Tag Archive for: #hendersonvancechamberbanquet

TownTalk: Chamber Banquet A Success; Hopper Named Citizen Of The Year

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It’s always a good day to hear good news, and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce added to the good-news cycle Tuesday evening when it announced Mark Hopper as the 2021 Citizen of the Year.

Hopper is the director and board chair of McGregor Hall, and he has guided the cultural arts center from its opening in 2016 through the pandemic shutdown and back into operation. His unwavering support for bringing back shows, productions, competitions and other events is a critical component for the continued success of McGregor Hall.

Chamber President Michele Burgess and Events Director Sandra Wilkerson said the annual dinner and banquet was a big hit, from the food provided by Chamber member Cook Shack to the highlight of the evening, which was the citizen of the year announcement.

“We did have a really nice event,” Burgess said, adding that it was nice to be back at an in-person gathering to celebrate Chamber accomplishments in the community.

Board President Ronald Bennett’s theme for the year shines the spotlight on community, and the Chamber members will focus on carrying that message far and wide to grow pride for the area and to play up the assets that Henderson and Vance County have to offer.

“Together, we work better,” Wilkerson said. By bringing together nonprofits, churches, as well as businesses large and small, she said the message will get out.

Past board chairman Dr. Levy Brown shared remarks during the evening’s proceedings. “(He) came back and made remarks as our past chairman,” Burgess said. “He still has a place in his heart for Henderson.

The committee selected Hopper from a strong list of worthy nominations, Burgess said. “We all realized how important McGregor Hall is to the community,” both in its cultural value and its economic value.

“He led the force in keeping it open,” Burgess said, and sought grants to bolster the shoestring budget, she added.

Archie Taylor, Vance County commissioner and previous Citizen of the Year recipient, announced the winner. In remarks, Taylor talked about Hopper’s influence on the success of McGregor Hall. “Soon after his election to chair of the board of McGregor Hall, he began to educate himself in the day-to-day management of a large performing-arts and learning center, including taxes, payroll, building upkeep, fund raising, and the direction of a large volunteer base – all with minimal paid employees – while continuing his artistic leadership of programing and theatrical productions. The most significant aspect of these achievements is that he has accomplished all of this entirely as an unpaid volunteer.

He said Hopper has invested himself to promote and grow his community through selfless dedication and leadership-by-example. “We can think of no one who has more humbly, sacrificially, generously and successfully contributed to the betterment of Henderson and Vance County than the man we are honoring this evening.”

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Henderson-Vance Chamber Banquet Set For Jan. 27, 2022

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The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual meeting and banquet in January 2022, during which time the Vance County Citizen of the Year will be announced.

The meeting and dinner will be held on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 at the Vance-Granville Community College civic center, according to information from Chamber President Michele Burgess.

Current board chairman Dr. Levy Brown will recap the year’s successes and incoming board chair Ronald Bennett will announce member benefits and program initiatives for the new year.

Burgess said invitations are forthcoming, so check your email inboxes for those as well as for sponsorship opportunities for the banquet.

A video is being produced to spotlight community pride in Henderson and Vance County which will feature interviews with local business leaders discussing the benefits Chamber membership provides.

“If you or your business has seen a direct benefit from your chamber membership, please email us a short statement that we can share or if you would be willing to be interviewed for our video about why you belong to our Chamber,” Burgess stated. Email comments for the video to michele@hendersonvance.org.

Nominations for the citizen of the year award are due before Jan. 6, 2022. Request a nomination form and guidelines from the Chamber at 252.438.8414 and return it via email to Burgess or mail a paper copy to the Chamber, P.O. Box 1302, Henderson, NC 27536.

This annual award honors a member of the community for outstanding service and long commitment to Vance County and Henderson.

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Henderson-Vance Chamber Banquet 2020 Postponed

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber Banquet 2020 has been postponed due to covid-19.

Normally, the Chamber schedules the event each year in January.  In a recent email to member businesses, the announcement was made, and the following statement released.

“We look so forward to seeing you, networking, and announcing the Citizen of the Year; however, due to the pandemic, our meeting will be held later in the year. We will send out emails to the membership asking for nominations for the 2020 Citizen of the Year, so start thinking of that person that has been an asset to our community and deserves to receive this honor.”

The announcement concluded by thanking everyone for understanding and said “we look forward to seeing you all later in the year for a meeting and celebration.”

Chamber Banquet Attendees See O’Geary – 2016 Citizen of the Year

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Chamber Banquet Attendees See O’Geary – 2016 Citizen of the Year

Tuesday night inside the Vance Granville Community College Civic Center, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce held its 79th annual membership meeting and banquet.

Former Henderson Mayor James D. “Pete” O’Geary was presented the Citizen of the Year Award for 2016.

O’Geary told the packed room, “I am speechless.  I never thought it would be Pete O’Geary tonight.  I am so honored to be here and to receive this award.  I thank you so much, and it has been such a pleasure for me to serve as the Mayor of the City of Henderson, City Council and other organizations that I have been a part of.  It has truly been a blessing to me, not only to me but also my family, and also my wife, and also my sons.”

He introduced his wife Grace and announced they have been married for 61 years.  He introduced his granddaughter, Evan O’Geary, who is also Miss Henderson.  He introduced his son Jonathan and wife Amy and his son Dr. Steven O’Geary.  He said, “It is such an honor to be here and to have my family to support me.”  His other son, who lives in Connecticut, could not be in attendance.

The humble and kind O’Geary told WIZS News after the banquet concluded that the things he has done have been such a pleasure.  He said, “I have been blessed through the years.  I’ve had so many wonderful people to work with, a wonderful staff at City Hall, and citizens have just been wonderful.  It’s been a pleasure for me, a wonderful opportunity.”

Marion Perry, the 2015 Citizen of the Year, presented the award to O’Geary on behalf of the Chamber and Chamber President John Barnes.  Integrity, kindness and good citizenship were words used by Perry in introducing O’Geary.

Perry said, “As mayor, he served with honor and distinction and worked exceptionally hard to help the City maneuver through economic adversity created by the nationwide great recession.  He was a successful bridge builder, who is still highly respected and loved.  He always takes time to listen to people no matter what the time of day.”

O’Geary is widely known for his diplomacy and for getting people to work together as a team.  He is a recent recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, an award presented to him at the end of his term as mayor.

The keynote speaker was Scott Mason, The Tar Heel Traveler with WRAL-TV.  He told about his life and presented numerous Tar Heel Traveler clips to the audience.  It was enjoyed very much by all – very entertaining.  He signed and sold copies of his books in the lobby afterwards.

Susan Rogers, 2017 Chamber Board Chair and who is the marketing director at Chic-Fil-A, talked about her love of Henderson and how she has been a lifelong resident.  She said, “My heart is here, in this community.”  She issued a charge to the members, guests and community to engage the H-V Chamber of Commerce even more in 2017.  “I ask you to take your decision of joining the Chamber a step further, and choose to become engaged and build the relationship.  Relationships are the building blocks that your businesses stand on,” she said.

Gloria White, Chair of the Vance County Board of Education, and Crystal Richardson, Principal of the Year and Principal of Clarke Elementary, presented the Shining Moment in Education Award to The Henderson Family YMCA and The Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department.

Tonya Moore with KARTS was presented the Chamber Ambassador of the Year Award.

The entire banquet was broadcast live on WIZS 1450 AM and live streamed on wizs.com.

WRAL TV’s Scott Mason to give Keynote Address at Henderson-Vance Chamber Banquet

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce will hold its 79th Annual Membership Meeting and Banquet on Tuesday, January 31, 2017.
Keynote speaker will be WRAL’s Tar Heel Traveler, Scott Mason. As a Road Scholar presenter, this project is made possible by funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The event will take place at Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.

For sponsorship opportunities, more information or to reserve tickets, contact the Henderson-Vance County Chamber at 252-438-8414 or by emailing info@hendersonvance.org.