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Remember the song, Oh What A Night? Well, the Santa Cruz County Chamber’s 2023 Community Recognition Gala Dinner was special. Oh What A Night, in early April of 2023, What a Special time for me. As I remember, Oh What a Night, You know I remember all the winners’ names, but it will never be the same. What a night with gala honorees walking to the stage. Oh, what an amazing night, mesmerizing the audience with inspirational videos and humble acceptance speeches. Oh What a night. It was everything I dreamed the night would be. Oh what a night for the ages. See videos below for highlights of our nominees! 2022 Business of the Year: Joby Aviation The 2023 Annual Community Recognition Gala Dinner was a shining moment to remember. If you were in the room last Thursday, I hope you enjoyed our evening as much as I did! The networking, the good food, the raffle prize drawing and, most importantly, recognizing our 2022 honorees: Chris Murphy, Joby Aviation, Lookout Santa Cruz, the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District project and the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District and our Lifetime Achievement (Legacy Award) honoree, Chris Maffia, all contributed to an unforgettable night! 2022 Person of the Year: Chris Maffia Each year this event takes on a special meaning for the Chamber, our members and especially the honorees who reflect the very best of the best that Santa Cruz County has to offer. In one shining moment, the stars aligned, and Cocoanut Grove ballroom became center stage for Santa Cruz County. It was an uplifting experience of joy and cheer, a reflection of the past, and an indication of what is in store for Santa Cruz County’s future. 2022 Chamber Small Business Startup of the Year: Lookout Santa Cruz The Gala dinner has always been a festive affair! It is bursting with traditions that are still holding strong, many years since it was first introduced to the community. Much like today, past Galas honored selected community leaders who would come to the stage and make exceptional acceptance speeches. At times the commentary was spot on and brought tears to the eye, and belly laughs. At other times, the drone of comments would leave the audience with a faceless expression — boy that was a mouthful of words. 2022 Chamber Organization of the Year: Pajaro Valley Healthcare District & Project The Chamber executives decided to change the Gala narrative with a more punctual and timely program. We took on the challenge of using videos to illustrate the vision of the winner’s work through the year, (or in many instances over many years). We found this to be a better look and feel for the Gala attendees and the honorees. There is nothing more compelling than watching a video tell a story! Each video features a story that frames the work of an individual, the contributions of a business or organization, or the years of community service performed by a Lifetime Achievement (Legacy) honoree. 2022 Chamber Lifetime (Legacy) Award Honoree: Chris Maffia On behalf of the Santa Cruz County Chamber Board of Directors, thank you to all the attendees, our sponsors, the hospitality of the Boardwalk staff, and to the Gala honorees. Oh What A Night.
Remember the song, Oh What A Night? Well, the Santa Cruz County Chamber’s 2023 Community Recognition Gala Dinner was special.
Oh What A Night, in early April of 2023, What a Special time for me. As I remember, Oh What a Night, You know I remember all the winners’ names, but it will never be the same. What a night with gala honorees walking to the stage. Oh, what an amazing night, mesmerizing the audience with inspirational videos and humble acceptance speeches. Oh What a night. It was everything I dreamed the night would be. Oh what a night for the ages.
See videos below for highlights of our nominees!
2022 Business of the Year: Joby Aviation The 2023 Annual Community Recognition Gala Dinner was a shining moment to remember. If you were in the room last Thursday, I hope you enjoyed our evening as much as I did! The networking, the good food, the raffle prize drawing and, most importantly, recognizing our 2022 honorees: Chris Murphy, Joby Aviation, Lookout Santa Cruz, the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District project and the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District and our Lifetime Achievement (Legacy Award) honoree, Chris Maffia, all contributed to an unforgettable night!
2022 Person of the Year: Chris Maffia
Each year this event takes on a special meaning for the Chamber, our members and especially the honorees who reflect the very best of the best that Santa Cruz County has to offer. In one shining moment, the stars aligned, and Cocoanut Grove ballroom became center stage for Santa Cruz County. It was an uplifting experience of joy and cheer, a reflection of the past, and an indication of what is in store for Santa Cruz County’s future.
2022 Chamber Small Business Startup of the Year: Lookout Santa Cruz
The Gala dinner has always been a festive affair! It is bursting with traditions that are still holding strong, many years since it was first introduced to the community. Much like today, past Galas honored selected community leaders who would come to the stage and make exceptional acceptance speeches. At times the commentary was spot on and brought tears to the eye, and belly laughs. At other times, the drone of comments would leave the audience with a faceless expression — boy that was a mouthful of words.
2022 Chamber Organization of the Year: Pajaro Valley Healthcare District & Project
The Chamber executives decided to change the Gala narrative with a more punctual and timely program. We took on the challenge of using videos to illustrate the vision of the winner’s work through the year, (or in many instances over many years). We found this to be a better look and feel for the Gala attendees and the honorees. There is nothing more compelling than watching a video tell a story! Each video features a story that frames the work of an individual, the contributions of a business or organization, or the years of community service performed by a Lifetime Achievement (Legacy) honoree.
2022 Chamber Lifetime (Legacy) Award Honoree: Chris Maffia On behalf of the Santa Cruz County Chamber Board of Directors, thank you to all the attendees, our sponsors, the hospitality of the Boardwalk staff, and to the Gala honorees. Oh What A Night.