Bedford County Chamber to Honor Local Businesses, Individuals During Annual Dinner & Award Celebration – September 24th at the Venue at the Stable
Bedford County, PA — The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the businesses and individuals to be honored during the 2026 Annual Dinner and Awards Celebration: Thursday, September 24 at the Venue at the Stables in Buffalo Mills, PA
Sixteen awards will be presented to outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals of the Bedford County region, recognizing a variety of accomplishments, including: excellence in business (small, medium and large categories), community service, historical preservation, property improvement, agri-business, education, and servant leadership, as well as the prestigious Athena Award, sponsored by Bedford BPW and Thomas Dealerships. The Chamber also partners with BCDA, Discover Bedford County, and the Bedford County Transition Council to present awards for economic development, excellence in tourism and a commitment to hiring people with disabilities.
“The Chamber’s Annual Dinner is the signature celebration of our diverse and outstanding business community,” said President-CEO Kellie Goodman Shaffer. “This year’s honorees represent a wide variety of businesses and individuals making a difference in the Bedford County region, and we can’t wait to celebrate their many accomplishments.”
The theme of the evening will be Rebellion and Recognition, inviting guests to join in the celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary as well as Bedford County’s place in the American story. But the true stars of the show are award honorees.
“History has never been about just buildings and battlefields, it’s about ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the community they love,” added Goodman Shaffer. Our 2026 honorees, and our theme reflect exactly that, and the format of sharing acceptance speeches via video allow us to showcase our award recipients’ stories in a special way.”
The 2026 awards and honorees are listed below. The Athena Award winner will be announced during the September 24th program.
Corporate tables and program ads are still available & registrations for the celebration are limited, so those wishing to attend the awards program should register soon as possible, as this event traditionally sells out. For more information, please call the Chamber office at 814-623-2233 or visit online at bedfordcountychamber.com.
2026 Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Award Honorees
JOHN ANDERSON AWARD: Bloody Run Social Club
ATHENA AWARD: Honoree to be announced September 24th
PRESIDENT’S AWARD: America 250 PA Bedford County Committee
SERVANT LEADERSHIP (Leadership Bedford Co. Class of 2006): Brian Jeffries
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Landon Defibaugh
EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARD (3 Categories)
Large (50 or more employees): JLG Industries
Medium (no more than 49 employees): Bedford Grange Mutual Insurance Co.
Small (no more than 10 employees): Everett Eye Care Center
INDIVIDUAL EXCELLENCE: Della Watters, WattersWorks
PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT AWARD: The Farmhouse B&B (Fair Family Farms)
HERITAGE PRESERVATION AWARD: Kevin Mearkle (Author)
EMPLOYER COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Negley’s Water
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION: Fort Bedford Museum (Children’s Activities)
EXCELLENCE IN AGRI-BUSINESS AWARD: Lincoln Highway Farm
EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM (in partnership w/Discover Bedford Co.) – Downtown Bedford Inc.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD (in partnership w/ BCDA): CaptiveAire
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: (w. Bedford Co. Transition Council): Green Garden Products Co.
For more information, call the Chamber office at 814.623.2233 or email: kellie@bedfordcountychamber.org
2025 Award Honorees:
