Annual Meeting Recap

Over 400 people attended the 2006 Over-the-Rhine Chamber Annual Meeting on May 17th. The audience included several business, civic and government leaders, along with many other Over-the-Rhine supporters. Held in Music Hall’s Ballroom, the meeting’s program included the recognition of 2006 Star Awards recipients. Once a year, Star Awards are received by outstanding individuals, organizations, and businesses to recognize the positive impact that they have made in Over-the-Rhine.

Over-the-Rhine Chamber President Brian Tiffany, Master of Ceremonies Channel 5 Sports Anchor, George Vogel, and keynote speaker Cincinnati Reds Partner, Tom Williams brought personality, light-hearted humor, and kind words to the stage. Mr. Williams spoke about the importance of a vibrant Over-the-Rhine to the downtown business district, and the significance that entrepreneurs in Over-the-Rhine are having in the Greater Cincinnati Community. He also talked about the Cincinnati Reds, why his partnership purchased the Reds and the importance of the Cincinnati Reds to downtown and the local business community. A big thank you goes out to the individual volunteers that helped make the Annual Meeting a great success.

2006 Star Award Winners

At the 2006 Annual Meeting, several businesses, individuals, and organizations received Star Awards for their contributions to Over the Rhine over the past year. Each point on the star represents each of the 5 unique neighborhoods(Washington Park, Mohawk, Central, Pendleton, and Findlay Market) that make up Over-the-Rhine.

Joan Kaup received the Chairman's Award for her efforts on the Over-the-Rhine Chamber Marketing Committee and Second Sundays on Main.

Shadeau Breads won the Business of the Year Award.

New Business of the Year Award went to St. Anthony Enterprises and 1305 Gallery.

Sandra Daniels and Brandi Daniels received an Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the success of their company Embrace - a sweets company.

Jeremy and Collette Thompson received an Entrepreneur of the Year Award for reopening Kaldi's, a beloved Over-the-Rhine institution.

Property Development of the Year went to the Art Academy of Cincinnati for the rehab of two historic buildings and the spurring of further redevelopment efforts in Over-the-Rhine.

Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year Awards went to Cincinnati Business Incubator for its focus on aiding businesses owned by women and people of color and Smart Money Community Services for helping others attain the goal of economic self-sufficiency.

Individual Contribution Awards went to Melody Sawyer Richardson for her tireless commitment to the Second Sundays on Main, Cincinnati’s Hip, and Urban Street Fair in historic OTR, and Karyl Cunningham of the Emmanuel Community Center for her efforts to to help uplift the people of the Over-the-Rhine community through creating programs that foster an atmosphere of safe learning.

Special Recognition Star Awards went to Bob Pickford of Findlay Market for his calm and confident leadership of Findlay Market through a stormy time, Jim Tarbell, Vice Mayor of Cincinnati for spearheading a program that provides zero down payment loans to the artists in the Over-the Rhine community. Also receiving a Special Recognition Star Award was Robert Manley who unexpectedly passed away in March for his tireless efforts and commitment to the Over-the-Rhine community. At the time of his passing, Bob's hopes, dreams and vision for a revitalized Downtown, particularly the Over-the-Rhine community, were beginning to gain momentum.

Law Enforcement Officer of the Year went to Officer John Heine, Cincinnati Police and Officer Steve Hamann, Cincinnati Police for their work in the Chamber’s Safe and Clean program, attending Safety Sector Meetings each month and communicating with attendees as neighborhood officer for Over-the-Rhine. Their efforts have helped make Over-the-Rhine a safer place to live, work and play.

Thank You to the 2006 Annual Meeting Sponsors

The Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize the 2006 Annual Meeting sponsors whose support made the event a success. We appreciate The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation, Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), US Bank, and Western & Southern Financial Group, our Platinum Sponsors.

Thanks to our Gold Sponsors:
Barbara Stough Interiors/Stough Development Corp., Cincinnati Business Courier, Cincinnati Reds, Comey & Shepherd City Office, Duke Energy, Eagle Realty Group Fifth Third Bank, Hart Realty, Inc., Huff Realty - Metropolitan Office, Jack Rouse Associates, Inc., Lasalle Bank, Metaphor Studio, LLC., Miller-Valentine Group, The Model Group, North American Properties, Team Chabris, Comey & Shepherd, Winegardner & Hammons, Inc..

Many thanks to our Silver Sponsors:
Glaserworks, Keating, Muething & Klekamp, Media Bridges, Mercy Health Partners, Mercy Housing, Inc., Michael Schuster Associates, Rippe & Kingston Co., PSC, Turner & Construction Company.
The Chamber would also like to thank our Patron Sponsors: Blue Frog Promotions, Building Value, Computer Troubleshooters, Envoi Design, Gray & Pape, Inc., Local Initiatives Support Corp (LISC), Schickel Design Company, Thomson MacConnell Cadillac, Inc., and The Verdin Company.

A Very Special Thanks to:
Cincinnati Arts Association at Music Hall, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony, Coffee Emporium, Embrace – a Sweets Company, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Jeff Thomas Catering, Kreutzer & Dorl Florist and Symphony Hotel.