Industry Appreciation Event

The annual Industry Appreciation Event hosted by Caldwell County Economic Development showcases our commitment to celebrating the remarkable achievements of our local industries and the individuals driving economic growth and prosperity within Caldwell County.

Event Overview:

The Industry Appreciation Event is an annual gathering dedicated to honoring and recognizing the invaluable contributions of the existing industries in Caldwell County. As we reflect on the previous year's successes, we also look forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Awards:

During this event, we proudly present two prestigious awards:

Industry of the Year Award:

The Industry of the Year award celebrates excellence, innovation, and leadership within a specific sector. This award recognizes outstanding performance, exceptional growth, and a commitment to excellence across various facets of operations. The recipient is selected based on criteria emphasizing innovation, market leadership, sustainability efforts, economic contributions, corporate social responsibility, and more. The selection committee carefully reviews nomination forms, and the winner is announced during the annual Caldwell County Industry Appreciation Luncheon.

Your nominations for the Industry of the Year Award can be made here.

Herman Anderson Award:

The Herman Anderson Award is dedicated to recognizing an individual who has made outstanding contributions to economic development in Caldwell County. This award acknowledges individuals who have demonstrated exceptional engagement and dedication to benefiting the local economy through professional or volunteer efforts. Nominees are evaluated based on impactful initiatives, innovative strategies, sustainable development practices, collaborative leadership, inclusivity, measurable results, ethical standards, thought leadership, and long-term vision.

Your nominations for the Herman Anderson Award can be made here.

Class of 2021-2023 Recognition:

In addition to awards, we also take this opportunity to recognize and catch up with the local industry partners we have collaborated with over the previous year.

Guest Speakers:

Our event features distinguished guest speakers who share valuable insights and expertise:

Keynote Speaker: Ted Abernathy

Ted Abernathy, Managing Partner of Economic Leadership, LLC, shares insights on economic development trends and Caldwell County demographics. With over four decades of experience in economic development, Ted brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our event.

Presentation by Austin Rouse

Austin Rouse, Director of Business Recruitment for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, provides a state-level update on economic development efforts. Austin's extensive experience and dedication to attracting new businesses to North Carolina make his presentation invaluable.

Registration:

While initially an invitation-only event, we may open registration to the public later. For now, we prioritize industry representation to foster meaningful connections and collaborations.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating the success and resilience of Caldwell County's industries. We continue to drive economic growth and prosperity for our community and beyond.

Past Recipients:

As part of our commitment to transparency and recognition, here are the past recipients of the Industry of the Year Award and the Herman Anderson Award: