T

he 50th Anniversary Gala & 

Awards Ceremony Presented 

by Fort Walton Beach Medical 

Center and Twin Cities Hospital 

took place at the stunning Henderson Beach 

Resort, on December 15. 

The evening kicked off on the 

rooftop Sunset Vista Deck, with a VIP 

reception that included former Chamber 

Chairpersons as well as city and local 

government representatives. With a 

panoramic view of Henderson Park, 

Destin and the fabulous beaches, it was a 

wonderful way to start off the festivities. 

The evening of events began with 

a successful ‘Grand Reveal’ of the 

extravagant new Crystal Ballroom. The 

evening included an awards ceremony 

honoring several individuals who offer their 

time, energy and support to the community. 

The individuals honored this year were:

James D. Neilson, Sr., Chairman’s 

Award for Volunteer Service: Amy 

Perry, Pleat & Perry, P.A.

Business Person of the Year: Kim 

Wintner, Alliance Association 

Management Co. Inc.

Ann Gibson Community Service 

Award: Jason Belcher, FNBT Bank 

Paul Woolman Ambassador of the 

Year Award: Bill Head, Ret. Col. 

USAF

Afterwards, fourteen of the Chamber’s 

past Presidents and Chairmen toasted to 50 

years of the Destin Chamber’s service to the 

Destin businesses and community.

Destin Chamber President & CEO Shane 

Moody said, “To be part of celebrating 

50 years is a great honor. A lot of credit 

has to be given to past leaders and past 

staffs at the chamber. Without them none 

of this would be possible. But it’s really a 

celebration of the great business leaders and 

members who have kept this community 

going for 50 years. I think they understand 

the importance of their successes and that’s 

why we had a great turnout and such a great 

celebration.”

Event Sponsors for the Gala were:

Title Sponsor: Fort Walton Beach 

Medical Center and Twin Cities 

Hospital

VIP Reception Sponsor: Trustmark 

National Bank 

Gala Sponsors: Dale E. Peterson 

Vacations & Newman-Dailey Resort 

Properties, Inc.

Entertainment Sponsor: Destin 

Commons

Champagne Toast Sponsor: ZT Motors 

of Fort Walton Beach

Platinum Sponsor: Cox 

Communications

Gold Sponsors: Southern Light & 

Today’s Fashion Boutique

Valet Sponsor: CartoBlue

Cocktail Napkin Sponsor: Insight 

Investments

Sponsors: Destin Beach Photography 

Company, Perfect Imprints &           

Smile Y’all Photo Booth 

photos by

 Dena Critch & Destin Beach Photography Company

 story by

 Dena Critch

   VIP Destin at The Henderson Beach Resort

Tony Ramswell, Councilwoman Prebble Ramswell, Roxanne & Mayor Scott Fisher, 

City Manager Carisse LeJeune & John Bebensee

Delores & Lockwood Wernet

18     |    VIPDestinMagazine.com

50th Anniversary Gala & Awards Ceremony

Presented by 

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center

and Twin Cities Hospital

18-21 Event 50th Anniversary Gala & Awards Ceremony .indd   1

1/24/17   6:50 PM