Each year at its annual dinner, the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce honors outstanding individuals and businesses from the past year.

“This is our 88th annual dinner,” said Ellen Taylor, the chamber’s president and chief executive officer. “We are getting prepared and ready for what we hope is the best chamber dinner ever.”

She said the excitement began to build after it was confirmed that new West Virginia University head football coach Bill Stewart would be the featured speaker for the April 25 event.

“Our theme this year is ‘West Virginia University,’” Taylor said. “Go, Mountaineers!”

Taylor says the chamber was excited to land Stewart as its speaker for this year’s dinner.

“He’s the new coach who led them to an exciting bowl win and we want to hear what he has to say about the football program’s future,” she said.

Stewart, 55, was introduced as the 32nd football coach at WVU after Rich Rodriguez left to become the head football coach at Michigan.

“He brought the team together during a tough time and led them to an impressive Fiesta Bowl win against Oklahoma,” Taylor said. “We want to meet him, let him know our community is behind him and give him all the support possible.”

Taylor said the event’s agenda also honors individual and business award winners.

“We want to recognize those businesses and individuals that are so important to our community,” she said.

Nancy Kissinger, president of Chase Bank in Beckley, will be honored as the chamber’s Community Service Award winner.

“She is a phenomenal person,” Taylor said. “She has given so much to the chamber it would be hard for me to express how much she gives to the community and how much dedication she has to improving the community.”

The event is attended by more than 500 members and guests each year, Taylor said.

“The annual dinner has become one of the largest social events in Raleigh County,” she said.

Taylor said the dinner is relaxed, as opposed to the many business-type events held throughout the year.

“It’s a great opportunity for networking and socializing when you get over 500 business leaders at the same event,” she said.

“New members and guests get a chance to meet those in the local business community, and existing members get a chance to see and speak with people they may not have seen or talked to all year. It is a wonderful social gathering.”

The April 25 dinner will be held at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. Tickets are $55 per person.

“Tickets are still available,” Taylor said. “We have already sold 340 tickets, so you need to get your ticket soon.”

A table can be reserved for six, eight or 10 people for an additional $25, according to Taylor.

The social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner at 6:30 p.m., Taylor said.

“It usually wraps up by 9 p.m.,” she said.

To purchase a ticket for the dinner or to make reservations, call the chamber office at 252-7328.

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