Eight businesses were honored from a variety of categories, including Entrepreneur of the Year and Small Business of the Year, at the annual Business Expo and Awards Banquet on Thursday at the Hilton Savannah DeSoto.
The Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Savannah Morning News, hosted the event.
The banquet took place in a different location this year, instead of the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center and the Savannah Civic Center. Attendees could also buy products from exhibitors for the first time this year.
Before the awards gala, attendees attended a Business Expo, which gave companies a chance to exhibit and sell products and services. Attendees could then attend a networking reception, which allowed time to network and visit booths.
The awards were based on peer nominations and recognized community leaders and companies that represent hospitality, industry and small business.
Manufacturing awards went to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, which won the Manufacturer’s Safety Award, and JCB, which took the Environmental Excellence Award.
The Gulfstream Community Involvement Award went to Enmark Stations Inc. Houstoun Demere, vice president of Enmark Stations Inc., said Enmark is always happy to give back to the community and make sure community members know they have the company’s support.
“We’ve been involved in the community since day one,” he said. “It’s a part of our culture.”
Howard Morrison, cofounder of Verdant Kitchen, won the The Helen V. Head Small Business Advocate Award.
“It’s fun to be close and involved with happy, positive people, and that’s what entrepreneurs are,” he said. “I ask people all the time: What is the one thing all businesses need? The answer is a customer.”
Morrison was recognized for this award based on his contribution and involvement with small businesses in the Savannah area. This dedication that exemplifies Head’s mission and advocacy in the community.
Gaslight Group won Hospitality Business of the Year Award, and Alcoa Forgings and Extrusions won the World Trade Center Savannah International Business of the year.
Tharpe Engineering Group won Small Business of the Year. The business is an engineering
firm that provides structural engineering consulting services to the Coastal Georgia area.
Cody Tharpe, with Tharpe Engineering, said he was proud to be nominated for the small-business award and stressed that the Tharpe team makes a difference in the company and helps make Savannah a better place to live.
“We really do place a lot of emphasis in our community,” he said. “We try to build a culture here that allows people to be involved, and we understand the more we give back the more we get in a business sense.”
Diana Morrison, owner and founder of Advertising Specialty Services and the 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year Award, recognized EnviroVac as this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
“Any time you win in your life you feel like, ‘Ah, I won something,’ but when you win an award for what you do — of sweat and tears every day — it makes a difference,” Morrison said. “It makes a difference to you, to your staff. Entrepreneurs drive innovation.”
Principal sponsors of the event included City of Savannah, Comcast Business, Creative Approach, Georgia Power, Gulfstream and World Trade Center Savannah.
Other sponsors included DPR Construction, Infinity, Inc., J.L. Williamson Law Group, Advertising Specialty Services, AT&T, Georgia Southern University College of Business, Point University and Wells Fargo.