Belpre Chamber celebrates 88th awards dinner
From left, Alexis Fazio, director of marketing for Memorial Health Systems, shares a conversation with Tara Winters during the 88th Annual Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner Thursday evening. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Dozens of people filled Grande Pointe Conference Center Thursday evening for the 88th Annual Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Alexis Fazio, director of marketing for Memorial Health Systems, shares a conversation with Tara Winters during the 88th Annual Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner Thursday evening. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Dozens of people filled Grande Pointe Conference Center Thursday evening for the 88th Annual Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Trending
VIENNA - Business achievements, longevity milestones and community connections shared the spotlight Thursday evening as the Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce held its 88th annual dinner at Grande Pointe Conference Center.
The "Survivor"-themed gathering brought chamber members, business owners, nonprofit representatives and community guests together to recognize award recipients, review the year and share ideas for navigating business challenges.
Executive Director Karen Waller said the dinner serves as the chamber's signature event, combining its annual report to the community with opportunities to socialize and make connections.
"It's designed to share ideas, to get together socially, give us a chance to make some awards and review the year," Waller said.
Bob's Market received the Business of the Year award, while Wine Down on Market was named Small Business of the Year. Kraken Chiropractic received the New Business of the Year award.
The Amputee Center was recognized as Nonprofit of the Year, and the Belpre Lions Club received the Spirit of the Community award. Susie Warman received the Spirit of the Chamber award.
Liz Poore of Dream Vacations received the BACC Business Marketing Fund award.
The chamber also recognized businesses and organizations marking longevity milestones, ranging from 10 to 160 years.
Those honored included Exit Realty, 10 years; Grande Pointe and Mattress Max, 20 years each; iTechWV, 25 years; Rotary Club, 30 years; Artsbridge, 40 years; Consumer Credit Counseling, 55 years; and Huntington Bank, 160 years.
Waller said the evening's "Survivor" theme provided a way to connect a familiar television show with the challenges of operating a small business. A panel of small-business owners was scheduled to discuss those challenges and share their experiences.
"There are many people in the room that are successful," Waller said, explaining that the panelists were selected because they had stories to tell.
She said she hoped attendees would leave with ideas they could apply to their own businesses and organizations, along with connections to people they might not have seen recently.
"There's always a takeaway," Waller said.
The dinner also offered co-workers a chance to spend time together outside their usual work routines. Waller said some tables were filled with employees from the same business or organization, giving them an opportunity to interact in a different setting.
For the chamber, the gathering was also a chance to highlight its board of directors and what Waller described as a growing community.
"It's a chance for us to show off a little bit, have some fun together," she said.
Balancing the business program with an enjoyable social evening is central to planning the annual event, Waller said.
"We try to make it fun," she said. "We try to make a combination of fun and some business content."