A red-carpet, standing-room-only celebration honored thirteen award winners, seated a new Board of Directors and showcased membership and revenue growth that ranks among the fastest of any chamber in the world.
The Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce marked its milestone 20th anniversary on August 5 with a sold-out State of the Chamber event that doubled as the organization’s Annual Meeting and the inaugural Confluence Business Awards.
Demand outstripped capacity to the point that guests purchased standing-room-only tickets to be part of the evening at the YiFan Restaurant & Event Center.
The program was staged like a premiere — red-carpet arrivals, sealed “Academy Award”–style envelopes for each honor and a Hollywood-quality video production chronicling the Chamber’s year. Many attendees called it the best event they had ever attended, praising every detail from the production to the venue and the cuisine.
Record-breaking growth
Behind the spectacle was a turnaround few chambers anywhere can claim. Over the past year the Chamber grew net membership 46.2% — 176 new members — and revenue 41.2%, reaching a five-year strategic-plan target four years early.
By comparison, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce — one of the largest in the world — posted a historic 13.2% growth rate in 2025 with membership effectively required to renew a trade license. Johns Creek grew roughly three-and-a-half times that rate with no mandate at all, a pace the Chamber believes ranks it among the fastest-growing chambers of commerce in the world in both membership and revenue.
The growth is translating into jobs and investment for the region: business delegations from nine countries visited Johns Creek this year.
“This community decided what it wanted to be, and then went and became it,” said Shay Foley, president & CEO of the Johns Creek Chamber. “Nobody was required to join us — 176 businesses chose to, in a single year. That is not a statistic; it is a statement of belief in Johns Creek.”
The evening drew a notable roster of dignitaries, including Fulton County Commissioner Bridget Thorne; H.E. Dr. Elsie Sia Kanza, Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania; Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry; Georgia State Senator Shawn Still; Georgia State Representative Dr. Michelle Au; Honorary Consul of Finland Kari K. Lindberg; and Johns Creek Mayor Pro Tem Dilip Tunki with members of the City Council.
“I’m humbled to take the gavel at the strongest moment in this Chamber’s history,” said David Dabo, who was installed as the incoming Board Chair. “Our charge now is simple: keep the door open to the world, and keep delivering for every business in Johns Creek.”
Outgoing Chair Greg Powell was recognized for his leadership, as was departing director Whitney Bryant for two full terms of service.
The Confluence Business Awards
Presented from sealed envelopes before a capacity crowd, the first class of Confluence Business Award winners were:
- The Cornerstone Award — Business of the Year (Large): Boston Scientific
- The Momentum Award — Business of the Year (Medium): Six Bridges Brewing
- The Trailblazer Award — Business of the Year (Small): The Hooper Firm
- The Headwaters Award — Emerging Business of the Year: Clean Eatz
- The Founder’s Spirit Award — Entrepreneur of the Year: PostNet Johns Creek
- The Impact Award — Non-Profit Organization of the Year: Johns Creek Veterans Association
- The Bridge Award — Community Partner of the Year: Fulton County
- The Trust Award — Financial Institution of the Year: First American Bank & Trust
- The Keystone Award — Ally of the Year: Northside Hospital
- The Wellspring Award — Chamber Values in Action: Estate Law Center USA
Special Distinctions (presented to valued partners)
- The Anchor Award: Renasant Bank
- The Bloom Award: Johns Creek Beautification
- The Tributary Award: WePartner Group
The title-sponsor honors, The Cornerstone Award for Business of the Year, was presented by Kathy Galbraith of Northside Hospital – Forsyth; and Estate Law Center USA (Holly Geerdes) presented The Impact Award — Non-Profit Organization of the Year — which went to the Johns Creek Veterans Association.
Honors tell a story
Two of the evening’s honors came with a story. The Wellspring Award — for the Chamber’s values in action: Service Over Self, Radical Integrity, and Infectious Energy — went to Estate Law Center USA and Holly Geerdes. Master of ceremonies Richard Brooks explained why.
A member had offered to sponsor the event, then asked to be pulled from award consideration — “because I’m a sponsor, it just wouldn’t be fair. I don’t want an award.” The Chamber honored the request and removed the name. “But the moment I read that message,” Brooks told the room, “I thought — this is exactly the kind of person who deserves one.”
The Keystone Award — Ally of the Year — went to Northside Hospital, accepted by Kathy Galbraith. Brooks likened the honor to the single stone at the center of an arch that locks every other stone in place: “That is what a true ally does — not from the sidelines, but from the center of the arch, carrying the weight so the whole community can stand taller.”
A new Board of Directors
Members elected seventeen directors to the Board, which now stands at its full authorized strength of 60. The newly elected directors are:
- Simpson Adebola (PostNet)
- Harshad Bhandare (Yash Solutions)
- Chelsea Colclough, CPA (First American Bank & Trust)
- Diondre DeVisscher (Life Time Fitness)
- Charles Gridley (Six Bridges Brewing)
- Stephanie Harvey (Harvey Residential Home Builders)
- Brian J. Hooper (The Hooper Firm)
- Himanshu Karnwal (IshTech Inc.)
- Sean Leach (Mr. Tire Auto Service Centers)
- Brian Lynam (Boston Scientific)
- C. Rhodes McLanahan II (First American Bank & Trust)
- Nikki McKinney (Fifth Third Bank)
- Ashley Mills (Nordstrom Rack)
- Peter Milner (Century Fire Protection)
- Lisa Silverboard (Saia LTL Freight)
- Nancy Walker (Johns Creek Neighbors)
- Steve Zhang (YiFan Group LLC)
Officers for the coming year
- David Dabo — Chair
- Greg Powell — Immediate Past Chair
- Johann Marx — Chair-Elect
- Neal Andrews — Treasurer
- Marc Morris — Secretary
- Joe Carrico — Vice Chair, HR
- Brian Hooper — Vice Chair, Legal
- Shay Foley — President & CEO
About the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce
Now in its 20th year, the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce champions the success of local business through advocacy, connection and a free Small Business Resource Center open to members and non-members alike.
In the past year, the Chamber has hosted international business delegations from nine countries, launched an inaugural AI Summit and earned recognition for one of the fastest membership and revenue growth rates of any chamber in the country.
Learn more at johnscreekchamber.com.
