Submitted by Shelli Jones for Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce
Every year the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce holds an annual banquet to honor businesses and members of the business community for their achievements.
This year, the Annual Awards Banquet will be held on Thursday, December 1 from 5:30-9:00 p.m. at Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa.
This is the 12th year that we’re holding the event in its current format. However, the Chamber has been holding annual banquets and awarding local businesses for decades. In the 1950’s, the awards were a little different. In those days we awarded the “Farm Woman of the Year” and “Farm Family of the Year.” Today we award the Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Green Business and Nonprofit of the Year, Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, CEO of the Year and Chamber Ambassador of the Year.
Nominations for the Small Business, Large Business, Green Business and Nonprofit of the Year awards are submitted by the public. However, the nominated businesses must be members of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce. Upon submission, the nominations are evaluated by the Annual Awards Committee consisting of active Chamber members who volunteer for the committee. The committee determines the four finalists for the Small and Large Business of the Year. The committee visits the finalists and conduct interviews to ensure that all businesses are asked the same questions. The results of the interviews are used to make a case for each finalist. The merits of each are discusses based upon the following:
- company management
- community service
- economic stability
- ethics and integrity
- growth of the company
- new jobs created for the community
- upward mobility for employees
The finalists for the Small Business of the Year are:
The finalists for the Large Business of the Year are:
The virtues of the Green and Nonprofit Business of the Year are debated until a winner is chosen. Those decisions are based on the committee’s individual research and personal experience with the Green and Nonprofit nominees. The winners of these awards will be announced next month.
The Young Professional of the Year is traditionally part of the Annual Awards Banquet, but will have an event of its own this year. The Young Professional award will be presented at the “Top 7 Under 40” awards banquet on November 18 at the Whatcom Museum Lightcatcher building. The Top 7 Under 40 is a partnership between the Whatcom Young Professionals, Bellingham Business Journal and the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber.
The Man and Woman of the Year awards are chosen by a committee consisting of influential members of the community. These awards are generally considered lifetime achievement awards that can go to any member of the community, regardless of chamber membership.
The CEO of the Year is nominated and voted on by the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is given to a CEO, President, Chairman or General Manager who has proven sound professional judgment and ethics, is highly respected among peer and competitors, and is trusted by investors and the community.
The Millie DeFord Chamber Ambassador of the Year is chosen by the Ambassadors. A Chamber ambassador is a chamber member who selflessly volunteers to serve as an official chamber representative at chamber events and functions. The annual award is presented to an ambassador that goes above and beyond the call of duty to attend events, organize the ambassadors and assist the chamber.
The Annual Awards Dinner is the highlight of the year for many in our business community as it shines a light on exemplary local companies and business professionals. It’s a time to celebrate and appreciate all local businesses serving our community, which is something the chamber has been doing for many years.
