Date: February 14, 2018
Contact: Karen Kim
Director of Marketing & Communications
Office: (972) 335-9522 | Cell: (972) 900-9651
kkim@friscochamber.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Frisco Chamber of Commerce 34th Annual Frisco Number Ones Gala, “The Artistry of Industry!”
The Frisco Chamber of Commerce honored outstanding businesses, organizations, and citizens at its 34th Annual Frisco Number Ones Gala on Friday, February 9, 2018 at the Omni Frisco Hotel. The theme this year, “The Artistry of Industry!” celebrated the art of being successful in business. The sold-out event, emceed by Joe Trahan, Sports Anchor/Reporter for WFAA, was attended by over 640 of Frisco’s most influential business and community leaders.
In October 2017, nominations were accepted for this year’s business awards. Applications were reviewed and judged by a cross-section of Frisco business professionals that comprised the review committee. In addition to the business awards, the Frisco Chamber President and Chair of the Board each honored a business organization or individual that has made a significant difference to the Frisco Chamber of Commerce during the past year. Three Frisco citizens were also recognized for their commitment to and enhancement of the community.
“This event allows the business community to come together to celebrate each other’s successes, and allows recognition of those businesses that make Frisco number one in so many ways,” said Tony Felker, President and CEO of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce. “Frisco is fortunate to have so many outstanding businesses and such a strong business community. To first narrow down the field to just a few finalists, and then to choose one winner in each category, was a difficult process!”
The Frisco Number Ones award, now in its second year, was given to the business that has shown the most creativity in marketing their own business using the Frisco Chamber of Commerce foam hand and the hashtag #FriscoNumberOnes on social media.
Raffle items donated by the business community helped to create eleven unique packages, many which were valued “priceless,” and included, to name a few: a sports fan package, valued at over $11,000; a commissioned custom art package valued at over $15,000; SWAT for a day with the Frisco Police Department; and an elegant dinner with Frisco’s Fire Chief. A surprise during the awards ceremony was the live auction of a six-foot “coloring page,” created specifically for the gala, featuring Frisco landmarks. This canvas, which was colored by gala attendees during the reception, sold for $3,100.
“Our goal this year was to create a one-of-a-kind experience at our gala!” said Christi Wilson, Director of Events for the Frisco Chamber of Commerce. “From the raffle packages to the reception – which included artistic elements such as Brain Art, the Frisco landscape coloring page, and Photo Graffiti – to the eleven-year old singer performing the national anthem…this was certainly a celebration of Frisco!”
“The events of the evening would not have been possible without our generous sponsors,” Wilson said. Hall Park was the presenting sponsor of this year’s Frisco Number Ones Gala. Gold sponsors included Bank of America Merrill Lynch, CMT Worldwide, and Peak Roofing & Construction. Silver sponsors were CoServ, Garver LLC, and Town & Country Roofing. The Reception Sponsor was HCL.
The 2017 Award Winners are:
2017 President's Award Paul Williams - Bison Financial Group, Inc.
2017 Chairman's Award Ann Anderson - Anderson Insurance Agency
2017 Ambassador of the Year David Cheek - Transworld Business Advisors of North DFW
2017 Ambassador Team of the Year Suad B's Bees - Team Lead: Suad Bejtovic
2017 Frisco Number Ones Award Jody and Lori McCaghren - Mortgage Financial Services
2017 Small Business of the Year Frisco Style Magazine
2017 Medium Business of the Year Eight11 Place
2017 Large Business of the Year Careington International
2017 Developer of the Year Newman Real Estate
2017 Employer of the Year SMD Consulting & Accounting, LLC
2017 Entrepreneur of the Year Jason Young - Verona Villa
2017 Non-Profit of the Year The North Texas Community Giving Foundation, Inc.
2017 Volunteer of the Year Mike Simmons - New York Life
2017 Young Professional of the Year Melanie Nance - Team Nance Homes
2017 Citizen of the Year Geneva Polster
2017 Silver Citizen of the Year Sammy Vaughn
2017 Spirit of Frisco Tammy Meinershagen
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About the Frisco Chamber of Commerce
The Frisco Chamber of Commerce is a 4-Star Accredited Chamber of Commerce that consists of about than 1,300 member businesses who provide goods and services to the growing, bustling economy in Frisco and the surrounding area. The mission of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce is to protect and promote commerce, thru advocacy, resources, and connections. For more information, visit www.friscochamber.com.
