INDUSTRIAL APPRECIATION WEEK STARTS IN CAPE

This is Industrial Appreciation Week in Cape Girardeau.

Highlighting the week are the Industrial Appreciation Golf Tournament being held Monday at Cape Girardeau Country Club and the annual Industrial Dinner Wednesday at the Show Center.

The dinner will feature the presentation of the Commitment to Excellence award honoring the 1999 Industry of the Year. This marks the 11th year for the event.

Nick Arnette, a touring comedian and humorist, will be guest speaker at the Wednesday banquet. Arnette specializes in the importance of humor in the workplace and everyday life.

Following Arnette's address, the chamber will present its Commitment to Excellence award. A social hour starts at 6 p.m. with the dinner at 7.

Ticket deadline has passed, but some reservations are still available by contacting the chamber at 335-3312.

The banquet usually attracts from 800 to 900 people.

last year's Industry of the Year was Lone Star Industries, which became the first industry to become a two-time winner of the award.

The chamber looks at a number of areas in making the determination for the award, including success in its field and within the community.

The winners:

1989: Lone Star Industries.

1990: Procter & Gamble Paper Products Co.

1991: Biokyowa Inc.

1992: Concord Publishing House/Southeast Missourian.

1993: Dana Corp., Spicer Axle Division.

1994: Florsheim Shoe Co.

1995: Spartech Corp.

1996: Thorngate Ltd.

1997: M&W Packaging

1998: Lone Star Industries.

The award is one of two presented to industries each year by the chamber. The chamber presents its Small Business of the Year award earlier in the year.

The 1999 Small Business of the Year was presented in February. Bootheel Area Rapid Transportation was recipient of the award.

Previous small-business winners:

1992: Advance Business Systems.

1993: Bluff City Beer.

1994: KBSI-TV.

1995: Ford Groves Motor Co.

1996: Hutson's Furniture

1997: Horizon Screen Printing & Promotional Products.

1998: JCS/Tel-Link.

1999: Bootheel Area Rapid Transportation.