The Clermont Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting and small business awards luncheon Feb. 2.

Held at the Holiday Inn Eastgate and attended by approximately 250 people, the luncheon was a way to celebrate and recognize small business members who demonstrated “best practices” in 2006. It was also a chance to honor and salute Clermont County’s active-duty and veteran men and women of the military.

The assembled chamber members and the many elected local officials in attendance were welcomed by Midland Company senior vice-president and board member David McNutt and Clermont Chamber chairman Susan McHugh before the awards ceremony commenced.

“2006 was a great year,” McHugh said in her remarks. “This year we are going to freshen up the chamber’s look and tell our story. We are going to shift our mission a little in 2007. A key part of this shift is that the chamber is going to become more involved in the advocacy of governmental affairs.”