DK Dance Productions receives Business of the Year Award
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Jersey County Business Association Chair Jenny Coad-Wendle (left) presents Daci Ward, owner of DK Dance Productions, the Business of the Year Award at the JCBA’s Annual Dinner.
DK Dance Productions was presented with the Business of the Year Award at the Jersey County Business Association’s Annual Dinner on Feb. 9 at Westlake Country Club.
Owner Darci Ward received the award in front of a capacity crowd of approximately 200 people, including family and employees.
DK Dance Productions opened its first location in Florissant, Missouri back in 2006 with only about 110 students. After much growth they expanded to Alton, Illinois in 2017, and then in 2020 Ward returned to her hometown of Jerseyville by opening a third location in the downtown area.
JCBA Chair Jenny Coad-Wendle of Jerseyville Banking Center had the privilege of giving DK Dance Productions the Business of the Year Award.
“DK Dance Productions is definitely making their mark after opening here in Jerseyville, not only with their excellent staff and customer care but also their community outreach and involvement with our local youth outside of dance classes,” she said. “We are so happy to have Darci back and thriving in her hometown.”
Ward says she was honored to receive the award and she’s been very grateful for the warm reception given to her business by area residents.
“You never know coming back to your hometown just what is going to happen,” she said. “I am so very thankful that the Jersey County community has supported us so much, and it’s important for me to give back as much as I can. At DK Dance, we’re not just trying to make great dancers, we’re trying to make great kids.”
The JCBA Business of the Year is chosen through both public participation and a vote by the JCBA Board of Directors. Director Becky Wayne explained that nominations are taken from the public each December, and then these businesses are invited by the JCBA to return a formal submission which is then scored by the JCBA Board.
“JCBA Board members are asked to grade submissions using a pre-determined scoring system, which considers aspects of the business such as community involvement, years in business, and economic impact. It is a very thorough process, and we work hard to keep it fair to all nominees,” Wayne said.
The Jerseyville location of DK Dance Productions is located at 301 N State St in Jerseyville. Classes are offered for toddlers to adults, with annual end of year programs held to showcase each student’s talent. Information about their classes or curriculum can be found on their website www.dkdancepro.com or by calling 618-556-7005.
The Jersey County Business Association is the Chamber of Commerce for Jersey County and has operated since 1955. They are a coalition of approximately 250 area businesses, not-for-profit organizations and individuals who pool their talents and resources to improve the local economic environment. They recognize one business with their Business of the Year award each year.
As part of the JCBA Business of the Year award, a promotional video was also created for DK Dance and shown at the dinner. This video can be viewed at the JCBA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JerseyCountyBiz.
