11-04-2025
Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce celebrates 108th annual banquet
JOPLIN, Mo. — Around 500 people are 'stayin' alive' at the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet.
Thursday night (4/10) was the 108th edition.
It took place inside the Leggett and Platt Athletic Center at Missouri Southern.
The theme this year: Disco!
Each year, it's the largest gathering of community and business leaders in the Joplin area.
Awards were given to chamber members, and covered a number of different categories.
This event celebrates not only its members, but their achievements over the past year.
'It's an opportunity for us to recognize those businesses that are going above and beyond and giving back to the community, adding character and quality of place to this community. We just want to recognize and celebrate that,' said Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Travis Stephens.
The Business of the Year Awards program recognizes the importance of small businesses and nonprofit organizations and the impact they have on our local economy, job growth, and the creation of new products and services.
One – 50 Employee(s) CategoryBinky Guy Textiles
51+ Employees CategoryAmerican Ramp Company
Non-Profit CategoryBoys & Girls Club of Southwest Missouri
Each year, one outstanding citizen is selected based on their commitment to the community.
Curt Carr, Joplin Greenhouse & The Coffee Shop
The Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes a Joplin Chamber member under 40 who displays a commitment to the Chamber's YPN Program and who is a leader in their organization and the community.
Danae Taylor, Freeman Health System
The Rising Star Award is awarded to a young and growing small business that is less than three years old and is introducing a new product, service, or model of doing business to the marketplace and is well on their way to achieving success in their industry.
Josh Howard, Happy Trees Table Co.
New this year, the Ambassador of the Year Award recognizes a member of the Chamber's Ambassador program who has gone above and beyond the call of duty.
Richard Huskey, Southwest Missouri Bank
The Spirit Award recognizes a Chamber member who exemplifies selfless dedication and enduring support to the mission of the Chamber. Recipients of this award go out of their way to encourage and inspire their peers to follow their example and demonstrate a personal commitment to the success of Chamber programming.
Travis Keller, Lamar Outdoor Advertising
KOAM-TV — 50 Years of Membership
The Leads Group program acts as an entire sales team for member businesses. The groups track their shared and closed business. Awards are given to the top performers of each group as well as the overall, top-performing Leads Group.
Leads Group One Top Performer: Gina Langston, Joplin SchoolsLeads Group Two Top Performer: Austin Rose, Bedrock Bookkeeping, Group Three Top Performer: Lisa Crouch, State Farm Insurance – Grant Deardorff AgencyLeads Group Four Top Performer: Theresa Burwick, Behavioral Health GroupTop Performing Leads Group: Leads Group One, Chaired by Shawn Patterson of Bug Zero Pest
Services and co-chaired by Phillip Leesman of Farmers Insurance – Leesman Agency
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