The Business Community turned out in force for the Friday, February 27, Excellence in Business Awards Banquet held at the stunning Tualatin Country Club. Special thanks to our Title Sponsor for the event: Cobalt Real Estate Development, and to these presenting sponsors: The City of Tualatin, NW Cannabis Company, and Bank of the Pacific. We also appreciate our Gold Sponsors: Perlo Construction and Columbia Bank. Without these sponsors, we could not have accomplished such an incredible event, and the Chamber Board and I are grateful to you all.
More people attended this event than have since before the quarantine. Fifteen tables of ten and one table of six were full of award nominees and their friends, family, and colleagues. It was an upscale, exciting and fun event. The décor included elegant white flowers and twinkling white lights, which perfectly accented black table linens and white-covered chairs. The delicious food prepared by Master Chef Israel Garcia was prime rib, halibut, asparagus and salads… Ideal wine pairings were provided by Express Employment’s Stoller Family Estate Vineyard & Winery. Republic Services sponsored the Brillance Signature drink for the pre-banquet cocktail hour, and Unitus Community Credit Union sponsored the dessert. Planning this event was a three-month labor of love. It was coordinated by the Chamber’s Banquet Committee, a talented team of dedicated volunteers led by Friederike Svenson (Chair), and husband, Michael Bernards (Co-Chair). Other committee leaders included: Nicole and Paul Wong – Registration; Steven Quick – Merchant Services Provider; Crystal Stanaway – Event Décor/ Floral Design; Jorjia Fields and Terri Beardsley – Raffle Baskets; Bill Cohen and Selena English – Masters of the Wine Wall; Ali Unverzagt – Onsite Coordinator; Susan Noack, “The General” – watching over everyone.
Chief Executive Officer, Anneleah Jaxen, served as Master of Ceremonies throughout the evening’s program, which included trophy presentations to winners in ten categories.
This was an event of joy, recognition and celebration. It honored all of us for our shared commitment to excellence in our chosen field of work. In the words of Voltaire, “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”
*The award nominees are put forth through a submission process by various Chamber members in January, Then, those nominated are voted on by the Chamber membership in early February to determine final award recipients. The CEO and Board of Directors do not choose the winners. This is a ‘member only’ voting process, and even being nominated is a true vote from the business community – a community that has recognized every nominee’s excellence.
