Chamber rolls out red carpet

• Image

Chamber of Commerce image

Talk about it

After record attendance last year, the River Falls Chamber of Commerce prepares to again host the Chamber Oscars, or “ChOscars,” program.

“It’s an Oscars-type theme,” said Chamber Event and Program Coordinator Nick Carstens.

He said the event drew a record crowd last year of some 250 people. Carstens thinks the theme enabled people to get as dressed up as they wanted and enjoy extra fun.

This year’s ChOscars takes place 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at Kilkarney Hills Golf Club, 163 Radio Road.

Networking begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and awards. Tickets cost $50 each or $90 per couple. Dinner choices include a chicken, beef or pasta dish.

Interested attendees should call the chamber office at 425-2533 to make reservations.

Guests will check in at the door on banquet night. You need not be a chamber member to attend.

Carstens said many local “celebrities” walked the red carpet last year including: James Bond, who drank martinis and showed off his gadgets all evening; Johnny Cash, Forrest Gump, Superman/Clark Kent, Indiana Jones and many others.

Carstens said some women commented that the themed event was a nice opportunity to wear glamorous clothes and accessories without feeling overdressed.

Conversely, guests who didn’t dress in theme wore everything from business-casual daywear to dressy eveningwear.

Carstens said the chamber decided to stay with the same theme after hearing lots of people say after last year’s banquet: “If I’d known, I’d have dressed up.”

Vote for cream

of community crop

The chamber presents several “____ of the Year” awards at the banquet. The honor recognizes the year’s best citizen and business, small business and nonprofit organizations.

Carstens confirmed that members make nominations from among the 285 businesses that belong to the chamber.

The public may also vote on its choice for a winner, either by stopping by the chamber office during business hours or by logging onto: www.rfchamber.com.

The chamber stipulates that the winning companies and nonprofit organization: “Must be a chamber member and have made a significant contribution to the community and or quality of life in River Falls through providing services, programs, and involvement…”

The business of the year must have more than 25 employees, and the small business of the year must have fewer than 25 employees.

The citizen of the year award recognizes a resident or business leader who serves as a role model in the community and who shows initiative while being involved in local events.

Chamber documents say, “The Citizen of the Year raises the standards of social responsibility.”

Winners of the chamber’s four awards each receive an honorary plaque and recognition on the chamber newsletter and website for a year. Carstens said all nominees are featured in a video that runs continuously throughout the evening of the awards banquet.

Tags: river falls chamber of commerce, local news, business, entertainment