In-N-Out Burger, the iconic fast-food chain, is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a bang! The California-based company threw a once-in-a-lifetime festival at the recently-renamed In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on October 23, 2023, to mark its milestone anniversary.
Continue reading In-N-Out Celebrates 75 Years of Fast Food with Fast Cars
2023 marks Google’s 25th anniversary. Just a short 25 years ago, Google’s founders rolled up their sleeves and birthed a search engine with the mission of making the vast World Wide Web a breeze to explore and navigate. What started as a humble garage project has evolved into a tech behemoth that has not only changed how we access information but has become synonymous with internet searches.
Continue reading Celebrating a Digital Legend: Google’s 25th Business Anniversary
WGVU Public Media, a non-profit, non-commercial public media station, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The organization offers television, radio, digital content, and educational services—without cost—to 28 counties in West Michigan.
Continue reading WGVU Celebrates its 50th Anniversary
Warner Bros., a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, is celebrating a noteworthy milestone as it reaches its 100th anniversary. The studio’s century-long journey has been marked by innovation, creativity, and a profound impact on popular culture. To commemorate this extraordinary achievement, Warner Bros. has embarked on a series of exciting initiatives and events that pay homage to its rich legacy while also looking ahead to the future.
Founded in 1923 by four pioneering brothers – Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack Warner – Warner Bros. Studios has since become an iconic name in the entertainment industry.
The early years were challenging as the Warner brothers navigated the transition from silent films to “talkies,” a monumental change that they successfully embraced with the release of “The Jazz Singer” in 1927, which featured synchronized sound. In the 1930s, the studio saw the rise of its star-studded roster, including legendary actors like Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, and James Cagney.
Continue reading Celebrating a Century of Magic: Warner Bros. Studios’ Remarkable Journey to 100 YearsWhat better way to celebrate the 120th anniversary of a highly revered motorcycle company than to throw a 4-day festival? Harley-Davidson was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1903. They’ve trademarked their H-D Homecoming celebration and invited some of the biggest names in music to headline.
For Harley-Davidson, an anniversary celebration of this caliber supports their brand and image, including their support for US soldiers, law enforcement, and firefighters. The four-day schedule starts with a veteran’s charity ride co-sponsored by SAP. All proceeds for the run go to the Fisher House Foundation, a non-profit charity helping military families with housing near VA hospitals while their loved one is receiving treatment.
On day 2 they are hosting another ride to raise money for WI-COPS, a charity providing assistance to families of law enforcement officers who lost their lives while on duty. The last day includes a ride to raise money for the Milwaukee Fire Bell Club and Milwaukee Junior Fire Institute charities.
The Harley-Davidson product showroom will display the 2023 anniversary models during the event. Participants can take a test ride on e-Bicycles and see demos of a slew of products that H-D manufactures.
Stunt shows, bike races, food trucks, and live music are lined up throughout the festival for everyone’s enjoyment. Band headliners include Green Day and the Foo Fighters. And of course, many vendors will sell the latest H-D merchandise and artwork.
Though Harley-Davidson is a huge brand and company, small businesses can also take some of their celebration ideas to create their own business anniversary plans. Finding a charity – or a few of them – that aligns with your organization’s values, and raising funds for their cause, is a beautiful way to celebrate your company. If you have a lifestyle brand or product, scheduling entertainment that aligns with your brand is another great idea for business anniversary fun.
Walt Disney World, long known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth”, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Recognized all over the world as a vacation destination, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida was opened in 1971 as a companion to Disney’s first theme park built 16 years earlier, Disneyland, in Anaheim, California. Today Walt Disney World contains four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom — two water parks, 27 resort hotels, golf courses, camping, and numerous other entertainment venues.
The excitement is palpable at Walt Disney World as they start their 18-month celebration of magic, Mickey, and memories on October 1, 2021. Across all 4 parks, golden statues of 50 Disney characters are scattered, waiting to be discovered by visitors. 50th-anniversary food and drink specials, such as meals inspired by the early days of Walt Disney World, are available throughout Disney restaurants. In addition, special 50th-anniversary merchandise can be purchased in all parks.
Nighttime anniversary attractions include new additions to Walt Disney World’s entertainment. At the Magic Kingdom, the new show “Disney Enchantment” begins, which brings projection effects to Main Street USA and creates an immersive experience. At EPCOT, Harmonious premiers as one of the largest shows that Disney has ever produced. The performance includes pyrotechnics, fountains, and lighting, and includes 240 artists from around the globe.
If you aren’t able to visit Walt Disney World during their celebration, Disney Institute learning offers an on-demand digital course titled “50 Years of Magical Learnings from Walt Disney World Resort”. The course includes access to individual lessons covering teamwork concepts from past and current Disney leaders, digital downloads, and access to future lessons as they are added.
Continue reading Walt Disney World Celebrates 50 Years
For 45 years, Pleune Service Company has been serving Michigan’s lower peninsula with fast and quality HVAC services and repair. Over time, the company has evolved into a full-service mechanical contractor, with services including new construction, renovation, expedited equipment replacement, project planning, fabrication, and more.
A few unique characteristics set Pleune apart from its competitors:
Started in 1974, Pleune quickly grew, with 37 employees by 1979. About 10 years later, in 1988, Pleune introduced an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Another 10 years later, Pleune developed their Fastrac department, with the ability to evaluate, quote, approve and install equipment in just 3 days. In 2002, Pleune founder and owner John Pleune moved all of his remaining stock to the company’s ESOP, making it 100% employee owned. The Grand Rapids based company continues to grow, with a second office in Lansing, MI and a 10,000 square foot fabrication facility. Pleune is actively involved in community outreach, having sponsored a number of local organizations including Camp O’Malley, Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids, MiCareerQuets, and many, many more.
For its 45th anniversary, Pleune Service Company threw a party for all of its owners and their families, featuring live music, delicious food, and fall harvest decorations. Congratulations, Pleune, on 45 years in business!
Made famous by their large selection of cakes and pies, Banning’s Restaurant in Tigard, just outside of Portland, OR, marks it’s 40th anniversary this year.
The restaurant was opened in 1979 by brothers Craig and Mark Banning. The restaurant met the demand of customers in the 1980’s by staying open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with Christmas Day being the only exception.
This year, the family restaurant celebrates its 40th year in business. 40th anniversary signs are displayed throughout the restaurant and on its website. In addition, the restaurant ran a special contest in celebration of the occasion. Facebook fans were asked to leave a comment with their favorite memory of Banning’s Restaurant.
The restaurant then awarded their favorite story with a $100 Banning’s gift certificate, and 3 names were randomly selected from all comments to each win a $40 gift certificate. The winning story involved one fan having a Monte Cristo sandwich from Banning’s just before heading to the hospital to give birth! Another fan shared how ordering a sandwich from Banning’s led to her meeting her now-husband.
With so many memories, we aren’t surprised this restaurant is in its 40th year of business. Congratulations, Bannings, and we look forward to seeing you celebrate for many years to come!
