Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
CLOVIS — The Roaring 20s are making their way to Clovis as the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce celebrates a year of successes with its annual chamber banquet.
Events begin 6 p.m. Friday at the Clovis Civic Center with the past presidents reception, with the banquet starting at 7 p.m.
Chamber Executive Director Ernie Kos said nine awards will be given out: citizen of the year, two chamber volunteers of the year, business of the year, ambassador of the year, the Young Professionals of Clovis member of the year, the heart award, the Ken Huey patriot award and the lifetime achievement award.
The special guest is Jimmy Cusano from Your Chamber Connection based in North Richland Hills, Texas. Speakers also include Mayor David Lansford and 27th Special Operations Wing Commander Col. Benjamin Maitre.
Cusano was instrumental in October’s chamber membership drive which recruited 213 new chamber members.
“He came in to energize ... and trained our volunteers,” said Kos. “He’s gonna be at the party and continue the enthusiasm of our drive. His enthusiasm is contagious.”
The banquet theme reflects the 1920s, Kos said, inspired by “The Great Gatsby” and “The Godfather.” While the event is semi-formal, Kos said she anticipates many will arrive in formal 20’s attire.
“It’s the theme that Jimmy brought to us for the membership drive,” said Kos. “We’re going to continue that theme to keep up the momentum for the membership drive in October.”
Kos also credited Chamber President Tammy Garner for her “amazing” leadership the past year.
Garner herself said they “had a very strong chamber” and considered the membership drive to be the most rewarding chamber event.
“The greatest thing ... was the camaraderie within the community for those that participated in the drive,” said Garner. “We had never hired a company outside of our own chamber to help us with the membership drive.”
Garner will pass the torch — or rather, the fedora — to incoming President David Robinson.
“It’s a privilege to build on the foundation build by Tammy Garner and the former presidents and members of the chamber,” said Robinson. “I think it’s a privilege to be able to serve the community, especially the business community, so I’m excited about it.”
Robinson also said he is excited to hear Cusano’s words at the banquet, and “it will be a fun party, quite frankly.”
Tickets, which are $45 each and $450 for a table of 10, are available at the chamber office on 105 E Grand Ave or by calling 575-763-3435.
Kos said the deadline to purchase tickets is noon Friday, with 20 tickets available as of Wednesday afternoon.
