The Iola Area Chamber of Commerce hosted one of the largest annual awards night crowds in the organization’s history Thursday, with more than 270 Chamber businesses and other guests filling the Recreation Community Building at Iola’s Riverside Park.
The City of Iola received two awards, the KwiKom Gigabit City Award and the Chamber Award for Outstanding Support and Contributions to the Iola Chamber.
Wild Bloom Coffee earned the Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Lou’s Marketing & Design..
Myra and Gabe Gleason, owners of Wild Bloom Coffee, receive the Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Lou’s Marketing & Design.
Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register
Nathan Fawson, executive director of the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, left, receives on SEKMHC’s behalf the Visionary Leader Award, sponsored by Allen County Regional Hospital. Presenting him the award is Iola Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kelly Sigg.
Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register
Tai Lee, from left, Veronica Bulk and Madisyn Holloway of Jo’s Men’s Grooming accept the Excellence in Customer Service Award, presented by Chanute Radio/Murfin Media.
Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register
Bowlus Fine Arts Center Executive Director Mandy Moyer accepts on behalf of the Bowlus the Community Support Champion Award, presented by Infinity Real Estate and Insurance.
Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register
These furry competitors in the Ratucky Derby scurry to the finish line during Thursday’s Iola Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting.
Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register
Iola Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kelly Sigg, from left, presents Mayor Steve French, Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock and City Administrator Matt Rehder the Chamber Award for Outstanding Support and Contributions to the Iola Chamber. The City also received the Gigabit City Award, presented by KwiKom.
Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register
Angela Johnson, left, and Theresa Turner, on behalf of the Pregnancy Resource Center, accept the Excellent Club or Organization Award, sponsored by Emprise Bank.
Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register
The Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center received the Visionary Leader Award, sponsored by Allen County Regional Hospital.
Jo’s Men’s Grooming earned the Excellence in Customer Service Award, sponsored by Chanute Radio/Murfin Media.
The Pregnancy Resource Center received the Excellent Club or Organization Award, sponsored by Emprise Bank.
The Bowlus Fine Arts Center received the Community Support Champion Award, sponsored by Infinity Real Estate and Insurance.
After a dinner catered by Simply Delicious, the awards were followed by the Ratucky Derby, a series of races in which participants could bet on which rats they favored in some short, but wildly entertaining races.
