Download & Print the 2017 Annual Report Brochure
DOWNLOAD AND PRINTPROGRESS
HYPE LAUNCH
HYPE: 2018 EVENTS
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
2017 LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (MORE THAN 40 FTES)
Chick-fil-a of Warner Robins
2017 SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (40 FTES OR LESS)
Houston Lake Country Club
2017 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE HONOREE
BAE Systems
2017 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE HONOREE
Goo-Goo Express Wash
2017 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE HONOREE
Visiting Angels of Central Georgia
Matt Collins of We Care Heating and Air
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Paul Hibbits
GOOD GOVERNMENT AWARD
Dr. Mark Scott, Houston County Board of Education
CHAMBER CHAMPION AWARD
Dave French, Mercer Engineering Research Center
OUTSTANDING LEADER AWARD
Kate Hogan, City of Centerville
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT LEADS TO INCREASE IN EVENT PARTICIPATION

With a new format and new venue introduced in 2016, Eggs & Issues continues to be our most popular event, boasting 120-180 attendees per event! The Eggs & Issues Breakfast Series focuses on timely topics of local interest in our community. Featured speakers from the 2017 series included:
CITY OF WARNER ROBINS
Mayor Randy Toms
Chief Brett Evans, Police Dept.
Chief Ross Moulton, Fire Dept.
HOUSTON COUNTY
Tommy Stalnaker, Commission Chairman
Robbie Dunbar, Director of Operations
Captain Ronnie Harlowe, Sheriff’s Dept.
Jason Ashford, State Court Judge
STATE LEGISLATORS
Sen. John Kennedy, District 18
Sen. Larry Walker III, District 20
Rep. Bubber Epps, District 144
Rep. Buddy Harden, District 148
Rep. Robert Dickey, District 140
Rep. Heath Clark, District 147
Rep. Shaw Blackmon, District 146
HOUSTON COUNTY BOE
Dr. Mark Scott, Superintendent
HOUSTON HEALTHCARE
Charles Briscoe Chief Operating Officer
Melinda Hartley, VP of Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Officer
Chris Beasley, Chief Information Officer
CITY OF CENTERVILLE
Kate Hogan, Director of Economic Development and Marketing
Michael Evans, Councilman
Justin Wright, Councilman
Learn more about the Chamber’s Eggs & Issues Breakfast Series and register to attend the next breakfast below.
2018 Eggs & IssuesBUSINESS AFTER HOURS BACK WITH A BANG!

Following an intentional scale back to quarterly Business After Hours events in 2016 to retool the event, average attendance at these networking events in 2017 saw a 40% increase over previous years. That’s nearly 50 more people at every Business After Hours!
PRIORITIES
2017 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Organizational Performance
Maintain the leadership and resources to carry out the mission and vision in order to the Chamber and its staff for long-term success
Membership Development
Recruit, Retain & Reward Members
Business & Community Development
Enhance member success by facilitating programs, benefits, and services that improve the environment for business profitability and community development
Education & Leadership Development
Create opportunities to develop leaders through mentoring, Leadership Robins Region and supporting education efforts in the community
Advocacy & Building Partnerships
Be the voice of business by representing business interests at the local, state and national levels
Member Engagement & Communication
Communicate the impact of the Chamber, support business and promote the Robins Region through strategic communication efforts.
ADVOCACY

Chamber President & CEO, April Bragg, and Board Chairman, Michael Chalmers, address the Warner Robins City Council on the proposed changes to city administration and bring concerns from the business community forward. (Photo provided by 13WMAZ)
13 WMAZ: COUNCIL APPROVES...
PARTNERSHIPS
OUTGOING CIVIC LEADER TOUR
Civic, elected, and business leaders from Middle Georgia had the opportunity to visit Joint Base Lewis McChord, fly in a KC-135 and experience a refueling mission with an F-15. They were able to hear the Air Force story first hand from tour hosts through an outgoing civic leader tour hosted by Lt Gen Maryanne Miller, Commander, Air Force Reserve Command; Col Jed McCray, Vice Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex; CMSgt Ericka Kelly, Command Chief, Air Force Reserve Command; and CMSgt Emilio Hernandez, Command Chief, 78th Air Base Wing.
DC FLY-IN
Congressmen, senators, mayors, military personnel and business leaders gathered together for the 2nd Annual DC Fly-In Trip to Washington, D.C. In collaboration with the 21st Century Partnership and Association of Old Crows, this event brought influencers together for the purpose of strengthening the relationship between Houston County, Robins Air Force Base, state and federal governments.
IN THE NEWS
WARNER ROBINS SETS NEW JOBS RECORD FOR NOVEMBER 2017
Warner Robins set a new record for total jobs in November, as employment and labor force numbers grew and unemployment insurance claims declined. The Warner Robins Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) posted a record-high 74,800 jobs in November, up by 400 from a previous high of 74,400 in October, according to a release from the Georgia Department of Labor.
WARNER ROBINS DEMONS HOST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
It’s not every year (or is it) that a Houston County High School makes it to the state championships! The Robins Regional Chamber Board was elated to show their support for the Warner Robins Demons.
41 NBC: Warner Robins...ROBINS REGIONAL CHAMBER CHRISTMAS PARADE CELEBRATES 60 YEARS

HOCO-OPOLY
Created by the Houston County Family Connections, Hoco-Opoly engaged businesses across Houston County in a Monopoly style board game centered around Houston County. Proceeds benefit Houston County Family Connections programs and activities.
macon telegraph: hocoopoly
YOUTH LEADERSHIP ALUMNI CHOSEN TO REPRESENT FLINT ENERGIES AT ANNUAL WASHINGTON YOUTH TOUR
Once a year, Flint Energies selects four high school students to represent the co-op as delegates for the Washington Youth Tour. In 2017, two recent graduates of the Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program were given the honor of attending this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Flint Energies: Washington Youth...
STAFF EXCELLENCE

APRIL BRAGG GRADUATED FROM LEADERSHIP GEORGIA
Robins Regional Chamber President & CEO, April Bragg, and former Board Chairman, State Representative Shaw Blackmon graduated from the 2017 Leadership Georgia program. An affiliate of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Georgia stands apart as one of the nation’s oldest and most successful leadership-training programs for young business, civic and community leaders with the desire and potential to work together for a better Georgia.

AURA LEE DURHAM APPOINTED TO WOMEN UNITED BOARD
Robins Regional Chamber COO, Aura Lee Durham was elected to Women United Board. Women United is a new leadership group of United Way of Central Georgia. Members represent communities from the entire region who come together for one purpose – to address the critical issues women and children face in our communities.

CINDY TALAMANTES GRADUATED FROM LEADERSHIP ROBINS REGION
Robins Regional Chamber Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Cindy Talamantes, graduated from the 2017 Leadership Robins Region program. The Leadership Robins Region program consisted of 11 sessions that included full-day programs with formal instruction in leadership from the academic, business, and civic worlds, combined with practical on-site tours and visits with business, industry, governmental, and other leaders in the Robins Region. It is based on the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute Community Leadership Program.

LEXI HENRY RECEIVED TOP SPINNER AWARD
Robins Regional Chamber Investor Relations Specialist, Lexi Henry, honored as “Top Spinner” for raising the most donations at the Rainbow House annual Power of Prevention dinner.
LENDING A HAND
Chamber staffs got active in the community!