Show of Support: Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley holds annual gala
Jill Parsons, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley, presented awards during the annual gala event at the Parkersburg Art Center. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Pam and Kip Creel, owners of Wine Down on Market, received the New Business of the Year Award during the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley annual gala at the Parkersburg Art Center. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Reed Byers with Reed Byers - Change Agent LLC received the Young Business Leader of the Year during the annual gala event at the Parkersburg Art Center. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Valley Catering provided hors d’oeuvres during the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley annual gala at the Parkersburg Art Center. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Chamber representatives and local business leaders gathered at the Parkersburg Art Center on Thursday for the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley annual gala. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Attendees participated in the Pie Walk at the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley annual gala at the Parkersburg Art Center. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Jill Parsons, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley, presented awards during the annual gala event at the Parkersburg Art Center. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Pam and Kip Creel, owners of Wine Down on Market, received the New Business of the Year Award during the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley annual gala at the Parkersburg Art Center. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Reed Byers with Reed Byers - Change Agent LLC received the Young Business Leader of the Year during the annual gala event at the Parkersburg Art Center. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Valley Catering provided hors d’oeuvres during the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley annual gala at the Parkersburg Art Center. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Chamber representatives and local business leaders gathered at the Parkersburg Art Center on Thursday for the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley annual gala. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Attendees participated in the Pie Walk at the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley annual gala at the Parkersburg Art Center. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Trending
PARKERSBURG -- Chamber representatives and local business leaders gathered at the Parkersburg Art Center on Thursday for the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley annual gala.
The theme of the gala was "Bright Lights on Broadway." Popular Broadway musicals were integrated into the activities and food that was served at the event.
Valley Catering provided hors d'oeuvres and the event featured a "Les Miserables" themed ring toss, a "Mary Poppins" themed umbrella pong, and Karaoke, among other activities for attendees.
Over 250 tickets were sold to the event, said Jill Parsons, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley. Parsons said the first and last gala event took place in 2019. This was the first year the chamber introduced the event in that format, changing it from a sit-down-dinner to a more fun, networking event. She said the award ceremonies between 2019 and now were virtual due to COVID.
"So I'm glad to see that people are out, they're wanting to get together in person and celebrate," she said.
Parsons said attendees were welcome to follow the theme and dress as their favorite Broadway characters. She dressed as Jenna from the Broadway musical "Waitress."
"I love it," she said. "I love seeing everybody dressing up and coming for a great party."
The chamber recognized several businesses and individuals for their accomplishments in 2022. The award winners were reviewed by a committee and were chosen based on their activity from January 2022 to December. 2022. Parsons said those chosen can be described as flexible and resilient.
"That's probably the hardest thing, is to pick winners among a list of winners," she said.
James Dobbs can be reached at jdobbs@newsandsentinel.com.
***
Chamber of Commerce Winners
* New Business of the Year -- Wine Down on Market
* Curb Appeal/Property Improvement Award -- Coplin Health Systems (Emerson Avenue Office)
* Community Involvement Award -- Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg
* Non-Profit Organization(s) of the Year -- Wood County Society and North Star Child Advocacy Center
* Small Business of the Year -- Biztec
* Chamber Champion -- Julie Berger with MOVE Staffing
* Young Business Leader of the Year -- Reed Byers with Reed Byers -- Change Agent LLC
* Business Leader of the Year -- Micalyn Harris with ELPRO
* IMPACT Award -- Goodwill Industries of the Kanawha Valley
MORE ONLINE: www.movchamber.org