Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce to host Annual Gala at the 1863 Club

Dr. William (Bill) Long and Richard Ferguson announced as awardees

Chamber will thank 2022 Chair of the Board Tara Anne Pleat of Wilcenski & Pleat PLLC
 
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce will soon host its Annual Gala at the 1863 Club, where the Chamber community will celebrate the start of another thrilling summer in Saratoga as well as honorees Dr. William (Bill) Long and Richard Ferguson.
 
This newly reimagined event, formerly the Chamber's Annual Dinner, will take place on Thursday, May 11 at the 1863 Club at Saratoga Race Course. A VIP reception will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. followed by general admission beginning at 5:15 p.m.
 
All are invited to join the Chamber at its premier annual event featuring networking, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and more. 
 
The gala is also an opportunity to honor Dr. Long as this year’s Joseph Dalton Community Service Award recipient and Ferguson as the 2023 Impact Sector Volunteer of the Year. 
 
Dr. Long is one of the original founders of CAPTAIN Community Human Services and a significant force in the creation of what is now The Prevention Council of Saratoga County. Throughout his career as a psychologist, he has focused his professional work and volunteerism on creating services to energize and connect the community with the goal of improving the lives of children and families. 
 
“Dr. Bill Long epitomizes what the Joseph Dalton Community Service Award is all about,” Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce president Todd Shimkus said. “He’s humble, quiet, and yet a powerhouse facilitating discussions that lead to action. When I called him to share that he was selected, he had no idea that he was nominated and he asked me if there was someone else that we could select in his place. This was in spite of the fact that he has made significant contributions to our entire county and its residents for 50 years.” 
 
Ferguson, in addition to his professional role at Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Co. & Saratoga National Bank & Trust Co., has served with numerous local organizations over the past 30 years, exemplifying the spirit of the Impact Sector Volunteer of the Year award. He has worked in various roles with organizations such as Leadership Saratoga, SCORE, CAPTAIN Community Human Services, Homemade Theater, Wellspring, the Saratoga Regional YMCA, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, the Saratoga Springs Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee, the Epilepsy Foundation Northeastern New York and many more. 

“When I shared with Richard that he had been selected to receive the Impact Sector Volunteer of the Year award, he was wearing a Leadership Saratoga jacket. He too had no idea that he was nominated for this award and was humbled to have been selected,” Shimkus said. “His volunteerism has benefitted a wide range of impact sector organizations in 2022 and for years prior too, and I’m thrilled we get to recognize him for all of the time, talent, and treasure he has given to our community.” 
 
At the gala, the Chamber will also formally thank its Immediate Past Chair of the Board Tara Anne Pleat of Wilcenski & Pleat PLLC for her leadership in 2022. “During Tara’s time as chairperson, the Chamber was able to reestablish the Leadership Saratoga program, brought back Saratoga County Restaurant Week to its traditional in-person format, transitioned the award-winning Save Our Locals campaign into the popular Love Our Locals campaign, and launched the regional Upstate of Business news segment in partnership with WNYT,” Shimkus said. “All of these efforts have greatly enhanced the Chamber’s role as a visible and vocal promoter for our members and all of the communities within Saratoga County.” 
 
Registration for the Annual Gala at the 1863 Club is available online at saratoga.org, along with further information. 
 
The gala is sponsored by Ironglass Productions, Hoffman Car Wash, Adirondack Trust Company, CAPTAIN Community Human Services, MLB Construction Services, Rockefeller Capital Management, ADKtechs, AIM Services, Bond, Schoeneck & King, BPI Mechanical Service, Broadview Federal Credit Union, Capital Bank, Community Bank, D.A. Collins Companies, GlobalFoundries, JPMorgan Chase, National Grid, Phinney Design Group, River Pools, Saratoga Eagle, Saratoga National Bank & Trust Company, Saratoga Springs City Center, Ballston Spa National Bank, BBL Construction, Bonacio Construction, CEFO Advisors, Crown Castle, Curtis Lumber, Lemery Greisler LLC, Mazzone Hospitality, Performance Industrial, Pioneer, Polyset, Pursuit, Saratoga County Capital Resource Corporation, Saratoga Springs FiberCity, Stewart’s Shops, The Adelphi Hotel, Turf Hotels, UHY Certified Public Accountants, West Point Thoroughbreds and Wilcenski Pleat Law. 
 
Anyone interested in sponsorship packages can email Andrea Cole at acole@saratoga.org.



About the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce: Since 1918, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce has been opening doors and closing deals for businesses throughout the Saratoga County community. Guided by a strong and sustainable vision, the Chamber leads the way in maintaining and strengthening a healthy business climate, initiating constructive community action, and creating a community where all can thrive.