The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (BACC) Annual Meeting and Gala will be held on Friday, Jan. 24 at the Batesville Community Center.
The “White River Lodge” themed event is expected to attract in excess of 400 guests and celebrate community accomplishments from 2019.
“We are so grateful to First Community Bank who presents the meeting and all of our partners, Edward Jones, Hampton Inn, Peco Foods, Vision Amp Web Design, and White River Health System who afford us the amazing opportunity to come together at the start of the new year and celebrate accomplishments toward continuous community improvement. This is crucial for our community as we begin building momentum for the review and revision of the IMPACT plan in 2020,” said Jamie Rayford, BACC’s chief operating officer.
Among the items on the agenda for the evening is a special reception for VIPs, recognition of Chamber and IMPACT representatives, an awards ceremony honoring outstanding area businesses and individuals, and Leadership Batesville’s Class of 2019 matriculation.
“Our awards process has grown over the last couple of years, as members take more time to celebrate individuals and businesses who are making a great community impact. We are grateful to our selection committee who spend time reviewing applications and making very hard decisions,” said Rayford.
Award finalists for Leader in Healthcare are Life Strategies Counseling, Inc., Stars Academy, and Wood-Lawn, Inc.
Finalists for the Leader in Education award are the Batesville School District Board of Education, Batesville School District EAST, Cedar Ridge Elementary’s Leader in Me Program, and Dustyn Bork, associate professor of art at Lyon College.
Competing for the Excellence in Customer Focus award are Greenway Equipment, Sonic Drive-In, and Tooth Be Told Pediatric Dentistry.
Finalists for the Community Collaboration award are Arkansas Sherriff’s Youth Ranches; Maxfield Park; Lyon College art department’s community murals project; Peco Foods’ John Herman Hickman Foundation; Storyteller Images for the Paint the Town Pink photoshoot for cancer fighters, survivors, and their families; and Whiter River Health System’s Community Engagement Division.
Citizens Bank, Harps, Life Plus, and Wade’s Heating, Cooling, & Electric will all vie for the Excellence in Business Award.
Award finalists will be highlighted at the event and winners, including the Batesville Area Chamber Ambassador of the Year, will be announced live.
Following the awards ceremony, guests will enjoy dinner, live music, and themed entertainment.
The event is currently at capacity, to be placed on the waitlist please contact the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce at (870) 793-2378 or email: jamie.rayford@batesvilleareachamber.com.
