Toni Padron, COO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce was honored by The Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) at the group's 2010 Annual Conference Feb. 4. Padron received The Hathaway Award, which recognizes an outstanding chamber staff member for excellence and significant contributions to chamber goals and development.
Padron was presented the award by last year's recipient, Jason Brandt, and was congratulated by Carlsbad Chamber CEO Ted Owen, and Vice President Bev Jorgensen, who attended the ceremony as a surprise.
“It's no secret that our chamber owes so much of its success to Toni's unswerving dedication,” Owen said. “Her unflagging energy on behalf of her staff and our members is an example to chambers everywhere. Toni's formula for success is equal parts hard work and imagination with a little extra grit thrown in there to get us all through some rough patches,” he said.
The award comes at a time when Padron's chamber has continued to grow its membership and roster of programs despite an overall down economy. The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is among the largest and most successful in the state. In 2009 her chamber serviced its members with 300 programs in 209 business days.
The Hathaway Award is the highest honor a chamber staff member can receive from the WACE, which represents chamber executives in 15 states. The award is designated in memory of Gerald W. Hathaway, a 25-year veteran of the chamber management profession and CACCE president who died of leukemia in 1978. The award includes a scholarship to next year's W.A.C.E. Conference.
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the voice for North County businesses. With more than 1,600 members, the Carlsbad Chamber is the second largest chamber in the county and the 10th largest in the state.
Padron was presented the award by last year's recipient, Jason Brandt, and was congratulated by Carlsbad Chamber CEO Ted Owen, and Vice President Bev Jorgensen, who attended the ceremony as a surprise.
“It's no secret that our chamber owes so much of its success to Toni's unswerving dedication,” Owen said. “Her unflagging energy on behalf of her staff and our members is an example to chambers everywhere. Toni's formula for success is equal parts hard work and imagination with a little extra grit thrown in there to get us all through some rough patches,” he said.
The award comes at a time when Padron's chamber has continued to grow its membership and roster of programs despite an overall down economy. The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is among the largest and most successful in the state. In 2009 her chamber serviced its members with 300 programs in 209 business days.
The Hathaway Award is the highest honor a chamber staff member can receive from the WACE, which represents chamber executives in 15 states. The award is designated in memory of Gerald W. Hathaway, a 25-year veteran of the chamber management profession and CACCE president who died of leukemia in 1978. The award includes a scholarship to next year's W.A.C.E. Conference.
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the voice for North County businesses. With more than 1,600 members, the Carlsbad Chamber is the second largest chamber in the county and the 10th largest in the state.