PARKERSBURG - The keynote speaker for the 2012 Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet will be asking"How Fun Are You to Be With?"
Rick Olson, a author and business consultant who has traveled around the world speaking to more than a million people, will deliver the main address at the event scheduled from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Parkersburg Arts Center.
. He has spoken to very diverse groups, ranging from the Washington Redskins, to school students in Europe, to leaders in South America and countless organizations and associations across the country.
''Rick will be very entertaining and engaging,'' said Jill Parsons, president/CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley. ''Based on the topic of 'How Fun Are You to Be With?,' I'm sure we will have some good laughs at the event.
''His talk will focus on both your personal life and your work life. I'm sure with many co-workers and spouses at the event, everyone will be entertained.''
Olson has worked with companies in all 50 states. He is well known for his seminars on sales, customer service, handling change, team building and management dynamics.
''It will be a fun and motivational evening,'' Parsons said.
The Chamber hosts a number of events throughout the year, including Business After Hour events, Lunch-and-Learns and more.
''The annual dinner is a time for the full membership to come together,'' Parsons said.
There are 390 businesses, organizations and associate members in the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley.
The first hour of the event will be a social time for people to meet and interact. Parsons said they will also hold a "Red Carpet Lounge" during the social hour where Chamber members can sponsor a booth/display and hand out literature.
The next hour or so will encompass the dinner and Olson's speech.
The remainder of time will be for the awards presentation.
Nominations are being accepted through Oct. 22 for:
* New Business of the Year
* Curb Appeal/Property Improvement Award
* Community Involvement Award
* Family-Owned/Home-Based Business of the Year
* Nonprofit Organization of the Year
* Woman-/Minority-Owned Business of the Year
* Small Business of the Year
* Chamber Volunteer of the Year
* Young Business Leader of the Year
* Business Person of the Year
The nomination forms can be downloaded from the Chamber's website at www.movchamber.org. A panel of judges will review the nominations and determine the winners.
The dinner will be catered by DaVinci's and will feature a petite fillet, herb-grilled chicken or a vegetarian pasta primavera.
The deadline for people to sign up for the dinner is Nov. 1.
It will cost $50 a person for chamber members and $75 for non-chamber members. Businesses can reserve a table.
To sign up or to reserve tables, call the Chamber office at 304- 422-3588 or register on the Chamber's website at www.movchamber.org.
