TOPSHAM — The Board of Directors for the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber is pleased to announce the recipients of their 2012 Business & Community Awards (honorees are listed after their respective category):
— Business of the Year (Large): Hampton Inn of Bath
— Business of the Year (Medium): Greater Brunswick Physical Therapy
— Business of the Year (Small): The Brunswick Inn
— Business of the Year (Nonprofit): Downeaster/Amtrak
— New Business Venture of the Year: Long Branch School and General Store in Bowdoinham
— Business Health & Wellness Champion: Norway Savings Bank
— Regional Arts & Culture Champion: Winter Street Center
— Young Professional’s Award: Amanda Leland, Long Cove Builders
— Volunteer of the Year Award: Robin Whorff, independent consultant for Mary Kaye
— Chairman’s Award: Lois Skillings, Mid Coast Hospital
— President’s Award: First Federal Savings of Bath
— Educator of the Year: Rick Wilson and Cheryl Sleeper (CREA)
— Citizen of the Year: Family of Ruthe Pagurko
— Joshua Chamberlain Award: Paul F. Loveless, Fleet Reserve Association
— Harry C. Crooker Lifetime Achievement: Maj. Gen. John Libby, U.S. Army (Ret.)
SMMC Chairman of the Board and Topsham businessman Don Spann, said, “It gives the chamber great pleasure to recognize business leaders throughout our 16 communities. The contributions of these businesses and individuals to the strength of our region cannot be overstated.”
Nomination process
Nominations for SMMC honors come from many sources, such as peer businesses, employees, chamber volunteers and customers. Nominations are then reviewed by a selection committee comprised entirely of previous years award winners. The current year’s honorees are then selected and approved by these former recipients. Finally, the awards slate is given to the SMMC Board of Directors with instructions to present the given honors at an appropriate ceremony.
This year’s honors will be bestowed at the SMMC Annual Meeting & Awards Gala on Jan. 17, 2013, at Thorne Dining Hall, Bowdoin College, Brunswick. The networking reception and member exhibitions start at 4:30 p.m.; dinner and program start at 6 p.m. The attire for the evening is business formal.
The guest speaker and award emcee will be Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber. Connors will speak about why chambers of commerce are more important than ever in today’s business community.
Sponsors for the 2013 Annual Meeting & Awards Gala include event sponsor, Mechanic Savings Bank; premium sponsors, Mid Coast Hospital and Parkview Adventist Medical Center; and contributing sponsors, BEK, Inc., Martin’s Point Health Care, RE/MAX Riverside, and The Inn At Brunswick Station.
Ticket information
Tickets may be purchased at $40 per person or a table of 12 seats reserved for $440. A sitdown dinner is included in the admission price. Go to www.midcoastmaine.com to register online.
Limited business sponsorships are still available; if interested, please contact president@midcoastmaine.com for more information.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
