The Osceola Chamber’s 98th Annual Meeting was “far out” — not just because it was at Disney’s Contemporary Resort — and groovy, as the theme was ‘Best of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s’. Nobody took that more to heart than Chamber President, and ‘man of many wardrobe changes,’ John Newstreet, who last year was named the state’s Chamber Executive of the Year.
New Chamber Board Chairperson Allison Beeman was installed (“I’m totally stoked for 2023!”), and the Chamber gave out its annual awards. The Hope Partnership President/CEO Rev. Mary Downey was presented with the Linda Goodwin-Nichols Service Award for her extensive record of engagement in the Osceola community, Skywater Technology Vice President Dale Miller won the Unity Award for creating opportunity and membership value in the Chamber, and the Poinciana Area Council earned the Eagle Award as the Area Council with the highest commitment to growth, member retention and active participation.
Outgoing Chairman Kevin Crain presented the inaugural Chairman’s Award to former County Commissioner, Chamber board member and longtime community contributor Tom Franklin.
In the past year, the Chamber was awarded the Florida Chamber of the Year and 5-Star accreditation honors.
