Spring Break Annual Meeting

Come celebrate the community's successes with about 500 of your closest friends as we present the annual ACES awards and Safety Council awards, lots of laughs and highlight our community’s bright spots. The atmosphere is extremely informal and the attire is strictly casual. Networking and marketing opportunities are all around you. Plus, we have the traditional Top Ten List for you. And, while you are here enjoy a hot breakfast and enjoy the Spring Break themed decorations.

Business/Organization Membership Rates

"The ACES awards program both thanks individual companies for the improvements they made to their businesses during the past year and, in doing so, celebrates the collective success of the local business community," said Chamber President Tom Poorman.

That sort of recognition is an important part of an overall economic development program, according to Poorman. "The local economy grows when investments are made in facilities, equipment and jobs. Publicly applauding those investments through an awards program is one of many things a community does to encourage local economic development," said Poorman.

Awards are presented to any business in Muskingum County that reports additional investments they made in buildings, equipment, or jobs during the previous calendar year. New facilities, new equipment, renovations to existing facilities or equipment, new jobs, and job retention are all factors that are to qualify businesses for the awards. Businesses in all industries and fields and of all sizes are eligible. Self nominations are strongly encouraged.

The awards program, which began in 2002, benefits the community by encouraging additional economic investment, but there is practical value to the individual businesses getting the awards. "Businesses can use the awards process to state their accomplishments, which helps them demonstrate their progress to the community and their customers," according to Poorman.

The awards program is funded by contributions to the Muskingum Growth Partnership, the chamber’s economic development arm. The program was formed in 1989 to supplement local economic development efforts. Private sector companies contribute funds to the partnership each year to boost the public sector development activities conducted by the city, county and Port Authority.

The ACES presentations are made each year at the Chamber's Spring Break event, where over 400 business people gather for the Chamber's annual membership meeting. Approximately 30 to 50 businesses receive an ACES award each year.

The ACES Program Recognizes: Facilities Improvement or Expansion - New Construction - New Businesses - Investment in Equipment & Machinery New Job Creation - Job Retention - Special Business Achievements