Amherst Chamber names 2008 Small Business Award winners

The Amherst Chamber of Commerce has named the winners of its 2008 Small Business Awards.

The Chamber annually recognizes small businesses - those with 50 employees or fewer - from around the region for their success, innovation, customer service, philanthropy and ethical standards.

This year's winners include: David Meller, president of I-Evolve, Small Business Person of the Year; Center for Plastic Surgery, Outstanding Achievement Award; Alessi Fitness, At Your Service Award; John Durbin, director of Houghton College's P.A.C.E. Program, Champion Award; As It Is Inc., Innovation Award; and Nelson Prosthetics & Orthotics Laboratory, Zenith Award.

The awards will be presented at the Chamber's 2008 Small Business Awards Luncheon on Friday, May 2, at The Palms Banquets, 7740 Transit Road in Amherst. Mayor Byron Brown will be the speaker.

"We are proud to recognize these successful small businesses from across Western New York," said Colleen C. DiPirro, president and CEO of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce. "Small businesses are the foundation of our region's economy, and we need to honor their perseverance and acknowledge their success. Western New York is full of thriving small businesses that often go unrecognized, which is why the Amherst Chamber created these awards."

Highlighting the success of small business is a priority, said Rick Dean, chairman of the Chamber's Business Resource Council and president of R.W. Dean & Associates.

"Small companies are the backbone of our business community," he said. "We have some outstanding firms based in Western New York but rarely hear about them. The Small Business Awards Luncheon is one way the Amherst Chamber recognizes their achievements and puts them in the spotlight."

The Small Business Person of the Year Award goes to an individual who has been in business at least five years and has achieved success in the following areas: staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sales and/or unit volumes, innovativeness of products and/or services, response to adversity and involvement in community activities.

Past winners of this award include Angie Kleeh, president of TripleTrack @ The Synergy Group in 2007 and Maureen Millane Rusk, associate dean of Canisius College Wehle School of Business in 2006.

The Champion Award recognizes an individual who promotes small business above and beyond the call of their professional duties and responsibilities. The Innovation Award honors a small business whose use of technology or integration of technology has increased sales, product quality and profitability.

The At Your Service Award recognizes a retail, hospitality or service business for making its location, facility or Web site a destination for an increasing number of customers and generates loyalty and satisfaction. The Zenith Award honors a small business that has exhibited superior dedication to high ethical performance and professional service for its clients.

The cost to attend the luncheon is $25 for Amherst Chamber members or $300 for an Amherst Chamber member corporate table of 10. For nonmembers, seats are $35 per person or $400 per corporate table of 10.

To reserve a seat, call the Amherst Chamber at 632-6905.