Chamber banquet celebrates new board, commemorates community leaders

Matt Gowin, left, addresses the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce Banquet guests after ceremonially accepting the position of Chamber President from Matt Smith. Gowin said he had "big shoes to fill" following Smith, and noted his main goals as president would be to foster cooperation in working toward business solutions.
Matt Gowin, left, addresses the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce Banquet guests after ceremonially accepting the position of Chamber President from Matt Smith. Gowin said he had "big shoes to fill" following Smith, and noted his main goals as president would be to foster cooperation in working toward business solutions.

At the 2014 Chamber of Commerce banquet Thursday, incoming President Matt Gowin promised he wouldn't come up with any solutions to solve any problems that night.

What he did do with the 230 or so of Callaway County's prominent business leaders, public figures and other residents in attendance was share his vision of the cham- ber's future as he took the gavel from outgoing president Clint Smith in the chamber's biggest annual event.

The banquet, which brings people together to celebrate the chamber and local businesses, was largely dominated by speeches from both Gowin and Smith. It also honored incoming and outgoing board members and gave annual chamber awards to residents and organizations known for making Callaway a better place.

This year's theme, "Callaway Cruise," gave a tropical tone to the evening. Banquet Committee Chair Chris Garrett thanked committee members Judy Ebersole, Abigail Manwell and Andrea Whelan for their help in making the event a success, as well as Westminster College for hosting in Backer Dining Hall.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.