Business owners, execs gather for annual NEJC Chamber gala

Patrons perused dozens of items at a silent auction before the main program.

Owners and executives from businesses large and small convened Saturday for the Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Gala.

The hundreds of guests enjoyed a “Private Speakeasy” and silent auction at the Overland Park Marriott before the dinner and program in the main ballroom.

Chamber President Deb Settle said the event serves as a celebration of chamber members’ successes over the past year, strengthening the business community in northeast Johnson Couty.

“It’s also the opportunity for all of these business leaders to connect,” Settle said. “Many of our members are in small organizations and don’t have the time to get away for every chamber event. The gala gives everyone a chance to be in the same place for a night.”

Three businesses and one business owner were honored during the program as the chambers 2012 Business Award Winners. They were:

• Small Business of the Year: Moss Printing, Mission
• New Business of the Year: Sully’s Pub, Mission
• Corporate Business of the Year: Johnson County Community College, Overland Park
• Volunteer of the Year: Cathy Casey, Casey’s Auto Repair, Mission

Chamber members nominate candidates for the award, and then vote on the winners.

Proceeds from the silent auction go toward funding chamber operations for the coming year.

Among the hundreds of attendees were, from left, Marshall and Mary Rimann of Rimann Liquors, Rene Bollier, MD, and Rep. Barbara Bollier, MD, and Rep.-elect Melissa Rooker.

The Marriott ballroom was all decked out for the occasion.