Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Morgan Earles, Clovis Curry County Chamber of Commerce office coordinator, left, Mimi Garza, chamber volunteer, middle, and Rhonda Bargman, 2012 banquet committee chairperson, prepare decorations for Friday's chamber banquet at the Clovis Civic Center. This year's banquet will have a fiesta theme.
About 300 people are expected to attend the Clovis Curry County Chamber of Commerce's annual awards banquet at the Clovis Civic Center on Friday.
Themed the "Una a Grand Fiesta," the affair offers a fiesta steak dinner, music from mariachi band Cielo and includes a fiesta decor.
"We had a very successful year as a chamber," said Raymond Mondragon, chamber president for 2011. "We had 37 ribbon cuttings; we had seven groundbreakings; we had 75 new members; we exceeded in all budget items. This was a very successful year. That's why I think we're calling it 'Una a Grand Fiesta,' a grand celebration.
Chamber Executive Director Ernie Kos said the highlight of the evening will be the awards.
"The most important thing is that it gives us an opportunity to show our appreciation to our volunteers," said Kos.
A reception before the banquet at 6 p.m. will honor the chamber's past presidents. Kos said many of the past presidents stay involved in chamber work.
Mondragon said his job as past president on the chamber's executive board is to support incoming president Lance Adkins.
Adkins said he would like to enhance the value the chamber brings to its membership.
"In other words, when somebody says 'I'm a member of the chamber but what do I get for that?' I want folks to be able to articulate what it is that the chamber does for them and why they are a staunch and active supporter of their local chamber," said Adkins, who has been involved with the chamber since 1997.
During the banquet Curry County Commission Chairman Wendell Bostwick and Clovis Mayor Gayla Brumfield will provide an overview of city and county accomplishments for 2011. Col. Albert "Buck" Elton II, wing commander at Cannon Air Force Base, is expected to speak about the relationship between Cannon and the community.
