Enthusiasm reigns supreme at annual Chamber banquet

De Benedetti assumes presidency, Goodwin receives award

MOSES LAKE — High energy and a positive outlook filled the air in the lower portion of the Best Western Hallmark Inn Thursday evening.

Perhaps it was the gifts lining the tables, the eye-catching centerpieces or the candy bars chucked through the air at high speeds to reward correct answers during the "Moses Lake: Fact or Fiction" program at the annual Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce banquet.

But more than likely, it was the excitement felt by all involved, as one good year for the Chamber came to a close, and one got ready to begin, as president Alan Heroux handed over his gavel to P.J. De Benedetti.

Sally Goodwin received the prestigious President's Award, which is only occasionally given "when meritorious leadership and service dictates the necessary," according to the Chamber resolution honoring Goodwin, citing her continued reaching out to others through her church, her quilting group and her position as executive director of the Moses Lake Business Association, among others.

Many Chamber members rang in with their enthusiasm for the year past, and eager anticipation for what the coming year will bring.

As Heroux and De Benedetti said last week, one emphasis will be on increasing membership and improving benefits for Chamber members in the coming year, and many answers reflected that direction.

Chamber manager Karen Wagner called the past year unpredictable, and said it was fun because there was always something new to face, like the continued growth of Vision 2020 with the assistance of the Moses Lake City Council and the meet-greet-and-assimilate committee to welcome new members to Moses Lake.

"We are waiting for that big business to come to Moses Lake so we can actually try this on for size," she said. "We have had several opportunities to meet new people, but we'd really like to have that challenge. We are ready, we feel, to look at 50 new residents, so we're looking for that new business to come to give us that unpredictable advantage."

She said Heroux and his board were always willing to explore new territory, but she is also looking forward to the new board.

"I have a new boss every year and so with that in mind, every year offers a challenge in that you have an idea in what direction you're going to go, but sometimes other things come along and you have to change direction," Wagner said.

"The Chamber basically transcends over all types of clubs, so it is basically the core group of business, and the core group of business spawns commercial activities for the betterment and improvement of Moses Lake," Chamber secretary/treasurer Bill Chambers explained.

He said one of the projects that the Chamber had last year is its welcoming committee, although at present there is little encouragement to new members to take part.

"So we've got a mentoring opportunity," he said, noting that the Chamber also has opportunities to increase membership, have a more diversified Chamber and work with some of the other Chambers of Commerce in the county.

"We've had a good year — there's opportunities for more growth, because several businesses have left, but we'll recover from that," Chambers said.

Chambers said he thought that the Chamber would focus on some of the efforts that Vision 2020 has worked on, and will work with the core of the town toward improvement.

Chamber Vice President for Regional Affairs Spencer Grigg said he thought the year was productive.

"Moses Lake, like a lot of the country, has had some tough times economically, and I think we're on the way up," he said. "I think good things are happening, and everybody's focused on making it a better place. That's what it's all about: Adding more quality of life for those that are here doing business or living."

Regarding the upcoming year, Grigg said he would like to believe "the snowball has just launched off the mountain, and things are going to get bigger and better," pointing at a continually improving economy and continued interest in Moses Lake as a place to visit, live and do business.

"I think there's some big things going on in the business world here — the Home Depot will be opening; other development in that area," Grigg said. "It's a great time to be in Moses Lake, and I think next year will be even greater."