The Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce held it’s annual banquet on Monday, February 29th, at the Grand Opera House in Dell Rapids.  Highlights of the event included a social hour, an update from the Dell Rapids Chamber, annual awards handed out by the Chamber, and guest speaker former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Richard Coffey.

Chamber President Dan Ahlers opened up the evening with an update on the Chamber over the past year.  Ahlers mentioned that the Chamber continues to bring in professional developmental seminars and handed out 70+ resident welcome packets in the past year.  He also mentioned that the past Quarry Days event had more vendors, more activities, and more participants in the events than the past years.  The Shop Local program was also started by the Chamber this past year, which is geared as an educational and marketing program on the the importance of shopping local.  Ahlers then mentioned a new feature during the Christmas at the Dells celebration, which was the Holiday Punch Cards that had more than 20 businesses participate.

“I can tell you from personal experience that this was a very effective marketing campaign.  I had a lady come into my business who I know.  She tells me how she shops at Walmart and buys on Amazon all the time.  She filled out two of these cards.  She said how great it was and didn’t realize all the things you could buy in Dell Rapids.  If we can get folks like this individual to fill out two cards, we’re really moving in the right direction,” said Ahlers of the Holiday Punch Card event.

He then moved into a brief overview of the goals for the Dell Rapids Chamber in the coming year.  The goals include continuing to expand Quarry Days and Christmas at the Dells, putting up new interstate signs, rolling out the Shop Local campaign, continuing with the Holiday Punch Cards, and making a move to hiring a full-time coordinator.

The Dell Rapids Chamber then handed out their annual awards.  Dell Rapids Ace Hardware was awarded the Business of the Year.  Brittani Bollock of Revive Fitness was awarded the Community Spirit Award, and Darcie Kringen was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award.

Richard Coffey concluded the night with a motivational speech on the seasons of life.  He highlighted having the right attitude and checking personal standards.

“Always check your standards to make sure they’re the right standards for you to start moving to your next level.  If you’re going to truly start self-evaluating and looking at your standards, you’re going to have to tap into your personal power,” mentioned Coffey.

Coffey also pointed that personal and professional brand is always on display.  He also mentioned tapping into personal power to move past fears.

“Fear can be a powerful thing.  Fear will tell us we’re not good enough.  Fear will tells us we’re going to fail. … The truth about fear, it only has the power we give it.  If we choose to not give it any power, it has none. … It’s your courage that will get you through the tough times. … Don’t let fear control your life,” said Coffey.