The Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet is the main item on the agenda at Monday’s meeting of that organization’s board of directors.
This year’s banquet is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. April 23 at The Coliseum. The theme for this year’s banquet is “NY, NY, Dueling Pianos.”
Tickets are currently on sale through eventbrite.com for $35 each. According to the site, the event is the Chamber’s “annual event for the community to honor our members and businesses. Come and enjoy a full meal, entertainment and drinks while we honor our friends.”
The Chamber presents several awards each year during the banquet.
•The Vestal Award, established by the City of Snyder and dedicated to the memory of William A. Vestal in December 1976, is also known as the Mayor’s Award. The Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the total development of Snyder through cultural, economic or government-related activities.
•The Educational Excellence Career Achievement Award was added to the Chamber banquet’s annual honors in 1988 as a way to recognize lifetime achievement in the field of teaching. The award is given to recognize “an educator’s career-long commitment” to education.
•The Winston Award was created in 1974 to recognize achievements in agriculture.
The award recognizes the demonstration of leadership and progressiveness in the field of agriculture. The recipient must be actively involved in the agriculture industry and exemplify best practices.
•The McLaughlin Award, originally known as the McLaughlin Oil Award, was named for C.T. McLaughlin, whose family created it in 1977. It recognizes an individual’s or a company’s significant contribution to the oil industry in Snyder and Scurry County, and who exemplifies the characteristics attributed to McLaughlin himself.
•The Chamber Choice Award began in 1995, and each year it recognizes a volunteer who gives of himself or herself throughout the year without being asked, and who always goes above and beyond what is expected of any volunteer.
•The Exemplary Service Award, originally named the President’s Award, was initiated in 1985, and is awarded to an individual who actively promotes Snyder wherever they go and gives his or her time and effort to the community on regular basis.
•The Sizemore Award, formerly known as the Gold Coater of the Year Award, was renamed on 1984 in honor of the late Paul Sizemore. The award is presented to the Gold Coat member who tallies the most points throughout the year according the Gold Coat bylaws point system. Points are based on participation in Gold Coat functions, community service, and Chamber support.
•The Business of the Year award was first presented in 1995, and is awarded to a business that represents strong ethics, community involvement and support, and has made a signification positive impact in Snyder.
According to Chamber Events Coordinator Josh Ortegon, nominations for the awards will be due around the end of February.
In addition to the awards, board members will also hear updates from chairman Merle Taylor and reports on Leadership Snyder’s recent trip to Austin and a visit to the Texas Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus.
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Chamber boardroom at the Snyder Chamber of Commerce office.