The Fox Cities Chamber will host its first Celebrate Fox Cities Annual Dinner on Thursday, April 7 at the Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley in Downtown Appleton. 

This event will be an evening to remember, recognize and connect the Fox Cities business community and also feature a keynote address by Dan Nevins.  Nevins, the 2008 recipient of the Wounded Warrior Project's George C. Lang Award for Courage will share not only his personal story of losing two legs in combat in 2004, but words of encouragement and hope he has gleaned since through his veterans advocacy work and his study of mindfulness, meditation, and yoga.

Five of the Chamber's business awardees will also be recognized on stage during the event, including:

• Maria Van Laanen, ATHENA Leadership Award®, sponsored by Bergstrom Automotive
• Weidert Group, Small Business of the Year (service category)
• Sure-Dry, Large Business of the Year (service category)
• Menasha Corporation, Large Business of the Year (manufacturing category) 
• Tom Wiltzius, Fox Cities Business Hall of Fame

Black tie attire is admired, but not required for this event.