Football legend to help chamber celebrate 100 years

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Legendary NFL Head Coach Dick Vermeil will help Northern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce celebrate its 100th anniversary next month. 

The Ephrata-based chamber said the celebration will be held May 18 at the Lancaster County Convention Center, 25 S. Queen St. 

“The grain of an idea that began 100 years ago, to support business & commerce in Ephrata, has taken root and grown, as it was tended by dedicated volunteers and business leaders focused on enriching the region,” said Executive Director Liz Ackerman. “As a chamber, we share this monumental anniversary with those who make it possible, our members. Their dedication to advancing business and desire to connect with each other have allowed the Chamber to thrive for 100 years and will carry us forward into the future.”  

Vermeil, who had one of the most distinguished coaching careers in National Football League history, will serve as keynote speaker. His career officially concluded when he announced his retirement from professional football in 2006. 

 Vermeil spent 15 seasons as an NFL head coach and was a member of the league’s coaching fraternity for 19 seasons. In addition, Vermeil has had a career as a football broadcaster, analyzing both NFL and college games. In 2006, he was portrayed on the big screen by Greg Kinnear in the film Invincible.  

Ticket sales begin April 17.  

“We are so proud to end our 100th Anniversary year at a celebration dinner with our members,” Ackerman said. “Celebrating and supporting our members is at the center of everything we do, it’s what guided our organization over the decades to expand programs, create new opportunities to connect, and ultimately, to foster a community of connections that extend well beyond Northern Lancaster County.”  

Mike Reynolds, chamber president and president/general manager, Lancaster Barnstormers, said, “We are excited to celebrate the Chambers 100 years with the members and Northern Lancaster Business community. We are an organization that exists for our members, but also because of our members, so to be able to celebrate this milestone with them is an honor. We look forward to honoring the past, the present, and what lies in the future for our organization, our community and our members. This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and we hope to provide our members with a memorable evening.”