The Annual Banquet of the Barbour County Chamber of Commerce has been announced for Tuesday evening, April 23rd, in the Blue & Gold Dining Room at Alderson Broaddus University.
The yearly dinner and program is open to the public. Paid reservations must be made in advance with the Chamber office at 101 College Hill Drive, Box 2124, Philippi, West Virginia 26416. The cost is $ 30 per person for Chamber members and $ 35 for non-members who are not sponsored by a Chamber member. Pre-paid reservations are required by April 12th.
The Annual Banquet will begin with a punch bowl reception for the speaker followed by dinner service at 6:30 p.m. The Ruf family will sing the National Anthem. The internationally recognized West Virginians will perform their popular West Virginia set. Local pianist and musician Rick Kennedy will provide live dinner music.
Some familiar faces will be on hand, including Rev. Danny Franke, who will offer the Invocation, and Fr. Patsy Iaquinta the Benediction. Korean Army veteran Okey Gallien will again lead in the Salute to the Flag.
This year’s annual meeting includes a special theme: All employers are invited to sponsor and introduce employees who have served their business or agency for 25 years or more. Employers will have an opportunity to recognize the long and dedicated service of their loyal, hard-working employees.
This year the Chamber will again honor Barbour County’s public school Teacher of the Year, and Service Person of the Year, the Chamber’s Corporate Citizen of the Year, the winner of the Community Service Award, the President’s Award, and recognize those who have been selected for Directors Special Awards.
The Chamber’s Nominating Committee will present its report and members will be asked to vote for new officers for 2019 and the Board of Directors Class of 2021. Door prizes contributed by Chamber members will be distributed by the Future Business Leaders of America Club at Philip Barbour High School. The winner of a 50/50 drawing will be announced. Sam Santilli Photography will serve as the official photographer for the evening. The flowers at the head table will be gifted by Country Blooms.
The Barbour County Chamber of Commerce has served the community for almost 30 years and is directed by a volunteer board which works without pay and who give of their time and talent without reimbursement for the expenditures of their office.