Coming together to recognize local businesses within the community, the Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual banquet last Thursday evening at the West Side Event Center. This years theme was Let’s Grow Together.
Sarah McCaffrey, Executive Director of the Alliance Chamber of Commerce, explained the banquet is a way to celebrate another year of successes in Alliance.
“It’s kind of a member celebration, a community celebration. We recognize businesses and members of our community that kind of give back and make our community great as a whole, they also hope to encourage networking and discussion amongst people in the same position as each other. We do it every year, but this is my first year as the Director,” said McCaffrey.
New to the position, this is McCaffrey’s first Chamber banquet as Executive Director. She started in the role at the end of November, 2025. She was inspired to pursue the role of Chamber Director because of her passion for the community.
“I was on the Chamber Board before. I’m super passionate about just Alliance as a whole,” McCaffrey said. “I’ve always worked in locally owned businesses, downtown businesses. People that your boss is also your friend and your other community member, and stuff like that. Being able to support all those businesses, A. it’s something that I grew up with, but B. some of them that are now starting to try and do the things that the businesses I grew up with have a lot of those guys who’ve retired, like the guy from Thiele’s and Redman’s and stuff like that. So kind of the people who are trying to fill those roles, like I want to support them.”
McCaffrey wants to help businesses to grow, which is why she advises business owners to reach out and stay connected with other community members. She explained that her biggest goal as Chamber Director is to provide a place of positivity, where people can share their ideas and concerns.
“I think my biggest goal as Director of the Chamber is to be a place where people can come to and communicate about things and address concerns, because I think Alliance has a, I don’t want to say a reputation for negativity, but I think you hear a lot about the negativity and I want to be a positive place where we can talk about and be like, ‘Hey, BBDC did this super awesome thing and I think everyone should be involved in it,’ or ‘Hey, ARC is doing XY and Z and I think everybody should know about it.’ So, I want to be a place where all of that can come together and be broadcasted in a positive atmosphere.”
During the banquet, the Chamber presented awards to businesses and community members for their dedication to the community. The following are the award recipients:
Outstanding Business was Denver Air Connection
Small Business was Carter’s Home Hardware and Appliance
Community Compassion was Highland Park Care Center
Community Investment was Alliance Recreation Center
Friend of Alliance was Lonnie Grant PA
Ambassador of the year was Dalton Krug
Mark Buskirk was the winner for the Ag Committee’s Farmer Rancher of the Year.
