Imagine this scene. Leaders of the Lansing-area business community gather for an evening of networking, dinner, recognitions and to celebrate exciting developments in the region. After dinner, the president of the organization, which in this case is a prominent auto executive, steps to the podium to discuss his vision for progress in the region.

Sound familiar? You probably guessed that I am describing the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner. However, the particular scene I am describing comes from the very first Annual Dinner held in 1912.

It was January 15, 1912 that the Lansing Business Men’s Association officially changed its name to the Lansing Chamber of Commerce and held its annual meeting at the Masonic Temple. The evening consisted of music, speeches and an elegant dinner of chicken pie and tongue (that’s not a misprint!).

The auto executive to whom I referred earlier was the outgoing president of the organization, Ransom E. Olds, founder of Oldsmobile. Olds had become a business leader in Lansing as a result of the efforts of a few dozen local businessmen who formed the Lansing Businessmen’s Association for the express purpose of recruiting Olds back to Lansing from Detroit, where he had moved his auto company. The group purchased the vacant Michigan State Fairgrounds property and offered it to Olds free of charge if he would build a factory on the site, which Olds eventually did.

There are no recorded remarks of Olds’ speech that evening, but he undoubtedly reflected on the accomplishments of the association, which after successfully luring Olds back to town, immediately went to work helping factories that wanted to locate in the area. The mission of the chamber of commerce had been firmly established as the community leader in fostering economic growth and job creation.

The purpose of the Annual Dinner as it was established 100 years ago was to combine the necessity of conducting the important business of the chamber of commerce with an evening of socializing and networking. Through the years, the format of the evening has been modified (and the menu has been improved), but the mission of the Annual Dinner has remained consistent: to serve as the premier business networking event of the year, and to celebrate the contributions of individuals and organizations that help make our region great.

The recognition of community leaders has been an integral part of the chamber’s Annual Dinner since the beginning.  In 1913, REO Motor Car Company, W.K. Prudden and Company, Novo Engine Company and Auto Wheel Company were recognized for “substantially increasing their present facilities in the Lansing area.” Through the years, the Annual Dinner has become the venue for presentation of the business community’s most prestigious awards, including the Community Service and ATHENA awards.

We are excited to celebrate the 100th Annual Dinner of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, February 22 at the Lansing Center. A committee consisting of chamber staff and past board chairs has been working hard the past several months to make this particular evening a truly memorable one.  It will be an evening in which the history and many of the people who helped make things happen in this region over the past 100 years will be on full display.

The memories that will be shared on February 22 will be special. However, the Annual Dinner will remain true to its mission as we hear from our current business leaders and honor the recipients of the 2011 Community Service, Outstanding Small Business and Legacy awards.

For the past century, the Annual Dinner of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce has been much more than just a dinner. It is truly the premier event for and about business in our community. I hope you will join us for this special occasion.

		Tim Daman is president and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce.