The first event of the 2010 Chamber Calendar is scheduled for Thursday, January 21st: the 2010 Annual Banquet with the traditional passing of the gavel.  This year Linda Staunch, 2009 Board Chair, passes the gavel to incoming 2010 Board Chair, Jimmie Hicks, Jr.  Linda has an inspiring agenda planned for the evening.   We are excited to host guest speakers Walter Dalton, Lieutenant Governor, State of North Carolina and Lynn Davis Minges, Assistant Secretary, North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film, and Sports Development.

 
Also, this is New Bern's Premiere Recognition Event celebrating the Volunteer of the Year, Board Member of the Year, Corporate Member of the Year, and Small Business Member of the Year.  This is an exciting night for the winners when they are honored by their peers for their achievements.  Do we announce the winners in advance? No, there is generally much collusion to assure the attendance of the winners and it is always a fabulous night.

The staff and volunteer leaders would like to send a special thank you to our banquet sponsors:   

Host Sponsor Sumrell, Sugg, Carmichael, Carmichael, Hicks & Hart, P.A. and Corporate Sponsors BSH Home Appliances; CarolinaEast Health System; CenturyLink; Craven Community College; First Citizens Bank; Impact Communications; Keller Williams; Maola Milk & Ice Cream Co.; Moen Inc.; Sun Journal; Wachovia Bank, A Wells Fargo Company; and Ward and Smith, P.A.

…and, of course to each member of the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce, thank you for support.

Next week, the winners, and, from a 30th celebration to a 300th anniversary, the 30th Annual North Carolina Main Street Conference comes to New Bern.