Tempe Chamber names top businesses at Business Excellence Awards
The Tempe Chamber of Commerce held the 22nd Annual State of the Chamber and Business Excellence Awards, presented by Southwest Airlines, on June 30 at the Embassy Suites Hotel. The Tempe Chamber recognized outstanding Chamber members, celebrating those that demonstrate business excellence and go above and beyond to make Tempe a great place to work and live.
“There is a wide cross-section of businesses in our community that truly embodies our diverse economy,” said Chamber President/CEO, Colin Diaz, ACE, IOM. “They also reflect the many complexities that rapid growth and expansion bring. We need to ensure that our environment continues to be feasible for both large and small business, old and new, as well as current and emerging industries. Over the past few years our businesses have survived incredible odds. Now we celebrate our members and share our vision for the Tempe Chamber and the business community.”
The event was attended by Senator Sean Bowie, Tempe Mayor Corey Woods, members of Tempe’s City Council and Chamber and community members.
The following awards were presented:
- Small Business of the Year Award – Laura’s Gourmet Granola, LLC
- Large Business of the Year Award – The Centers for Habilitation (TCH)
- Spirit of Tempe Award – Marni Anbar with DISCOVERosityZone
- Volunteer of the Year – Paul Quinn with R & K Staffing
- Tempe Leadership Award – Tanya Gray with the ASU Alumni Association
Tempe Chamber Board Chair, Raveen Arora, owner of The Dhaba restaurant, passed the gavel to the Board Chair Elect, Megan Martin with Salt River Project. “This past year has been a test of our resilience, courage, togetherness and commitment. Our stars, including the Chamber staff, board, ambassadors and volunteers shone brightly in the darkness of uncertainty and challenges to build a better chamber that serves as the face of the community,” said outgoing Board Chair, Raveen Arora
Martin will now oversee the board of directors through the 2022 – 2023 fiscal year. “It is an honor to serve as the Chair of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce Board this year. I look forward to a productive collaboration with fellow Board Members and Chamber Staff towards fulfilling the chamber’s mission. The Tempe Chamber is fortunate to count community-supporting businesses as members that have managed to grow in these unprecedented times, and that have made employee development a priority,” said Martin.
This event was presented by Southwest Airlines and also made possible by the Arizona Coyotes, Arizona State University, Tempe Tourism, Edward Jones, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, ViaSat, Arizona State University Alumni Association, Legoland Discovery Center Arizona, APS, SRP, TCH, City of Tempe and Wayfinder Media.
For more than a century, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce has built an environment that enhances the economic vitality of its membership and the business community as a whole. Representing more than 550 businesses, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce strengthens the local economy through network development, advocacy, professional development and business education. It regularly advocates for a favorable business climate through interactive public policy engagement and provides ongoing representation in government at local, state and federal levels. For more information on the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.tempechamber.org or call 480-967-7891.