Greater Raleigh Chamber Blog

Gregory Poole Jr.'s personal mission is clear—to make Raleigh a better place to live for all of its residents. 

Poole is the 2016 recipient of the A.E. Finley Distinguished Service Award, which has been given annually since 1970 in recognition of a person who has contributed time, talent, and service to the benefit of the community. He'll be honored Wednesday, Sept. 7, at the Chamber's 128th Annual Meeting.

Poole will be presented with the A.E. Finley Distinguished Service Award during the Chamber’s 128th Annual Meeting at the Raleigh Convention Center on Sept. 7. Register to attend the event here. 

By Jill Wells Heath
2015/16 Chamber Chair
CALYX Engineers + Consultants




Take a look around. 

From cutting edge companies that employ thousands in RTP to visionary startups that are energizing downtown Raleigh, it's clear that innovation and creativity are flourishing in the Triangle.   

At the Chamber's 128th Annual Meeting on Sept. 7, we'll explore our area's changes and challenges and find out what the Chamber is doing to drive success. 

Our keynote speaker, Josh Linkner, is no stranger to this topic----he's spent his career harnessing the power of creative disruption. He'll share thoughts on Raleigh, and provide insight on how you can tap into your own creativity to find new levels of success (hint: you don't have to invent the next Uber to be considered "creative"). 

We'll also honor standout businessman and community activist Gregory Poole Jr. with the A.E. Finley Distinguished Service Award, celebrate some of our accomplishments from the past year, and take a look at the future. I'm personally excited to pass the gavel to our next board chair, Greg Winkler of Wells Fargo. 

It's going to be a great night, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone there!   

Join hundreds of business and community leaders at this popular event. Reserve your spot now. Sponsorships are also available. Contact Ginger Baxley to learn more.

By Margaret Worten
Account Executive
Brandito LLC



It’s the age old question: “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” When it comes to innovation in our region, the question is the same—Raleigh, where do you see yourself in 10 years?
 
Raleigh is growing at an unprecedented rate; however, are we ready to manage the challenges that come with such rapid growth?
 
Raleigh already has a lot to brag about.

• One of the top 10 fastest growing cities in the country.
• 14 million visitors annually and over $2 billion in spend
• Raleigh/Durham was named the No. 2 spot in the country for average “Multiple on Invested Capital,” beating out the likes of Seattle, New York City, and even Silicon Valley
• The list goes on and on

 
Smart, Modern, and Undiscovered
Julie Brakenbury, director of Services for the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, described Raleigh as smart, modern, and undiscovered. Whether you are a transplant or a lifelong resident, you are creating the story of Raleigh’s future. She emphasized the importance of how the community works together.
 
The Triangle accounts for 80 percent of the $2.5 billion dollars in North Carolina investments since 2013. I’m not a gambler, but if I were, I’d put my money on Raleigh, as would Dhruv Patel. Dhruv is the director of Investor Relations for the Council for Entrepreneurial Development, which focuses on tech, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and minerals, and cleantech funding. So far this year they are sitting at over $425 million in equity. Raleigh has benchmarked this region.
 
Greg Hatem has created an empire in Raleigh with Empire Properties, Empire Eats, and the roles he plays on so many boards. He’s not an “out with the old and in with the new” man; he’s more of a believer in “renovate the old, create the new.” Greg emphasized planning for the future, networking, and diversity, as well as progress over process. Thinking 50 years ahead is what made the Research Triangle possible, and that is a force that needs to continue.
 
Become Part of the Solution
It’s clear to so many that young professionals are the engine. It’s up to us to determine how much horsepower is under the hood.
 
Raleigh is supporting small business startups and welcoming international companies. We all fit in somewhere, and our talents can make a difference. There is always room for improvement, so if you don’t like what you see, challenge yourself to be part of the solution. Become involved, find your passion, run for office.
 
Another interesting topic that came up during the program was the question surrounding Raleigh’s brand. North Carolina’s brand, “To be rather than to see,” is being overpowered by bad political policies. Right now I think the Raleigh Chamber has it right: “All are Welcome Here.” Dr. Ben Carson recently said, “One of the things that made America into a great nation is because we have so many people with so much talent from so many different places. And our diversity is not a problem, it is a blessing.”
 
Bring on the diversity, bring on challengers, bring the doers, bring on the innovation. If we think beyond the present, the future of Raleigh is BRIGHT.