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In 1936 the world was trying to recover from the Great Depression. It was a chaotic time when businesses and consumers alike were filled with both daily struggles and optimistic hope for the future. The Raleigh Chamber was a pillar of the community and member businesses relied on the support and advocacy for economic success.

Now in 2022, the world is trying to recover from the effects of COVID-19 and, just like in 1936, businesses and consumers alike face difficult issues and hold on to hope for a better future. The Raleigh Chamber has a new logo but still aims to build a thriving regional economy, enhance the community’s quality of life, and strengthen member businesses.

One other thing 1936 and 2022 have in common – family working at the Raleigh Chamber.
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I am excited to introduce myself, Mary Kubeny, the new marketing copywriter at Raleigh Chamber. In 1936, my great-grandmother, Martha Pugh Ray, wanted to make a difference in the community she loved and became a secretary for the Chamber. It is a privilege to honor her legacy as a Raleigh Chamber employee working to support our business community. I hope to meet you all soon!

On January 4, business leaders from around the Triangle region gathered for Launch 2022 presented by Wells Fargo. Prior to the event, Adrienne Cole, president and CEO of the Chamber shared the following comments about Launch 2022:
 
We have a fantastic group of speakers who will share an inside look at new trends and forecasts for 2022. Our expert speakers will cover the forces affecting our economy and what to expect in the Triangle Region and North Carolina as well as trends in commercial real estate, talent, economic development, entrepreneurship, and demographic shifts. Our Launch 2022 event gives us a strong starting point for the year ahead.
 
If you were unable to attend Launch 2022, we have included links to the presentations below. Due to technical difficulties, the livestream option provided by our media partner WRAL Channel 5 picked up the program partway through the presentations – you can watch it here.

See below for speaker presentations: 
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• Ted Abernathy, Managing Partner, Economic Leadership, LLC View the presentation | Watch Ted's Live Presentation Here

• Cindy Eckert, Chief Executive Officer, The Pink Ceiling View the presentation

• Sarah House, Senior Economist and Director, Wells Fargo View the presentation | Watch Sarah's Live Presentation Here

• Brian Leary, Chief Operating Officer, Highwoods Properties, Inc. View the presentation
• Todd Olson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Pendo View the presentation

• Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders, North Carolina Department of Commerce. (Presentation not available.)

 
Join us for our next signature event, our annual Community Success Forum on Feb. 17. You will hear regional leaders and local professionals engage in collaborative discussions around strategy implementation to create true race equity. You can register on our website. Please note this is a virtual event.