The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce rolled out the red carpet to toast local business leaders at its Annual Business Awards Dinner Feb. 22 at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad.
The event was a huge success as more than 680 people attended. For the first time ever, the dinner totally sold out and there was a waiting list for those who wanted to participate in the celebration.
This prestigious event honored local celebrities who play a starring role in Carlsbad's thriving business community. During the glamorous evening, the chamber presented awards to businesses or individuals in the following seven categories:
• Businessperson of the Year, Tim Stripe, co-president of Grand Pacific Resorts Inc.
• Small Business of the Year (1-15 employees), Solutions Business Imaging and Synergy Printing Services. This category has two winners because small businesses represent 85 percent of the chamber's membership.
• Medium Business of the Year (16-99 employees), RBF Consulting.
• Large Business of the Year (100 or more employees), Shea Homes San Diego.
• Lifetime Achievement in Business, Ben Weseloh of Weseloh Chevrolet-Hummer.
• Entrepreneur of the Year, Dr. Tina Nova Bennett, founder, president and CEO of Genoptix Medical Laboratory.
• Community Leadership, Mark and Kathy Winkler of Winkler & Winkler/Keller Williams Real Estate.
In addition, two special awards of recognition also were given out:
• Green Technology Advocate, The Lund Team.
• Environmental Spirit, Poseidon Resources Corp.
The award winners were presented with engraved Oscar-like statues provided by Carlsbad-based San Dieguito Trophy Inc., which uses the same manufacturer for the statues as the Academy Awards.
"It was an honor to salute the true stars of Carlsbad business at a world-class resort like the Four Seasons, a truly fitting location," said Ted Owen, president and CEO of the chamber. "The 10 best in business were selected from a field of 81 nominees, which attests to the competitiveness of the program."
Also during the evening, the chamber recognized the achievements of the 2007 board of directors and inaugurated its 2008 board members. The 39-member board represents all factions of the local business community, including hoteliers, family-owned businesses, corporations, educational institutions, the North County Transit District and Tri-City Medical Center.
The Hollywood-themed event was complete with students from Carlsbad High School TV interviewing guests on the red carpet as they arrived. Theatre students from MiraCosta College impersonated renowned actors, including Marilyn Monroe, Joan Crawford and Charlie Chaplin, and posed for photographs with attendees. During the awards presentation, Solutions Business Imaging scanned the crowd to project live images of the audience and award winners on a big screen that provided a backdrop for the stage.
Community members, prominent and high-profile business leaders and elected officials, including the Carlsbad City Council, Oceanside Deputy Mayor Rocky Chavez and Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach, all enjoyed the legendary night. The affair also featured a cocktail reception, music provided by a big band, dancing, culinary delights at a world renowned resort, a live auction and complimentary valet parking.
The presenting sponsors of the affair are NRG West – Cabrillo Power and Grand Pacific Resorts Inc. Star sponsors include Tri-City Medical Center, Westfield, Poseidon Resources, Morrow Development Inc., Comerica Bank, Invitrogen Corporation, Synergy Printing, Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Solutions Business Imaging, Your Community Yellow Pages and Citrus Special Events.
To view photos of the award winners, click here.
The event was a huge success as more than 680 people attended. For the first time ever, the dinner totally sold out and there was a waiting list for those who wanted to participate in the celebration.
This prestigious event honored local celebrities who play a starring role in Carlsbad's thriving business community. During the glamorous evening, the chamber presented awards to businesses or individuals in the following seven categories:
• Businessperson of the Year, Tim Stripe, co-president of Grand Pacific Resorts Inc.
• Small Business of the Year (1-15 employees), Solutions Business Imaging and Synergy Printing Services. This category has two winners because small businesses represent 85 percent of the chamber's membership.
• Medium Business of the Year (16-99 employees), RBF Consulting.
• Large Business of the Year (100 or more employees), Shea Homes San Diego.
• Lifetime Achievement in Business, Ben Weseloh of Weseloh Chevrolet-Hummer.
• Entrepreneur of the Year, Dr. Tina Nova Bennett, founder, president and CEO of Genoptix Medical Laboratory.
• Community Leadership, Mark and Kathy Winkler of Winkler & Winkler/Keller Williams Real Estate.
In addition, two special awards of recognition also were given out:
• Green Technology Advocate, The Lund Team.
• Environmental Spirit, Poseidon Resources Corp.
The award winners were presented with engraved Oscar-like statues provided by Carlsbad-based San Dieguito Trophy Inc., which uses the same manufacturer for the statues as the Academy Awards.
"It was an honor to salute the true stars of Carlsbad business at a world-class resort like the Four Seasons, a truly fitting location," said Ted Owen, president and CEO of the chamber. "The 10 best in business were selected from a field of 81 nominees, which attests to the competitiveness of the program."
Also during the evening, the chamber recognized the achievements of the 2007 board of directors and inaugurated its 2008 board members. The 39-member board represents all factions of the local business community, including hoteliers, family-owned businesses, corporations, educational institutions, the North County Transit District and Tri-City Medical Center.
The Hollywood-themed event was complete with students from Carlsbad High School TV interviewing guests on the red carpet as they arrived. Theatre students from MiraCosta College impersonated renowned actors, including Marilyn Monroe, Joan Crawford and Charlie Chaplin, and posed for photographs with attendees. During the awards presentation, Solutions Business Imaging scanned the crowd to project live images of the audience and award winners on a big screen that provided a backdrop for the stage.
Community members, prominent and high-profile business leaders and elected officials, including the Carlsbad City Council, Oceanside Deputy Mayor Rocky Chavez and Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach, all enjoyed the legendary night. The affair also featured a cocktail reception, music provided by a big band, dancing, culinary delights at a world renowned resort, a live auction and complimentary valet parking.
The presenting sponsors of the affair are NRG West – Cabrillo Power and Grand Pacific Resorts Inc. Star sponsors include Tri-City Medical Center, Westfield, Poseidon Resources, Morrow Development Inc., Comerica Bank, Invitrogen Corporation, Synergy Printing, Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Solutions Business Imaging, Your Community Yellow Pages and Citrus Special Events.
To view photos of the award winners, click here.