Greater Kokomo Alliance hosts annual dinner

Local businesses honored during event celebrating Chamber’s 110-year anniversary

On Thursday, Nov. 7, the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance celebrated the Chamber of Commerce’s 110th anniversary with a special evening dedicated to the legacy of Kokomo’s business community and the impact of visionary leadership. A dinner and awards program at Bel Air Events, the event brought together Chamber members, business leaders and public officials to honor the organization’s long-standing commitment to economic growth and community development.

Alliance President and CEO Lori Dukes explained the evening’s event invited guests to explore the organization’s journey since 1914 through historical pictures and curated remnants of the past. There was a particular focus on the contributions of Kokomo’s own Elwood Haynes, an automotive pioneer and visionary whose influence helped shape the Chamber of Commerce.

“In 1914, Elwood Haynes recognized that a prosperous business community needed a strong network — a network that would bring together innovation, talent, and opportunity,” Dukes said, underscoring Haynes’ role as both an industrial pioneer and a founding figure of the Chamber.

At the event, an actor portraying Haynes welcomed attendees, offering them a glimpse into the past, while an original Haynes automobile on display served as a tangible reminder of his enduring impact on the community.

The evening’s keynote speaker, Michael Shor, CEO of Haynes International, delivered a powerful message about the company’s growth and global impact that resonated from Haynes’ original vision to today’s forward-looking innovations in aerospace and energy.

Chamber Manager Courtney Butler, acknowledged the contributions of some original Chamber members from 1914, expressed gratitude for the sustained commitment of these members, who have not only witnessed Kokomo’s economic evolution but have actively shaped its trajectory.

Alliance Board Chair Cary Mawbey addressed the nearly 400 people in attendance to reflect on the Alliance’s transformative role in the community.

“It’s an exciting time for our community,” he noted, highlighting the Alliance’s multi-faceted contributions through its divisions: the Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau, Inventrek Tech Park, and the Downtown Association. Mawbey emphasized the Alliance’s often unseen but significant work that drives Kokomo’s daily vibrancy, stating, “The Alliance is here, day in and day out, not just in moments of big announcements, but in all the quieter, essential ways that sustain and grow our economy.”

Among the several awards presented during Thursday’s event was Economic Impact Award, which recognized SSG Hotels for its development of a Hilton Garden Inn and Kokomo Conference Center in downtown Kokomo. It’s a development anticipated to energize not just Kokomo but the entire region.

“Years ago, this project was envisioned as a necessity and destined success,” told the audience. “And now, this project comes to fruition at a pivotal time for Kokomo. With major developments transforming our community, this project’s impact will be even greater than we ever imagined. SSG Hotels had the vision and the passion to recognize this rare opportunity and turn our community’s dream into a reality.”