Madison Chamber of Commerce hosts Best in Business Awards
MADISON — Hundreds of North Alabama business professionals laughed, dined and lauded finalists and winners at the 2018 Best in Business Awards, hosted by the Madison Chamber of Commerce, Oct. 23 at Insanity Skate Park.
The evening began with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. sponsored by Progress Bank. Following the cocktail hour, guests enjoyed a buffet-style dinner of roast beef, chicken cordon bleu, mashed potatoes and green beans before the much-anticipated announcement of the awards.
John Malone, on-air personality for 100.3 The River, served as the emcee for the event, which was sponsored by Good Samaritan Hospice. Students from the Bob Jones High School Culinary Arts program served up the delicious dinner for the evening.
The featured speaker of the event was Dr. Karockas Watkins, CEO, president and executive director of Ability Plus. Ability Plus provides residential, day and behavioral services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. During his speech, Watkins motivated the crowd to reach their full potential through excellence, diligence and confidence.
“It’s great to live in an area and a city that’s going forward, that’s doing some great things,” Watkins said. “ … To be the best, some would say, is surpassing all others in greatness and excellence and achievement. I say it’s doing something the best you can do and being helpful no matter what the circumstances are.”
Watkins also said it’s important for businesses to be intentional and proactive, as well as have a strong vision.
“We’ve got to invest in our capacity—invest in who we are, invest in our personal development and invest in what we can do to make a difference not only in our company, but in our community and every sphere that we associate in,” Watkins implored. “We can make Huntsville and Madison and Decatur and all of North Alabama the greatest place to live in.”
The following is a list of this year’s winners in the order they were presented:
- Start-Up of the Year: HomeFit Consulting
- Community Servant of the Year: Deborah Ward – Inside-Out Ministries
- Health & Wellness Business of the Year: II XCL Strength & Conditioning
- Home & Living Business of the Year: Lee Company
- Medical Practice of the Year: Nesin Therapy Services
- Food Service of the Year: Blue Pants Brewery
- Excellence in Leadership & Service: Louis Breland – Breland Companies
- Non-Profit of the Year: Hogan Family YMCA
- Ambassador of the Year: Theresa Croley – iHeartMedia
- Small Business of the Year: Compass Physical Therapy
- Best Business of the Year: The Riley Center
The night’s big winner, The Riley Center, provides services for autistic children and their families. They employ a “multidisciplinary approach” to help fulfill a need for earlier diagnosis and treatment for those affected by autism. They offer various outpatient and education programs for autistic children, as well as counseling for parents, siblings and extended family.
“It is an absolute honor to be the recipient of the 2018 Madison Chamber of Commerce Best Business of the Year award,” The Riley Center said of the win on their Facebook page. “It takes an army of therapists, behavior analysts, teachers, receptionists, insurance specialists, directors, donors, board members and volunteers to achieve such an honor.”
To learn more about The Riley Center and their work in the community, visit therileycenter.org or call 256-882-2457.
This year’s trophy sponsor was Capital Management Services. All of the evening’s honorees enjoyed a VIP party after the event to celebrate their wins.
“When strong, successful businesses support the chamber, we can continue to provide the opportunities and resources that up-and-coming businesses need to join your ranks and work together to ensure that Madison continues to thrive and grow amidst all the incredible changes the next few years will bring to our community,” said Pam Honeycutt, executive director of the Madison Chamber of Commerce.
