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VIENNA -- The 85th Annual Dinner of the Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce, titled "Work Made Fun Gets Work Done," will be held Oct. 19 at Grand Pointe Conference and Reception Center, 1500 Grand Central Ave., Vienna.
Tickets for the buffet-style meal are $65 and are available by calling 740-423-8934, through links contained in chamber communication or by going to www.belprechamber.com.
Social Hour is 5:30-6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, a special guest panel and "A Night of Awards."
The evening will focus on best practices, experiences and innovations for a positive work culture and environment to attract and retain employees.
Panelists are:
* Simon Hargus, owner and operator of First Settlement Physical Therapy, a local business with 230 employees. He graduated from Parkersburg High School in 2002 and graduated from college with a doctorate in physical therapy and a master's in business administration.
* Mary Ann Ketelsen is co-owner of Mister B Snacks in Parkersburg. Ketelsen bought into Mister Bee in 2015 and took over operations and strategic planning in May 2018. She obtained 27 years of experience from the manufacturing companies, American Cyanamid and Solvay. After leaving manufacturing, she moved on to become manager of Welch Oil and Gas where she worked alongside Mary Welch, her mother, for 10 years.
* Deanna Shuler, director of community health and wellness for Memorial Health System, who has been with the organization for more than 20 years. With a bachelor's and master's in athletic training, Shuler spent the early part of her career involved in collegiate and high school athletics, outpatient rehabilitation and the hospital's sports medicine clinic. An additional certification as a strength and conditioning specialist allowed her to transition to the Wellness Center in 2014 where she has spent the last 10 years.
* Bill Wilkinson, owner of Mid-Ohio Valley Employment in Marietta. He has a bachelor's of arts in accounting and business from Muskingum University and has completed master's level coursework at Ohio University in finance and business. MOVE opened in January 2020. He had previously worked at Perry and Associates CPAs for 16 years including as senior audit manager, CEO and director of business development. He co-owns Perry and Associates with his wife, Jodey.
The dinner and celebration is the culmination of a great year and focuses on Chamber and member accomplishments, said Barb Close, community president and mortgage loan officer at Huntington Bank and president of the Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
"On behalf of BACC, we are looking forward to celebrating another wonderful year of success for our chamber and the business community that we serve," she said. "BACC wants to be the pillar that drives business development and supports education for economic development in Belpre and the surrounding communities. We are appreciative of the experienced panel that will be joining us for the annual dinner. We feel confident that the attendees will discover some avenues to see how 'Work Made Fun Gets Work Done.'"
Ben Bradley of Sow-N-Sew and Sun LLC will be master of ceremonies.
A feature of the dinner is a video during the 5:30 p.m. social hour spotlighting Platinum Sponsors and other supporters.
Stand-out businesses, individuals and organizations will be placed in the spotlight as winners as the "Night of Awards" are featured. Awards will include Belpre Citizen of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Spirit of the Chamber, Businessperson of the Year, Spirit of the Community, Business of the Year, Ambassador of the Year and Nonprofit of the Year.
Social Hour appetizers and Coffee Break will be sponsored by the Platinum Plus sponsor Belpre UPS Store with a special focus on experiences that build teaming, relationships and a positive work environment. Dessert specialty cupcakes will be sponsored by Village Cakery.
The chamber Business Marketing Funding winner will be announced.