OCBC FIRST RESPONDERS DINNER

Orange County Business Council’s First Responders Dinner recognizes the courageous first responders who protect and serve the businesses, residents and visitors of Orange County. It’s through their commitment that our county is able to preserve its standard of living and vibrant economy.

Thursday, September 12, 2024
5 – 8 pm

The Westin Anaheim Resort
1030 W. Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92802

OCBC 2024 First Responders Dinner

First Responder Nominations are closed. Thank you to everyone who has submitted nominations.

Event registration is open! Join community leaders as we recognize and thank the courageous first responders and frontline professionals who protect and serve the businesses, residents and visitors of Orange County. Guests will hear powerful stories throughout the evening demonstrating what our first responders put on the line to keep our community healthy and safe. It’s through their commitment that our county is able to preserve its standard of living and vibrant economy. Stay tuned for additional speaker announcements.

Event Location:

The Westin Anaheim Resort
1030 W. Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92802

Event Agenda:

5 pm: Registration & Reception
6 pm: Dinner & Program
8 pm: Adjourn

OCBC Member Ticket: $200 | Non-Member Ticket: $250

For event and sponsorship questions​

Please contact Lauren Martin,
Director of Events, Orange County Business Council
[email protected]

Event Gallery

Honoree Awards Emcee

Vikki Vargas

Vikki Vargas

NBCLA, Orange County Bureau Chief
Retired

Vikki Vargas was the face of Orange County for NBCLA for nearly four decades. She retired in 2023.

A graduate of Cal State Fullerton, she majored in Radio-TV-Film.

Over her 41 years as a TV news reporter she has received five Golden Mikes and four Emmy’s for her work on breaking news and feature stories. In March of 2023 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Radio Television News Association. Many of those awards were stories about heroes like the ones being honored tonight.

Vargas credits her longevity for being both competitive and compassionate.

Many of those she connected with during their toughest days, are still in her rolodex under the category now of “friend”. They include the father who lost his daughter on 9-11, and the husband who lost his wife in the Seal Beach salon massacre, and another husband who lost his wife in the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash.

She is keeping a home in Dana Point but currently resides in the Greater Palm Springs area.

Speaker

Brian Fennessy

Fire Chief
Orange County Fire Authority

Honoring 2023 OCBC Board Chair

Don Barnes

Sheriff
Orange County Sheriff’s Department

Honoring 2023 OCBC Board Chair

Barry Arbuckle, Ph.D.

President and Chief Executive Officer
MemorialCare

Honoring 2023 OCBC Board Chair

Steve Churm

Principal, Churm|360

Installing 2024 OCBC Board Chair

Thank you sponsors!

Title Sponsor

UCI Health logo

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Media Sponsor

The Orange County Register logo

Bronze Sponsors

Cox Communications

SoCalGas

For event and
sponsorship
questions

Lauren Martin, Director of Events
Orange County Business Council
[email protected]

Upcoming Events

Orange County Business Council events and committee meetings provide a forum for business, academic and public sector leaders to address issues critical to the economic wellbeing of the nation’s sixth largest county. Whether it’s an advocacy trip to Sacramento, OCBC’s signature Annual Dinner and Installation of the Board of Directors with 700 attendees, or a Committee meeting where OCBC brings together lawmakers and OCBC investors for thoughtful engagement, OCBC offers innovative and informative events.

OCBC 2024 First Responders Dinner​

September 12, 2024, 5–8 p.m.

The Westin Anaheim Resort, 1030 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92802

Orange County Business Council’s First Responders Dinner recognizes the courageous first responders who protect and serve the businesses, residents and visitors of Orange County. It’s through their commitment that our county is able to preserve its standard of living and vibrant economy. Honorees from fire, law enforcement and health care are recognized for their heroic efforts. A panel discussion between law enforcement and health care leaders addressing critical issues impacting our communities, and how the business community can come alongside to support their initiatives, concludes the evening.

Event Agenda

Coming Soon.

Event Location

The Westin Anaheim Resort
1030 W. Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92802

OCBC Member Ticket: $200 | Non-Member Ticket: $275​