Building Excitement: Highlands Chamber of Commerce

Written By: John Woods - Chairman Highlands Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors | Issue: 2021/01 – Winter | Photograph By: Susan Renfro

John Woods

Dear residents, businesses and visitors,

What a year we experienced in 2020!  

With the Covid-19 pandemic there hasn’t been a time in our lives that compares to what we experienced in the past year.  The uncertainty has caused stress and trauma in all aspects of our lives, both personal and business.  Everyone has been impacted by this pandemic in some way or another.  

Despite all the challenges we have faced in 2020, this has brought out the best in everyone in our community – from our residents, businesses and visitors.  The Highlands Chamber of Commerce has partnered with you to make the best of this situation and have proven to all that have experienced Highlands that we are there for you! 

As I assume the role of Chairman of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, I’m excited and hopeful in what the future holds for all of us.

This is a personal fight and rest assured, we won’t stop until we have won this battle with the pandemic. With the progress that Highlands has made since the beginning of summer, things are looking up for everyone who visits or has an interest in Highlands.  

We would not be at this point in this juncture if it was not for you!  For that reason, I want to say thank you.    

I want to let you know some of the plans that the Highlands Chamber of Commerce is developing for 2021.  There are three main objectives that the Board of Directors plans on completing in 2021.  

The first objective is to complete a new strategic plan for the Chamber of Commerce.  We are currently collecting data on the wants and needs of our visitors and residents.  This data will allow us to create a new strategic plan for the next five years.  

This is important because the demographics of both the visitors and residents have changed since the beginning of 2020.  

The second objective is to market and brand Highlands as the “Height of Happiness.”   

We have just hired a new marketing firm to make sure that all of our advertisements are coherent and convey our strategic plan for Highlands.

The third objective is to organize, sponsor and implement the events that everyone loves in Highlands.  We’re looking forward to being able to have Concerts in the Park, Fourth of July Fireworks, Halloween on Main, Highlands Food and Wine Festival, the Christmas Tree Lighting and the Olde Mountain Christmas Parade!  

We all missed those events this past year and their absence was felt deeply by everyone, but I don’t think anyone can argue with the decisions.  We believe there’ll be a burst of anticipation as they’re once more on our calendar.  

We, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Staff, are proud to play a critical role in creating lasting memories and building excitement in Highlands for all residents, businesses and visitors.  Here is to a great 2021!

by John Woods, Chairman
Highlands Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors