EXPO ACTIVITIES FEATURE
SEMINARS, MONEY GRAB, FUN ZONE
The Chamber’s Small Business Council will mark the 25th anniversary of its celebration of small business on March 7 with silver anniversary decorations, salutes to all the award recipients over the years and a tribute to the key role small business has played in the local economy over the past quarter century.
"Marking the 25th year of celebrating small businesses really speaks to the commitment of the Chamber in supporting small businesses," said Ronelle Sellers, chair of the 2007 Small Business Awards Luncheon. "The awards ceremony is planned by a committee of volunteers, with a new individual chairing the event each year. Obviously this milestone also speaks to the dedication of the individuals in the business community that have organized and brought this program to fruition for 25 years."
Sellers pointed out that the celebration has grown dramatically over the years, with a record attendance of almost 1,000 at the 2006 event. "Until 2000, it was a dinner event recognizing only one small business," she said. "Under the direction of Robert Michaels, event chair in 2000, we changed the program to a luncheon and recognized businesses in three categories.We also added a video interview of the finalists that year."
Later, the planning committee started recognizing a non-profit and an individual who had served as a small business advocate. Now the celebration honors a corporate entity, rather than an individual, that promotes the interests of small business.
The 2007 Small Business of the Year Awards finalists are:
1-20 Employees:
Cleaning Solutions,
Thinking Media,
Wholesale Import Cars
21-50 Employees:
Ben Parker Company,
GenTech Construction,
Hubbuch Glass Company
51-200 Employees:
COMTRUST Federal Credit Union,
EPB Telecom,
North American
Credit Services, Inc.
The Small Business Awards Luncheon also gained stature when it began being held in conjunction with the Chattanooga EXPO, the city’s largest business trade show. Seminars on topics of interest to small business owners, conducted during the EXPO, represent another amplification of the event.
This year the Expo will also include a money booth, sponsored by Northwest Georgia Bank, where attendees will have the chance to grab some cash.What’s more, Memorable Events will offer a Fun Zone featuring games attendees can play and get the chance to win door prizes donated by the exhibitors.
The Expo will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be located adjacent to the Small Business Awards Luncheon hall in the Convention Center.
"The Chamber is proud to recognize the community’s most outstanding small businesses," said Chamber President and CEO Tom Edd Wilson. "Small business is indeed the engine that drives the economy. In the U.S. small businesses represent over 99 percent of all employer firms, employ half of all private-sector employees and pay 40 percent of the total U.S. payroll."
To qualify for a Small Business Award, companies must have been in business for a minimum of three years, have shown exemplary success within their industry, and have displayed a high level of community involvement and corporate citizenship. Candidates for the awards come from the Chamber membership.
"In most instances small business owners sacrifice a great deal to get their business off the ground, yet many of these businesses are very specialized so the majority of Chattanooga residents have not heard of them," Sellers said.
"The awards ceremony is a wonderful way to recognize successful businesses while relaying their story to thousands of people. And this year the event, marking our 25th year of honoring small business, will be very special, from the business memorabilia on display to the decorations."
The Small Business Awards Luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For additional information or to make reservations, call the Chamber events hotline at 423-763-4366 or email msenn@chattanoogachamber.com.
To reserve a booth at the Expo call Bud Brown at 423-763-4355 or Cheri Koch at 423-763-4372.
