Rooster Booster

BY ASHLEY WEDDING // PHOTO BY JASON TANNER

When a global pandemic changed all of our lives in 2020, our staff at the Chamber made it a priority to continue to offer the things Members know and love, even if those things— including Rooster Booster—were a little different than normal.

We opted to take Rooster Booster virtual, encouraging the community to attend from the comfort—and safety—of their own homes. We held our very first Remote Rooster Booster Breakfast on May 6, 2020, leading off with Governor Andy Beshear and sponsor EM Ford. The transition was smooth, and Rooster Booster via Facebook Live and Zoom was a success.

Virtual Rooster Booster events lasted a full year. The beloved networking breakfast that has become a community tradition event celebrated its 60th birthday virtually. But on July 1, 2021, we returned to meet in-person at the Owensboro Convention Center, where the event has been held since 2014.

Since our return to in-person, the breakfast has also been held outdoors behind the Convention Center on the Kentucky Legend Pier. Having Rooster Booster outside through the summer and fall months made for a beautiful view on the riverfront and

the weather always seemed to be on our side, thankfully!

Rooster Booster Traditions

Mingle Minute & Secret Shaker - At the beginning of each Rooster Booster, the crowd is encouraged to mingle and network with others around them. This was put on pause as a health precaution during COVID-19. Chamber staff identify a member at each Rooster Booster to be a secret shaker. The third person to shake hands with them during the Mingle Minute will receive a special gift from that day’s event sponsor. We have had to exclude these from Rooster Booster due to the pandemic, and we are looking forward to the day when we are once again able to shake hands with one another! New Member Introduction - New Members who have joined the Chamber in recent months are introduced at Rooster Booster. They provide a bio about their business or organization, which is read at the Breakfast and also posted to Chamber social media pages. Being introduced as a New Member at Rooster Booster is a fun way to familiarize yourself with your Chamber community and it is great exposure due to the high attendance each month.

Chamber Matters - This is a monthly publication produced by the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer. It is featured in the newspaper and handed out at Rooster Booster Breakfasts. Chamber Matters features the month’s happenings and highlights from the previous month such as Ribbon Cuttings, new Members, and news of upcoming events with the Chamber.

Rooster Booster Bluegrass Band - Since returning to in-person Rooster Boosters, we have had Chris Joslin and his crew from the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum brighten our mornings with their musical talents. They have been dubbed the “Rooster Booster Bluegrass Band” and it stuck!

Why is Rooster Booster important to our community?

Rooster Booster gives the business community the opportunity to come together in a casual atmosphere, break bread, enjoy some fellowship and learn a little bit along the way. The program is put together in such a way that everyone finds value.

It may be the mingle minute, Chamber update, new Member update, learning about the sponsor, hearing the speaker(s), experiencing a “Chad” moment, celebrating something about the community or just sharing a laugh. For decades, Rooster Booster has provided the community a forum to come together to support each other, rally around an issue, showcase our community and sometimes just take a much needed pause.

What is your favorite Rooster Booster memory?

Digging deep into Rooster Booster archives…favorite memories of Rooster Booster are without a doubt the Good News Phone.

DOUG HOYT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, WENDELL FOSTER

What is your favorite part of Rooster Booster?

It is definitely the ability to see my friends and coworkers first thing in the morning as we catch up. Networking and seeing everyone is easily a highlight of the month and something I try not to miss.

What is your favorite Rooster Booster memory?

This is a hard one. We have had so many great memories but I cherish our announcement of our Oink for Owensboro Charity project and Aaron Kizer’s painting of the Pier. Both projects took a lot of time and dedication from all parties involved and it was great moment to finally announce them to our community.

BROOKLYN MAPLE

BRAND MANAGER, KENTUCKY LEGEND® (A DIVISION OF SPECIALTY FOODS GROUP, LLC)