ST. GEORGE — Local businesses that put their heart and soul into what they do are being recognized at the 2024 St. George Chamber Foundation Gala & Awards. And the top three nominees in each category have just been announced.
Shawn Christensen, president and CEO of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce, said being a part of the annual gala has been a pleasure. The opportunity to recognize local businesses and the people behind them is something he looks forward to every year.
“For the last few years, we have focused on essentially a lifetime achievement award — people that have reached the pinnacle of their professional careers,” Christensen told St. George News. “And we’ve met some absolutely incredible people through that.”
They’re switching up this year’s awards to reflect a variety of local businesses. Featuring everything from long-standing corporations to fresh, new businesses with a promising future, the competition highlights the plethora of hard-working people of Washington County.
This year’s award categories include the Thrive Award, Hometown Hero Award, Trailblazer Award, Rising Star Award and Paragon Award.
“We feel like it’s time to give the awards back to the businesses,” he said. “Recognize these businesses that have done so much for the community.”
The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce said they are proud of the nearly 1,000 businesses they represent in Southern Utah. They will focus their awards this year on those businesses’s accomplishments.
Finalists
Thrive Award: This award honors a business that has achieved outstanding growth and success over the past year and has been open for five years or more.
- Buddy Mail Advertising
- McMullin Injury Law
- Tagg-N-Go Car Wash
Hometown Hero: This award honors an outstanding business that has made a difference through service.
- Root For Kids
- RAM Aviation, Space, & Defense
- Majesty Moving and Storage
Trailblazer Award: This award honors innovative businesses creating positive change.
- beatBread
- Hearsee Mobility
- Tech Ridge
Rising Star Award: This award honors a promising new business that has achieved rapid growth and success in its first few years of operation and has been open for fewer than five years.
- Elevated Networks
- Farmstead
- Zion Healthshare
Paragon Award: This award honors a long-standing business that has become a pillar of the community and has been for 15 years or more.
- Hughes General Contractors
- Canyon Media
- Huntsman World Senior Games
With 50 nominations for five awards, the average number of companies per award was 10 before being narrowed down to the three finalists.
On Jan. 20, the award’s annual gala will kick off with a reception that includes hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a cash bar. Once the gala begins, outgoing board members and new additions to the board will be recognized. This year, four board members who have served three years or more will step down and seven new members will join.
Next comes the award show, featuring a video highlight of the three finalists. An envelope will be provided and opened to reveal the winner. After the first three awards, a band will take the stage for 30 minutes. The final two awards will then be presented, followed by a sixth award given by the Utah Travel and Tourism Office.
The St. George Chamber Foundation has partnered with the St. George Lodging and Tourism Association to create a scholarship fund for employees working in the Southern Utah tourism and hospitality industry. All profits from the 2024 Gala will be donated to this fund and matched by the St. George Lodging and Tourism Association.
Recipients of scholarships use these funds to further their education in the tourism and hospitality industry, helping them to grow their skill set and advance their careers.
The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce 2024 St. George Chamber Foundation Gala & Awards Presented by Greater Zion will take place Saturday, Jan. 20, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Dixie Convention Center Garden Room. For more information and tickets, visit the event page.
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