It was in a different format than years past, but the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce held its 124th annual meeting Friday.
During the meeting, award winners were formally recognized for their accomplishments. Lifetime Achievement Award winner and KVOE station owner Steve Sauder said going to Emporia was “a big deal” to him when he was growing up in Gridley and staying in Emporia is a big deal for him now.
Business of the Year recipient Danny Giefer was recognized for opening Mr. G’s Carwash at Sixth and Prairie. He says the business has changed a lot since he started in the mid-1980s.
The Volunteer of the Year, Allison Hall, is also running Emporia Floral after moving to Joplin, Missouri, for several years.
Lyon County Public Health received the Chamber’s first Community Impact Award. Incident Officer Renee Hively:
Also during the meeting, past board chair Kala Maxfield of ValuNet FIBER transferred her position to incoming chair Nik Roth of PrairieLand partners.
The meeting was held virtually in recognition of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Chamber is planning to have its annual dinner — in person — on June 25.
