LAFAYETTE –– Greater Lafayette Commerce hosted an evening of celebrations and salutes, great food and good fun. The theme for the 2012 Annual Member Dinner was “Chalkboards to iBoards, Innovative Education for the Future.”

Keynote speaker Jamie Vollmer was brought in to compliment the community’s commitment to local schools through the Read to Succeed Program. Vollmer is president of Vollmer, Inc., a public education advocacy firm working to increase student success by raising public support for America’s schools.

Along with the keynote address a series of annual community awards were given during the event.

--Though named in May 2012, the Tippy Connect Top 10 Under 40 winners were acknowledged again for their contributions to the community.

--Clear Blue Green Sustainability Award, Grateful Heart Gallery & Gifts

--Ambassador of the Year, Pamela Windler of Automated Payroll Services LLC

--Downtown Preservation Award, Joanna Retherford, owner of Red Poppy Studio.

--Downtown Development Award, Campus Acquisitions, LLC for Chauncey Square in West Lafayette.

--John J. Klink Leadership Award, Jeff Rider of Rider Partners & Appointed Designs

--Digby Award, Ivy Tech Community College for their Downtown Campus

--The Workforce Diversity Best Practice Awards, to Graybar

--The Diversity Leader Award, for Non Profit, to Latino Center for Wellness and Education

--The Diversity Leader Award, for Individual, to Jos Holman, Tippecanoe County Librarian

--Grand Marquis de Lafayette, to Patti Frist, Harrison High School Teacher

Comments by Doug Mansfield, Greater Lafayette Commerce Chairman of the Board included praise for economic development over the past year. Highlights from his address included:

--$540.1M in capital investments made or announced in 2012 through September

--Nearly $315 Million in industrial construction for new and existing industries under way

--Over 440 new jobs

--Over 1.8 Billion in economic impact to the community because of the investments made

--10 new life science/high-tech startups in 2012 through September

--926 homes sold in 2012 through September

--220 new single family building permits in 2012 through September

Before incorporation in 2006, this event was the Annual Chamber Dinner but has been shifted to highlight the work done within the community by the over 2000 volunteers that are the driving force behind Greater Lafayette Commerce. Greater Lafayette Commerce is enjoying its largest membership since it was formed. Currently there are more than 1,300 businesses and non-profit partners who are joining the mission to make Greater Lafayette “The Place of Choice.”

About Greater Lafayette Commerce: Headquartered at 337 Columbia St. in Lafayette, Greater Lafayette Commerce, whose roots go back nearly 85 years, is a nonprofit membership organization supported by local industries and governments. Its mission is to advance economic and community prosperity for a superior quality of life.