Women's Breakfast

March 13, 2026

SOLD OUT!

Young Professionals Network

The February Young Professionals Network meeting was a great opportunity to practice 30-second elevator pitches, build connections, and engage in meaningful conversations. We met at Lem’s Cafe enjoyed great coffee and some yummy treats while focusing on networking and professional development.

Thank you to all of our young professionals who attended. We truly appreciate your time, engagement, and great conversations.

A special thank you to Amanda and Lem’s Cafe for hosting us. We look forward to seeing everyone at our next YPN event

February Connect Hosted By: Guthrie Opportunity Center & On the Rock Bartending & Catering 

What a fantastic evening at our 5PM Connect last night!

A huge thank you to Guthrie Opportunity Center and On the Rocks Bartending & Catering for hosting such an incredible event!

The night was filled with meaningful networking, engaging conversations, and great moments shared among our members.

Guests enjoyed delicious food and top-tier bar service provided by On the Rocks, making the evening even more enjoyable. Events like these truly showcase the power of community and collaboration within our Chamber.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. Your energy and support are what make these events so special. We can’t wait to see you at the next Connect!

Young Leaders

Young Leaders – Entrepreneur & Workforce Day!

What an incredible day with our Young Leaders as they explored entrepreneurship and workforce opportunities right here in Nelson County!

Students started their morning at Lem's Cafe, learning firsthand what it takes to run a successful local business. From leadership to daily operations, they gained real insight into entrepreneurship in action.

Next, they toured American Fuji Seal, where they experienced the innovation and precision behind advanced manufacturing. Students learned about the wide range of career paths the company offers, including opportunities in fields such as engineering, digital media, production, operations, and more. Seeing a working factory environment up close gave them a powerful look at real-world career possibilities available in our community.



We are so proud of these students for their engagement, thoughtful questions, and professionalism throughout the day. The future workforce of Nelson County is bright!

A huge thank you to our hosts and partners for investing in the next generation of leaders.

Annual Awards Dinner

On February 26th, the Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber celebrated its Annual Awards Dinner honoring winners from the 2025 year at The Legacy at Log Still Distillery. It was a great night of entertainment, sharing memories, great food, and recognizing the outstanding community members who help create a strong Chamber.

Please help us congratulate all of the 2025 Award Winners:

Ambassador of the Year: Jess Sanders

Emerging Business of the Year: Bourbon City Kitchen and Trade

Emerging Leader of the Year: Elliot Mattingly

Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Brodi Cook

Excellence in Education: Chef Whitsell

Nonprofit of the Year: Our Commonwealth

Small Business of the Year: We Care Learning Center and Development

Large Business of the Year: CHI Saint Joseph Health/ Flaget Memorial Hospital

Lifetime Achievement Award: Carrie Allen Stivers

We also want to recognize our sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor: LG&E and KU

Venue Sponsor: Log Still Distillery

Red Carpet Sponsor: James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Video Presentation and Award Photography Sponsor: Grizzly Media

Bar and Toast Sponsor: Visit Bardstown

Award Winner Sponsor: Diamond Detail

Dessert Sponsors: Bourbon Town Bakes, Lisa's Creations LLC, and Shortcrust Coffee and Pastry Bar

A special thank you to our Visionary and Distinguished Members for their continued support.

Thank you to the following volunteers who helped make the evening so successful:

Roger Gribbins for serving as a wonderful Master of Ceremonies

Devin O'Bryan, Hannah Viens, and Zachary Sinclair for their AV technical support

Ann Marie (AJ) Wanegar with Pow Wow Parties for the balloon arch

Bearded Brothers for capturing red carpet photos

We also want to recognize and thank our board members who have completed their terms: Nathan Downs, Zach Sinclair, and Nikki House Goff.

We express our gratitude to Jeremy Riggs for his leadership in 2025 and John Hicks for guiding us into 2026. 

Lastly, we extend our gratitude to our Chamber Members, Board of Directors, Ambassadors, and all attendees for celebrating with us and making the evening so special.

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings

CenterWell Home Health

March 19, 2026

Time: 12:00 PM

Location: 700 Portland Ave. Suite C, Bardstown KY 40004

REGISTER HERE

Upcoming Events

March Connect

March 18, 2026

REGISTER HERE

Join us to celebrate local students and flex your civics knowledge at a community event for the National Civics Bee.

Thomas Nelson High School Auditorium

March 28, 2026

9am - Registration & Light Breakfast

10am-Noon is Live Competition

Open to the Public

REGISTER HERE

Why Civics?

We believe that informed and active citizens make for a strong country, a strong economy, and a strong workforce, and that our continued prosperity depends on the strength of all three. The National Civics Bee is a way to promote greater civics knowledge and civic participation across the country, and to energize our community with a celebration of civic pride.

Prizes

Each finalist will receive a certificate.

In addition:

• The First Place Winner will receive a $500 cash prize.
• The Second Place Winner will receive a $250 cash prize.
• The Third Place Winner will receive a $125 cash prize.

Sponsored by: US Chamber of Commerce Foundation 

Co-Sponsored by: Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce

Local Sponsor: Nelson County Public Library

We are excited to introduce a Leadership opportunity for the Teachers of Bardstown & Nelson County! If selected, you will get to visit businesses and organizations throughout the county that impact your students and the classroom.

This program will last 4 weeks, every Thursday during the month of June (4th, 11th, 18th, 25th) from 8:30 am-4pm. There is no cost to the applicants, thanks to our wonderful Chamber sponsors.

Along with this form, each applicant should submit one letter of recommendation. Those should be emailed to the Chamber: elliott@bardstownchamber.com

Applications & letters are due by March 31, 2026.

We will announce the selected participants by April 15, 2026 - max of 10 participants

APPLY HERE

Spotlight of the Month

Ferguson Fire Protection

The Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize Ferguson Fire Protection

as the Spotlight of the Month.

My name’s Cody Ferguson. I run a fire protection company here in Bardstown — veteran-owned, just me in the field most days. I love the work. What I didn’t love was spending three or four hours every night writing inspection reports at the kitchen table while my boys were going to bed.

So I built something about it.

Guspora™ is an inspection management platform I’ve been developing right here in Bardstown. You talk while you inspect, and AI writes your report in minutes. What used to eat up my entire evening is done before I leave the job site. We’ve got a native Android app and smart glasses for hands-free recording — no more juggling a phone and a flashlight.

It covers over 400 inspection types across 30 trades — fire protection, HVAC, electrical, elevator, plumbing, you name it. Building owners and fire departments get free access to track compliance. Service companies pay a subscription and get their evenings back.

I’m not a software developer — I’m a technician who got fed up with paperwork and, by the grace of God, had the tools to do something about it. I’m looking for local businesses and contractors who want to try it. Check out guspora.com or give me a call.

Cody Ferguson, Owner

(812) 987-6958 • cody@fergusonfireprotection.com • guspora.com

Ambassador of the Month

Shannon Nally

CHI Saint Joseph Health

Shannon.Nally@commonspirit.org

Shannon Nally continues to show her support for the Chamber. She is a faithful Ambassador and continues to help promote the Chamber. Thank you Shannon for all the support you have provided for our community.

Welcome New Chamber Members

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross strives to alleviate human suffering in all its forms. Red Cross Blood Services coordinated blood drives

Rep- Brooke Lee

Contact-(502) 528-8603 or brooke.lee@redcross.org

Location- 510 East Chestnut St. Louisville KY 40201

BuzzCar

BuzzCar provides luxury transportation for Bourbon Country & beyond. Every trip is defined by elegance, reliability, and exceptional service.

Rep- Rebecca Buzick

Contact-(502) 249-1000 or Buzzcar2025@gmail.com

Edward Jones - Sean Anderson, Financial Advisor

Financial advisor, investment strategy, retirement planning.

Rep-Sean Anderson

Contact-(502) 349-3070 or Sean.anderson@edwardjones.com

Location- 202 W. Stephen Foster Ave. Suite D Bardstown KY 40004

Five Wise People LLC

We help small and medium-sized businesses on their climb to sustainable, transferable business value. We empower business owners with sound financial management and tools, forward-thinking insights.

Rep- Christine Hovan 

Contact-(502) 773-1130 or c.hovan@focuscfo.com

NACHO MAMAS

Food Truck/ Trailer

Rep- Kevin Harrison

Contact-(502) 507-0228 or NACHOMAMAS25@ICLOUD.COM