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Chamber Alliance announces major changes to format of The Dinner

By Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

Aug 03, 2020

Reading, PA – The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) is excited to announce that The Dinner will be held virtually 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17. The event, which celebrates the Greater Reading business community with the Greater Reading Top Business Awards and the Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards, was originally slated for June 2 at Santander Arena, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using the latest technology, GRCA will take guests inside a virtual Santander Arena. This web portal will allow guests to “move” from table to table and connect with nearly 800 community and business leaders.
Guests will still hear from best-selling author, combat veteran and social entrepreneur Wes Moore as he discusses his quest for a meaningful life, sharing valuable lessons learned from the remarkable people that he met along the way. Moore will follow up his keynote with a live Q & A session.

To create a more dinner-like experience, sponsors and ticket holders will receive a swag bag valued at $50 that will include a split of wine from Folino Estate and Vineyards, a $25 gift card to one of the GRCA member restaurants listed below, an event program and GRCA-branded items.

• Brewer’s Bar & Grill

• Canal Street Pub and Restaurant

• Circle S Ranch House

• Cloud Nine Café

• Delivery Dudes

• Franklyn’s Breakfast, Burgers & Shakes

• Go Fish! Seafood

• Isaac’s Famous Grilled Sandwiches

• Café Esperanza

• Cloud Nine Café

• Dans at Green Hills

• Peanut Bar Restaurant

• Queen City Family Restaurant

• Salute Ristorante Italiano

• Say Cheese! Restaurant & Cheese

• Third & Spruce Cafe, Inc.

• Wyomissing Restaurant & Bakery

• Mi Casa Su Casa Cafe & Restaurant

• Russo Food & Market

VIP guests will have the opportunity to spend a half hour with Moore prior to his keynote. Their swag bags will also contain a signed copy of Moore’s latest book, “Five Days: The Fiery Reckoning of an American City,” which was released April 14.

Prior to The Dinner, GRCA will be hosting the Top 3 in each business category at its headquarters to physically present them with their award. This pre-recorded award ceremony as well as videos featuring the winners will be integrated into the overall guest experience.

The Dinner will not include the annual Albert Boscov Economic Development Award as many of the projects considered have been halted and unfinished due to the pandemic.

The new ticket price is $75. All community members are welcome to purchase tickets for this event.

Wells Fargo and Brentwood Industries are major sponsors of the event. Sponsorships are available by contacting Rachael Romig, Executive Director of Events and Special Programs, at [email protected] or 610-8987775. For more information about The Dinner and to purchase tickets, visit greaterreading.org or contact the GRCA office at 610-376-6766.

ABOUT THE GREATER READING CHAMBER ALLIANCE: Our mission is to be Berks County’s leading unified resource for building a healthy, competitive business community. Our vision is to assist companies to retain, expand and grow their operations and employment and attract new business to Berks County.

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