New members help kick off the holiday

The Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce held its holiday celebration Tuesday night at the Mountaineer Conference Center on Harper Road.

The chamber and the Southern West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau invited their members to the event, and took the opportunity to welcome and showcase their new members.

The chamber invited 82 new members who joined the organization in 2007, said Ellen Taylor, president and CEO of the chamber.

“This is a good opportunity to enjoy a holiday celebration, and to network,” Taylor said. “And as a new member, it’s a chance to get to know some people.”

New members were invited to set up tables around the conference center, displaying information about their services and products.

The event was also billed as southern West Virginia’s largest “bring a gift — get a gift” gift exchange. Many attendees brought wrapped gifts for the exchange. During the evening, they were invited to pick a gift from under the tree.

Hors d’oeuvres and desserts were provided by Pasquale Mira’s Italian Restaurant and Kem’s at Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites.

Entertainment was provided by JukeBox Entertainment, a musical group that entices the crowd into participating in the performance.

“It is just a really fun night,” Taylor said.

Door prizes for the event included overnight stays and airline tickets.

The holiday celebration was free of charge to chamber and CVB members. The event was sponsored by Country Inn and Suites, Mountaineer Conference Center, Microtel, Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites and the Southern West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For more information on the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, call 252-7328.

— E-mail: bbilleter@register-herald.com