The Midland Chamber of Commerce, Odessa Chamber of Commerce, and The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) joined forces to commemorate milestone anniversaries for their respective organizations. The celebratory event took place on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at UTPB's Center for Energy and Economic Diversification (CEED), drawing in hundreds of attendees. The anniversary trifecta included the Midland Chamber's 100th, Odessa Chamber's 90th, and UTPB's 50th anniversaries.
Dr. Sandra Woodley, UTPB President, welcomed the assembled guests and took on the role of the evening's emcee. "This was a wonderful event allowing Midlanders and Odessans to gather in fellowship, and it was another great occasion for our three organizations to partner together," said Dr. Woodley.
Odessa Chamber CEO, Renee Earls, and Midland Chamber CEO, Evan Thomas, were among the speakers addressing the gathering. Earls emphasized the importance of unity, saying, "We know the strength of our communities when we band together on the larger issues and projects, but there’s tremendous value in coming together to enjoy good food, music, and neighborly conversations."
Throughout the year, all three organizations plan to honor their histories and milestone achievements. Evan Thomas, Midland Chamber CEO, expressed the importance of balancing the celebration of the past with a forward-looking perspective: "We are all celebrating our anniversaries and proud histories. However, we’re just as focused on the future of Midland, Odessa, and the Permian Basin for the next 50, 90, and 100 years."
The Midland Chamber, Odessa Chamber, and UTPB, through this event, reinforced their dedication to working together for the betterment of their communities. To view additional photos from the event, visit Midland Chamber of Commerce Facebook.