This year is flying by fast, and it’s crazy to think that just a few months ago we were celebrating Swedish Days, and now we’re working hard on Cocoa Crawl, Christmas Walk, and the Holiday House Tour. One of the most special traditions we share with all our amazing members is the Annual Dinner and Awards Night.

This year’s Annual Dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m., starting with cocktails and appetizers on Thursday, November 5, at Eagle Brook Country Club.

At our Annual Dinner, we are pleased to honor Chamber members and community members who continually go above and beyond. We will present the Member of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, Chamber Champion, and the prestigious Wood Award.

The Wood Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in business, education, youth involvement, civic organizations, art, recreation, charity, or government.  The award is named in honor of Bill and Elise Wood, and Nell and Burton Wood—four individuals who have all contributed to the growth and health of the City of Geneva.

Nominations for Member of the Year are open Geneva Chamber of Commerce - Member of the Year Nomination Form

The Member of the Year Award is presented to people who have enhanced the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and Geneva through their continuing contributions of time and resources.
Please RSVP to attend the Annual Dinner and Awards Night by October 26. Annual Awards Gala & Wood Award Presentation - Event Registration
 
Previous Wood Award Recipients
 

William C. Wood, 1985
Robert Joshel, 1986
Gloria McCleary, 1987
Allen Mead, 1988
Arthur Nelson, 1989
J. Roger Morris, 1990
Weldon Johnson, 1991
Jamie Daniel, 1992
Mack Olson, 1993
Rae Johns Ellsworth, 1994
Robert Krell, 1995
Richard Lindholm, 1996                                                
Dave Rogers, 1997
Bruce & Carolyn Simpson, 1998
James T. Riley, 1999
Alden L. Odt, 2000
Sharon L. Jones, 2001
Steve Lillie, 2002
John Anderson, 2003
Mary Bencini, 2004
Mary Kay Brown, 2005
Stephen Persinger, 2006
Dr. Rodney B. Nelson, III, 2007
Scott Lebin, 2008
Sam & Carolyn Hill, 2009
Kent Shodeen, 2010
Joe Stanton, 2011
Tim Vetang, 2012
Mary Stith, 2013
Jean Gaines, 2013
Mary O’Brien, 2014
Gordon Hard, 2015
Michael Simon, 2016
Dean Kilburg, 2017
Cheryl “Cookie” Olson, 2018
Terry Emma, 2019
Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital,
Geneva School District, Geneva Police   Department & Geneva Fire Department, 2020
Kay Yotz, 2021
Jay Womack, 2022
Kristie Dienst, 2023
Chuck and Heidi Howlett, 2024
Martha  Sanchez, 2025