Annual Meeting Recap

Over 350 people attended the 2005 Over-the-Rhine Chamber Annual Meeting on May 3rd. 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 2005 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. Master of Ceremonies Channel 5 Sports Anchor, George Vogel, and keynote speaker Bengals Head Coach, Marvin Lewis, brought personality, light-hearted humor, and kind words to the stage. Lewis spoke about his first contact with Over-the-Rhine, and the importance of leadership and planning. He emphasized the transformation of the Over-the-Rhine community and likened its turnaround to that of the Cincinnati Bengals. Lewis also spoke about his vision of Over-the-Rhine and the Chamber, and expressed his confidence in a promising future for the neighborhood thanks to its supporters. A big thank you goes out to the individual volunteers that helped make the Annual Meeting a great success.

2005 Star Award Winners

At the 2005 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. Cheryl Curtis received the Chairman's Award for contributing to the Over-the-Rhine community in a manner that was characterized by Chairman San Marco as “above and beyond” expectations. Aesthetica /Lifeesthetics won the Business of the Year Award. New Business of the Year Award went to Harry's Bar & Pizza. Peter Chabris received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his consulting firm's efforts in Over-the-Rhine. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra received the Arts Organization of the Year.
Individual Contribution Awards went to Julie Fay of Urban Eden for her tireless efforts to secure funding for a streetscape on Main Street north of Liberty, and Sandra Smith for her efforts to improve safety and community outreach in Over-the-Rhine. Special Recognition Star Awards went to William J. Williams, former CEO Western & Southern Life for his leadership role in the development of Bracken Village, a model low income housing community, Crossroad Health Center, for expanding its primary health care program by adding a pharmacy and mammagraphy services. Also receiving a Special Recognition Star Award were Marge Hammelrath of the Over-the-Rhine Foundation, Jim Moll of Emery Center Apartments, and Michael Sweeny of Comey & Shepherd - City Office for their coordination and organization of the inaugural Over-the-Rhine Summer Tour of Homes. The tour was a grand success as 13 condos were sold and nine apartments were leased two weeks after the tour.

Thank You to the 2005 Annual Meeting Sponsors

The Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize the 2005 Annual Meeting sponsors whose support made the event a success. We appreciate Herman Miller and Western Southern Financial Group, our Platinum Sponsors.
Thanks to our Gold Sponsors: Ashford Interests, Cincinnati Reds, Cinergy, Eagle Realty Group, Eden Park Realtors & Hart Realty, Inc., Federated Department Stores, Inc.,Mercy Health Partners, PNC Bank, and US Bank.
Many thanks to our Silver Sponsors: block by block, Cincinnati Bell, Cincinnati Job Corps Center, Deloitte & Touche, LLP, Fifth Third Bank, Gray & Pape, Inc., Key Bank, Mercy Housing, Inc., Model Group, Sigma Capital, Inc., and Comey & Shepherd Realtors, City Office.
The Chamber would also like to thank our Patron Sponsors: 3CDC, Cole + Russell Architects, Computer Troubleshooters, Deaconess Hospital, Media Bridges, Memorial, Inc., Michael Schuster Associates, Inc., New Horizons Computer Learning Center, Reece Campbell, Inc., Rippe & Kingston Co PSC., Symphony Hotel, and Triad Capital Advisors.
A Very Special Thanks to: Absolutely 4 Food, Aqua Perfect, Blue Frog Promotions, Cincinnati Arts Association at Music Hall, Cincinnati Bengals, Embrace - a Sweets Company, Envoi Design, Prestige Audio Visual, Inc., and Society for the Preservation of Music Hall.