Friday, September 26, 2008

Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Announces Winners of the 2009 Excellence Awards Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses

Posted at 9:06 AM

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the winners of the 2009 Excellence Awards Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses – the most esteemed honor bestowed on small businesses in the Greater Philadelphia region.

“The awards honor the small business community’s entrepreneurial spirit, diversity, innovation and perseverance,” said Mark S. Schweiker, President & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. “These recipients embody the promise of our region and their successful enterprises make this an attractive place to do business.”

Nominated by their peers throughout our 11-county region, the awards are presented in 10 categories, including a new addition this year: Green Business. And last year’s celebration marked the inaugural presentation of the Visionary Award. It was established as a tribute to significant leadership and outstanding organizations that have grown from a small to large company, and continue to thrive and support the regional economy.

Individuals will be honored in two categories:
Small Business Person of the Year: Chuck Polin, The Training Resource Group
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Tina Wells, Buzz Marketing Group

The following companies will be honored in one of 8 categories:
Customer Service Excellence of the Year: Pediatric Therapeutic Services
Emerging Business of the Year: The Hub
Family Business of the Year: FixtureOne
Green Business of the Year: MWAY
Manufacturer of the Year: Inteprod
Non-Profit Organization of the Year: Philadelphia Youth Network
Retailer of the Year: Pennsylvania General Store
Technological Excellence of the Year: Instamed

The Visionary Award will be presented to Campbell Soup Company

The 26th Annual Excellence Awards are sponsored by Bank of America (emerging business award), Ben Franklin Technology Partners (technological), Commerce Bank (customer service), Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (manufacturer), Firstrust Bank (family business), Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (non-profit), PECO (green business), PNC (retailer), Susquehanna Bank (small business person of the year), and UPS (young entrepreneur); with Stradley Ronon sponsoring the Visionary Award.

Since 1982, the Excellence Awards dinner has been the region’s premier celebration of the exceptional achievements of small businesses and small business owners, which are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia business community and comprise 85% of the Chamber’s 5,000 member companies.

This year’s awardees join a bevy of notable past winners, including Amazon Café, Ashers Chocolates, Boyds Philadelphia, Di Bruno Bros., Dranoff Properties, LeBus Bakery, PhillyCarShare, The Wilma Theater and World Café Live.

Business professionals throughout the Greater Philadelphia region are invited to join in the celebration and networking at two upcoming events. A "Winners’ Circle Roundtable" on Wednesday, October 8 provides an opportunity to meet and learn more about how these entrepreneurs became successful. For tickets or other information, click here.

Business community members are also welcome to attend the 26th Annual Excellence Awards Dinner-Dance on Thursday, November 6, at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing. For tickets or other information, click here.