With a rousing performance by the Lafayette High School band, a Pledge of Allegiance led by the Lafayette Little League All-Stars and encouraging words from UL head football coach Mark Hudspeth, the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce celebrated the city's accomplishments and looked ahead to a promising future at its annual banquet Thursday night.
city's accomplishments and looked ahead to a promising future at its annual banquet Thursday night.
The event was about celebrating Lafayette, including new businesses and expansions; athletic accomplishments; the chamber being named the National Chamber of the Year and receiving five-star accreditation and the city being honored for its food and hospitality.
"If we all work together, this city wins, and we were winners this year," Hudspeth said.
Those successes are due in large part to strong collaborations, said outgoing Chamber Chairwoman Flo Meadows.
"Ours is a world-class community in the making," Meadows said.
The Acadiana Innovation Awards, announced during the banquet, honored those who have been especially progressive in handling problems. The Twin Parish Port Regional Economic Development Initiatives received the public sector award for its work in re-developing Delcambre following Hurricane Rita.
who have been especially
progressive in handling problems. The Twin Parish Port Regional Economic Development Initiatives received the public sector award for its work in re-developing Delcambre following Hurricane Rita.
That has included modernizing the Port of Delcambre, creating a web-based seafood market and building a new 28-boat marina.
In the private sector category, Dupre Logistics won the innovation award for its Employee Safety Program, which emphasizes driver retention, increased efficiency, accident monitoring and analysis and training for drivers.
"Every progressive community is chasing after innovation. Many are proclaiming that they are the innovation haven," said Chamber President and CEO Rob Guidry. "Well, Lafayette has been in the innovation game for a long time."
