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Kernersville Chamber reports membership growth, strong event attendance in annual update
Summary
The Kernersville Chamber of Commerce told the Board of Aldermen on Feb. 26 that membership and volunteer engagement grew in 2024 and highlighted large downtown event attendance and ongoing tourism efforts.
Chris Comer, executive director of the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce, briefed the Kernersville Board of Aldermen on the Chamber’s 2024 annual report and 2025 budget request at the board’s Feb. 26 meeting.
Comer told the board the Chamber’s social-media reach and membership numbers increased in 2024. Downtown social posts drew about 115,000 views in a recent 28-day span, the Chamber’s Facebook account recorded roughly 48,000 views in the same window, and the organization reported adding new followers across platforms. The Chamber said its membership exceeded 500 organizations with a reported 93% retention rate.
The Chamber described volunteer support as central to its work: more than 200 volunteers logged roughly 3,000 hours across 11 committees and about 20 events last year. Comer and Chamber staff cited several large events that drew significant attendance: Spring Folly had an estimated 20,000 people in a year affected by poor weather and more than 30,000 in the prior good-weather year; the October Halloween event drew about 4,000 attendees; and the veterans parade previously recorded about 400 veterans in attendance.
The Chamber highlighted ongoing tourism and downtown programming, including Blooms to Bells, the Christmas parade and a four-hour trolley service the night before the parade. Comer identified partner organizations that collaborate on events and services, naming Kernersville Little Theater, the Shepherd Center, Kernersville YMCA, Paul Ciena Botanical Garden, the Salvation Army and the Kernersville Museum and Depot, as well as town departments including public services, fire and rescue, police and parks and recreation.
Comer invited questions and encouraged residents to use the town’s Parks and Recreation registration portal to learn about programs and submit feedback for planning the new recreation center. He also noted the Chamber’s Lunch with Leaders series and upcoming speakers scheduled for 2025.
Ending: The Chamber did not submit a formal funding request during this presentation; it delivered the annual report and budget materials to the board and remained available to answer follow-up questions.
