Chamber News
Chamber Announces Business and Community Award Winners at Annual Meeting
January 25, 2007 — The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2007 Annual Meeting January 23 the Carolina Club on UNC’s campus. Over 460 of the Chamber’s members, local and state elected officials and regional business leaders attended the Annual Meeting to hear the keynote speaker and celebrate the Chamber’s successes in 2006. This year’s keynote speaker was Erskine Bowles, President of the University of North Carolina system.
Business of the Year awards were a highlight of the event and celebrate the best in the following three categories: small, mid-size and large businesses. The awards go to outstanding Chamber members which, having been under the same ownership or management for at least three years, have shown growth, innovation of product, exemplary customer service, response to adversity, and/or contribution to the community.
The Chapel Hill Wine Company won in the small category for their focus on all things local - local businesses, local non-profits and local residents. Chapel Hill Wine Company continues to show excellent growth at its two locations - 20.7% over the past year. As a result of such strong growth, the Hillsborough location moved to a new space, nearly tripling the wine selection and increasing space almost 100%. In 2006 having organized and put on the first-ever “Corks for Kids” Wine Dinner and Tasting Extravaganza, The Chapel Hill Wine Company raised over $30,000 for the North Carolina Children’s Hospital during their two-day event.
Lantern Restaurant, who will celebrate their 5th year anniversary on the heels of exceptional national accolades, including recognition in Gourmet magazine’s October issue as one of the “top 50 restaurants in America,” won in the mid-size category. Lantern Restaurant has become a local and national force in the culinary world, inspiring many, thanks to chef Andrea Reusing‘s commitment to local farms and sustainable practices and overall talent in the industry.
Chapel Hill Restaurant Group, who won the large category, bring us Spanky’s, 411 West and Squid’s, as well as Raleigh’s 518 West. By spending literally millions of dollars each year on local products and services, and millions more to support their staff, this organization nourishes our local economy and with a deliberate local emphasis, they help build the community of other successful community businesses, including our critically important agricultural industry. Since inception, the group has donated over a million dollars in cash and support to civic efforts, including cancer research, support for local schools, The UNC Children’s Hospital, The American Heart Association and countless other grassroots events.
The Business Newcomer Award was presented to an outstanding Chamber member business less than three years old, which has shown innovation in its field, creativity in its start up, likelihood of long-term success and contribution to the community. DSI Comedy Theater received the award for 2006. In the past year, DSI has both expanded its Comedy Training Center and opened its first performance space - DSI Comedy Theater in Historic Carr Mill Mall. In addition to providing a home for almost 50 artists, DSI Comedy Theater has educated over 200 new students in the art of improvisation this year alone and has entertained over 3000 audience members since its opening. They’ll host the South’s largest comedy festival this February 6-11 at multiple venues in Carrboro.
The Duke Energy Citizenship and Service award was also given to an individual with a longstanding history of leadership, volunteerism and involvement in our community – Representative Joe Hackney. Representative Hackney is co-chair of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators and he has been active in NCSL for several years. He is currently co-Chair of NCSL's Task Force on Immigration and the States. He has served as chair of NCSL's Standing Committees, NCSL's Environment and Natural Resources Committee and spent three years on NCSL's Executive Committee. Representative Hackney is a lawyer and a farmer. At the law practice in which he is a partner, he emphasizes civil litigation and domestic relations. He operates the family beef cattle farm in Chatham County, North Carolina with his brother.
For press inquiries, contact Aaron Nelson, President and CEO, at (919) 967-7075 or by email at anelson@carolinachamber.org.