Northeast Berks Chamber’s Annual Dinner honors and inspires members

The Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) recently celebrated the return of its annual dinner following the pandemic. The revitalized event offered an evening filled with networking, recognition and inspiration.

“We hope this event will help to foster the growth and collaboration between our members and local businesses in the Berks County community,” Northeast Berks Chamber Executive Director Treva J. Florence said in a statement. “The annual dinner serves as an event where we bring together entrepreneurs, industry leaders and community members to celebrate achievements and look ahead to future opportunities.”

Held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading on Oct. 26, the program featured Craig Poole, president and COO of Reading Hospitality Management Co. as guest speaker and the presentation of the Shining Star Awards to honor outstanding businesses and individuals within the community.

“The camaraderie from chamber members and the community to celebrate local businesses and their achievements, as well as hearing the inspirational stories from speaker Craig Poole, made this an unforgettable event,” said Florence.

Poole —  who has more than 50 years in the hospitality industry — addressed chamber members on the topic of “Empowering Your Employees.”

“Poole spoke about the origins of the Reading DoubleTree, Reading Hospitality, and all they do for the community and their employees. Craig Poole even brought some employees briefly on stage to give their story as to how he has made a difference in their life by working at DoubleTree,” said Florence. “He continued to encourage business owners that success comes from giving back to your community and pouring into your employees. It was a very moving, encouraging and inspirational speech.”

About 50 people attended the event.

“This was our first award dinner since the pandemic, and we were super excited about it and had a great turnout,” said Florence.

Shining Star Awards

NBCC President Barbara Coffin announced the Shining Star Award recipients during the dinner. Out of a total of 24 nominees, five awards were presented in four categories; there was a tie for the Community Leader Award.

“The Shining Star Awards serve to recognize and honor the outstanding achievements and contributions of chamber members within our community,” said Florence. “Each recipient of the Shining Star Award is well deserving as are their fellow nominees.”

The Shining Star Awards began about eight years ago to recognize members for their professional, community, and/or personal achievements.

“Like with most things, the pandemic caused a hiatus in the Shining Star Awards. The challenges of the pandemic were tremendous for everyone but especially small businesses,” said Coffin in a statement. “To recognize the ways that business and nonprofits have realigned to meet the challenges caused by the pandemic, it was decided to re-institute the Shining Star Awards and recognize the achievements of our members.”

The chamber partnered with Berks Schuylkill SCORE, whose volunteer mentors formed a judging panel to review and evaluate each candidate.

To qualify, nominees had be a chamber member for at least one year and in good standing and eligibility must be in some way documented to support candidacy for awards. A member can be defined as a business, nonprofit, or individual. Judges evaluated the candidates’ eligibility based on awards criteria.

“It was very difficult to decide among the nominees — evidenced by the fact that the judges could not decide between the nominees for the community leader, so decided to award to two community leaders,” said Coffin.

Awards were presented in the following categories: PIVOT Award, Emerging Professional, Community Leader and Chamber Superstar.

“This year’s award winners have all needed to reevaluate their operations and move forward into a very challenged business community and have been able to increase their business in spite of the numerous challenges,” said Coffin. “We look forward to continuing to recognize the numerous achievements of our members.”

The PIVOT Award honors a chamber member that has navigated a crisis of any nature, including, but not limited to, business, economic, health, personal, or community, and has demonstrated a pivot or shift to adapt, overcome, or, in any way, transform downturn into measurable progress or success.

Sherry Christman, owner of Elite Business Solutions LLC, received the PIVOT Award for overcoming challenges.

“I grew up in a mobile home park and kids picked on me, never thought that I would actually have my own business. Then I started my business in 2012 after my dad passed in February and I lost my full-time job in May of that same year,” said Christman. “Eleven years later and I have a team in an office space outside of my home. I was terrified to speak in public and now I don’t hesitate to speak to a group of people. I love to share my story so I can encourage others to chase their dreams and face their fears.”

The Emerging Professional Award was presented to Anne Timpe, owner of kTown Hall in Kutztown.

Emerging Professional honors a chamber member that has demonstrated significant contributions to the chamber or demonstrated a leadership role in the communities served by the chamber, as well as demonstrated visionary leadership in the business or nonprofit sector.

“It is an honor to be selected from such a fantastic group of dynamic businesses and individuals,” Timpe said in a statement. “The chamber has been a great support since even before we opened. The strength of kTown Hall Coworking truly is our member community, and the collaboration and new opportunities and projects that continue to emerge from this group of coworking professionals. It is an honor to manage this community and to receive this reward on their behalf.”

The Community Leader Award was presented to Friend Inc. Community Services and CONCERN Professional Services.

The Community Leader Award honors a chamber member that actively volunteers to serve local community or charitable causes or both, garners support for a cause via professional and social networks and use their business or business role to improve the quality of a cause.

“It really is an honor, and somewhat humbling, to have Friend Inc. be recognized as a community leader for simply doing what we do every day,” Jim Reece, Friend Inc. executive director, said in a statement. “It is nice to know, however, that the impact that we have on our community is recognized by our peers at the chamber. We could not achieve these successful outcomes without the contributions of our dedicated staff, deeply committed volunteers, generous donors and our partnership with United Way.”

Gordan May accepted the award on behalf of CONCERN.

“CONCERN is pleased to receive the Shining Star Award,” Tricia Reedy Jones, director of development and marketing at CONCERN, said in a statement. “Craig Pool, owner of the DoubleTree, focused his keynote speech on looking for employees who have hope and providing them with opportunity. This really hit home, as CONCERN’s mission is to bring hope, offer opportunity and inspire change.  Knowing that CONCERN is one of many agencies who bring hope and offer opportunity is very inspiring.”

The Chamber Superstar Award was presented to Tompkins Community Bank.

The Chamber Superstar Award honors a chamber member that actively markets the Northeast Berks Chamber to business associates, customers and clients; makes referrals; expands the chamber’s network of prospects and partners; encourages and recruits new memberships; and develops ideas into programs or projects.

“Tompkins Community Bank is honored to be a recipient of the Shining Star Award in Northeast Berks,” Laurie Grube, community banking division manager, said in a statement. “Giving back to the community is embedded within the DNA of Tompkins Community Bank and we are humbled to be recognized alongside other businesses and leaders who understand the importance of local involvement. We look forward to our continued work with our neighbors and helping members however possible.”

Chamber Recognition

The chamber board of directors also recognized Coffin for all she does in the Berks County community and recognized Florence for orchestrating the event and a successful 2023 year. This event took about six months to plan.

The chamber board also thanked event sponsors Fleetwood Bank, Advantage Pointe Apartments and Imagine Berks, speaker Craig Poole and the dinner event committee. Thanks were also given to the raffle donors.

“This dinner was a great success, and we are looking forward to next year,” said Florence.