2008 Awards Banquet a Great Success!
February 1st, 2008
The Chamber hosted the 87th Annual Awards Banquet sponsored by South Valley Bank & Trust on January 19th at the Running Y Convention Center. The sold out dinner highlighted by this year's theme "Teamwork Taking Flight" is one of the best networking opportunities for Chamber members.
The evening began with a no host social hour and silent auction by the chamber Ambassador's to fund their annual projects and convention. Dinner followed the silent auction, which raised over five thousand dollars, and led to the evenings presentations. Master of Ceremonies, Dan Keppen introduced Congressman Greg Walden who spoke about the excellent teamwork Klamath County has exhibited working through many issues affecting the local economy, businesses, and the community. Congressman Walden, went on to introduce the keynote speaker, former Kiowa helicopter pilot Capt. Robin Brown, and presented her with a flag flown over the nation's capital in her honor. On December 9, 2003, while in command of an attack helicopter company, Robin and her co-pilot, CW2 Jeff Sumner were shot down in Fallujah, Iraq by an SA-16 shoulder-fired missile. They managed to escape the aircraft and evade the enemy until rescued by UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. Her story has been published in a book called Band of Sisters: American Women at War in Iraq written by Kirsten Holmstedt, which features the true combat stories of 12 women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Robin shared her insights into teamwork as it related to both her military life and starting her new small business.
Closing the event were the annual award presentations, winners this year included;
- Triad School - Business of the Year
- Lance McCuiston - Citizen of the Year
- Martha Anne Dow (Posthumously) - Distinguished Service
- Reba VanAcker - Member of the Year
Sponsorships make the Annual Awards Banquet possible and the Chamber would like to thank the following sponsors;
- Title Sponsor - South Valley Bank & Trust
- Centerpiece Sponsor - PacificCorp
- Wine Sponsors - Diamond Home Improvement and Integra Telecom
- Hors d'oeuvres Sponsors - Pacific Crest FCU, Rogue FCU and Harvest Ford
- Dessert Sponsors - Klamath Community College, Modoc Northern Railroad, Best Western Olympic Inn, Mia and Pia's Pizzeria & Brewhouse and Waste Management
Table sponsors included;
Integra Telecom, Hire Calling, South Valley Bank & Trust, Sterling Savings Bank, AmeriTitle, Klamath Community College, Harvest Ford Lincoln Mercury, Pelican Point/Crystal Terrace, Kingsley Field, Travel Klamath, WM Waste Management, US Cellular/Cellular Solutions, Diamond Home Improvement, Herald & News, Running Y Ranch Resort, Klamath County Commissioners, Klamath Crisis Center, Simplexity Health, KCEDA, Klamath Community Treatment Center, City of Klamath Falls, Exquisite Limousine, Women In Business, Modoc Northern Railroad, Main Street Jewelers, Avon Central, Diamond S Meats, Red Lion Inn, Coldwell Banker/Trueline, K&D Quality Painting, Woodshack Bakery, Fisher Nicholson Realty/Wendi Slezak, High Desert Hospice, Precision Structural Engineering Inc., Mac's Marketing & Design.
We would also like to thank everyone who helped make this event a success and particularly; Stacy Collins of 1st American Title, Rachel Spoon of Mission Hills Mortgage, Jenine Stuedli of South Valley Bank & Trust, Shari Watterberg of Integra Telecom, Jimmy at Columbia Distributing Co. for the selection of fine wines, Nyback's Flowers, Sign Pro, the Chamber Ambassador's and the Running Y Convention Center Staff.
Our next awards banquet will be January 24th, 2009, for information on sponsorship and marketing opportunities for your business please call the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce at 884-5193
