The annual Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Center banquet will have a unique twist this year.
Jenny Bondurant, Westminster College, said the chamber's 90-year history played an important role in the banquet brainstorming process, which concluded in the decision to create a time capsule.
Banquet gold and silver sponsors will be able to place items inside the capsule to be opened in 2065. Until then, it will be on display at the chamber office. Gold sponsors are: the Callaway Bank, Super 8 in Kingdom City, Westminster College and William Woods University. Silver sponsors are: Callaway Electric Cooperative, Elliot's Custom Cabinets, the Fulton Sun, General Printing, Maupin Funeral Home, Naught-Naught Insurance Agency, Truescape Landscaping, United Credit Union and Young's Welding and Machine Shop.
Once the time capsule idea was solidified, the theme came easily, Bondurant said.
The theme - "Honoring the Past and Embracing the Future" - will highlight the role the chamber has played in Callaway County's history and how it will continue to do so.
"...We wanted to convey the organization's longevity and recognize the role that the chamber and its member businesses play in Fulton and our county," Bondurant said in an email.
Kasi Lacey, the executive director at Westminster College's Wellness Center, will be the emcee for the evening. Four awards will be announced.
"I think the award presentation is a big part for chamber people to recognize those who make such big contributions the community," Bondurant said.
The J. H. Atkinson Award, the chamber's premier award first authorized in 1967, will be handed to an individual who has made a "unique contribution to the community in some phase of social, civic, political or aesthetic activity not common to his or her vocational career," according to the award's guidelines. The Loyal Subject Award follows the same criteria as the J. H. Atkinson Award, but allows the individual's contribution to be within his or her vocation.
The Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award will go to individuals or a business which has made "consistent contributions to further the work" of the chamber. The winner must be a person or organization that has shown long-term leadership. The Allen Conner Youth Award will be awarded to a high school student or youth organization that has been involved in community service and commitment to Fulton and/or Callaway County.
Bondurant said the award announcements will come as a surprise to the winners.
"(The surprise) adds to the fun of it as well," Bondurant said. "The recipients don't do it for recognition, but the contributions they make are significant."
The chamber banquet is the organization's biggest event annually, Bondurant said.
"It's a great chance for chamber members to come together," Bondurant said.
The chamber banquet will be Thursday, Jan. 8 at Westminster College's Backer Dining Hall starting with a 5:30 p.m. social hour followed by dinner at 6 p.m.