Looking back, looking ahead
T
he Austin Area Chamber of Commerce is about recognize businesses for their 2015 accomplishments, but it’s also primed to look ahead. The annual chamber banquet will be Thursday at the Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center starting with a 5 p.m. social hour, a 6 p.m. dinner and a 6:45 p.m. program. The banquet’s theme is “The Future is So Bright,” and Executive Director Sandy Forstner said that’s evident with the many projects going on in Austin, from the Spam Museum to work at The Hormel Institute. The chamber is changing its awards a bit. It did away with new business of the year, and split business of the year into two awards: small business (up to 15 employees) and large business (15 and above). The chamber will again recognize project of the year, volunteer of the year, ambassador of the year, ambassador team of the year, and the Mower Refreshed businesses of the year.
kSmQ puBlic tElEviSion
Address: 2000 Eighth Ave. NW, Austin President & CEO: Eric Olson Established: 1971 Business type: Television station
uSEm chEvrolEt
Address: 703 17th Ave. NW, Austin Owner: Tom Sherman Established: 1923 Business type: Retail/Automotive
kEnny’S oak Grill
Address: 307 W. Oakland Ave., Austin Owner: Kenny Knutson Established: 1965 Business type: Diner/grill
tiEnda y taQuEria GuErrEro
Address: 301D Fourth Ave. NE, Austin Owners: Custodio & Georgina Serrano Established: 2004 Business type: Restaurant/groceries
pizza ranch
Address: 1300 18th Ave. NW Suite B, Austin General manager: John Tietje Established: 2012 Business type: Restaurant