Former Lake Havasu City Vice Mayor and Council Member David Lane, left, Creative Director of Partnership for Economic Development Aymie Spitzer, right. Aymie Spitzer presented Citizen of the Year Award to David Lane at the annual meeting and celebration ceremony at Shugrue’s Bridgeview Room. Photo courtesy
LAKE HAVASU CITY – Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce and local business owners made a big splash into the past at their annual meeting and celebration of business awards ceremony. The mullets and mixtapes themed event took place on Friday, June 14 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Shugrue’s Bridgeview Room.
The Chamber of Commerce are proud supporters of businesses on a daily basis. This was a fun and festive awards ceremony full of distressed fashions, leg warmers, and of course mullets. Owner of Havasu Wedding Pros Robert Starkey was the DJ at the event and provided 1980s classic hit songs. A buffet style appetizers and dinner was provided along with a cash bar.
The yearly Chamber of Commerce event was sold out with more than 200 guests in attendance, many of which included some of Havasu’s most prominent leaders like Mayor Cal Sheehy, current chamber CEO Andrea Helart, and Jillian Danielson, owner of River Scene Magazine.
The honorees celebrated ranged from individuals to businesses as a whole. Nominated by their peers, the awards were broken down into 11 categories: Ambassador of the Year, Community Enhancement, Ethics in Business, Bridge to Business, Spirit of Hospitality, Rising Star, Elevating Havasu, Whelan Leadership, Chamber Volunteer of the Year, Pinnacle Award, and Citizen of the Year.
Ambassador of the Year went to National Bank of Arizona Branch Manager Cheryl Ramsden, Community Enhancement went to Riviera of Lake Havasu Sales Associate Maria Schemling, while the Ethics in Business award went to Kenny and Janene Samp who own Sunset Charter and Tour Company.
Havasu’s Director of Fun, Joelle Dickinson of London Bridge Resort won the Bridge to Business award, and Spirit of Hospitality award went to W.A.VE., the culinary and hospitality school. Between being a real estate agent, serving on the board of directors for Go Lake Havasu, and currently running for city council this year, Rick Riegler was honored that night as the Rising Star of the evening.
The Elevating Havasu award went to the Rotary Club, and chamber board member of education and leadership Maria Hart earned the Whelan Leadership award. Former chamber CEO Lisa Krueger was recognized with the CFEL Distinguished Leadership award. Chamber Treasurer Ross Johnson won Volunteer of the Year and Pinnacle honoree was given to London Bridge Resort. Finally, the former Vice Mayor David Lane was honored as being the Citizen of the Year.
The annual meeting and business awards celebrated the honorees for their philanthropy, leadership, and their never ending dedication with their current roles.
Phaedra Veronique
