Chamber History
EDMOND, OK – The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 100th Anniversary last Friday evening, November 2, with a black tie optional Celebratory dinner at Oak Tree Country Club. More than twenty–two past presidents/chairmen attended the gala. Former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh served as master of ceremonies. AT&T was the platinum sponsor for this Celebratory dinner.
Mo Anderson, President and CEO of Keller – Williams, the first female president/chairman of the Edmond Chamber of Commerce in 1982, spoke from the heart remembering the “old days” and how participation in the Chamber provided a firm foundation to her professional career. She reiterated what the purpose of the Chamber was, and always had been: to create a strong local economy, promote the community, provide networking opportunities and represent business interests to government.
Anderson’s speech was followed by President and CEO of the Oklahoma State Chamber, Dick Rush, who discussed the Edmond Chamber from the State’s perspective. He noted the significant accomplishments of the Edmond Chamber and encouraged the Chamber to continue its hard work.
Centennial Committee Chair Saundra Naifeh presented a commemorative book of the Chamber’s history to the crowd. Each guest received this historical book as a remembrance of the evening. The Chamber History Research Sub-Committee, chaired by Jennifer Hibbard, collected information, pictures, mementos and newspaper clippings to be used in this tribute to the past 100 years. The book was designed by Joy Tapscott of Tapscott Creative. Mo Anderson, Keller Williams was the Platinum sponsor with Edmond Electric as a Premier sponsor for the commemorative book. Citizens Bank and Turner and Company were Patron sponsors.
The culmination of the evening was an 8 minute video produced by Dana Myers’ interactive media class at Francis Tuttle Technology Center. The video brought both laughs and thoughtful murmurs. The film ended with 4 minutes of out-takes which brought the room to loud laughter and applause.
The night ended with a champagne toast to the future by Mayor Dan O’Neil.
The Celebratory Dinner Sub-committee was chaired by Jennifer Howard of Positive Image Solution. Committee members include Laney Carey, Carl & Glo Reherman, Dr. Harry A. Kocurek and M Sanders. The Gold sponsor for the dinner is Oak Tree Country Club with Midfirst Bank, Coppermark Bank and BancFirst as Silver sponsors. Kirkpatrick Bank and Intrust Bank were Bronze sponsors.
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Leaders praise chamber’s first 100 years
Alice Collinsworth, The Edmond Sun
EDMOND — Nearly 300 Edmond residents and friends decked out in their finest Friday for the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce’s 100th anniversary celebration dinner at Oak Tree Country Club.
The black-tie-optional affair featured former Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh as master of ceremonies and recognized more than 20 people who have served the chamber as president or chairperson of the board.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said current president and CEO Ken Moore. “It’s a classy way to celebrate our first 100 years.”
Many local and state dignitaries were in attendance, including Reps. Ken Miller and Marion Cooksey and Congresswoman Mary Fallin.
Fallin called the event “a lovely evening” and praised the work of Edmond chamber members.
“Edmond is truly one of our best communities in our whole nation,” she said.
Mo Anderson, who served as the first female president of the Edmond Chamber of Commerce in 1982, recalled the goals of the chamber in the “old days,” emphasizing the development of future leaders and balanced economic growth.
“Above all, keep Edmond beautiful,” she urged attendees. “Edmond is a place where they don’t want to leave and a place where they want to return.”
Dick Rush, president and CEO of the Oklahoma State Chamber, said the Edmond organization is one of the best he’s seen in 35 years.
“This chamber has reached a milestone that few chambers will ever achieve,” he said. “The ripple of Edmond spreads worldwide … I can confidently say that the stars are aligned for Edmond.”
One highlight of the evening was a multi-media presentation prepared by Francis Tuttle instructor Dana Myers and her students, picturing the history of Edmond and the chamber.
Fallin pointed out that Edmond has been honored as one of the “Top 100 Places to Live in 2007” by Relocate America, and named America’s best small town by Universal Publications this year.
“You have a wonderful, bright future ahead of you … I am so proud of Edmond, America,” Fallin said.
