Presented by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and The Forum

From the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce

Since it was established in 1910, the fundamental mission of The Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, has been the promotion of local economic prosperity, the advocacy of regional business interests and the celebration of outstanding professional achievements throughout Northwest Louisiana.

Our peerless Chamber volunteers, tireless community partners and committed members have helped create one of the area’s most successful and robust business networks through our 5-Star accredited Chamber.

The Business and Industry of the year luncheon exemplifies the celebration of our regional business successes.

Named and held in honor of the generous industrialist J. Pat Beaird Sr., who dedicated his life to community service in our region, the luncheon offers our Chamber members a time to honor local businesses, which hold to the principles Beaird promoted; real-dollar expansion, community involvement and the creation of new jobs.

This year’s J. Pat Beaird luncheon is especially unique due to the caliber of the scheduled keynote speaker, Maj. Gen. Garrett Harencak, assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration with the U.S. Air Force.

The general is well-known as a charismatic and spirited speaker who offers an entertaining and informative perspective on the global events, foreign policy and the international business climate.

At the luncheon, the Chamber honors one outstanding, large-scale industrial business with the Industry of the Year Award.

During this month’s ceremony, we are excited to honor CenterPoint Energy with the Industry of the Year Award, for their outstanding commitment to economic growth and expansion, as well as their commitment to Northwest Louisiana and the surrounding region.

In addition to the Industry of the Year Award, our Chamber and its members are pleased to honor three local, smaller companies for their achievements over the past several years.

This year, our panel of volunteers chose to honor Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Great Raft Brewing and Rhino Coffee with the prestigious Small Business of the Year awards.

This award, presented by The Forum, highlights the continuing hard-work and dedication of these small businesses and their owners toward the stimulation and growth of our regional economy.

We are very proud to see such wonderful and successful businesses flourishing in our community, and it is an honor to have the privilege to share in the celebration of their successes.

As our Shreveport-Bossier City community continues to expand, we will maintain our ongoing efforts to connect large and small businesses through an extensive network in the hope of benefiting our local economy.

America’s entrepreneurs and the small businesses they create are the driving force behind our nation’s economy, and we could not be more pleased to honor their efforts.

The Chamber understands the challenges entrepreneurs and business owners face, and those who rise to that challenge deserve the respect and admiration of the community.

We at the Chamber wish to offer a special thanks to the Beaird family for their tireless support of the Industry of the Year program, and The Forum, for the publication’s coverage of both the large and smaller businesses which contribute to the success of our economy.

The publication’s focus is a tremendous boon to our business community, and it is a pleasure working with them to promote the achievements of our regional industries and businesses.

Dick Bremer President Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce