Bedford County Chamber to Honor Local Businesses, Individuals During Annual Dinner & Award Celebration – September 23rd at the Bedford County Airport
Bedford County, PA — The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the business and individuals to be honored during the 2021 Award Celebration: Thursday, September 23rd at the Bedford County Airport.
Nineteen 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, servant leadership and rising to the challenge of the pandemic, as well as the prestigious Athena Award, sponsored by Bedford BPW and Thomas Dealerships. The Chamber partners with BCDA, the Bedford County Visitors Bureau and Bedford County Community Connections 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. “In this especially challenging year, it is so important to recognize excellence in our region and we can’t wait to celebrate our honorees.”
The 2019 Annual Dinner marked a new chapter in the annual event, as it grew to record attendance (350+) with the move to the corporate hangar at the Bedford County Airport, thanks to host Bun Air Corp.
The theme of the evening will be The Greatest Show, with a nod to the old-time Circus/Carnival, with special surprises planned by the Bedford County Players.
“The video-taped format of the acceptance speeches allows us to tell the stories of our honorees illustrated with photos of their accomplishments,” said Shaffer. “Our business community should be very proud of all that has been achieved over the last year.”
The 2021 awards and honorees are listed on page 2. The Athena Award winner will be announced September 23rd program.
Sponsorships & registrations for the celebration are limited, so those wishing to attend should register as soon as possible; this event traditionally sells out. Cost to attend is $99 per person and registration is required. Businesses are welcome to provide an item promoting their company for inclusion in the Chamber’s annual online auction, which opens the week of the awards ceremony; program ads are also available to advertise businesses and/or congratulate the honorees. For more information, please call the Chamber office at 814-623-2233 or visit online at bedfordcountychamber.com.
2021 Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Award Honorees
JOHN ANDERSON AWARD: Bedford/Hyndman Family Health Centers
HELEN TURNER AWARD: Fisher’s Pharmacy, Horn-O-Plenty & Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Dan Koontz
EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARD (3 Categories)
Small (no more than 10 employees): Juli’s Wearable Art
Medium (no more than 50 employees): RWR Insurance
Large (51 or more employees): Everett Cash Mutual Insurance Company
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Bedford County Pink Ribbon Fund
INNOVATION AWARD: Josh Brown, REI
PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT AWARD: Stooges Pub & Grub
HERITAGE PRESERVATION AWARD: Memorial Park Conservancy
EMPLOYER COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Best Way Pizza Bedford
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION: Live Well Chiropractic
EXCELLENCE IN AGRI-BUSINESS AWARD: Hidden Hills Dairy
EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM (selected by Bedford Co. Visitors Bureau) – Silver Lining Drive-In
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD (selected by BCDA): Green Leaf Medical
SERVANT LEADERSHIP (Graduate of Leadership Bedford Co.): Beth Hullihen
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AWARD (w. Bedford Co. Transition Council): Bedford Reinforced Plastics
ATHENA AWARD: Honoree to be announced September 23rd
PLEASE NOTE: The Deadline to Register for this event is tomorrow (Thursday, September 16th at Noon.) If you wish to attend, please call the Chamber at 814-623-2233 or REGISTER ONLINE.
We moved this event to September to take advantage of fairer weather and to allow for at least a partially open-air event, including an outdoor reception (weather permitting.) The airport hangar provides plenty of distancing for the dinner and awards program.
The buffet menu is wonderful: Chef-carved slow-roasted top round of beef with au jus & horseradish; blackened chicken breast with bleu cheese and roasted pepper cream; honey-glazed carrots, green bean almandine, parslied, red-skinned potatoes, penne pasta alfredo with vegetables, rolls and a very whimsical circus-themed dessert. Appetizers, spirited beverages and non-alcoholic drinks are also included, along with some very special, children-of-all-ages surprises!
We have a limited number of seats still available for this event, and wanted to makes sure you were aware of this week’s deadline to RSVP. We also have a very few sponsorships available (including a very few $399 award sponsorships that include 2 tickets and a program ad.) Let us know ASAP if you are interested.
COVID Notice: We are asking that those who have felt unwell or who have been exposed to someone with a fever or other illness forgo this event, as we work with you all to make it as safe as possible. By registering and attending this event, you accept all associated risks and agree to hold the Chamber, our host and all related event partners harmless.
NEW IN 2022: BUSINESS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION EVENT PLANNED FOR MARCH
The Chamber is very excited to expand the organization’s award season by creating a Hall of Fame signature luncheon/induction ceremony, scheduled for March 4th, 2022 in the Colonnade Ballroom at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort. Additional details on the honorees and the luncheon will be announced in December.