The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 2014 Business Awards Dinner on Friday, February 28.  The Chamber is also pleased to announce that CBS 8 San Diego-KFMB’s Dan Cohen will serve as the master of ceremonies for the dinner. To recognize the 1920’s – the decade the Carlsbad Chamber was founded – “Spirit of the Twenties:  Business is Roaring” – was chosen to reflect the generation and its comparison to today’s businesses and developments.

The 1920s was a great era for new discoveries. It really set the stage for a lot of the things that we take for granted these days. In a lot of ways, we share a lot of common traits with the spirit of that era — the sense of wonderment of scientific discovery, economic advancement and progress. That’s the environment that the founders of this Chamber were in, and it’s very similar to our situation today.

–  Toni Padron, Executive Vice President/COO Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce

Carlsbad Chamber members are encouraged to complete a nomination form. Members may nominate themselves as they see fit according to the award criteria. We have changed our categories from previous years to reflect Carlsbad’s largest industry clusters. Below are the new categories and criteria used to judge the nominees. The deadline to send the nomination form is Friday, January 17. Information and Communication Technology This company has demonstrated the use of information and communication technologies such as: software, hardware, or a combination of both to transmit signs, signals, writing, images, voice, video, or data through media (e.g., internet, radio, television). The company has created jobs and contributed positively to Carlsbad’s business community Life Sciences This company has demonstrated innovative and positive contributions related to the focus on biology, biotechnology, genomics, neuroscience, pharmacology or similar industries. This company must also have recently made significant and positive contributions related to promoting the study of life sciences or other scientific achievements, which improve the quality and standards of life. The company has created jobs and contributed positively to Carlsbad’s business community. Clean Technologies This company has a demonstrated commitment of using green technology through the use of solar, wind, water, or energy efficiency products.  This company is also committed to sustainable business practices, and overall reduction of carbon footprint by recycling, reusing or other “green” practices. The company has created jobs and contributed positively to Carlsbad’s business community. Action Sports & Manufacturing This company has demonstrated design, implementation, product performance, market acceptance, increasing sales, and moving into international markets. Innovative manufacturing approaches such as excellence in financial performance, overall business strategy, internal operations, corporate training, manufacturing processes, and sustainable practices are to be considered. The company has created jobs and contributed positively to Carlsbad’s business community. Hospitality & Leisure This company has demonstrated superior customer service, quality facilities, openness to the public, competitively priced, availability, uniqueness, is family-friendly, and amenities to choose from to distinguish itself as an industry leader for others to follow. Company or organization promotes Carlsbad to visitors and tourists. The company has created jobs and contributed positively to Carlsbad’s business community.