FROM THE GREATER SHREVEPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Since 1910, the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce has been at the center of industrial and business development in this community. Today, we continue to lead in our mission to promote economic prosperity, serve as a business advocate and celebrate the achievements of our great region. We could not be a five-star accredited chamber and accomplish all that we do without the support of committed volunteers, valuable community partners and investment from our membership. The chamber currently serves 1,750 members, representing approximately 85,000 employees from our regional workforce.

In 1986, the chamber established the Industry of the Year Award to celebrate the accomplishments of our region’s growing industrial base. Since then, the award has been named in honor of renowned industrialist J. Pat Beaird Sr., whose lifetime of community service helped make northwest Louisiana a better place to live and work. The criteria for the award are the same as those that this renowned industrialist sought to promote: real-dollar expansion, community involvement and the creation of new jobs.

We are pleased to honor Kilpatrick Life Insurance Company, Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Homes, Cemeteries, Crematory & Flower Shop with this prestigious award for their longstanding history of growth, expansion and commitment to Northwest Louisiana and the surrounding area.

In addition to the Industry of the Year Award, the chamber and its members are pleased to honor six smaller companies for their significant achievements through the Small Business of the Year Award. This year, we honor Loksafe Services Inc., Shreveport Limousine, LLC; Smith’s South-Central Sales Company, LLC; SPF Depot,;TravelHost of Northwest Louisiana; and Vintage Realty Company, LLC.

This award, presented by The Forum, continues to highlight the hard work and dedication from local small business owners throughout our community. America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs are the engine of our economy, and we are pleased to honor such outstanding business owners each year.

As Shreveport-Bossier City continues to grow, we maintain our efforts in connecting large and small businesses for the benefit of our local economy. The chamber understands the challenges of running a small business, and we celebrate these owners’ successes year-round.

We wish to especially thank the Beaird family for their support of our Industry of the Year program and The Forum for their coverage of both large and smaller companies that benefit our community. You are great to work with and it is always a pleasure to celebrate achievements of our region.

Signed,

Murray W. Viser Chairman

Dick Bremer President

Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce