Who do you appreciate? Nominations open for Annual Awards

For decades, the Chamber has recognized deserving businesses, individuals, and organizations through its annual awards program. The entire community is invited to submit nominations online at masonchamber.com/nominate and will be accepted through October 31, 2024. Award categories, guidelines, and the complete list of past winners is also published online.

There are five categories open for nominations. Business of the Year honors the business that made the most significant contribution benefiting the Mason County community over the past year; most recently, Verle’s LLC took home the title. Rookie of the Year nods to a new business and was awarded to Wilde Irish Pub. Boss of Year recognizes an individual who empowers their employees and is an example of leadership and management excellence; last year Jennifer Duncan of Peninsula Credit Union earned the accolade. Citizen of the Year credits an individual who has made outstanding contributions to enhance the business community and the community at large; the recent award went to Amy Cooper. Nonprofit of the Year celebrates an organization who strongly impacts Mason County through service, volunteerism, and donations; Turning Pointe Survivor Advocacy Center received that title last.

“It is deeply gratifying to provide an opportunity to shine a light on the passionate, gritty entrepreneurs and hardworking nonprofits that call Mason County home,” said Chamber CEO Deidre Peterson. “By opening nominations to the entire community, we hope to expand the impact and the appreciation these awards command.”

All nominations will be reviewed by the Chamber’s Member Services Committee, who will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees a slate of three finalists per category to be placed on the ballot. As always, ballots will be sent to all members in good standing; each Chamber member receives one vote per category.

The majority vote by the membership determines the award winners who will be announced live at the Awards Gala held at Little Creek Casino Resort’s Skookum Event Center on Friday, January 17, 2025.

Two other awards will also be announced at the event: President’s Choice Award and Volunteer of the Year. Last year Past Board Chair Kyle Skarra selected Joe Schmit for his leadership and partnership in his role at the EDC of Mason County and Chamber staff honored Peter Zhang of the Hoodsport Visitor Information Center.

For more information contact Deidre Peterson at ceo@masonchamber.com or (360) 426-2021.