New Chamber Director and Gala TONIGHT - Downtown Lowdown, Episode 25

Downtown Lowdown Spotlights New Chamber Director And Growing CollaborationA recent episode of the Downtown Lowdown podcast introduced listeners to Samantha McFadden, the new executive director of the Tip City Chamber of Commerce, highlighting her community-focused background, early initiatives, and a deepening partnership with the Downtown Tipp City Partnership. McFadden joined host Tasha Weaver and co-host Greg Enslen to talk about networking programs, upcoming Chamber events, and the importance of collaboration in a small-but-busy business community. Coffee With Champions And Community NetworkingMcFadden shared that one of her favorite parts of her first five weeks on the job has been “Coffee with Champions,” a Tuesday-morning networking gathering held weekly at the Chamber office at 12 S. Third St. at 9 a.m. The informal meetup, sponsored by the Chamber, gives Chamber members and guests a chance to connect personally first and then on a business level, with attendees encouraged to drop in as their schedules allow. Weaver noted that the program has helped her, as a transplant, feel more connected to local professionals by creating a space where most of the conversation is about life, family, and interests rather than just work. While the Chamber targets members, McFadden said the first few visits are open to anyone who wants to see whether the group is a good fit. Chamber Joins Christmas ParadeThe episode also recapped the recent Downtown Tipp City Partnership Christmas Parade and tree lighting, where the Chamber participated with a family-filled golf cart entry. McFadden, staff member Stacy, and their children rode together after borrowing a cart from Christina at Monroe Federal, prompting an on-air brainstorm about future golf cart “races” and a need for more carts in next year’s parade. Weaver used the moment to invite residents with golf carts to volunteer them for future Partnership or Chamber events by emailing her at [e-mail]. Both organizations agreed golf carts help more groups join the parade, especially on cold November nights, and floated the idea of building a shared list of willing cart owners. Annual Gala, Awards, And Big-Event LogisticsMuch of the conversation focused on the Chamber’s annual gala at Arbogast, to be held December 3 and held the first Wednesday in December, which McFadden stepped in to shepherd after only a few weeks on the job. Tickets for this year’s 6 p.m. event closed before the episode aired, but the hosts described it as a “who’s who of Tipp” evening featuring dinner, awards, and a chance to see former director Meredith McKee, who continues to assist the Chamber. McFadden explained that while some framework for the gala was in place before she started, she had to quickly finalize menus with Mrs. B’s Catering, manage RSVPs, awards, and seating charts amid the Thanksgiving holiday. She credited Stacy as her “right-hand woman” for helping navigate the details, comparing banquet seating to the complexity of wedding table assignments and noting how quickly such events become expensive and intricate. From Foster Care To Business AdvocacyWhen asked why she pursued the Chamber role, McFadden pointed to her background in foster care recruitment and retention in Montgomery and Hamilton counties, where she organized events and built long-term relationships with foster families. She said she was looking for a way to step out of the emotional weight of foster care work while still serving the community, and the Chamber’s emphasis on relationship-building and support felt like a natural fit. McFadden spotted the executive director opening on Indeed, recognizing that the responsibilities were similar to what she had been doing—organizing programs, recruiting participants, and sustaining engagement—while shifting the focus from vulnerable children to local businesses. The Chamber’s board, along with staff like Stacy and others, helped her transition in as they moved from a period of heavy board involvement back to a more typical staff-led model. Taste Of Tipp, Golf Outing, And Space NeedsLooking ahead, McFadden previewed several planned 2026 Chamber events, including the annual golf outing and the return of Taste of Tipp. The golf outing is tentatively scheduled for July 30, giving businesses and golfers a summer date to add to their calendars even as details continue to be finalized. Taste of Tipp is planned for spring—likely late April or early May—but currently lacks a venue, as the Chamber searches for a location with enough capacity to host participating restaurants and guests. Weaver empathized, noting the broader challenge of finding large event spaces in Tipp City, with examples like the Roller Mill’s roughly 100-person capacity. Growing Collaboration Between Chamber And PartnershipThroughout the episode, Weaver and McFadden emphasized the growing collaboration between the Downtown Tipp City Partnership and the ...