An important part of what we do as an organization is to help member businesses achieve accolades for their accomplishments. The Chamber’s Business Recognition Committee meets regularly to identify businesses and individuals that have made an outstanding contribution to their field, have achieved extraordinary success, or have improved the business community in general. Some of the local, regional, and national award programs we nominate for include:

• US Small Business Administration Awards – The Chamber plays a key role in helping assemble applications each fall for this regional/national award program.

• The Acknowledgement of Chamber Excellence (ACE) Awards – The Chamber toasts member businesses by selecting two Businesses of the Year – one with more than 25 employees and one with less than 25 employees, a Business Person of the Year, and a Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service – companies and professionals that represent the best of the membership in all we do for a full year.

• The Committee for Business and Economic Diversity (CBED) Awards – This local recognition program highlights the accomplishments of individuals and businesses that represent and support the advancement of minorities, women, and persons with disabilities in our business community.

• The American Success Awards – For the first time this year, the Chamber presented an Emerging Success Award through FIRN (Foreign-born Information & Referral Network) in partnership with the Howard County Economic Development Authority and Howard County Government.  The award celebrates the achievement and contributions of Howard County’s foreign-born business community.