HOLLAND — The Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce is planning its first-ever Annual Awards Celebration in September.

The celebration will run 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, at Holland Civic Center. The organization will recognize community contributions and celebrate the career of former President and CEO Jane Clark.

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“We are so excited to host our first ever Annual Awards Celebration,” said current President and CEO Jodi Owczarski. “Our business community is truly remarkable and there are so many organizations worthy of recognition. It was a competitive award nomination and selection process, and we are eager to celebrate the winners alongside our members.”

Awards will be presented in four categories: Inspire, Innovation, Impact and Excellence. Winners will be announced live. Tickets are $100 for members and $125 for non-members. Register at https://bit.ly/3eHdYqN.

Owczarski, formerly the organization's vice president and chief operating officer, assumed her role Thursday, Sept. 1, when Clark stepped down after three decades with the chamber.

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"Jane has been incredibly gracious and generous with access for me," she told The Sentinel in May. "From the very beginning, even though it wasn't in preparation for a transition, she was just gracious and letting me grow as a leader and she's invited me to the table."

Clark was instrumental in leading the merger of the former Holland and Zeeland Chambers of Commerce, forming the Michigan West Coast Chamber, as well as the robust renovation of the organization's Eighth Street offices in downtown Holland.

— Contact reporter Cassandra Lybrink at cassandra.lybrink@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Instagram @BizHolland.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: West Coast Chamber to host inaugural Annual Awards Celebration