By Lisa Hedgecock

Everyone seems to know that Kernersville has a Chamber of Commerce, but do you know how it came to be? In this month’s issue, let us take a look back at the beginning and where we are today.

The Kernersville Merchant’s Association was organized in 1941. On June 10, 1968, during a regular membership meeting of the Merchant’s Association, it was recommended to appoint a steering committee to investigate the possibility of forming a Kernersville Chamber of Commerce. It became a reality, and the first meeting of the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce was held on July 25, 1968. Under the laws of the state of North Carolina, on September 4, 1968, the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce was officially incorporated. There were approximately 98 charter members.

The original purpose on which the Chamber was founded was the advancement of the commercial, industrial, cultural, educational, civic, and general interests of the Town of Kernersville, North Carolina, and its people. In the Chamber’s Certificate of Incorporation, it was set forth as the promotion of just and equitable principles in business; the industrial, commercial, civic, and personal statistic and information regarding the Town of Kernersville, its facilities, and its residents.

Lots of years have passed since that first meeting took place, but the values and ideals are still the same. The mission of the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce is to serve the needs of its membership in order to advance the interest of economic development and enhance the quality of life in Kernersville.

Our members are why the Chamber of Commerce has succeeded for so many years. From those 98 charter members, we now have over 500 members and are continuously growing. Kernersville as a town has seen substantial growth, and as we grow, the Chamber continues to support the business community.

With over 200 events hosted yearly, there is never a shortage of choices to engage in. We believe that the active involvement of our members will contribute significantly to the overall strength and vitality of our chamber.

In 2024 it was evident that the chamber was on the move in the community. Thousands chose to become involved in our events. There were 200 member volunteers who assisted with over 3,000 total hours. 2025 will bring with it just as many chances for members and community to engage. Spring Folly attracts approximately 30,000 visitors to Kernersville every year. Vendors for this event total over 200. Spring Folly continues to be one of the largest events for the Chamber and in turn helps support many Kernersville organizations.

You do not have to be a member to engage in the many events hosted by the chamber.Although our member businesses sponsor the events, many are open to the community, such as Spring Folly.

One of the biggest draws to membership with the Chamber is our Networking events. With several different groups and times, there is no shortage of opportunities for our members to meet and make those connections that will help them to prosper in ways which will best benefit their profession. The Chamber has many committees which members may volunteer their time to sit on as well.

There are many upcoming events to look forward to; just a few are our Young Professionals Adult Spelling Bee and Kernersville Night at the Swarm in March. April will host a Community Recycling Day and a Women’s Conference.

With guidance from Chris Comer, our President/CEO, and two full time employees, the Chamber office is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM to help businesses and the community. We strive to keep our website, www.KernersvilleNC.com, updated so that everyone is aware of upcoming events. Registration for events may be found on this website as well.

Time continues to move forward, bringing many changes. With time there is growth and knowledge. The Kernersville Chamber will continue to grow in the future but seeks to maintain that original attitude of 1968 where our members and community are most important because without you, we would not be where we are today. Together we can help our town grow and succeed.