CULLMAN – There’s only one place where you can hear updates about the area’s education, healthcare, government and more all in one day — and that’s at the Chamber’s “Chick-fil-A State of Our Communities.”
The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce’s Governmental Affairs Committee would like to invite the public to attend this year’s all-day event on Friday, April 27 at the Cullman Civic Center.
Doors will open at 7 a.m. Major session topics include the State of Education, State of Healthcare, State of Local Government and a Legislative Forum. Representatives from agencies and organizations related to human services, utilities, tourism and recreation, economic development, and the Chamber will be set up in breakout rooms and provide information/demonstrations to visitors until the event concludes at 3 p.m.
One breakout room will also be reserved for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Trade Show. This event will allow YEA! students from Cullman High School and Holly Pond High School to showcase the products and services they’ve been working hard on this academic year through booths and displays.
The “Chick-fil-A State of Our Communities” is free to the public. However, attendees do have the opportunity to purchase an All-Access Pass for $50, which includes priority seating, breakfast, lunch, hospitality room access and a swag bag. Breakfast ($15) and lunch ($20) can also be purchased separately.
The Chamber is currently seeking questions from members and the public for the State of Healthcare and Legislative Forum. To submit a question, visit surveymonkey.com/r/2018StateofourCommunities. Submitting a question does not guarantee it will be asked.
See below for an overview of each major session:
State of Education
➤ Time: 8 a.m.
➤ Premier Sponsor: Wallace State Community College
➤ Corporate Sponsors: Cullman-Jefferson Gas | Cullman Electric Cooperative
During this session, we’ll hear from Cullman City Schools Superintendent Susan Patterson, Cullman County Schools Superintendent Shane Barnette and a Wallace State Community College representative. The Student of the Year and Career Technical Student of the Year will also be announced. The Teacher of the Year for the city and county school systems is also recognized.
State of Healthcare
➤ Time: 10 a.m.
➤ Premier Sponsor: Katherine Morgan – State Farm Insurance & Financial Services
➤ Corporate Sponsors: Cullman Electric Cooperative | Bradford Health Services
This panel discussion will feature WellStone Behavioral Health COO Chris Van Dyke, a Cullman Regional representative and Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, and touch on relevant local healthcare topics, such as the opioid epidemic.
State of Local Government
➤ Time: 11:30 a.m.
➤ Premier Sponsor: American Proteins, Inc.
➤ Corporate Sponsors: Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc. | Jackson & Williams Attorneys At Law During this session, Cullman County Commission Chairman Kenneth Walker and local mayors will provide general updates from their respective areas.
Legislative Forum
➤ Time: 1:30 p.m.
➤ Premier Sponsor: James R. Smith Trucking
➤ Corporate Sponsor: Cullman-Jefferson Gas
This Q&A style forum will feature local nominees for the District 4 State Senate seat, Paul Bussman and Garlan Gudger, and for the District 12 Alabama House of Representatives seat, Corey Harbison and Alex Chaney.*
* Additional participants subject to be announced.
For more information or to purchase an All-Access Pass, contact the Chamber at 256-734-0454 or info@cullmanchamber.org.
