The Chamber’s Awards evening….

Accepting (and presenting!) the award for Valmark, Inc.: (l to r) Vernadel Peterson, Executive Director SJI Chamber; Wes Corey, Manager of King’s Market; John Stimpson, Manager of Market Place; Julie Corey, President SJI Chamber.

Last week the Chamber held its first awards banquet – here’s the scoop:

San Juan Island Chamber Celebrates Business at First Annual Banquet

Across the nation numerous Chambers of Commerce celebrate the success of the businesses in their community with an Annual Awards Ceremony. On April 29 the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce had its First Annual Banquet to recognize and award businesses.

The evening started at the Friday Harbor House, San Juan Room with hors d’ oeuvres served by Cakes by Felicitations and entertained by Sally Browne playing her Cello.  Cynthia’s of Course served dinner and the Dessert Auction was a fun twist to the evening.  Desserts were provided by Cakes by Felicitations, Cotton Cotton Cotton, Cynthia’s of Course, Hillside House Bed & Breakfast, Vinny’s and Sandy Baird from the Chamber office.

Award to The Whale Museum. (l to r) Vernadel Peterson, Executive Director SJI Chamber; Nan Simpson, Board member of The Whale Museum; Julie Corey, President SJI Chamber.

The 2009 Nonprofit of the Year was awarded to The Whale Museum!  They opened in 1979 and celebrated their 30th anniversary last year!   They are proudly open daily from 10-5 in the winter and 9-6 in the summer.  In 2009 they hosted 25,000 visitors in the Museum gallery.

Don’t forget Thursdays are free days for locals to visit!  The Whale Museum employs 10 full time employees, and there is an increase in that number for summer months.  For two years in a row The Whale Museum placed in the top 5 in Best of the Northwest King 5 contest.  2009 they were First for Best Small Museum and second in 2010!

Award to San Juan Hot Shop & Flavor Emporium. (l to r) Vernadel Peterson, Executive Director SJI Chamber; Eddie and Genie Williams, owners of San Juan Hot Shop & Flavor Emporium; Julie Corey, President SJI Chamber.

San Juan Hot Shop & Flavor Emporium received the 2009 Small Business of the Year Award.  Ed & Genie Williams bought the shop in February 2008 and have continued to see an increase in profits.  Genie attributes all the credit to Eddie.  He has a way with people and they have created an atmosphere where it’s colorful and the music sets the tone when people walk in.  They are on vacation and want to have fun and Ed leads them into the “funzone”.  Each guest is welcomed and encouraged to look around and if they have questions or want to try anything, Eddie and Genie are there to help. They continue to renew their thoughts on the store such as layout, trying new products. Is your picture on their chilehead wall? Eddie has even taken his knowledge of the health benefits of the peppers to the middle school and given 2 classes to the science class.  In 2009 we started the Hot Sauce of the Month Club which has exploded, and as you know they give 10% off to not only locals but their families and guests as well.  They have changed the layout in the store 5 times and have expanded their selections to include a made in Washington section, an Asian section, Cajun Section and added to the other sections. Their website is growing and accounts for about 20% of business.  Their on Facebook, send out a quarterly newsletter which has grown from 100 people to over 2,000 people! Genie creates the newsletter that gets sent out worldwide.

The 2009 Large Business of the Year Award was received by Valmark Inc. Since 1929, Kings has been the San Juan Islands’ source for quality products, foods, and produce. They are proud to offer the finest service and selection to our customers.  Their locations include Kings Market, Market Place, Kings Marine, Kings Video Rental, and Joe Friday’s Shirt Company in Friday Harbor.  They are a strong contributor to the community and in 2009 Kings Market issued a Challenge Gift of $50,000 in order to partially restore programs cut due to the $1,000,000 reduction made in the San Juan Island School District’s budget for the coming 2009-10 school year.

The event committee included Peggy Long, Jim Carroll, Lisa O’Brien, Randy and Gail Schnee planned the event including a surprise song created by Devorah.

Thank you to the sponsors that helped make the event: Ace Hardware of Friday Harbor, Eagle Home Mortgage, Friday Harbor Marine/Friday Harbor Yachts, Naknek Charter & Diving, Waterworks Gallery and Windermere San Juan Island.

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