New Orleans Chamber of Commerce announces 2024 Annual Meeting, celebrating the organization’s 20 years of service to local community

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce its 2024 Annual Meeting to be held Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Hilton Riverside New Orleans. The event begins at 11 a.m. with networking, followed by a luncheon and program at noon. The Chamber will honor its 20th anniversary at the meeting with a keynote panel presented by local icons of business and entertainment, as well as a second line commemorating the organization’s work as the leading voice for corporate creativity, cooperation and connection in the Crescent City.

This year’s theme – “The Art of Good Business: Celebrating 20 Years of the New Orleans Chamber” – will underline the importance, commitment and success of companies that have founded, grown or rooted their operations within our community.

 “As we look back at the last 20 years of our organization’s history, we see unbelievable challenges and incredible growth,” said Roderic F. Teamer, Sr. and Chamber 2024 Chairman. “As we consider the decades ahead, New Orleans is on the verge of unprecedented growth. It’s important that our business community remains empowered to leverage the benefits of being in New Orleans, because there is no other city like ours in the world.”

The event will include an in-depth panel discussion with well-known community leaders Percy “Master P” Miller (NOLA Walk of Fame), Blaine Kern, Jr. (Mardi Gras Productions), Jay Cicero (Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation) and Sandra Herman (Celebrate Canal Coalition).

Additionally, the Chamber will announce the winner of the inaugural Dr. Charles C. Teamer, Sr. Award. This award honors a distinguished leader in the New Orleans business community who demonstrates unwavering support for the Chamber and its mission, champions equity, fairness and inclusivity within their business and the wider community, makes impactful contributions that drive positive economic and social change and exhibits leadership that inspires others and promotes collaboration in moving the city forward. 

Named in honor of Dr. Charles C. Teamer, Sr., who served as Chairman of the New Orleans Board of Directors from 2008 to 2010, this award pays homage to Dr. Teamer’s visionary leadership, his role in expanding the Chamber’s membership, and establishing the Chairman’s Council – a prestigious group of annual investors committed to the Chamber’s long-term success. Since 2009, Dr. Teamer has also continued his service as Chairman of the Chamber Foundation, furthering his commitment to the Chamber’s mission.

“We are pulling out all the stops this year,” said Sandra Lombana Lindquist, Chamber president & CEO, “This event will share some of the most important information and insights of the year, prepared by the Chamber for the general business community. We will also lean into new opportunities that remind us why New Orleans is a powerful hub for business. Our goal is that this gathering will be exactly what everybody needs to see and hear right now.”

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the 2024 Annual Meeting are now open to the public at neworleanschamber.org. To nominate a Chamber member for the Dr. Charles C. Teamer, Sr. Award, visit the nomination form here. Ticket sales end Tuesday, Dec. 10 at noon.

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The New Orleans Chamber of Commerce
The New Orleans Chamber is a leading business organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the growth of businesses in the Greater New Orleans area. With a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and community engagement, the chamber provides valuable resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts to empower businesses and drive economic development in the region.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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