Community Chamber Banquet
Our community banquet is a special occasion to get together to recognize the inspiring individuals, businesses, and organizations of our community, as well as recap the successes and projects this year.
Banquet Date: Thursday, October 22nd, 2026
Location: Knights of Columbus
Awards are given to those featured as this year's: Large Business, Small Business, Organization/Non-profit, Volunteer, Emerging Leader, and Empowering Leader, Educator, Youth Volunteer. Below, you will find the list of the awards given out annually along with a short description of each.
Before the awards are handed out, our community is invited to nominate a(n) individual/business/organization for each award. These nominations are then compiled. Chamber Members then will be given the opportunity to vote for one individual/business/organization out of the top nominations with winners to be revealed at the Annual Banquet.
RSVP
Please RSVP to the Larned Area Chamber by October 9th, 2026. We have a limited number of seats available, so please RSVP early to guarantee your seat(s). To RSVP or for additional questions, please call us at 620-285-6916 or email us at caseysmith.chamber@gmail.com.
2025 Banquet Recap
It was a wonderful evening celebrating our many outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals at our annual Community Chamber Banquet at Redux! Congratulations to our very deserving award winners and nominees. Our community is fortunate to have many fantastic businesses, organizations, leaders, and volunteers!
2025 Award Winners
Large Business: Eakin Enterprises, Inc.
Small Business: Redux Bar
Non-Profit Organization: Larned Civic PRIDE Organization
Volunteer: Duane Fogo
Emerging Leader: Rachel Hill
Empowering Leader: Tom Giessel
Awards
Large Business of the Year
Chamber Business with more than 10 employees. May possess these qualities: excellent customer services, philanthropic, community-minded, workforce development.
Small Business of the Year
Chamber Business with less than 10 employees. May possess these qualities: excellent customer services, philanthropic, community-minded, workforce development.
Non-Profit Organization/Civic Group of the Year
Chamber Organization (i.e. civic group, church, non-profit) that assists individuals through various programs or outreach–very community-oriented.
Volunteer of the Year
Individual whom goes above and beyond to assist in various events, committees, or programs. This individual does not necessarily have to be a leader or brainstormer, but rather a “do-er.”
Emerging Leader
Passionate individual who leads a movement or union of people. This movement may be a kind of lifestyle, a business environment, a steering committee, or just a group of individuals. (39 years of age and below).
Empowering Leader
Passionate individual who leads (and empowers) a movement or union of people. This movement may be a kind of lifestyle, a business environment, a steering committee, or just a group of individuals. (40 years of age and above).
Educator of the Year
An educator from any Pawnee County school, including Fort Larned USD 495 and Pawnee Heights USD 496, who makes a lasting impact on students and their school community.
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Individual whom goes above and beyond to assist in various events, committees, or programs. This individual does not necessarily have to be a leader or brainstormer, but rather a “do-er.” 18 yrs of age or less.
To Note:
All businesses (large and small) and organizations nominated must be a current Larned Area Chamber Member; individuals nominated for emerging leader, empowering leader, and volunteer of the year do not have to be members of the Chamber, but active in Pawnee County.
Nominated businesses, organizations and individuals cannot win more than once within 5 years.
Chamber Members with multiple memberships, have the ability to vote more than once or count their ballot X amount of times.