By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
Yukon business leaders will literally “walk the red carpet” at an annual celebration next month.
Yukon Chamber of Commerce CEO Pam Shelton has announced the chamber’s annual awards gala will be 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, 2020 at the Palace Event Center, 2310 N Banner Road in El Reno.
Theme is “A Night Among the Stars” featuring a red carpet walk and some “new and different” activities, Shelton said.
Next month’s gala will celebrate a year of growth for the Yukon Chamber, which has gained more than 100 new members in 2019 and nears 550 members.
Gala highlights will include an actual red carpet that everyone can walk along inside the event center.
“We are looking for impersonators to walk among the paparazzi,” Shelton said. “Clark Gable, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Marilyn Monroe – any famous star – to take photos with the guests.”
The Yukon Chamber board received 16 nominations for five annual awards: H.B. Frank Citizen of the Year (four), T.J. Lowery Humanitarian of the Year (two), Small Business of the Year (five), Large Business of the Year (two), and Volunteer of the Year (three).
“We’re really pleased with the number of nominations we received this year,” Shelton said. “We had a lot of interest among those submitting nominations.”
The announcement of the award winners – along with the chamber’s Ambassador of the Year – is the true highlight of the annual celebration.
While most top gala sponsorships have been secured, the Yukon Chamber still needs a “Red Carpet Sponsor.”
Red Carpet and other top sponsors – Centerpiece, Silent Auction, Dessert, Program, Awards, Photography, Entertainment, and Golden Ticket – each receive great promotional benefits and recognition for their $2,000 contribution.
Gold ($1,000) and Silver ($600) sponsorships also are available. Individual tickets are $60 each.
Another banquet highlight will be a silent auction of donated items – everything from sports memorabilia to trips. There also will be a food auction featuring homemade desserts and other tasty surprises.
The banquet dinner will be provided by Spanish Cove Catering.
The Jan. 31st gala serves as the Yukon Chamber’s largest annual fundraiser.
The venue – Dale and Tracy Bogle’s Palace Event Center – has been a “great place to have our gala”, according to Shelton.
To register or for more information about the Jan. 31st “A Night Among the Stars” gala, call the Yukon Chamber office at 354-3567.
