Best in Class: Chamber Announces 2018 Award Winners

Best in Class: Chamber Announces 2018 Award Winners
Top Individuals, Businesses, and Nonprofits Recognized at the 2018 Business Excellence Awards


Chapel Hill, NC (May 21, 2018) – The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce recognized the winners of the 2018 Business Excellence Awards and the 97.9 The Hill People's Choice Awards on Friday evening during the fourth annual Business Excellence Awards - a dazzling red carpet celebration at the Paul Green Theatre with nearly 300 guests.
"At the Business Excellence Awards, we recognize the very best in class throughout our community and across 25 categories,” said Aaron Nelson, President and CEO of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce. “These winners show us what it means and what it takes to do well and do good.”
The Chamber’s 4th annual Business Excellence Awards, affectionately known as the BEAs, features ten award categories, including “Best New Business of the Year,” “Business Woman of the Year,” and the “Innovation Award.” The winning organizations, listed below, were selected by the Chamber’s Awards Selection Committee made up of local business and community leaders from diverse industries with a demonstrated commitment to our community.
- Watch short videos of the winners
- View pictures from the event
- Learn more about all 30 finalists

Business Woman of the Year
Pam Herndon, State Farm Agent in Orange and Chatham Counties
*Watch video
The 2018 Business Woman of the Year Award is presented to an exceptional woman in business who has excelled in her job function and industry, and has pioneered initiatives to promote female leadership in business and the community. The 2018 Business Woman of the Year is Pam Herndon, State Farm Agent in Orange and Chatham Counties.
Pam Herndon, State Farm Agent in Orange and Chatham Counties
*Watch video


The 2018 Business of the Year Awards are presented to outstanding Chamber members that have shown growth, innovation of product, exemplary customer service, response to adversity, and contribution to the community. The large business category, sponsored by Corporate Investors Mortgage Group, is presented to a Chamber member with 50 or more employees. The 2108 Large Business of the Year is Kalisher.
The 2018 Business of the Year Awards are presented to outstanding Chamber members that have shown growth, innovation of product, exemplary customer service, response to adversity, and contribution to the community. The large business category, sponsored by Corporate Investors Mortgage Group, is presented to a Chamber member with 50 or more employees. The 2108 Large Business of the Year is Kalisher.

The 2018 Business of the Year Awards are presented to outstanding Chamber members that have shown growth, innovation of product, exemplary customer service, response to adversity, and contribution to the community. The mid-size category, sponsored by the Small Business Energy Initiative, is presented to a Chamber member with 6 to 50 employees. The 2018 Mid-size Business of the Year is Fitch Lumber & Hardware.

The 2018 Business of the Year Awards are presented to outstanding Chamber members that have shown growth, innovation of product, exemplary customer service, response to adversity, and contribution to the community. The micro-enterprise category, sponsored by Coastal Credit Union, is presented to a Chamber member with five or fewer employees. The 2018 Micro-Enterprise Business of the Year is Big Frog Custom T-Shirt of Durham.
One sign of a thriving economy is the growth of new businesses. In celebration of exceptional performance in 2017, the 2018 New Business of the Year is Krave.
One sign of a thriving economy is the growth of new businesses. In celebration of exceptional performance in 2017, the 2018 New Business of the Year is Krave.

The Innovation Award is presented to a business that has demonstrated innovation through the concept, value, delivery, and impact of a product or service, system, or event in 2017. Presented by Fidelity Investments, the 2018 Innovation Award winner is Seal the Seasons.

The University Born Business of the Year Award is presented to a startup business born from university research, innovation, and entrepreneurial activity or a business created while an entrepreneur was enrolled as a student. The business will demonstrate excellence through job creation and economic impact. Sponsored by the Chamber's 2018 Inter-City Visit, the 2018 University Born Business of the Year is PHE, Inc.

The Community Impact Award is presented to an outstanding organization that has significantly and measurably made social, economic, or environmental improvements within the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community. Sponsored by Europa Center, the 2018 Community Impact Award winner is Kidzu Children’s Museum.

The Non-Profit of the Year recognizes an outstanding Chamber member charitable non-profit organization that has shown growth, innovation of product, exemplary customer service, response to adversity and/or contribution to community. The 2018 Non-Profit of the Year is Inter-Faith Council for Social Service.

The 97.9 The Hill People’s Choice Awards, which the Chamber co-sponsors with 97.9 The Hill, features 15 award categories, including “Best Eats,” “Best Drinks,” and “Best Shopping.” The 15 winning organizations, listed below, were selected through an open voting period. Learn more about the 97.9 The Hill People’s Choice Award winners and all 75 finalists.
- Best Customer Service: Jersey Mike’s of Chapel Hill & Hillsborough
- Best Eats: Al’s Burger Shack
- Best Drinks: The Crunkleton
- Best Professional Services: Keepsakes Custom Picture Framing
- Best Special Events Venue: The Carolina Inn
- Best Happy Home: TROSA
- Best Medical Service Provider: UNC Health Care
- Best Locally Grown/Made: Carrboro Farmer’s Market
- Best Shopping: Cameron’s
- Best Overnight Stay: The Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill
- Best Wheels: Chapel Hill Tire
- Best Health and Wellness: UNC Wellness Center
- Best Animal Services: Green Beagle Lodge
- Best Helping Hands: Acorn Home Health Services
- Best Real Estate: Domicile Realty

The event featured a cocktail reception with ZimZoom Photo Booth, an awards ceremony with The Monti’s Jeff Polish as emcee and Tea Cup Gin as live musical entertainment, and an after-party at Might As Well Bar & Grill. Event sponsors included: Europa Center, Coastal Federal Credit Union, Gates Management and Realty, Fidelity Investments, PHE, Inc., Corporate Investors Mortgage Group, The Pocket PhD, and Might As Well Bar & Grill. Visit carolinachamber.org/BEAS for more information.
About: The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization that serves and advances the business interests of the greater Chapel Hill community, including Carrboro, southern Orange, northern Chatham, and southwest Durham counties. Members count on the Chamber to connect them with people, information, and resources; advocate for local business interests; promote our members, community, and quality of life; and help members save money. The Chamber network is getting stronger with members who share a vision for a more sustainable community where business thrives. Follow us on Twitter @CarolinaChamber
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