Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce 2025 Annual Awards:

WRITTEN BY CRYSTAL SANDS

For years, the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce has been honoring the best of the Bangor region, but this year, there are some exciting changes being made to both the awards and the ceremony honoring winners.

Usually held in January, this year, the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce will be holding the big event to celebrate winners of the awards in April. With an “Old Hollywood” theme to align with the event’s sponsor, Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway, the event will look quite different from events of the past. This year, instead of a sit-down dinner, the event will be shorter and will feature hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. In addition to an awards ceremony, the event will feature performances by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and the Penobscot Theatre Company.

“Attendees often remark that they leave the event proud and inspired to be part of the Bangor region and all of the great things happening,” said Deb Neuman, President and CEO of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s awards will include the Norbert X. Dowd Award, the “Spirit of the Region” Cultural Award, Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, the Sarah Dubay Community Service Award, and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award.

The Norbert X. Dowd Award is the event’s most prestigious honor, and, according to the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, is meant to recognize someone who has used their time, resources, and talent to make “the Bangor region a better place to pursue one’s livelihood and dreams.” The “Spirit of the Region” Cultural Award honors an individual, business, or organization that has made a significant contribution to the Bangor region in the area of arts, entertainment, and cultural opportunities.

The Large Business of the Year Award recognizes a business in the Bangor area with over 25 employees that sets an example of leadership, quality, and opportunity. Large Business of the Year award winners of the past include the Bangor Daily News, Bangor Savings Bank, Darling’s, and Dysart’s.

The Small Business of the Year Award honors businesses with fewer than 25 full or part-time employees. It is important to note that small businesses account for 80 percent of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce’s membership. Previous Small Business Award winners include Rebecca’s and Tiller & Rye.

The Non-Profit of the Year award goes to a nonprofit in the Bangor region that has made a significant difference in the lives of the people in the area. According to the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, the Sarah Dubay Community Service Award honors “an individual who has contributed a significant amount of time and expertise to serving the Bangor region either by helping others directly or by enhancing community or regional assets that add to that quality of life.”

Lastly, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award focuses on a newer business in the Bangor area that has used innovation and creativity to create economic opportunity.

Nominations for these important awards come directly from the community. Individuals may not nominate themselves but may nominate others and businesses in the area that deserve recognition. In the past, nominees needed to be members of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, but an important change this year is that nominees need not be members. The winners are then selected by a committee of volunteers made up of prior year award winners, and according to Neuman, the committee emphasizes quality over quantity, so the decision for winners is not based on the number of nominations. It is important to note that, while the Chamber seeks to honor new winners every year, it is possible for a business or individual to win an award again.

“Each year the chamber is honored to recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations making significant positive contributions to the Bangor region,” Neuman said. “Oftentimes the recipients are well known in the community and many times they are ‘under the radar’ doing incredible things. Shining the spotlight on these winners brings awareness to the community about their contributions.”

KNOW OF A DESERVING INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION? NOMINATE THEM FOR A BANGOR REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARD!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT BANGORREGION.COM/ANNUAL-AWARDS-EVENT

NOMINATIONS FOR THE APRIL CEREMONY CAN BE MADE NOW THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2025