The Howell Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Dinner & Citizen of the Year Presentation on Wednesday, February 1^st at Cleary University’s Cleary Commons. The event will recognize community leaders and businesses, and spotlight key Howell Area Chamber of Commerce programs and activities. The theme for the event is Onward and Upward.

“The Annual Dinner Committee chose this year’s theme to highlight the full return of the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest in 2022”, said Janelle Best, President of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce.

The theme Onward and Upward portrays hot air balloons rising above mountains that symbolize the ability to rise above the many hurdles that we’ve all encountered the past few years. There’s also an emphasis on an optimistic outlook for 2023 as we move business to new heights. 

Best added, “We’re all very excited to bring together our members, businesses, and community leaders to celebrate and highlight this year’s Annual Award recipients and unveil our Citizen of the Year.”

The Howell Area Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking nominations for individuals, businesses, and civic organizations to be recognized at the event. The categories and award recognitions include:

• Chamber Innovator of the Year: Recognizing an individual and/or organization/business that demonstrates innovation in alignment with the chamber’s path forward initiatives. This includes economic and workforce development initiatives, community excellence, and catalytic leadership.  Innovation in all three or one of these areas will be considered for review.
• Rising Star of the Year: Recognizing an individual within your organization or business that has made a significant impact in a positive way. They have demonstrated the ability to overcome adversity, demonstrated significant growth and achievement, and/or implemented innovative ideas for the overall betterment of the organization/business.
• Community Excellence Award: Recognizing an individual or organization/business that has made efforts to support change or impact the greater good of the community. This person or organization/business has made efforts to be more sustainable and/or contribute to the quality of life within the community.
• Game Changer Award: Recognizing an individual or organization/business that has been a catalyst to ignite positive change that addresses a community or need within the organization/business.

The announcement of the 2022 Citizen of the Year is kept a secret and announced at the end of the evening. This year’s Annual Dinner & Citizen of the Year Presentation is Presented by Brighton Ford.
The celebration begins at 5 p.m. with networking and a strolling dinner. The awards presentation will follow with the unveiling of the Citizen of the Year and a congratulatory afterglow from 7:30-8:30 pm. The afterglow will include entertainment, networking, and photo opportunities with the awardees and our 2022 Citizen of the Year. Event registration is $70 per person before January 11th. Reservations can be made by emailing admin@howell.org, calling the Howell chamber at 517.546.3920, or by visiting Howell.org.