Plans are being finalized for upcoming Chamber of Commerce membership meeting

The Chamber of Commerce is calling on the community to help them recognize local individuals who have made a positive difference this year by nominating them for one of their annual awards. Winners will be announced at the upcoming 93rd annual chamber banquet scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31. The banquet, presented by the Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce, will feature the dueling piano team of Gary and Barry from Tallahassee, Fla.
The deadline to submit nominations is less than three weeks away, on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. Awards up for consideration are: Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Community Service Professional of the Year, and Farm Family of the Year.
Nomination forms may be found on the chamber’s website, www.cairogachamber.com, or Facebook page. Hard copies may be picked up at the chamber, or chamber executive director Trey Gainous says he will mail or fax hard copies upon request.
Gainous encourages those who nominate to consider the quality of the nomination rather than the quantity of nominations. “This is judged blindly. For example, the written reasons will say ‘nominee 1’. No names, no information, other than the nomination essay that is submitted. You have to really sell your nominee to the judges,” he says.
The chamber’s descriptions of the awards are:
Large Business of the Year: “honors a member company that has more than 100 employees. The nominee should demonstrate visible growth and achievements, adhere to their company brand, and make a positive community impact by investing both through business and community support.”
Small Business of the Year: “honors a member company that has fewer than 100 employees. The nominee should demonstrate visible growth and achievements, adhere to their company brand, and make a positive community impact by investing both through business and community support.”
Man of the Year: “award is based on an inspiring man who is involved extensively in service and civic organizations and contributes to the success of not only their business, but to Grady County as well, The man nominated should be one who makes a positive community impact.”
Woman of the Year” award is based on an inspiring woman who is involved extensively in service and civic organizations and contributes to the success of not only their business, but to Grady County as well, The woman nominated should be one who makes a positive community impact.”
Young Professional of the Year: “award is based on outstanding achievement in the nominee’s chosen field of work as well as their community service activities. The nominee should be 40 years of age or younger and demonstrate high-minded self-sacrifice both within their profession and in community activities.”
Community Service Professional of the Year: “award is based on someone who, by acts of citizenship and involvement in the community, has helped to shape and promote the development of our community. The nominee’s volunteerism should be services rendered other than that individual’s regular paid duties.”
Farm Family of the Year: “award is based on the quality and degree of excellence of the family’s response to the farming industry in the community. The family nominated should be considered for their contributions to farming, their community, and to fellow citizens.”
The awards will be presented during the annual banquet next month, which will include a new form of entertainment, the dueling piano performance. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour, which will be held at the Grady County Museum and History Center, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. The dinner, awards and show will take place at Grady Cultural Center beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are for sale at the chamber of commerce for $40 each or $280 per table.