The Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 25th Anniversary and its members, hosting the 1st Annual Shining Star Awards on Sept. 25.
Held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Berkleigh Golf Club in Kutztown, the ceremony will celebrate the chamber’s members by awarding select individuals based on their contributions and merits in specific categories.
Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tammy Gore looks forward to the event.
“We have so many members, we need to make this fun and recognize what they contribute to local commerce,” Gore said.
Five award categories were created, and three finalists were chosen for each category. One finalist from each will receive an award. The awards include Corporation of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Advocate of the Year, Non-profit of the Year and Small Business of the Year.
Additionally, at the end of the ceremony, one member will be chosen from the finalists to receive the Member of the Year award.
“It’s exciting,” said Gore. “The winners will receive over $2,000 in prizes. I cannot wait to see the look on the face of the Member of the Year.”
The event will also feature keynote speaker Jack Gulati, a prominent figure in the area who has recently released his book “Serial Entrepreneur.”
“Jack Gulati has started, changed and sold multiple businesses throughout the world,” said Gore. “He is especially known around here as a philanthropist. He also owns the Reading Royals and Stokesay Castle. I look forward to hearing him speak. I think it will be inspirational.”
The event was created in light of the 25th anniversary of the chamber.
The chamber began in 1989 when 30 business members decided they wanted their own representation.
“It’s a unique situation,” said Gore. “Normally, the chamber is created, and then it seeks members. In this case, the members sought to create their own chamber.”
The chamber has since grown and now has between 250 and 275 member businesses. It includes boroughs between Allentown and Reading and from Oley to Hamburg.
“The greatest percentage of the businesses are small businesses,” said Gore. “There is a tremendous amount of loyalty and ownership of this chamber that is refreshing.”
As Executive Director, Gore takes pride in her position, the chamber and the chamber’s members.
“My position is one of networking and visibility on behalf of the chamber,” said Gore. “I enjoy bringing members together that need to have that connection that benefits both of them.”
The chamber’s slogan is “A Friend to Business.” Gore believes this is what makes the chamber special and helps it to thrive.
“I consider myself a friend to business,” said Gore. “If I can say one thing, I don’t think there is any chamber that is more friendly. If you come to one of our events, you will leave having met people you will call your friends.”
The 1st Annual Shining Star Awards will bring all of the chamber’s members together to celebrate its growth, its contributions to local commerce and its dedicated individuals.
The 15 Shining Star Award Finalists:
Corporation of the YearScott Hoppell, PennTeleData
Jim Long, Security Service Company
John L. Scott, Santander Bank, N.A.
Entrepreneur of the YearDeborah Berger, Hasch Daal Custom Embroidery
Penelope Oulds, Pay Day Payroll Service
Heather Uczynski, Leading Edge Business Consulting
Advocate of the YearJoseph A. O’Keefe, Esq., O’Keefe, Miller, & Thielen, P.C. and Simmeria Cafe & Bistro, Inc.
Jon Scott, Greater Reading Economic Partnership
Kim Davis, Cynergy Associates, Inc.
Non-Profit of the YearMark Linkevich, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Assoc.
Sandra Wise, Friend Inc.Lori Luckenbill, Fleetwood Bank
Small Business of the YearRussell Farbiarz, Esq., Antanavage Farbiarz
Ron Rothenberger, Rothenberger Insurance Services
Jackie Mitten, Interlace Communications, Inc.
One finalist will be named and recognized from each of the 5 categories. Then, one will be named the Member of the Year.
For more information about the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce or the 1st Annual Shining Star Awards, visit www.northeastberkschamber.com.