In 1986, Janet Jackson broke through on the Pop and R&B Charts with a song, “What have you done for me lately?” Now, almost 40 years later, that refrain has become ingrained in our popular culture. We’ve all heard it – perhaps some customer or client feels your performance doesn’t measure up today no matter what you might have done yesterday. An employee is dissatisfied or feels unappreciated no matter what you might have done for them recently. Maybe it’s a family member who thinks you’re unreasonable despite the sacrifices you might have made on their behalf in the past. As a Chamber representing 800 members, we are going to hear that line occasionally. It’s the reason we work so hard to make our membership aware of the programming and opportunities available to them.

A year ago this month, I began hosting a program on WSIC 105.9FM called “Town Talk.” Each Wednesday, my guests include business owners, employees, nonprofit leaders, and elected officials as we discuss a myriad of issues facing our community. The program also allows us to highlight the wonderful reasons so many people choose Lake Norman to open their business or relocate their families.

“Town Talk” allows me the opportunity to showcase many of the programs and events which have made our Chamber of Commerce such an investment for our businesses.  In 2023, we hosted 98 networking events, 52 ribbon cuttings, and 39 professional development programs for our members to strengthen their management, marketing, and sales of their organization. Quite often, members talk about how the Chamber impacts their business. Recently one of my guests shared how nearly every client they had could be traced back to our Chamber. My guests share how the relationships they made in the Chamber have paid off for their business and I always leave the studio feeling great!

This past month, I hosted former Cornelius Commissioner Tricia Sisson. She and her husband Brian have been extremely active over the last two decades.  Our conversation soon turned to an event that is being hosted this month on the lake – Big Day at the Lake - July 20^th.

Tricia and I talked about the Saturday that I joined her family as they hosted a child (little) and their sponsor (Big) on their boat and jet ski. At first timid, the young child really opened up and you just about had to pry her off the Jet Ski. Tricia joked that the real treat was “When Brian let the ‘Little’ captain the boat!” All of the kids and their Big Brothers / Big Sisters are then treated, along with the hosts, to lunch at the Energy Explorium.

So often, I cannot help but think how fortunate I am to work and live in the Lake Norman region. Reflecting on “Big Day at the Lake” – that one unique day of the year when the  business owners, community leaders, and volunteers make a real difference in the lives of  children.  It is a day when kids, most from single parent families, “walk on sunshine.” Their laughter and splashes are heard from the Energy Explorium to the furthest shores of Lake Norman. Where love, charity, and compassion run as deep as the lake itself. It’s simply another reminder why I do what I do at the Chamber of Commerce and why each and every day I work here is simply another “Big Day at the Lake!”