PARIS — Congressman Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine, will keynote the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet on March 7, replacing U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, who unexpectedly canceled.

The chamber announced the switch in an email to members. Executive Director John Williams said he was shocked and left scrambling when he heard the news. 

“We’re disappointed he’s not coming. (But) Bruce Poliquin is a great speaker and I’m very pleased he was able to change his schedule so he could come and speak at this dinner,” Williams said.

King, who was announced as the keynote speaker in January, had a scheduling conflict and was forced to make the last-minute change, spokesman Scott Ogden said. 

“We’ve had no one call who had an issue with it,” Williams said. “We’ve had people call and ask us what’s up, but no one has said it’s terrible and tried to cancel their reservations.”

The awards ceremony highlights the contributions businesses have made to the Oxford Hills economy over the past year, with awards for the top business, the rising star, community service, and employee of the year. 

Doors open at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Four Seasons Function Center, 187 Main St. in Paris. The event is sold out. 

The keynote address is traditionally a prominent businessperson or political leader. Past speakers have included Gov. Paul LePage, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine. 

Poliquin, who represents Maine’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, is expected to discuss issues in Washington, D.C., in the Oxford Hills and in the business community.

The chamber does not pay speakers, Williams said. 

“He’s a good speaker and well spoken. Whatever he does speak about, he’s pro business … and this is a pro-business crowd. I think this will be a pro-Poliquin crowd.” 

But, he said the speaker shouldn’t overshadow the focus of the business awards. 

“This could have gone two ways. You either get people calling up saying their going to cancel their reservation (or) — and here’s the important thing — the primary focus of this dinner is the awards.” 

Ogden said in an email that King “deeply regrets” that he won’t be at the event. He said King was grateful that Poliquin was willing to speak.

King wants to speak to the group in the future and to “recognize the outstanding work that businesses in Oxford County are doing every day to create jobs and support Maine’s economy,” Ogden said.

ccrosby@sunmediagroup.net 

Copy the Story Link