UNION — A visit by the governor is a special event and that’s why 350 people will be attending and more are wanting to attend the Union County Chamber of Commerce’s annual member meeting and awards banquet Thursday evening.
Gov. Nikki Haley will be the keynote speaker at the event which will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Tabernacle Baptist Church Family Life Center. The event is normally held in March, but was rescheduled for Thursday to enable Haley to attend.
Torance Inman, chamber executive director, said Haley’s presence has attracted a great deal of attention with more people wanting to attend than there is seating available. He said the governor’s office has been quite pleased with the turnout for the event.
“We are at our maximum capacity in attendance,” Inman said. “We have a waiting list in the event somebody cancels. There are approximately 30 people on the waiting list. We will try to accommodate those on the waiting list if anyone cancels. If we have cancellations we will contact those on the waiting list.
“We’ve been in contact with the governor’s office and they are excited with the number that will be present,” he said. “We will be seating 350.”
While Haley will deliver the keynote address, the event will also feature the introduction of new chamber officials as well as the announcement of the winners of the chamber awards for Industry of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Service Group of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year. Awards are chosen from nominations made by chamber members, which are then evaluated by the chamber’s nominating committee. Selections are based on each industry, business or group’s contribution to the chamber mission and its overall service to Union County as a whole.
“At the meeting we will introduce our new board of directors and officers,” Inman said. “We will also present our annual awards to those chamber members and individuals who have made significant contributions to the chamber of commerce and community over the years.”
The chamber has a membership of approximately 220 businesses and individuals.
At the chamber’s 2012 banquet, Lockhart Power was named Industry of the Year while Old Timey Car Wash was named Small Business of the Year, and the Union County Advanced Technology Center Service Group of the Year. Charlie Gregory was named Volunteer of the Year.
Inman added that those who are planning to attend the event should arrive early.
“We’re encouraging everyone who will attend to arrive early so the program can start promptly at 6:30,” Inman said.
For more information about Thursday’s meeting and awards banquet call the Union County Chamber of Commerce at 427-9039.
Editor Charles Warner can be reached at 864-427-1234, ext. 14, or by email at cwarner@heartlandpublications.com.
Post a Comment
