Caswell County Chamber of Commerce: Reflecting on 2025 and Embracing Opportunities in 2026

The following note is from Hosanna Pennell, Chamber Board President

As we look back on the year 2025, the Caswell County Chamber of Commerce celebrates a year of growth and adaptation. The past couple of years have presented challenges, but our board has tackled them with determination, grit, and ingenuity. By embracing fresh ideas and maintaining curiosity, we are evolving to better serve the small business economy within our community. 

Embracing Change and Collaboration

In 2026, we are remaining committed to delivering resources and tools to our small business and non profit members as well as continuing our traditional community events, Connecting Caswell breakfasts and after hours events, and other collaborations with community organizations. We have worked to develop relationships in the last quarter of 2025 with the PCC Small Business Center and the Dan River Non-Profit Network, and we are excited about the learning and networking opportunities these partnerships will bring to our membership in 2026. We look forward to sharing those details soon.

The Brightleaf Hoedown: A Legacy of Community Celebration

The Chamber’s Brightleaf Hoedown has been an annual highlight in downtown Yanceyville for 40+ years. We are actively building our planning committee for 2026 with representatives from local government agencies, area nonprofit organizations, the private sector as well as our own board members. My attendance at the North Carolina Association of Festivals and Events “Showfest” conference in Charlotte in 2025 was invaluable as it allowed me to envision the Hoedown’s potential for growth. Learning from experts in the field and talking to other planners from similar festivals around the state provided much inspiration and a fresh new outlook for the future of our festival. 

This year, another board member as well as our staff will be attending the NCAFE Showfest conference as we prioritize developing our team’s event planning skills and knowledge.

Strengthening Networks and Relationships

Building networks and relationships with area organizations and businesses remains a priority. Our collaboration with the Caswell Council for the Arts on the entertainment portion of the 2025 Brightleaf Hoedown Entertainment was a pleasure and demonstrated that, working together, small organizations can amplify their impact. We look forward to partnership opportunities with them and more local organizations in the future. 

A Sustainable Future for the Chamber

As board president, my focus is on further establishing a sustainable organization that can adapt and thrive in the ever-changing business and community landscape. My goal for my final term as board president is to empower board members and local business owners to be bold, embrace change with curiosity, choose optimism, and seek common ground to achieve positive outcomes for all of those that live, work, do business, learn and play in Caswell County. 

Join Us: Become a Part of Our Vision

As a Chamber, our success depends on our members. We see ourselves not as a “club”, but as a coalition of business owners. If you are a business owner or non profit leader who shares this vision, and would like to have a role in building and improving the Chamber, we invite you to become a member and be a part of our team as we put “boots on the ground” in 2026 to continue our mission.

Interested in serving on our board of directors, joining our Hoedown planning committee, or becoming a sponsor in 2026? Please reach out to us at 336-694-6106 or email info@caswellchamber.org. Together, let’s continue to strengthen our community and support each other’s growth in 2026 and beyond.