The Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce held its State of the Chamber address Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Cleveland Civic Center, highlighting financial stability, business growth and a strong sense of community collaboration.
The event marked the first State of the Chamber address by Tasha Childress, who was introduced as the Chamber’s new president and chair for 2026. Childress previously served as treasurer and spoke about both her personal background and her vision for the Chamber’s future.
“I’ve been in banking for 25 years this year, and I absolutely love what I do,” Childress said. “My heart has always been for serving. It’s who I am. I think it’s in my DNA.”
Childress shared that she and her husband, JR, have lived in the Cleveland area since 1989 and will celebrate 23 years of marriage this year. She also spoke about her involvement in community organizations, faith-based service and local nonprofits. During her remarks, she openly expressed the importance of her faith in her life and leadership.
During her address, Childress emphasized the Chamber’s strong financial position.
“Today, guys, the state of the chamber is strong. We are financially sound, and our community spirit has never been more vibrant,” she said.
She announced that the Chamber’s reserve account now holds more than $96,000, crediting past leadership and responsible oversight.
“We are very thankful for those leaders that came before us to put us in a position where we are now,” Childress said.
She added that the Chamber consistently ends each year in the green and emphasized the importance of financial stability, calling it a positive sign for the organization.
Childress also highlighted significant growth in online engagement for local businesses. She explained that Chamber website directory searches increased from just over 45,000 in 2024 to approximately 170,000 in 2025.
“That’s 170,000 times that someone is going and searching for all of you,” she said. “Cleveland is on the map.”
Membership growth and community engagement were also key points of the address. The Chamber welcomed 53 new members in 2025 and hosted or co-hosted 75 events, more than doubling activity from previous years.
“We strive to make them feel appreciated and celebrated,” Childress said, referring to new and existing businesses. “When people attend our events, they are always commenting about how welcome they feel.”
She recognized the many volunteers, board members, nonprofit leaders, educators and city partners who contribute to Cleveland’s success.
“Thank you for building that solid rock,” Childress told attendees. “You show up for our schools, you show up for our city leaders, and most importantly, you show up for one another.”
She concluded by expressing gratitude and optimism for the year ahead.
“I’m so grateful for the chance to serve this incredible community,” Childress said. “Together, we’re going to make another year of growth and connection.”