Gov. Kay Ivey will be coming to Pike County this May to deliver the keynote speech at the Pike County Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards banquet.

“We are honored and privileged this year to have Gov. Ivey as our guest speaker,” said Kathleen Sauer, Chamber president.

Ivey was sworn in on April 10, 2017 after Robert Bentley resigned amid a scandal over his alleged affair with former top staffer Rebekah Mason. She is now running for reelection this year along with Tommy Battle, Bill Hightower, Scott Dawson and Michael McCallister in the Republican race.

Ivey has served in state office since 2002, when she was elected as treasurer. She served in the role until 2014, when she was elected lieutenant governor.

Tickets are now available for the event. “Guests hoping to attend should get their tickets early as we are anticipating a larger crowd than usual due to our guest speaker,” Sauer said. Tickets are $40 with a discount for Chamber members that register before April 9. Tickets will be available until seats or sold out or April 25.

There are also sponsorships available, but Sauer said they are going fast with much interest from sponsors this year.

Silver sponsorships are $250 and those sponsors will get recognition on the event website and the event program.

For $400, gold sponsors will get two tickets with reserved seating, their business logo featured during the event and on the event website and recognition in the program.

For $700, platinum sponsors can get four reserved seating tickets, verbal recognition during the event, a logo at the event and on the website and prominent recognition in the program.

“Table Hosts” that pay $1,000 will get logo recognition on a reserved table of eight and eight event tickets, recognition during the event, a logo during the event and on the website and prominent recognition in the event program.

Voting is also now open for the Chamber’s excellence awards, where people can vote for their favorite Chamber businesses in categories including “business of the year” and for excellence in categories such as medical, hospitality, health and human services, manufacturing and more.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to the annual banquet committee for all the work they are doing to prepare for the banquet,” Sauer said. “It’s really an engaged and hard-working committee.”

To vote on businesses, visit the Chamber’s Facebook page or www.pikecoc.com/awards. To become a sponsor or to find more information about the banquet, email info@pikecoc.com, call 334-566-2294 or visit www.piekcoc.com/annual-banquet.