JACKSONVILLE — A local chamber of commerce is a place to connect and influence, a networking tool and a way to grow in leadership. The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce has been all of this for decades, and the organization takes one night each year to celebrate and look toward the future of the city with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet, set for Feb. 5.
“This will be the 71st annual banquet,” said Courtney Dunn, executive director of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. “It’s one of our biggest fundraisers to help fund the chamber. I think it’s important to bring businesses together for a fun night where you can let loose a little bit.”
This is Dunn’s first year as chamber director. She stepped into the position in mid-August and said she has enjoyed getting involved in the Jacksonville community.
“Everybody’s really welcomed me with open arms,” she said. “It’s been an easy transition with the help of community leaders.”
One of those leaders is Terry Weatherford, financial adviser with Edward Jones and current vice chairman of the board for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. He will step into the chairman position at the banquet this year.
Weatherford has been a member of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce for more than 20 years, and he said his membership has been invaluable, giving him a way to get connected with other leaders and make an impact.
“You get a lot of opportunity for community involvement,” he said of being a chamber member. “When the community does better, the businesses do better.”
As chairman, Weatherford said, he will act as a sounding board for Dunn as she continues to get settled into her new position.
“We were fortunate to get Courtney hired this year,” he said, “I look forward to working with her.”
Dunn said she also looks forward to diving further into her role as executive director, and the banquet is one way to spur that along.
“I’m looking forward to the networking aspect of it,” she said. “I want to make it a big hit so that future banquets will continue to grow.”
The theme of the banquet is Business and Blues, and attendees are encouraged to dress up their blue jeans and be prepared for a fun night with blues music and Cajun food.
There will be a silent auction, which Dunn said is always a hit. The chamber is still accepting donations for auction items.
Banquet attendees don’t have to be chamber members, Dunn said, and she encourages business leaders to come out on Feb. 5.
The banquet will take place at the Jacksonville Community Center, 5 Municipal Drive. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the banquet will start at 6 p.m.
Individual tickets are $50, and a table of eight seats costs $400. The guest speaker will be Rex Nelson, senior editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Dunn asked that those planning to attend the banquet RSVP by Friday by calling (501) 982-1511.