A Communications Excellence Award was presented to the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce at the Indiana Chamber Executives Association awards luncheon in June 15. Some of the members who took part in the video were present for a group photo with the award. In the picture from left are Mercedes Sanchez, Clear Vision Media; Renea Salyer, chamber director; Ryan Zimmerman, Polywood; Ryan Austin, Bankers Life; Chris Scheeren, Blue Barn Berry Farm and Event Venue; Erlene Yentes, Syracuse-Wawasee Trail; Melody Cusick, REMAX Partners; and Rita Davis-Robert, REMAX Partners. Photo by Phoebe Muthart.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce announced its Executive Director Renea Salyer recently completed the American Citizen Planner course and exam through the Purdue Extension Foundation.

The course work began March 1 and was successfully completed June 23.

The curriculum is designed to empower people to build better places. The American Citizen Planner course provides extensive education and training to Indiana citizen planners who serve or plan to serve on area or advisory planning commissions. This unique program featured 28 units of online content that detailed core-planning theories, practices and processes. Salyer intends to use the education to further goals of the Syracuse community.

This accomplishment for Salyer, who has served as the executive director at the chamber since Aug. 18, 2019, immediately follows a Communications Excellence Award presented at the Indiana Chamber Executives Association awards luncheon June 15, for the “We are the Chamber” video created last summer.

Salyer commented, “We could not have done the video without the participation of some of our wonderful members, sponsors, and the good work of Clear Vision Media.”

The video represents features, businesses, and organizations that make Syracuse a great place to be.

To view the video, visit swchamber.com and click on the “we are the chamber” tab at the top of the main page. The video was sponsored by: The Papers Inc.; Clear Vision Media, NIPSCO, Polywood, Dan Buchman, State Farm Insurance, Main Channel Marina, Brook Pointe Resort, Interra Credit Union, Goshen Home Medical, Ritter Electric, Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing, and Bankers Life’s Ryan Austin.

For additional information regarding the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, call (574) 457-5637, visit SWChamber.com or email [email protected].

From left are Alexandria Sanchez, Director Renea Salyer, and Mercedes Sanchez, who celebrated winning the Indiana Chamber Executive Association’s award for Innovative Excellence. Photo by Phoebe Muthart.