Business Trend Top Stories of 2019

Holly Bonner

We are officially in with one decade and out with another – or are we? But before we say our last goodbyes, let’s pay our respects to a year worth remembering. 

Our top 10 stories of 2019 showcase the people in our community who were brilliant and bold. 

#1 Chattanooga Chamber Announces Leadership Chattanooga Class of 2019-20

Leadership Chattanooga believes you are never too cool for school. Through the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, a new group of passionate young professionals is learning what it means to go beyond their job descriptions.  

#2 Where will jobs be in 2020?: Chattanooga, According to Forbes

According to Forbes, you should fly down South this winter because Chattanooga is booming with employment opportunities in 2020.

#3 Getting the Scoop: An Interview with LaTrice Currie

LaTrice Currie, WRCB Channel 3, shows us there is more to being an anchor than reporting the news. In an interview, Currie explained how she uses her career to make a difference on and off the screen.  

#4 Young Professionals of Chattanooga Announces 2019-20 Protégé Mentees

This year, the Young Professionals of Chattanooga (YPC) and the Chattanooga Chamber welcomed the 2019-20 class of Protégé Chattanooga. Check out who the newbies were here.

#5 Member Notices

Want to know what’s happening around town? Get the lowdown from your favorite local businesses themselves. As always, any Chamber member can submit a PDF highlighting your news, event or discount and we'll add it to Member Notices

#6 Spirit of Innovation: Meet Our 2019 Finalists

“We’ve got spirit; how ‘bout you?” In 2019, the Chamber recognized six businesses for their forward-thinking initiatives.  

#7 How This Drone Company’s Tagline Promotes Their Unique Value Proposition

If you asked David Martin about perfecting your business’s tagline, he would give you a piece of advice he learned from Nike – just do it! Martin, co-founder of Heed Public Relations, says you can learn a thing or two from the Chattanooga-based Skytec. Mastering the art of the tagline, Skytec coined the phrase “Acquire. Analyze. Inform.” 

#8 Patricia Russell: Leading in Chattanooga

Patricia Russell graduated from Leadership Chattanooga in 2015, but where is she now? When she is not working with Hamilton County’s K-12 school counselors, you can find her settling down to her favorite music.

#9 Chattanooga Goes Solar

The future of sustainability has never looked so bright. Chattanooga is greener thanks to the help of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, EPB, Volkswagen Chattanooga (VW) and the Chattanooga Airport

#10 Engineering Student Designs Fix for 3D Printers — and a Job

Why didn’t we think of that? After finding a simple solution to a big problem, Chantz Yanagida, an ambitious UTC alumni, created a startup known as eLab Repairs. Since, Yanagida has played a significant role in the success of Hamilton County's partnership with Volkswagen’s eLab program.

Honorable Mentions

Though they didn’t make the top 10, you loved these stories too:

Get Cozy with the Best Soups in Chattanooga

Embellish Your Wardrobe

Chattanooga: Literally Perfect

Five Things You Didn’t Know Are Made in Chattanooga

It’s 2019. Should your business be texting with customers?

Diversify 2019: Get to Know Keynote Speaker Deborah Elam, Register for Breakout Sessions

Mike Collins and Associates: Local Legacy

Other Topics

In 2019, Finland-based tire manufacturer Nokian Tyres opened its first North American Plant in Rhea County, thanks in part to the influence of the Greater Chattanooga Economic Partnership (GCEP). Wes Boling, Senior Manager of Communications, Nokian Tyres, explains that the…

Chamber Chatt is a video series offering community members the chance to hear from elected officials and those in public service.  This month’s Chamber Chatt was recorded live inside the Chattanooga Chamber’s Connection Conference Center, Powered by EPB.  Matt Phillips,…

The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce announced the promotion of Yolonda Hayslett, MBA, SHRM-CP, to Vice President, Finance and Operations. She will continue to be responsible for leading and managing a team that handles member-investor services initiatives, accounting, finance, human…

As the sun sets on another Protégé Chattanooga session, a bright future emerges for Chattanooga's young leaders. Over a nine-month period, Protégé Chattanooga participants connected with their peers and area business and community leaders to develop their business and civic-engagement…

In the ever-evolving professional landscape of today, the significance of prioritizing mental health in the workplace has surged to the forefront of discussions surrounding the creation and promotion of a healthy workplace environment. Acknowledging mental health is an important aspect…

Chattanooga Zoo, BNI Southeast Tennessee, (Be) Caffeinated, and Master Machine Inc., were recognized for growth and overall performance as they received top honors at the 2023 Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Awards program, presented by Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel P.C.…

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