Within every community, some people and businesses go above and beyond what is normally expected, to benefit those around them. At Smith Mountain Lake Virginia, we are blessed to have many such people, and the local Chamber of Commerce wishes to honor them for their work.
The following are the categories and criteria for the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards:
Small Business of the Year – SML Chamber member with fewer than 10 employees.
Inspirational and visionary, this business operates at a level that inspires others and exhibits a vision that goes beyond ‘business as usual’. The Small Business of the Year demonstrates success and exceptional performance in business practices, customer service, and community involvement.
Large Business of the Year– SML Chamber member with more than 10 employees. Demonstrating success, diversity of the workforce, exceptional service, and community leadership, this business promotes economic growth, stability, and improvement in the area in which the SML Chamber serves.
Norma Jean Teass: (Community Leadership) – An individual, either independent or associated with a member business, who has exhibited strong involvement with the chamber and a high degree of community interaction. This individual has displayed a significant involvement in the betterment of the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber and business community, by exhibiting the highest levels of honesty and integrity in all of his or her community activities. This person is involved in chamber projects and community events and consistently shows selfless initiative, motivation, and above all, leadership in action.
Excellence in Marketing Award – This award goes to an SML Chamber member who has exhibited creativity in business marketing. The ideal recipient has used many levels of marketing to promote their product, services, logo, and message.
Entrepreneur of the Year – A businessperson who organizes or takes the risks of a new business project that is especially difficult, complicated, or risky, and who launches, manages, and assumes all of the risks of that economic venture.
Customer Service Award – In a region where tourism is a major industry, service excellence is a top priority. The recipient of this award, a person or business, exemplifies high standards giving priority attention to every customer, client, or guest.
Voted on by fellow Chamber members, these awards will recognize those members in good standing who, in the opinion of their peers, have achieved outstanding success.
Nomination forms are available online at www.visitsmithmountainlake.com. You can also fax your nominees to 540.721.779 or email them to: smlccp@aol.com or mail them to SMLCC, 16430 Booker T. Washington Hwy., Moneta, VA 24121.
The Annual Chamber Awards Dinner will be held Thursday, Jan.17 at The Waterfront Country Club.
