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 invites the public to attend this year’s all- day event on Friday at the Cullman Civic Center.
Doors will open at 7:30 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, and the Chamber will be set up in breakout rooms and provide information/demonstrations to visitors until the event concludes at 3 p.m.
Many of these breakout participants are bringing impressive giveaway packages, including a couple of TVs, a one-night stay for two at La Quinta Inns & Suites, a $50 gift card, gift baskets, four free passes to the Ave Maria Grotto and much, much more. Cullman Regional and the Good Samaritan Health Clinic will be offering health screenings, and First Source for Women will be providing services from its mobile medical unit out front. To top it off, free hot dogs, chips and drinks will be given to the first 100 seniors (65+) to secure a ticket. Tickets will be available starting at 9:15 a.m., and lunch will be served at 11 a.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.
The “Chick-fil-A State of Our Communities” is completely 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.
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 Wallace State Community College’s Kristen Holmes. 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 will be recognized as well.
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, Cullman Regional Chief Nursing Officer Charna Brown 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 Mayors Woody Jacobs (Cullman), Kenneth Nail (Hanceville) and Jerry Bartlett (Good Hope) 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 | YELTEK
This Q&A-style forum will feature local nominees for the AL Senate District 4 seat, Paul Bussman and Garlan Gudger; the AL House District 12 seat, Corey Harbison and Alex Chaney; and the AL House District 9 seat, James R. Bowling, Justin Morrow and Scott Stadthagen.
For more information or to purchase an All-Access Pass, contact the Chamber at 256-734-0454 or info@cullmanchamber.org.
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