BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Another energized, entertaining and successful annual meeting and awards show of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce had concluded.
Musicians packed away their instruments on one end of the stage. The Wind Creek Event Center floor was littered with colorful confetti. Empty box lunches cluttered messy tables.
Pockets of folks — Chamber business partners, mascots, young dancers and well-wishers — roamed about the stage.
And the ringmaster wondered if maybe the two-hour production is too much show and too little substance.
"We’re about celebrating all the good things in the Lehigh Valley."Lehigh Valley Chamber Chief Executive Officer Tony Iannelli
“To tell you the truth, I worry sometimes that it’s not hard hitting enough, not deep enough, too much entertainment,” Chamber Chief Executive Officer Tony Iannelli said at the conclusion of the event on Thursday afternoon.
But just as quickly, Iannelli screeched the brakes on such thoughts.
“But look, we’re about celebrating all the good things in the Lehigh Valley,” Iannelli, 74, said in his 28th year with the Chamber.
“It’s our one time of the year to just celebrate the love we have for this community, to lift people up. So I guess we’re just here to celebrate who we are.”
And celebrate they did, to the delight of the 1,000 in attendance.
Valley ranks high
Iannelli, as usual, kicked off the proceedings, this time with a rendition of “Celebrate,” the 1969 hit song by Three Dog Night, complete with dancers and flashing lights accompanying him on stage.
But while Iannelli’s concern of too much flash and not enough substance may be understandable, the event showcases the vibrant Lehigh Valley as an economic success and a relocation destination.
“I don’t know if it's our location or what it is that makes this valley so special. I don’t have the answer — and that’s OK.”Lehigh Valley Chamber Chief Executive Officer Tony Iannelli
According to rankings released in March by Site Selection magazine, the Lehigh Valley ranked third nationally among mid-sized markets for new economic development projects in 2024.
In regional rankings, the Lehigh Valley ranked fifth in the Northeast among metros of all sizes.
In 2023, the Lehigh Valley ranked first in the nation in new economic development projects than any similarly sized market, according to Site Selection.
The region also ranked fourth in all communities in the Northeast.
“I don’t know if it's our location or what it is that makes this valley so special,” Iannelli said. “I don’t have the answer — and that’s OK.”
'We thank them all'
The Chamber honored the following with awards:
- Business of the Year Award — Wind Creek.
- Volunteer of the Year — Buddy Lesavoy, past chairman, Chamber Board of Governors.
Milestone Awards:
- Mack Trucks, 125 years in business.
- Cetronia Ambulance Corps, 70 years.
- New Bethany, 40 Years.
“This is a really meaningful award for us,” said J. Marc Rittle, executive director of New Bethany, the Bethlehem-based nonprofit that provides support to those experiencing poverty, hunger and homelessness.
“We help a lot of people in the community. I get few opportunities to thank everybody at once. We’re able to help because of all the businesses here in the room that support us.
"We thank them all.”
'Ensure none are left behind'
Iannelli hosted a “Business Matters LIVE!” interview with Jefferson Health Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joe Cacchione and pro golfer Dicky Pride.
Pride will be among 78 senior golfers participating at the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic, a PGA Tour Champions event, next fall at Lehigh Country Club in Allentown.
Proceeds will benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation and Youth Valley House.
“We’re not only keeping pace, but we’re setting the pace.”Laurie Hackett, chairwoman of the Lehigh Valley Chamber Board of Governors
A heartwarming video tribute was shown in memory of Nancy Dischinat, 79, who died Nov. 1 after four decades fostering workforce development in the Lehigh Valley.
Laurie Hackett, chairwoman of the Chamber Board of Governors, announced the Chamber has begun a focus on smaller regional communities to “ensure none are left behind.”
“We want to make sure Lehigh Valley issues are not only identified, but acted upon,” Hackett said.
Of the Chamber as a whole, she said: “We have almost 4,000 business members. We’re the largest Chamber in Pennsylvania and among the top 10 largest in America.
“We’re not only keeping pace, but we’re setting the pace.”
