DAYTON–Exemplary contributors to the community will be honored at the annual Dayton Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, set for November 7 at the Fairgrounds Pavilion. The theme for the 73rd annual banquet is “Dayton Development Task Force” and the gathering begins a 6 p.m.

The meeting also serves as the organization’s annual membership meeting and is when the Chamber awards are to be presented, including Business of the Year, Employee of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Youth of the Year.

Nominations for Community Choice Awards opened in early October and include awards for Citizen of the Year, Youth Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year and Employee of the Year.

Nomination forms were accepted until October 25.

The social hour begins at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Special presentations and awards will commence at 7 p.m.

Decorated tables are sponsored by local businesses, nonprofits or individuals.

In 2018, the late Craig George, then mayor of Dayton, was honored as 2018 Citizen of the Year; Candy Jones of The Village Shoppes was recognized as Business of the Year; Employee of the Year was Jeannie Lyonnais, Elementary School Secretary; and Kaleigh White was honored as Youth Citizen of the Year.