This year’s annual Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce banquet was a little different than in years past. The food and drinks were still outstandingly done by Freddie’s BBQ & Steakhouse, but rather than being held in their banquet center, the event was held on a blocked-off section of Dewey Avenue between Park and Water Streets, with white lights strung across the street, and two rows of long tables spread down the length of the block.
Entertainment was provided by the excellent and lovely Denise Hoey, who sang a range of songs throughout the evening. Local business Oz Productions, owned by Burk Ozbirn, operated a free open-air photo booth at Martha’s Corner so attendees could commemorate the event with photos printed on-site.
Despite the heat, attendees were in high spirits, happy to have a reason to gather and something to celebrate after the difficult previous year.
The evening began with a cash bar, music, and mingling at 6:30 p.m., and at 7 p.m., a buffet dinner was served and the program began. Mayor Craig Henderson gave the Invocation and Chamber of Commerce president Suzanne Shirey welcomed those in attendance.
This year’s Chamber Chairman and American Heritage Bank President and CEO Jim Dilley recognized Sapulpa’s first responders for their work through the pandemic.
Next was the presentation of awards, beginning with the “Business Innovator of the Year,” Sapulpa Public Schools.
“The pandemic forced many to change the way they did business,” Dilley said. “But transitioning from long-time habits to new ideas quickly is not easy. Face-to-face meetings to virtual is not something we expected, and many of us didn’t enjoy it.” Still, he acknowledged, “this year’s winner had no choice. They were forced to invest in online systems, retrain management and staff and most importantly, they had to enable our youth to continue their education.”
“Business of the Year” was awarded to Reed Architecture & Interiors. Dilley began by saying that the company began business in 2009 in Tulsa and that “we are thrilled to say they are now part of the Sapulpa community.”
“In their first year in business, they were awarded a contract for 3 facilities for Tulsa Public Schools,” Dilley said. “In 2011, they joined forces with Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee Gary Sparks, and from there completed many educational, athletic, religious, and commercial projects around the State. In 2020, the firm moved to their newly renovated offices right here in Sapulpa on Hobson, and brought with it 12 employees. They are engaged and involved in the community and we are fortunate to have them in Sapulpa.”
Presenting sponsors of Dinner on Dewey were American Heritage Bank, DC Bass & Sons Construction Company, D*Luxe Properties, Paragon Industries, Inc., the Kante Group, and Xpedite Services, LLC. Premier sponsors included Carletti Dentistry & Associates, First United Bank, OG&E, and Reed Architecture & Interiors. Flower centerpieces were provided by local mainstay Neal & Jean’s Flowers, and specially-made glass bottles of water were donated by Ardagh Group.
This year’s Executive Directors for the Chamber are Chairman Jim Dilley of American Heritage Bank, Chairman-Elect Vickie Beyer of Beyco, Inc., Secretary and Treasurer Debbie Moss of Spirit Bank, and Past Chair Cathy Gebetsberger of Carletti Dentistry & Associates.
Also recognized were 2020-2023 Directors: Julie Brown of Brown Insurance, Katie Brown of Ardagh Group, and Levy Lindsey of First United Bank, and 2021-2024 Directors: Rob Armstrong of Sapulpa Public Schools, Jennifer Bradshaw of Reed Architecture, Dr. Kim Howard of Central Technology Center, Joan Riley of the City of Sapulpa, Debbie Sivadon of Farmers Feed, Newt Stephens, District 1 Commissioner for Creek county, and Tawni Vickers of the City of Sapulpa.
Chamber President Suzanne Shirey, Communications Coordinator and Director of Sapulpa Arts Sheri Ishmael-Waldrop, a group of the Chamber’s “A-Team” volunteers, and Freddie’s employees did a wonderful job of transforming a section of downtown and putting the event together earlier in the day, despite the sweltering weather.
