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Flames danced up the wall at one end of the room while snow flakes of light glittered on the wall at the other end of the room.
These lighting effects illustrated the theme of fire and ice for the 2007 Frisco Chamber of Commerce banquet held at the Embassy Suites in Frisco last Saturday.
The Frisco Chamber of Commerce and its board of directors hosted the 23rd annual banquet. More than 650 Chamber members and guests attended, making this the largest chamber banquet in Frisco's history.
The new Chamber president and CEO John Land spoke, saying he sees the chamber making many improvements and striving to meet the growth in Frisco.
Longtime Frisco resident Buddy Minett was surprised to be named the 2006 Citizen of the Year.
"I'm not sure I belong in that group, but it's nice to know they think I should be in that group," he said.
Past recipients of the Citizen of the Year award get to help pick the next Citizen of the Year. Minett said he was looking forward to getting to help pick that person.
Minett has served on the Frisco city council and is currently Frisco school board president.
Frisco ISD Director of Fine Arts Daryl Trent received the Golden Eagle award and former Frisco mayor Bob Warren was given the Spirit of Frisco award.
Citizen of the Year Buddy Minett's mother- and father-in-law, Joann and T.H. "Sonny" McSpeddin were named the Silver Citizens of the Year. One of the memorable parts of the evening was when, after receiving the award, Joann McSpeddin said, "We love Frisco," and everyone in the room agreed with her.
The team leader for the Instigators, Tina Baalman, accepted the Ambassador Team of the Year award. Debbie Clark took home the Ambassador of the Year award.
Stacy Wetzel, owner of Quick-Cater LLC received the Small Business of the Year award and Angela Garritt accepted the Large Business of the Year award on behalf of GattiTown.
"The event was a huge success and we would like to thank all of our sponsors and guests that made the event possible. The night showcased the fire and spirit of our community which is what makes Frisco a great place to live and work," said Christi Wilson, director of events for the Frisco Chamber of Commerce.
A number of sponsors made the event possible. Dallas Baptist University - North and Nexplore Technologies Inc. were the platinum level sponsors. At the silver level were Frisco Economic Development Corp., T-Mobile USA Inc. and the Frisco Thunder.
Qwik Wash America was the martini sponsor, serving them over a bar made entirely of ice.
Bronze level sponsors included American Bank of Texas, AT&T, Autosplash Car Wash and Oil Change, Capital One, CoServ Electric, David McDavid Honda of Frisco, Drug Crafters, Grandore Development, IKEA, Legacy Texas Bank, Prosper Bank, Raymond James & Associates, the McGill Group Insurance & Financial Planning and the Westin Stonebriar Resort.
NBC 5's Randy McIlwain acted as master of ceremonies and Heather Hodges, Miss Frisco helped present the awards. She also modeled the $5,000 diamond and sapphire bracelet that was a main item in the auction.
Guests also bid on items in a silent auction. Another fun part of the evening was the diode-lighted ice cubes in the water glasses.
"The gala committee approached this banquet the same way the chamber board and staff approaches providing service to the business community; with high energy, the fun factor and by bringing the business community together in a fun-filled evening," said Frisco Mayor Pro Tem Maher Maso.
