The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce hosted its 19th Annual Banquet and Business Showcase, Ignite, on Thursday, February 8 at the Columbia County Exhibition Center. 

With a sellout attendance of local, state and federal business leaders, the event celebrated the Chamber’s accomplishments of 2023, with a look ahead to a prosperous 2024. 

Andy Kaufmann, owner of the Savannah Ghost Pirates, was the keynote speaker and spoke on living his dream through the spirit of entrepreneurship. He closed his speech with a commitment to bring hockey back to Augusta if the new James Brown Arena includes ice in the plans for the facility. 

Chamber President/CEO Russell Lahodny provided Chamber highlights from 2023 and discussed their plans for this year before introducing 2023 Board Chair Wendy Perry with KATALIS. A highlight of the evening was the ceremonial passing of the gavel of leadership from Perry to 2024 Chair Robert Kelly of Augusta Staffing. In his remarks, Kelly expressed his appreciation to the Board for the confidence shown in him and relayed his goals and aspirations for the upcoming year.

During the program, the Chamber presented several prestigious awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award. Given annually since 2005, the Lifetime Achievement Award seeks to honor one leader of our community for his or her professional and philanthropic achievements. This year’s award winner, Andy Jones, Gerald Jones Auto Group, was recognized for his extraordinary leadership and entrepreneurship over the last 20-plus years. 

Additionally, the Chamber named Columbia County Community Connections the Non-Profit of the Year, Nothing Bundt Cakes the Small Business of the Year and Serotta, Maddocks, and Evans CPAs as Large Business of the Year. The Leadership Columbia County Alumni Award went to Robbie Moore, Blanchard and Calhoun Insurance. The Volunteer of the Year and Ambassador of the Year awards were given to Briar van Haastrecht, Servpro of Augusta, and Logan Banks, Brandon Wilde, respectively. 

The evening also included a business showcase and reception. The showcase provided attendees the opportunity to make new connections and visit with nearly 20 local vendors. 

The 19th Annual Banquet and Business Showcase was presented by SouthState. Premier Sponsors Savannah River Nuclear Solutions and Allegra Image 360. Executive Sponsors included: AT&T, Battelle Savannah River Alliance, The Cleveland Group CPAs, Oak View Group/Augusta Entertainment Complex, Gerald Jones Auto Group and Georgia Power Company. Additional Sponsors included Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsor, Southeast Restoration; Non-Profit Member of the Year Sponsor, ADP; Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsor, First Community Bank; Speaker Sponsor, C&C Automotive; Hotel Sponsor, Hyatt Place of Augusta; Bar Sponsor, Holiday Inn; and Wine Sponsor, Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate.