Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce Anniversary & Breakfast
35th Anniversary
Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce marked 35 years of serving its members and the community with a ribbon cutting and informal gathering at its office, 11826 Kingston Pike, Wednesday, July 27.
FWKCC members, board members, officers, former board members and staff mingled with Farragut officials and representatives of other Chambers to share memories and well wishes while also enjoying food truck fare from Mucho Gusto and Kona Ice.
The Chamber, initially called Farragut Chamber of Commerce, was founded in 1987 with 139 charter members. “(The founders) wanted something different,” current president/CEO Julie Blaylock said.
Mike Rothman, the Chamber’s first president and a charter member, recalled “we used to have Easter egg hunts and helped start the Independence Day Parade.”
He also recalled the Chamber flew Santa to retail businesses during the holidays, while Blaylock recounted how the past president rode an elephant through Town — but also helped develop the Town’s sign ordinance.
“It’s really incredible to look back at the progress of this Chamber,” current board chairman Christine Dean said.
Breakfast Speaker Series
Farragut Matt Schaefer, president/CEO of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, headlined Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce’s Breakfast Speaker Series at Rothchild’s Catering and Conference Center, 8807 Kingston Pike, Tuesday, Aug. 2.
Chamber members, sponsors and guests, plus Town of Farragut, state and Knox County officials turned out for the series to network and learn more about ETCH and the Chamber.
Photos by Tammy Cheek