BAY MINETTE, Alabama — The North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 70^th year in service at its annual banquet, set for Feb. 18 at the John F. Rhodes Civic Center in Bay Minette.

Executive Director Ashley Davis said the annual meeting is a time to reflect on the past year’s accomplishments, plan for the future and to recognize outstanding contributions to the community.

“We are excited about celebrating 70 years of service to the north Baldwin community,” Davis said. “The annual meeting gives our organization the opportunity to share our work from the previous year with our membership and to also thank our members for their continued support of the chamber mission.”

Outgoing President Shane Hadley will highlight some of the year’s accomplishments and the chamber will also recognize community and business leaders. The chamber will present the Harry B. Still Sr. Distinguished Service Award and two Business of the Year awards.

The event will feature a keynote address from Colby Cooper, chief of staff for Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson. Cooper is filling in for Stimpson who has been called out of town on city business.

While disappointed that Stimpson won’t be in attendance, Davis said he has always been a big supporter of regionalism. “We are looking forward to the program that will surround regional thinking and how we can play, and must play, our part in Coastal Alabama to move our region forward,” Davis said. “With Colby Cooper’s background and experience, we feel he will present a wonderful keynote address and we are looking forward to having him as our guest speaker.”

Prior to joining the City of Mobile, Cooper served as Director, Corporate Communications at PepsiCo. Inc. He has also previously served as President of the Coastal Alabama Leadership Council and worked with regional leaders to build the successor organization Coastal Alabama Partnership.

Cooper co-founded The Cooper-Lyon Group in 2010 and, among other clientele, managed two national best-selling book tours for former U.S. Secretary of State Condolezza Rice. He had previously served as Secretary Rice’s Senior Advisor.

Earlier in President George W. Bush’s administration he served as Director of Communications and Media Relations on the National Security Council at The White House.

Davis said other leaders in the region will also be in attendance including Sen. Richard Shelby, Congressman Bradley Byrne, members of the Baldwin County State Delegation as well city and county elected officials.

The annual meeting is the chamber’s largest networking event of the year and Davis said her favorite part is the presentation of the Distinguished Service and the Business of the Year awards.

“These recipients are always individuals and businesses that go above and beyond for our community as a whole,” Davis said. “We keep the winners under wraps until the event and do our best not to let them know they have won. This year’s nominees made for tough decisions for our committee but the winners are well-deserving and we can’t wait to announce them.”

There are still some tickets available for the annual meeting. For more information, or to make a reservation, call the Chamber office at 251-937-5665 or visit its website at northbaldwinchamber.com.