RIO GRANDE — The Gallia County Chamber of Commerce will hold their 76th Annual Meeting and Banquet on Thursday evening, January 24, 2013, in the Davis University Center Cafeteria, on the campus of the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College, Rio Grande, Ohio. A social time will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the dinner served at 6 p.m., according to Lorie Neal, IOM, executive director of the Chamber.

“We have an outstanding evening planned for our members and their guests, and we anticipate a large crowd,” said Kyla Carpenter, Chamber president. “A highlight of the evening will be the recognition of a number of members for their contribution to the community and to the Chamber. A surprise award will be made to the recipient of the Bud and Donna McGhee Community Service Award.”

Those receiving awards include: Beautification Award, McDonalds; Sudden Impact Award, Silver Screen VII; Small Business Award, Ohio Valley Trackwork; Community Involvement Award, Ohio Valley Christian School Defenders and Gallia Academy High School G-Force Students; Outstanding Volunteer Award, Gwen Doss; Committee of the Year Award, Vinton Baptist Church and the Living Waters Food Pantry; River Recreation Festival, Amy Weaver. Also to be recognized will be outgoing Board member Matt Rodgers.

The guest speaker for the evening will be Tom Wiseman, president and CEO of the Ohio Valley Bank. He will discuss “Gallia First” and what it means to him, as a lifelong resident and business man in Gallia County.

Tickets are now available for the annual meeting and banquet, at $40 for Chamber members and their guests, and $45 for non-members. The deadline for reservations will be January 17, 2013, and can be made by calling the Chamber at 446-0596, or stopping at the office, Monday through Friday, between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.