The 95th Annual Meeting of the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce will be held Feb. 28 at the Demopolis Civic Center.

This year’s keynote speaker will be a familiar face to regular attendees.

Mickey Dean, a Birmingham-based comedian, was the headliner of last year’s annual event but suffered a medical emergency shortly after his act began.

For those of you who were there, I’m sure you recall how that night unfolded.

The act seemed to start just fine, but over the next 30 minutes it became obvious that Mr. Dean was not on top of his game.

It was uncomfortable to watch – and to be honest – it was a little strange.

What many of us were watching was a serious medical condition unfold before our very eyes. Mr. Dean spent the next several days in the hospital as he worked to recover.

In the past 12 months, he’s gotten back to good health and returned to being a staple of both the Rick and Bubba Show, as well as a regular performer in Birmingham’s Comedy Club Stardome.

We’ve all probably reported to work feeling a little ill; when we would otherwise be best suited to stay home.

What Mickey Dean experienced was much the same expect he fell ill in front of a room full of people who had their eyes trained on him.

The pressure to perform and deliver was likely more than he could surpress but was certainly more than his health could bare that night.

We are fortunate that he’s agreed to pass through Demopolis again this year. I am excited to see his show and I hope you will join me in that anticipation.

What we can expect this year is likely what most of us expected last year.

I fully believe you will leave the 2011 Annual Chamber Meeting with memories of the entertainment that will make you forget all about 2010.

And if entertainment isn’t your thing, I’m sure you’ll find the silent auction offerings, the food and the opportunity to network with your friends and peers a valuable experience.

Tickets are $35 each and are available at the newspaper, from any chamber board member and from the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce by calling 289-0270.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Jason Cannon is the publisher of The Demopolis Times.