Chamber's Annual Banquet February 10

The Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce is inviting the community to celebrate in grand style.

The Chamber’s annual banquet is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Country Inn Suites, 664 Chase. Come in tails and a formal suit, or a fresh shirt and clean jeans. Both are acceptable at this year’s event.

Cocktail Hour starts at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. and awards at 7 p.m.

This year’s theme is “The Academy Awards.” The Chamber website describes the event as “an evening of elegance and excellence.” Included in the night will be recognition awards by the Chamber. Awards include New Business of the Year, Outstanding Customer Service, Business Revitalization, Economic Development Project of the Year, and Community Leader Award. Nomination forms are available at the Chamber office and are must be returned to the Chamber by Jan. 26.

The New Business of the Year award is given to a new business that has had a positive impact on the business community. The Outstanding Customer Service award involves understanding the product or service being sold, going beyond customer’s expectations, fulfilling explicit and implied promises to customers, showing respect and interacting with customers outside the parameters of business transactions. This award also involves developing real relationships with customers and listening to concerns and desires.

The Business Revitalization award is given to a business that has made considerable improvements or renovations in 2017. The Economic Development Project of the Year is a company or developer with the most outstanding contribution with a major project completion affecting the area economy in 2017. The Community Leader Award is presented to the person who has had significant impact on the business and industry community.

The event will rotate between entertainment and presentation of awards, according to Chamber President/CEO Denise Wilkinson. Wilkinson announced the outline of the Annual Banquet during the Promotions committee meeting Tuesday, Jan. 2, at The Coffee Corner.

The Chamber is also seeking sponsorship of tables at the event. The Academy Award table reserves seating for 10 people, a banner ad on the Cheyenne County Chamber website for two months, recognition in the newsletter, e-news and social media, and includes 10 Sesquicentennial glasses. Cost of the Academy Award table is $500. The Tony Award Table, for $400, includes reserved seating for eight people, a banner ad on the Cheyenne County Chamber website for one month, recognition in the newsletter, e-news and social media and eight Sesquicentennial glasses.

The Golden Globe Sponsor, a $100 level of support, receives recognition of support of the event through the Chamber newsletter, e-news and Facebook, but does not include dinner tickets. The Golden Globe Sponsor Plus, at $170, is the Golden Globe level of sponsorship with two dinner tickets to the annual banquet. The People’s Choice is the individual non-reserved ticket for the dinner and awards ceremony.

The Chamber is also seeking applicants for Board of Directors positions. Monthly board meetings are typically held at 12 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month.