The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce holds dinner meeting

By Claire DeRoin–The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Meeting drew hundreds of locals to the Convention Center September 27.The sharp black and white theme in the banquet hall made for an elegant setting as guests in suits and business garb filed in and filled 112 tables. Servers weaved between tables, their crisp white uniforms standing out against the darkened background. Classical music whirled over the clink of wine glasses during social hour before dinner began.

Keynote speaker Juan Williams shared the story of how he was famously fired from NPR due to a comment about feeling unsafe when seeing a Muslim in an airport. “It’s bigger than me being fired from NPR,” he said. “This is much bigger. The American people are tired of getting told to bite their tongue.”

Williams also spoke about minority groups and how Americans view them. He shared his experiences from traveling around the country to learn more about women, senior citizens, and other minorities.

Williams praised Siouxlanders for their hard work through the Missouri River flood. “Siouxlanders are the heartbeat of the United States of America,” Williams said, “and we must see that that heartbeat continues.”

Earlier in the evening, after a three-course meal, the Chamber of Commerce showed a short video featuring local businesspeople speaking of the Missouri River flood this past summer. Chris McGowan, President of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, presented the W. Edwards Deming Entrepreneurial Excellence Award to Jim Yanney, a man who donated and funded many organizations, such as the restoration of the Orpheum Theater.  The new Chamber of Commerce members were introduced by Jim Jensen, the President of Great West Casualty.

Danielle Hulst, a senior Elementary education major, was in attendance. She found the night inspiring. “I was surprised there were so many people at this event, but after realizing all of these people are great leaders in our community, I felt honored to be in the same room with them.”  Hulst was presented the opportunity to attend the dinner through the Leadership Academy organization on campus.

Luke Vander Zyden is the current Leadership Academy advisor. He also attended the event and noted that the overall theme of the evening seemed to be the Missouri River flooding. “I think that there was a sense of relief in the crowd that they made it through that hard time. Those in attendance were appreciative of the efforts that were made by the entire Siouxland community to protect those homes and businesses.”