(l-r) Jerry Keister, Rebecca Keister, Tara Emnett, Gov. Riley, and Mayor Kenneth Boswell look on as cake is presented
A record-setting crowd of over 500 members and guests attended the 66th Annual Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet, Thursday October 4th. For the first timer ever, the event was held in the beautiful and spacious Fellowship Hall of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Enterprise.
Attendees enjoyed to elegant surroundings, delicious food, and a special surprise birthday celebration for Guest Speaker Governor Bob Riley. Mayor Kenneth Boswell presented Governor Riley with a birthday gift and quipped, "it is within the value limits that you are allowed to receive, I checked!"
Governor Riley "threw out his prepared speech" and expressed his amazement at the recovery of Enterprise after the tornado of March 1st. He praised the city's leaders and residents for their hard work and spirit of community in the storms aftermath. The Governor drew a standing ovation when he expressed pride and gratitude to America's military, and especially The US Army. Many active and retired members of the military were present at the banquet.
Governor Riley also urged the Wiregrass area to work together as a region on economic and workforce development projects. He stressed the need to cooperate for the benefit of the entire Wiregrass and to "forget about county and municipal lines."
The program included a special recognition of the 2006-2007 Annual Award winners and other guests. The 15 individuals, businesses and industries were featured in the program and were honored individually at the September Board of Directors meeting. |
