Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nancy Smith addresses attendees at the 87th annual awards banquet at the Menominee Casino Resort in Keshena on Thursday.
Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Mary White, new president of the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, speaks at the chamber’s annual awards banquet at the Menominee Casino Resort in Keshena on Thursday.
Local business owners and community leaders turned into secret agents Thursday for this year’s spy-themed awards banquet hosted by the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce at the Menominee Casino Resort in Keshena.
Dressed in spy-garb and many sporting fake mustaches provided at their tables, they came together to pay tribute to the elite in their ranks as honors were handed out for the 87th time in the chamber’s history.
This year’s 375 attendees constituted a chamber record, according to Executive Director Nancy Smith. The chamber has 430 member businesses.
The banquet centered its theme on the old “Mission: Impossible” TV series — complete with a video parodying the show and featuring chamber staff, but with the altered name of “Mission: Possible.”
“We readily accept our mission every day,” Smith said. “It’s a big and important undertaking and we consider successfully carrying out our mission very possible.”
The mission for members, Smith said, was to take advantage of all the chamber offers and be successful.
New Chamber President Mary White exhorted the crowd to rejuvenate their youthful enthusiasm for big ideas and said success was possible when everyone works together.
The chamber recognized multiple individuals and businesses for their contributions to Shawano and Menominee counties.
Matty Mathison was named the 2013 Distinguished Citizen of the Year for her ride range of volunteer duties, including her efforts with Shawano Pathways, and was greeted with a standing ovation.
Mathison said she felt blessed to be given the award.
“Thank you for your kind words, your support and especially your connections,” she said.
Other winners this year included Twig’s Beverage, Manufacturer of the Year; Verkuilen Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center, Small Business of the Year; Andrea Wallace, owner of Core Commitment, LLC, Entrepreneur of the Year; Dreier’s Pharmacy and Gift Shop, Retail Business of the Year; Shawano Ambulance Service, Business of the Year; and Donna Hobscheid, Ambassador of the Year.