December, 2025

President's Message

The holiday season is in full swing bringing lots of opportunities for you to support our local businesses, who are the backbone of Lancaster County’s economy! The Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce team thanks you for the privilege of serving this community! We are grateful for the many ways you support the work of the Chamber through participation, sponsorships, and volunteering!

I want to recognize and thank our incredible and talented Chamber staff members Abigail Horton, Michelle Hammond, and Kennedy Fritz for all they do in support of our members and our Chamber mission! They are true professionals!

We look forward to another exciting year of collaboration, engagement, and new opportunities! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and heathy, prosperous 2026!

CHAMBER NEWS

Join us in celebrating the Lancaster County Chamber’s 70-Year Legacy at the

2026 Annual Gala!

We are planning for this celebration to be bigger than ever, and to welcome even more members, partners, and guests, we’re holding this year’s event at the Gateway Conference Center — a special exception made for this milestone year.

This year’s Annual Meeting will feature the presentation of the 2025 awards, a silent auction, exciting giveaways, meaningful tributes to our history, and more as we formally celebrate the Chamber’s remarkable legacy.

Sponsorships and tickets on sale soon!

Watch our news segment here!

Chamber Travel Program!

The Lancaster County Chamber’s Travel Program is a beloved annual tradition that offers community members the chance to explore exciting destinations around the world—no Chamber membership required!

Each year, we partner with a trusted travel agency to curate a seamless group experience to a new location. Past trips have taken us to China, Greece, Italy, Ireland, and France. Our Director of Marketing & Communications, Abigail Horton was able to sit down with CN2 News to talk about Chamber travel. Frequent Chamber traveler Angelica Figueroa also was able to talk about her positive past experiences with group travel!

Our upcoming trip is to England, Scotland and Wales, departing May 11, 2026. The deposit to save your seat on this trip is due as soon as possible, with final payment due February 10th, 2026.

Want to be a part of the fun? Check out more information on our website here: May 2026 trip to England, Scotland & Wales!

Learn More Here!

Interested in being a speaker in 2026? Apply online by clicking the link below!

Click Here for More Morning Business Connection Information

Leadership Lancaster

Our 2025-2026 Leadership Lancaster class is in full swing!

History Day was a whirlwind adventure through Lancaster’s rich past. The class kicked off with a history presentation of the city before taking a walking tour of downtown Lancaster, followed by lunch inside the historic courthouse. (Thank you Heath Springs Pizzeria!)

The afternoon continued with an exploration of the Barr Street Corridor and tours of several iconic sites, including Buford Battleground, Old Waxhaw Presbyterian Church, the Historic Craig House, and Kilburnie. It was a jam-packed day, and our students walked away with a deeper connection to the place they live and work!

Ambassador Program

Our Ambassadors had the merriest time at this year’s annual Ambassador Program Christmas party! We enjoyed soup and salads at Southern Dish 101, decorated cookies, and celebrated another year of connection and community.

We can’t thank our Ambassadors enough for advocating for the Chamber, supporting our members, showing up for the community, and dedicating their time all year long.

Interested in becoming a Ambassador?

Learn more and request an application here:

Ambassador Program

Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce Announces New Board Members, Tyson Wright Named Board Chair

The Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Tyson Wright, Catawba Region District Manager, Government & Community Relations with Duke Energy, will serve as the organization’s Board Chair for the 2026 Chamber year. A Lancaster County native, Tyson brings a wealth of talent, energy, enthusiasm, and community knowledge to the Chamber. We look forward to her leadership!

Thomas Hardin, Senior Vice President – Consumer Lending with Founders Federal Credit Union and current Board Chair, will continue serving on the Board of Directors in 2026 as Past Chair.

Sharon Snipes, Team Leader of the Snipes Team EXP Realty, a leading real estate company in Lancaster County, SC, has been appointed Chair-Elect for 2026. Joey Byrd, Senior Advisor, Land and Community Relations, OceanaGold Haile Gold Mine, will serve as Board Treasurer, while Lisa deAndrade, Controller and Patient Advocate with Rebound Behavioral Health, will continue serving as Board Secretary.

The Chamber is also pleased to announce the addition of five distinguished business and community leaders to its Board of Directors. The new Board members bring a deep commitment to the Chamber’s mission and a passion for our community.

Olivia Hann, Assistant Director/Public Relations Manager, KARE – Kershaw Area Resource Exchange

Kevin Mills, Vice President, Organizational Development & Community Relations, INSP

Jack Ossa, Founder and Principal, OSSA Studio

Jeff Rammage, Director of Student Life, University of South Carolina - Lancaster

Richard Smith, Agent/Owner Alpine Advantage Health Insurance

Chamber President and CEO John McCain said “The Lancaster County business community is fortunate to have these exceptional leaders serving on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. They will provide tremendous insight and guidance to the Chamber as we work diligently to make Lancaster County a better place to live, work, and do business.”

The new Board of Directors will begin their three-year terms effective January 1, 2026.

Board of Directors

You can view all upcoming Chamber events 24/7 on our online events calendar!

lancasterchambersc.org/events/calendar

MEMBER NEWS

To view all Lancaster County Chamber members, visit our online directory!

Chamber Member Directory

COMMUNITY CALENDAR!

This interactive calendar allows all Chamber members to upload their events, making it easier for the entire community to stay informed.

Be sure to start uploading your events today so your business stays in the spotlight!

View Community Calendar

Thursday, January 8, 2026 (4:00 PM - 6:30 PM)

Join regional leaders, policy makers, and business professionals to learn more about the upcoming Catawba Regional Workforce Housing Study. Focusing on the link between housing and economic growth, Jeff Sauser, CommunityScale Co-Founding Principal, will offer a first look at how the Study will examine the workforce housing market in Chester, Lancaster, Union and York counties.

The program also will include a State Budget Overview from Marc Truesdale, Budget Director for the South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee.

Following the program, all are encouraged to attend the networking reception.

Heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided.

There is no cost to attend but RSVP is required!

Learn more and RSVP