POINT PLEASANT — Plans are under way for the 63rd Annual Mason County Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner.

The dinner will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 15 at the Point Pleasant Junior Senior High School commons area and Paul and Lillian Wedge Auditorium. There will be a reception at 6 p.m. in the commons area prior to the dinner.

The keynote speaker will be Gov. Joe Manchin. According to Marsha Smith, chamber executive director, this will mark Manchin’s second time as the dinner’s keynote speaker. Manchin was chosen as the guest speaker because the chamber board wanted to promote tourism in West Virginia, which Manchin supports, Smith said.

The theme of this year’s dinner is “Building for Your Future,” and West Virginia colors of blue and gold will be used for decorations in honor of Manchin serving as the keynote speaker. According to Smith, the theme was chosen by a chamber board member.

“We thought the theme would be a good idea because it ties together with education and our new schools, the new (U.S. 35) and tourism in Mason County,” Smith said. “Everything tied together hopefully will bring more business and people to Mason County.”

Chamber President Terri Thomas agreed that this year’s theme fit well with what is happening in the area as well as coincided with the chamber’s mission, which is working together for a brighter future.

“We have a lot to offer in Mason County and are continuing to improve,” Smith said.

First Impression Awards will be presented during the dinner. Awards include most attractive new sign, best landscaping, best community project, outstanding downtown revitalization, best new residential development, best new community development, best development, special consideration best public/private joint project and community service award. The Past Presidents Award also will be presented.

The reception will be hosted by Farmers Bank and catered by K&L Catering. Wellingtons of Poca will cater the dinner, and the menu includes pork tenderloin, chicken cordon bleu, rolls, vegetables, homemade stuffing and various desserts.

Tickets must be purchased in advance, as they will not be sold at the door. Reservations should be made no later than April 2. For more information, call Smith at 304-675-1050 or e-mail mccofc@pointpleasantwv.org.