Held in January, the Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation allows The Chamber to reflect on the accomplishments of the previous year, announce goals for the next 11 months and includes the official swearing in of the incoming Boards of Directors of The Chamber and the The Chamber Foundation.

Nomination forms are now available for Awards for the 2012 Annual Meeting. Entry deadline for the awards is Dec. 30, 2011. The 2012 Annual Meeting will be held Jan. 27, 2012 at The Casino at Lakemont Park.

-- The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of proferssional accomplishment ... women and men who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and who also open paths so that others may follow.

-- The George Award is presented to a Blair Countian who has improved the community through volunteer efforts and who has received little or no publicity or recognition for their efforts.

-- The Donna D. Gority Servant Leadership Award was created to honor individuals within Blair County who demonstrate ongoing servant leadership. Servant leadership is a practical philosophy, which supports people who choose to serve first, and then lead, as a way of expanding service to individuals and institutions.

-- The 2012 Small Business Person of the Year Award is given to a business person with 50 or fewer employees who has demonstrated staying power, positive response to adversity, community involvement and ethical business practices.

-- The Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals Impact 2012 Award will recognize one young professional for helping to create a more vibrant business and social environment for all of Blair County's residents -- including young professionals. All nominees must live and work in Blair County and must be between the ages of 21 and 39 as of Dec. 31, 2011.

-- The Joseph P. Rosenhammer Chamber Spirit Award was created to pay tribute to a longtime Chamber Member who personifies the best characteristics of a business person -- altruism, ethics and selflessness. Nominees should be members in good standing with The Chamber, actively involved in some Chamber programs and easily recognized as an advocate of The Chamber in the business community.

2012 Annual Meeting Award Winners

Award winners at the 2012 Annual Meeting included: (from left) Sherri Stayer, Altoona Lung Specialists received the Joseph P. Rosenhamer Chamber Spirit Award; Derek Miller, Advantage Resource Group received the GRYP Impact Award; James Crawford received the ACE (Agricultural Community Excellence Award) Award; Dwight Knouse, Hayes Large Architects accepted the Loyalty Award; Robert Good received the George Award; Deb Delloposta, WPS, Inc. received the Athena Award; Linzi Beisinger, Altoona Beauty School received the Small Busniess Person of the Year Award; and Booker Moore, L.R. Weber received the Donna D. Gority Servant Leadership Award.  Accepting on behalf of Booker was his wife Linda.


 Click here to see more photos from the 2012 Annual Meeting.