The Pike County Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to be a part of history in the making at an important and exciting Press Conference and Community Event to be held on Wed., May 4 on the 2nd floor ballroom of the Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center at 9:30 a.m.

This event is one that will bring individuals together who wish to work to enhance the growth of eastern Kentucky and impact economic development across the region.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce had its first such organizational meeting and press conference on Nov. 12, 1957 when forty men gathered with the overall mission "To raise the standard of living in the area, to promote Pikeville and Pike County, and to encourage industry."

"With the expansion of technology, the enhancement of roads and transportation, and the formation of a global industry, we now have a much larger playing field," said Pike Chamber President Brad Hall.  "We hope the future of our Chamber, much like our founding officers will serve the purpose of 'raising the standard of living in eastern Kentucky, promoting the counties across eastern Kentucky, and bringing individuals from across the region together to encourage business and industry.'"

Looking back into history, in the Dec., 1957, the first articles and bylaws of the Pike Chamber were written by Henry D. Stratton, Lon B. Rogers, and C.W. Davis; and were approved by the officers J.H. Mosgrove, Forrest Beeler, Ed Venters, Frank Forsyth, W.E. Venters, John T. Parker, Carroll Thornbury, William E. Justice, Jack T. Hatcher, J.C. Faulkner, S. F. Dawahare, H.H. Kincaid, B.P. Bogardus, Dr. W. H. Smith and T. E. Rogers.

"I am very proud of our Chamber," said Beverly Beeler Sanders, daughter of Forrest Beeler, who served two terms as the Chamber’s Chairman during the second and third terms of the Chamber’s existence. "I am proud that my father was a founding officer who assisted in creating by-laws."  She continued, "I believe that wherever the road leads the Chamber of Commerce in the future, as long as we work together for the betterment of eastern Kentucky, that my father and all of the founding officers and members would be proud."

“As we look forward to the future, we must honor the past,” said Chamber President Brad Hall.  “Knowing that when the Chamber was founded, the founding leaders intended for the Chamber to make eastern Kentucky a better place for all citizens to live and work, we truly believe they would have been proud to see what the future holds."

All eastern Kentucky citizens are invited to this press conference and there is no admission fee.  The press conference will also be aired live on WYMT Television and also on radio stations of East Kentucky Broadcasting.

A special guest speaker at the press conference will be Chris Girdler, Chief of Staff for Congressman Hal Rogers Office. 

Following the Press Conference in Pikeville, a caravan to Louisa will be lead by Chamber Board Members and Officials to a reception at People’s Security Bank at noon.

“There is no pre-registration for the press conference,” Hall added. “You do not have to be a member of the press. We encourage all Chamber members, members of the community, and of course all members of the press to attend this momentous occasion for this special announcement from the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.”