Celebrating 80 Years of Vander Haag's, Inc.
If you hadn't heard already, Vander Haag's, Inc. has been in business for 80 YEARS! June 7-9, 2019, employees and their family members traveled from all 7 locations to celebrate our company wide 80th anniversary celebration! A lot of work and time was spent planning this action-packed weekend. To say we were excited to celebrate 80 years of blessings is an understatement. We are so thankful for our customers & our employees who go above and beyond more often than not.
531 people were transported in 4 chartered buses, while some took their personal vehicles. The event launched Friday evening at Yesterday's Memories Museum. Attendees signed in at the registration table, grabbed all of their passes for the weekend events ahead, and were greeted warmly by the Vander Haag family. John C. Vander Haag started the festivities off with the starting of the engine. The starting of the engine has become a cherished tradition in years past, when a new Vander Haag's location opens its' doors for business.
Next, visitors gathered in the event room that was carefully decorated to enjoy good food, conversation, and later tour the museum filled with 1000's of items from the years gone by. Friends dedicated their time to help prepare and refill the self-serve taco buffet, dessert table, and the mini bar. Tour guides assisted visitors throughout the museum providing guidance and knowledge. When the night concluded, buses shuttled everyone to Arrowwood Resort where 154 hotel rooms were booked a year and a half in advance. Visitors checked into their rooms and rested for a fun-filled Saturday!
Saturday morning started bright and early with breakfast at Vander Haag's Corporate Headquarters in Spencer, Iowa. Breakfast offered donuts, bagels, muffins, yogurt, coffee, and orange juice. Friends toured the warehouses, service bays, and yard. They were able to see first hand our processes and how much work truly goes into providing customers with fully inspected, quality recycled parts, services, and more. The Spencer visit concluded with a group picture in the front of the building. Next, we headed to Arnolds Park!
Next, we checked into Arnold's park, an amusement park on Lake Okoboji! Employees and friends enjoyed go-carts, roller coasters, putt-putt golf, faris wheel, fun house, log-ride, and more! We were blessed with clear skies and warm weather. The go-carts were a big hit! The kids left worn out from a fun-filled day at the park. Buses took everyone back to the hotel to prepare for the banquet dinner, which concluded the 80th anniversary celebration weekend.
An hour later, everyone was seated in the banquet hall at the hotel. Owner, John M. Vander Haag & wife Amy Vander Haag greeted everyone. John offered words of thanks and appreciation to all employess, friends, and family for the support, hardwork, and dedication from all for making Vander Haag's what it is today. Next, he introduced and thanked employees that had been with Vander Haag's for 5 to 35+ years.
After everyone enjoyed their fill of dinner and dessert, the night concluded with drinks and good conversation. Not many companies host special events like this anymore. Vander Haag's truly appreciates their employees and it shows tremendously in more ways than one.