GRANTS, N.M. — A deck of poker chips, a dance floor, and a room full of energized business leaders. That was the atmosphere Saturday night at Pearls & Poker, the 2025 Chamber Banquet hosted by the Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce at The Elks.
The August 23 event drew a packed house and marked one of the Chamber’s most ambitious evenings yet — a celebration of community, creativity, and commitment to strengthening the local business environment across Cibola County.
From the start, the tone was set with festive casino décor and a high-energy performance by a DJ and later the Black Pearl Band transformed the venue into a lively, Las Vegas-style setting. Between card tables and dancing, attendees mixed, mingled, and shared in a night that successfully blended fun with purpose.
Guests enjoyed a full evening of programming, beginning with cocktails and casino fun, followed by dinner and an impressive fashion show that spotlighted local boutiques and beauty businesses. Featured participants included Jenny’s on Route 66, Bella’s Boutique off Santa Fe Avenue and Second Street, and nail and hair stylists from JHM Action Plaza on Lobo Canyon Road. The show created a spotlight not just for style, but for small business entrepreneurs bringing energy and creativity to Cibola’s retail and beauty scene.
The awards portion of the evening honored outstanding businesses through the Chamber’s first-ever Aces Awards — a new tradition designed to recognize visionaries, innovators, and community champions. With over 440 public nominations submitted, the winners reflected the diverse strengths of Cibola’s business landscape:
• Ace of the Community: Marverly Home Healthcare
• High Stakes Award: The Elks
• Wild Card Award: Junkyard on 66 Brewery
• Grand Royale Legacy Award: Central Auto Towing
• Ace in the Making: Hit List Archery
• Community Choice Award: Simply Jett The event was more than just a celebration. It represented a strategic milestone for the Chamber — one focused on strengthening ties between private business, local government, and regional partners. Among those in attendance was Pete Campos, Executive Director of the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce, who served as the evening’s opening emcee and helped frame the banquet as a step forward for cross-county collaboration. The event was key for networking and allowing business leaders to connect directly to their local leaders and each other in the spirit of competition and success.
Grants Cibola County Chamber of Commerce President Melinda Salazar thanked the community who came out for fun and to recognize local businesses.
Prizes helped add to the excitement, with giveaways including a hand-carved wooden giraffe, a full advertising package from the Cibola Citizen, a television donated by Mt. Taylor Medical Supply, and a crowd-favorite: a She-Shed prize package donated by RE/MAX Elegance. Ed Corley Ford also contributed a major silent auction highlight — a guitar signed by country music star Luke Bryan.
With dancing, gaming, laughter, and recognition echoing through the evening, Pearls & Poker stood as a major success not only for the Chamber, but for Cibola County’s business community as a whole.
“This is the beginning of a seriously effort to promote business and improve the economic environment of Cibola County,” Salazar said. “We know the work ahead of us — but this event proves the community is ready, and the Chamber is moving forward.”
To learn more or to get involved in future events, contact the Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce at 505-240-1388.