By Ashley Sinclair

As we close the chapter on 2024, the Kernersville Chamber celebrates a year marked by community engagement, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to making Kernersville a vibrant place to live, work, and thrive. From signature events to impactful programs, here is a look back at the accomplishments that defined our year.

The Wellness & Career Showcase
In 2024, the Chamber held its Wellness & Career Showcase, an immersive event designed to spotlight Kernersville’s businesses and community assets. This interactive showcase brought local businesses, entrepreneurs, and residents together, providing a platform for networking, collaboration, and celebration of the innovations shaping Kernersville’s future. Whether exploring local goods and services or engaging with business leaders, attendees left the Showcase inspired by Kernersville’s growth and potential. The Wellness & Community Showcase will take place on Monday, February 24th, 2025, at 9:30am at the Kernersville Family YMCA. All are welcome to attend, it is free and open to the community. More information can be found at kernersvillenc.com/events

Shopping for Education
Our annual Shopping for Education program once again rallied the community in support of public schools. From July to September, donations poured in to fund special projects and classroom supplies, relieving the financial burden often shouldered by teachers. Every dollar directly benefited Kernersville schools, reinforcing our commitment to education. This year we were able to award $30,000 in grants to teachers here in the Kernersville community.

Holiday Open House / Blooms to Bells
This past holiday season combined the festive Christmas Tree Lighting with the 2nd Annual Blooms to Bells, celebrating Kernersville’s seasonal charm. In partnership with Town of Kernersville-Parks and Recreation, Kernersville Museum, Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, and Downtown Kernersville, the event invited residents to explore festively decorated shops by trolley, discovering unique gifts, seasonal celebrations, and special deals. With the tree lighting, spectacular holiday blooms, melodious bells, and plenty of holiday cheer, the celebration highlighted the importance of shopping local while showcasing the warmth and creativity of Kernersville’s community.

Empowering Young Professionals and our Future Leaders
The Young Professionals of Kernersville made a splash in 2024 with events like Canvas and Conversations, where creativity and camaraderie flourished, and their 3rd Annual Halloween Party. Held at Social Habit, the party blended fun with philanthropy by collecting canned goods for Crisis Control Ministry, highlighting the group’s dedication to giving back.

Recognizing the need to nurture the next generation of leaders, the Kernersville Chamber launched an initiative to establish a Junior Leadership program. Designed for 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students, this program will provide young leaders with opportunities to develop essential skills, engage with community leaders, and gain firsthand experience in local governance and business operations. The initiative underscores the Chamber’s commitment to fostering leadership and civic responsibility in Kernersville’s youth, ensuring a bright future for the community.

Supporting Local Businesses
This year, the Chamber continued its tradition of fostering economic development.

Ribbon Cuttings: Welcomed new businesses and celebrated new beginnings and expansion in Kernersville.

Business Social Events: Provided networking opportunities for members.

Downtown Engagement Events: Initiatives like Wagon Wednesday encouraged collaboration among downtown business owners, driving awareness and foot traffic to local shops and services.

Collaborative Business Partnerships: The Chamber worked to build partnerships between businesses located in different parts of Kernersville, encouraging collaboration on joint promotions, co-hosted events, and shared resources to strengthen the overall business community.

Community Relief Efforts
In response to Hurricane Helene’s impact in Western NC, the Chamber organized Shopping and Eating for Hurricane Helene Relief. Modeled after Shopping for Education, this program rallied businesses and residents to provide crucial support to affected areas, exemplifying the Chamber’s adaptability and community focus.

Recognition and Gratitude
Throughout 2024, the Kernersville Chamber took pride in honoring the local businesses and individuals who embody Kernersville’s entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit. Through a variety of recognition programs and events, the Chamber celebrated those who have made outstanding contributions to the community, demonstrating leadership, innovation, and a commitment to giving back. These honors not only acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Kernersville’s business leaders and community members but also serve to inspire others to strive for excellence in the community. By spotlighting these exemplary figures, the Chamber fosters a culture of appreciation and encourages continued growth and generosity within the Kernersville community.

Looking Forward to 2025
As we step into a new year, the Kernersville Chamber remains committed to its mission of serving its members, advancing economic development, and enhancing the quality of life in Kernersville. Thank you to everyone—our members, sponsors, volunteers, and the community at large—who made 2024 a remarkable year.

Here is to building on this success in 2025, together.