Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce holds its 2025 Annual Chamber Celebration Night
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce holds its 2025 Annual Chamber Celebration Night
The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce had a lot to celebrate at its 2025 Annual Chamber Celebration Night.
Held on May 8 at 1863 Club, the event attracted more than 300 people who enjoyed an evening of networking, libations and awards given to individuals from the community who have made it a fantastic place to work, live and play.
One of the highlights was the awarding of the 2025 Annual Joseph Dalton Community Service Award to Colleen Carlson, the Director of Sales for the Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Chamber President Todd Shimkus said, “Like the past recipients of this award and Joe Dalton, the person for whom it is named, Colleen has given her time, talent, and treasure to so many organizations and causes in this community. Her volunteer leadership spans decades and has helped people facing so many challenges. Colleen was surprised when I called her as no one knows they are nominated for this award. Like Colleen, they all just do good work that has purpose and kindness from start to finish.”
Carlson is a founding member of the board of directors at Jake’s Help from Heaven, which creates opportunities for individuals with complex medical needs and disabilities. In addition, she has volunteered as the General Manager and Host Family Coordinator for the Saratoga Phillies Baseball Organization, sat on the Saratoga Springs Recreation Committee, and was a member of the Saratoga Hospital Foundation’s Board of Directors. For the past 10 years, she has served on the Adirondack Trust Fund Advisory Committee.
In her role with the Saratoga Casino Hotel, Carlson has worked with local charitable organizations to organize successful fundraisers.
The Chamber’s Board of Directors created the community service-focused award in 2017 to honor Dalton, who served as the president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce from 1970 to 2010. Past recipients include Steve Sullivan (2018); Tom Roohan (2019); John Munter, Sr. (2020); Julie Stokes (2021), Cliff Van Wagner (2022), Dr. Bill Long (2023), Cindy Hollowood (2024).
For serving as 2024 Chair of the Board for the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Chad Kiesow, COO of Stewart’s Shops, was honored with a special presentation from current Chamber Board Chair Randy Metevier, Director, Global Sales, Marketing and Business Development for Vishay Precision Group.
During the event, Kiesow touted the 2024 successes of the Saratoga County Chamber.
Those he cited include:
- Organizing the Chamber’s most successful “Love Our Locals” campaign in five years.
- With 2024 being a Leap Year, the Chamber organized “Leap of Kindness Day,” which spread to a record 250-plus communities around the world.
- Continued its advocacy for the building of more workforce housing and expanding public transportation options across Saratoga County.
- The Chamber was also a part of the team that created the Belmont on Broadway concert to kick off the Belmont Stakes Festival; this free concert attracted 25,000 people.
More information about the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is available online www.saratoga.org
About the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce: Since 1918, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce has been opening doors and closing deals for businesses throughout the Saratoga County community. Guided by a strong and sustainable vision, the Chamber leads the way in maintaining and strengthening a healthy business climate, initiating constructive community action, and creating a community where all can thrive.
