Articles by Ashley Neese
About Ashley Neese
Ashley Neese currently serves as editor of Edmond Business and a freelancer specializing in overall communication strategy. She previously served as the communications and marketing manager at the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce, where she promoted chamber events, helped members gain exposure, and spearheaded the Edmond Young Professionals organization, as well as the Chamber’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.
An Edmond native, Ashley graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2017 with a degree in Strategic Communications. In her free time, she enjoys brewing coffee and finding the best local eats.
Despite the holidays and the busy new year, the Edmond Chamber hosted seven ribbon cuttings in December and January to recognize their members. The celebrations included four grand openings, two new locations, and a 36-year anniversary.
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At the beginning of the food truck boom in 2014, Citizens Bank of Edmond launched a new local food truck event hoping to bring around 300 residents to the downtown Edmond area. Eight years later, Heard on Hurd has hosted more than one million attendees to celebrate great food and music, becoming a staple event in the Edmond community.
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Forty-six local business professionals were recently selected for Class XXXVI of Leadership Edmond, a leadership development program created by the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce. This class is the largest in Leadership Edmond’s history with representatives spanning from some of the largest employers in Edmond to small family-owned businesses.
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With the rise of online shopping and the realities of a global pandemic, small businesses are relying on community members more than ever to stay afloat. Many business owners had to temporarily close their doors or faced a significant decline in revenue over the last year, but local programs like Edmond Locally Owned seek to provide resources and awareness for the small businesses that make our community unique.
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It’s ribbon cutting season! The Edmond Chamber hosted ten ribbon cuttings during August and September, and all were celebrating grand openings of new companies or new locations in our city. We continue to see impressive growth in our local economy and business community and find our purpose in helping Edmond businesses celebrate exciting moments and new opportunities.
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Since 2015, the number of food halls around the nation has grown from 25 to over 300. In the Oklahoma City metro area, we’ve seen the rise of the trend in the last few years including Parlor, Collective, and Railyard—the first of which opened only two years ago. But, what if instead of a food hall, there was an ecosystem of sustainable food, gathering places, and education?
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The Edmond Chamber of Commerce recently hosted their annual Legislative Reception to celebrate local public officers, legislators, and school officials. H.J. Reed, chair of the Chamber’s Government Relations Committee, and Jan Moran, Area Manager of External Affairs for the presenting sponsor AT&T, welcomed state senators, state representatives, municipal leaders, school board members, superintendents, and more to be recognized for their dedication and service to the Edmond community.
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Despite the high temps and humidity, the Edmond Chamber staff and Ambassadors celebrated nearly a dozen businesses during June and July, including eight grand openings. From generators and phone repair to brunch and diamond rings, Chamber members from a variety of industries shared major milestones with the community.
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Diversity, equity, and inclusion have become major topics in every facet of American life, including workplaces, public organizations, and local government. Edmond is no different, and 2021 has been a year of reflection and refocus for many local leaders looking to have honest conversations about diversity in our own community. Preserving and paving history In…
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The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce staff and ambassadors had a busy spring with twelve ribbon cuttings and celebrations for Chamber members, including five grand openings, three service launches, one anniversary, and one groundbreaking. Our Ambassadors are great advocates for the Edmond business community and continually welcome, support, and highlight members. We are thrilled to…
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