Press Kit

MWV 2014 Business Award winners announced at Business to Business Expo



News from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce – May 9, 2014 

Contact: Janice Crawford, 603-356-5701, ext. 2 or Janice@mtwashingtonvalley.org or Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, PR@Mtwashingtonvalley.org 

MT WASHINGTON VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES 2014 ANNUAL MWV BUSINESS AWARDS WINNERS 

North Conway, NH– The Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce (MWVCC) is pleased to announce their annual MWV Business Award winners.  Winners will be honored at the Awards Luncheon held at the 16th Annual Business to Business Expo, May 19, 2014 at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel.  In recognition of the highest concentration of entrepreneurs in the state, the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce (MWVCC) annually recognizes successful businesses with the Employer of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Non-profit organization of the year, Student Entrepreneur of the Year and Sustainable Business of the year awards announced at the Business to Business Expo awards luncheon.  Each award winner will receive a plaque and a Governor’s Citation.  Additionally, this year, the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce was delighted to add another award the MWV Business Awards list.  As former MWVCC Board of Directors member, the chamber was delighted to venerate Steve’s legacy with the Steve Eastman Community Spirit Award. While the other MWV Business Awards winners are announced ahead of time the Steve Eastman Community Spirit Award winner will be announced at the Awards Luncheon on May 19.  Tickets are still available to attend the Awards Luncheon and honor winners. 

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award is being given to Adventure Suites. Since 1998, owner Kathy Brassill-Doucet, has been wielding her entrepreneurial magic to continually recreate a truly unique lodging experience in Mt. Washington Valley. Adventures Suites has been featured on NH Chronicle, is Best of NH and named one of the top ten theme hotels in the world and has earned the veneration of employees who nominated her. 

The Employer of the Year Award will be given to Black Cap Grille.  Owner Ben Williams has created a fun, yet professional work environment believes his staff who nominated him. He values input from all of his employees and collaboration on all levels from the wait staff and bartenders to chefs and dishwashers. Ben’s business model and personal style has allowed Black Cap’s sales to grow consistently over the past four years while contributing often and generously to community efforts, making Black Cap Grille a “go-to” restaurant for locals and visitors. 

Conway Area Humane Society will be awarded the honor of Non-Profit of the Year. In addition to performing amazing rescues like the dozens of Brittany Spaniels surrendered by a breeder in Tamworth and placing older pets in homes, the Conway shelter has become one of the most recognized, creative and innovative non-profit organizations in the North Country, according to the nominators. Working closely with Valley businesses and creating events, the Conway Area Humane Society maintains a high profile as a model community oriented non-profit organization. 

The Sustainable Business of the Year Award, chosen by the Mt Washington Valley Green Team,  will be given to 4 Our Kids Recycling Services . Owners Colleen Cormack and James Simmons have taken waste disposal to a new level in the Mt. Washington Valley. Starting as an eco-friendly business rather than becoming one, they are the queen and king of recycling, teaching their customers how to recycle efficiently and carefully most of their trash and educating their customers so recycling can be done in the confines of individual homes and businesses. They are regular contributors to making the Valley “green” and sustainable by participating in the Mt Washington Valley Green Team and the Lower Mt Washington Valley Solid Waste Committee,  and annually at local Valley Pride Day and the Funergy Festival. 

Trenton L’Heureux of Trenton’s Lawn Care  will be awarded the Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Mt Washington School To Career Program. Trenton started his lawn care business at age 16 and is now 18. He has constantly upgraded his business, buying new tools to improve his services for customers. His references cite that he is a hard worker, efficient, conscientious, responsible and reliable.  Offering this four season service has demonstrated business savvy rare in most 16-18 year olds, all the while training to be a certified firefighter. 

This year, working with family members of the late Steve Eastman, the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce will add the Steve Eastman Community Spirit Award to the list of MWV Business Awards. Created to honor of the late Steve Eastman, former MWVCC board member, longtime community leader and former Mountain Ear newspaper publisher and editor, this award will recognize a community leader.  As the founding publisher and editor of The Mountain Ear, Steve's business life personified what it means to give back to the community. His mantra, expressed beautifully at a memorial rock in his honor at the top of North Conway's Steve Eastman Memorial Field at Hog Coliseum, was “Love everyone, hold no grudges, and good deeds do count”. Starting this year, the Steve Eastman Community Spirit Award will be given to the person who personifies Steve's passion and zest for life, for helping the community, and for carrying on Steve's love for Mount Washington Valley. The recipient will be surprised with the award at the Awards Luncheon being held during the 16th Annual Business to Business Expo on May 19 at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel. 

Tickets are still available to attend the Awards luncheon and celebrate the winners.  Tickets are $50 per person and should be pre-ordered.  Those wishing to order tickets may do so online. Go to http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/MembershipPDF/2014_Business_Expo_Awards_Luncheon_Registration.pdf to find online registration forms.  A limited number of tickets may be purchased on the day of the luncheon.

For moreinformation about these awards and nominees, contactJanice Crawford, Executive Director of the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce at 603-356-5701, ext 303.

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