NASHUA - Donna Watts can tell when the economy is down because it usually results in a spike in her industry.

She's a psychic, a medium and a tarot card reader, and when times are tough, people are more prone to seek her advice, the Derry resident says.

"Reading is more popular in this economy because people have more questions," said Watts, who was doing readings Friday night at the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce's 84th Annual Gala.

The chamber's gala was the largest in the history of the event, garnering $75,000 for the independent nonprofit. A massive panel depicting the businesses that sponsored the event filled the field at Holman Stadium, from first to second to third base, 12 feet high and 230 feet long.

Citizen of the Year for 2012 was awarded to Tom Tessier of Weisman, Tessier, Lambert and Halloran, a Nashua-based financial services firm. Tessier, a veteran among civic-minded citizens in the Gate City, recently organized the Veterans Count Spectacular, raising some $240,000 for the Veterans Count Club, an Easter Seals N.H. program that helps military families.

The ball field was teaming with businesspeople young and old, many of whom came in costume. Chamber member Grant Morris, 26, decided to leave his job as a photographer in May and dedicate himself to his company, New Sky Productions. He had been working a full-time job in addition to four hours a day for his company. And when things began to pick up, he made the leap.

"If I were to only look at the economy from my perspective, I would say that (things are good). But obviously that's not the case,"said Morris, who made a video about Tessier that played before he approached the stage.

Most of Morris' contracts are doing video work for nonprofits and private companies. He said companies that will brave the storm are the ones that maintain their commitment to marketing.

Tidewater Catering Group was set up at the gala offering an array of pastries, in addition to pumpkin soup and gnocchi. Though the company is based in Manchester, owner Keri Laman said membership in the Nashua chamber is helping the company branch into that city.

She said the key to surviving during tough times is found in community involvement, trustworthy services and going above and beyond a client's expectations.

"It's very easy in (tough) economic times to steer away from that," she said. "And you have to be steadfast - and it'll come back to you."

Democratic candidate for state Senate Peggy Gilmour was also making the rounds at Friday's gala, dressed as a tattooed hipster. She said her people in her district represent a wide swath of demographics and a diversity of economic challenges. Gilmour, who was elected in District 12 in 2008 but lost to Republican Jim Luther in 2010, said she would work to restore funding to New Hampshire universities, which was slashed by 50 percent by the current legislature.

"We are an aging state . and cutting the university system funding was certainly not in the best interest of our long-range planning of keeping young people in our state."