had to be rebuilt from the ground up. We moved out of our cramped office at the end of 2024 and into a completely renovated space where we can host our monthly board meetings. We have grown from 2 employees when I joined in 2017 to 4 full-time employees, membership has grown to more than 550, we have earned accreditation by the Alabama Chamber of Commerce and we are financially stable. The board has also grown and been joined by key leaders in our community, leaving me confident that they will continue to grow the chamber and support Madison in ways I can’t imagine. It is incredibly rewarding to look back and see how much the chamber has grown. But more importantly, it is incredibly humbling to realize that as much effort as I put into serving on the Board, I got much more in return. My network and my “people” are largely the result of my association with the chamber. I couldn’t have guessed nine years ago that agreeing to join the Board would lead me to where I am today. For that, I thank all of you for allowing me to serve. I won’t be going far, as I will continue to serve as an ex-officio member of the board. I will continue to advocate for our city and our chamber, and I look forward to seeing what comes next. Thank you all for embracing me and my family and allowing me to serve. DeWayne Howell Chairman of the Board Madison Chamber of Commerce
Madison Chamber Members, If there is one word that defines this year, it is momentum. Over the past year, we’ve built incredible momentum across the Madison business community. The Madison Chamber’s new 4,200-square-foot headquarters has become more than an office. It’s a place where businesses connect, ideas grow, partnerships form and our community comes together. With support from the Alabama Department of Tourism, we also launched a visitor experience showcasing all that makes Madison special, creating a valuable resource for residents, visitors and businesses. Beyond our new space, we expanded our impact through networking events, educational programs, ribbon cuttings, workforce initiatives, leadership programs and strategic partnerships. We welcomed new members, celebrated milestones, exceeded sponsorship goals and created more opportunities for meaningful connections. Most importantly, collaboration continues to define Madison. Every accomplishment was made possible by our members, volunteers, sponsors, board members, community partners and staff who believe in our mission. As Madison continues to grow, we’re laying the groundwork for new initiatives in entrepreneurship, small business development, tourism and regional collaboration. The future is bright, and we’re just getting started. Thank you for believing in the chamber and for helping us create connections, grow businesses and build a stronger Madison together. With gratitude,
Michelle Epling, IOM President Madison Chamber of Commerce
Our Strategic Plan MISSION STATEMENT Celebrate, Inspire & Connect Madison. VISION To advance the Madison business community by creating opportunities to celebrate success, inspire progress and connect members with the resources and relationships needed to grow and thrive.
VALUES INTEGRITY | COLLABORATION | EXCELLENCE STEWARDSHIP | PROFESSIONALISM
OUR PILLARS CELEBRATE
INSPIRE
CONNECT
VALUE STATEMENT We lead with integrity, collaborate with purpose, serve with excellence and professionalism while stewarding opportunities to strengthen Madison’s future.
Our Goals
To recognize and honor the achievements of our local businesses and community members.
Inspire growth and innovation by equipping members with resources, programs and spaces that spark learning and collaboration.
Foster meaningful connections across Madison and advocate for the needs of chamber members at every level.
II
people progress THE
BEHIND THE
8
Our Committees INVESTOR RELATIONS COMMITTEE GOALS: 1.Create sustainable and impactful events that celebrate Madison’s business community. 2.Provide sponsorship opportunities that recognize and highlight local businesses. 3.Promote and share business achievements to celebrate success stories across Madison.
Joey Ceci
Chairman Breland Companies
Adam Chalmers Spherion
Tristan McCulley RJ Young
Allison Merrill
Joe Mullins
CreekStone Academy Peck-Glasgow Agency
Kristie Ray
Bryant Bank
ENGAGEMENT & GROWTH COMMITTEE GOALS: 1.Create and develop impactful programs that enrich local businesses and organizations across Madison. 2.Launch a shared workspace at the chamber office to foster collaboration and peer learning. 3.Provide effective resources that inspire growth and provide measurable value to chamber members.
Lee Shaw
Chairwoman Madison City Schools
Lyndsi Alexander AlexandHR
J’Que Ellis J’Que Now
Vicki Morris
V. Renee Consulting
Miranda Nichols
Melinda Sanders
First National Bank Filthy Gorgeous on Main
Our Committees
(CONT.)
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE GOALS: 1.Build stronger connections between chamber members, community organizations and local leaders through purposeful engagement and collaboration. 2.Grow and retain membership by focusing on recruitment, engagement and delivering clear value to current members. 3.Create and execute an advocacy plan that amplifies member voices and represents Madison’s business community and elected officials. 4.Support economic development by welcoming and connecting new businesses to Madison and the chamber community.
Whitney West Elliott Co-Chair EarlyWorks Museums
Jonathan Grammer Co-Chair Volkert
PASTRIES &
POLICIES
In April 2026, Rep. Dale W. Strong was the first federal government official to speak to our members.
The Madison Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 State Agenda outlines our priorities for strengthening infrastructure, supporting businss growth, developing a skilled workforce, advancing education and fostering continued economic opportunity in Madison and North Alabama. Explore our priorities and learn how we’re advocating for a stronger business community and a thriving future.
2026 State Agenda
📖 CLICK TO READ
Madison Chamber Team
Michelle Epling, IOM President
michelle@madisonalchamber.com
Jessica Bumbalough
Operations & Membership Manager membership@madisonalchamber.com
Curtis Venetta
Marketing Coordinator marketing@madisonalchamber.com
Kelly Croce
Event Coordinator admin@madisonalchamber.com
2025-2026 Board of Directors
DeWayne Howell Chairman Polaris
Grant Baker
Bob Pro
Joey Ceci
Toyota North America
Breland Companies
Jessica Luther
Carlos Mendoza
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing
Secretary Coldwell Banker CK Mann Realty
Jeremy Gaertner The Orthopaedic Center
David Raby
Edward Jones
STI Electronics
Lee Shaw
Victor Vasile
Madison City Schools
Jan Bias
Kathy Mann
Treasurer Port of Huntsville - HSV
Ex-Officio Redstone Federal Credit Union
Jamie Koshofer
Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Melinda Sanders
Filthy Gorgeous on Main
Octave
Garrett Fahrmann
Ex-Officio Rocket City Trash Pandas
Dr. Ed Nichols Ex-Officio
Madison City Schools
2026 Ambassadors
Angelica Hart
Tristan McCulley
Shannon Austin
Stuart Babicky
Ambassador Co-Chair Ambassador Co-Chair Woody Anderson of Madison RJ Young
Sealy Management
Lara Brown
Investor’s Resource
Lori Collins
UNITS Moving & Portable Storage
Adam Chalmers
Spherion Staffing Services
Mabry Cook
Redstone Federal Credit Union
Robins & Morton
Kimberly Essex
Carina Farr
Chanda Davis Real Estate/ Ridgeline Construction Kim Essex Media Consulting Roofing & Exteriors
Lyndsi Alexander AlexandHR, LLC
Isaiah Banks
Cruise Planners
Michael Clark
Avadian Credit Union
Kirsty Cotten
Paula Austin
Sealy Management
Jennifer Breuer
National Children’s Advocacy Center
Peggy Cole
Better Business Bureau
Natalie Craney
Hyatt Studios Huntsville
The Orthopaedic Center
Katherine Frisby
Matthew Furcean
Victorian Finance, LLC
Renasant Bank
2026 Ambassadors
Tracy Gallimore Crye-Leike
Kelly Joyner MODRN.io
Natasha Langford Coldwell Banker CK Mann Realty
Kami Minor
Sarah Gross
Redstone Federal Credit Union
Kristin King
James Hause
Adreanne Humphrey
Lambert Moving Systems TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
Joseph Knoch
Dave Knowles
Kristin King Real Estate
Air Essentials, Inc.
Rosenblum Realty, Inc.
Amber Latham
Savannah McDowell
Natrosha Miller
Miranda Nichols
Kanesha Richardson
Redstone Federal Credit Union
Joe Mullins
Frazier & Deeter
Peck-Glasgow Agency, Inc.
Katherine Robertson
Roseanna Rubio-Cox
Blue Ink Closing & Title, LLC
(CONT.)
Semper Fi Community Task Force
Premier Bank of the South
First National Bank
Roxana Ruiz
First Horizon Bank
Social Sis Media
SouthState Bank
Mya Sharp
CrossCountry Mortgage
2026 Ambassadors
Hunter Shirley
Rosenblum Realty, Inc.
Liz Tennyson
Davidson Homes, LLC
(CONT.)
Patricia Simpson
Laiken Stefan
Ariel Thomas
Stacy Tidwell
Synovus
Heart
Continental Roofing Company
SpineCare Chiropractic/Spinefit
Amy Vermillion
Victoria Willmon
Family Security Credit Union
Huntsville Utilities
Suzanne Swift
Fleet Feet Huntsville/Madison
Brandon Tunstill
Scipio Technologies
III
impact community OUR
IN THE
16
Membership Growth
connecting
There are more people with the Madison Chamber than ever! Sources of Income
Renewal Rate
84%
2025-2026
renewed
New Businesses
109
joined
Sponsors 48.2% Membership 26.8% Grants 18.3% Events 5% Other Non-Dues Revenue 1.7%
SOCIAL MEDIA
2,275 1.5M
Net new follows
Content exposures
NEWSLETTER
272
Net new subscribers
Views + impressions
WEBSITE VISITS
58.4K+ All traffic sources
4%
Average click rate +3% vs. industry average
CELEBRATIONS
32
Ribbon cuttings & groundbreakings
Madison Chamber Revenue Growth $800.0K $600.0K $400.0K $200.0K $0
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
FY 2025
FY 2026*
ACCE Dynamic Chamber Benchmarking
*This number is an estimation, as books are still being reviewed for the 2026 fiscal year.
Events Summary
50+
EVENTS
3,715
COMMUNITY MEMBERS & BUSINESS LEADERS ENGAGED
$380K STATE OF THE
INVESTED IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
CITY ADDRESS MOST-ATTENDED EVENT THIS YEAR!
Celebrate Madison
Record-breaking ATTENDANCE!
850+
ATTENDEES 30+ vendors
REPRESENTING OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY
$13k donated to madison city schools
2025 INVESTORS
MILITARY FAMILY OF THE YEAR: THE SIGLERS
Tourism Initiatives
40+ VISITORS
COMPLETED OUR 10-YEAR-OLD SCAVENGER HUNT
IN 2026
72 HIKERS
EXPLORED RAINBOW MOUNTAIN + EARNED A FREE YEAR OF MEMBERSHIP AT
new
WE LAUNCHED A
REDS RE DSTO TN OE REDSTON NE RE CEREAE R E C R A TIN T IO N RECREATIO O P N A SP SP PASS OO R TR PASSPOR TT
INITIATIVE
SUPPORTING TEAM REDSTONE
📖 CLICK TO READ
In September, our Madison Chamber president won the
Good Neighbor
FRIEND OF TOURISM AWARD at the 2026 PEAK Awards, hosted by Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)! The award is presented to a person or organization whose body of work has significantly impacted tourism in North Alabama over the past year.
New Initiatives SHE MEANS BUSINESS
WOMEN’S NETWORKING SERIES
STATE OF THE REGION The first ever
SOLD OUT EVENT in Madison Chamber history!
We
collaborated with
to provide our members and their families with a 10% tuition discount and support continuing education* *2 students have already received this partnership discount for Fall 2026
And it was a pretty
BIG DILL!
We held our
FIRST
...and we started our own podcast: MADISON MEANS
Business!
Picklebaall Palooz
IV
celebrating OUR MEMBERS
22
2026 BEST IN BUSINESS AWARDS FINALISTS START-UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Bellehouse Bubbles Express Car Wash CoreSouth Lagree Creekstone Academy Cuppa Yo Gracie Barra Madison Sparrows Florist The Vine & Oak Your Best Health, Pediatrics & Adults, LLC Zanotta’s Ristorante
BEST IN RETAIL Blue Apple Books Fleet Feet Madison Make It Personal Reseda Nursery & Stone Yard Sparrows Florist
BEST IN SERVICE AlexandHR, LLC Bank Independent Bellehouse Blue Ink Closing & Title, LLC Bubbles Express Car Wash Cepeda Systems (51+ employees) CreekStone Academy Cruise Planners EarlyWorks Children’s Museum The Enrichment Center First National Bank Huntsville Periodontal & Implant Specialists InSight Strategic Solutions Make It Personal Reseda Nursery & Stone Yard Social Sis Media Spherion Staffing & Recruiting (1-50 employees) The Vine & Oak Your Best Health, Pediatrics & Adults, LLC Zanotta’s Ristorante
2026 BEST IN BUSINESS AWARDS FINALISTS (CONT.) BEST FOOD/BEVERAGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Big Whiskey’s Cuppa Yo Main Street Cafe Nautical Bowls The Vine & Oak Zanotta’s Ristorante
BEST IN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EarlyWorks Children’s Museum Fantasty Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy Madison Street Festival The Vine & Oak Zanotta’s Ristorante
BEST IN WELLNESS 1Cor Pilates D1 Training Gracie Barra Madison
BEST IN HEALTHCARE HH Plastic Surgery Madison (Weaver Plastic Surgery) Huntsville Hospital Spine & Neuro Center Huntsville Periodontal & Implant Specialists Kids to Love Outpatient Diagnostic Center of Alabama Southeastern Skin Cancer & Dermatology Your Best Health, Pediatrics & Adults, LLC Orthodontic Design Company
BEST NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR Baron Institute EarlyWorks Children’s Museum The Enrichment Center Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy Huntsville Learning Center Kids to Love Legacy 4 Korean War Veterans Foundation Madison Visionary Partners National Children’s Advocacy Center Still Serving Veterans
2026 BEST IN BUSINESS AWARDS FINALISTS (CONT.) BEST MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Bellehouse Cruise Planners Gone for Good InSight Strategic Solutions Legacy 4 Korean War Veterans Foundation Nautical Bowls Social Sis Media S&S Welding Your Best Health, Pediatrics & Adults. LLC
MILESTONE MOMENT OF THE YEAR AlexandHR, LLC Baron Institute (Gold Award) Bellehouse Blue Apple Books (Bronze Award) Cepeda CoreSouth Lagree EarlyWorks Children’s Museum Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy First National Bank (Silver Award) HH Plastic Surgery Madison (Weaver Plastic Surgery) Huntsville Hospital Spine & Neuro Center Huntsville Learning Center Huntsville Periodontal & Implant Specialists InSight Strategic Solutions Legacy 4 Korean War Veterans Foundation Madison Visionary Partners Main Street Cafe National Children’s Advocacy Center Reseda Nursery & Stone Yard Social Sis Media Sparrows Florist Still Serving Veterans The Vine & Oak Zanotta’s Ristorante
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RECOGNIZED MEMBERS!
THANK YOU CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE AlexandHR, LLC
Nola | Van Peursem Architects, PC
Bank Independent
The Orthopaedic Center
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama
Robins & Morton
Bryant Bank
Rosenblum Realty, Inc.
Cepeda
Spherion Staffing & Recruiting
Drake State Community & Technical College
United Community Bank
Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q
Uniti Fiber
Maximum Technology
ValleyMLS
Our sincere thanks to our Chamber Advocates for their invaluable investment and support of the Madison Chamber’s mission.
madisonalchamber.com Celebrate, Inspire & Connect Madison.