Bluffton Business Award winners announced at inaugural Bluffton Ball
More than 200 people came out Friday night dressed in their best "Bluffton chic" attire to attend the town's first Bluffton Ball.
The winners of 11 categories in the Bluffton Business Awards were recognized at the event, organized by the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce at the Bluffton Rotary Community Center. All winners received a Golden Oyster.
The Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce hosted the awards and the Bluffton Ball to celebrate community businesses.
"We wanted to recognize those successful people who have contributed to the growth in Bluffton," said Don Brashears, chairman of the chamber's board of directors.
The awards ceremony, which Brashears called a "home-grown community event" that took a year to plan, sold out.
"You would think this was our 100th annual ball," said Emily Cohn, owner of Moonlit Lullaby and presenting sponsor of the event. Cohn was also a finalist in the Rookie of the Year category.
Since October, more than 160 nominations for the Bluffton Business Awards were submitted for 90 different businesses and individuals operating in the greater Bluffton area. Submissions were open to the public, and no affiliation was required for nomination or recognition.
AND THE WINNERS ARE ...
- Small Business of the Year: Sea Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
- Business of the Year: Beacon Insurance
- Person of the Year: Lili Coleman, Bluffton Self Help
- Nonprofit of the Year: Programs for Exceptional People
- Business Startup of the Year: Aunt Laurie's
- Rookie of the Year: Mike Reichenbach, Mike Reichenbach Chevrolet
- Good Heart Award: Nate Pringle, A Call to Action
- Professional Education and Development Person of the Year: Timothy Chase, Bluffton High School
- Regional Impact Award: Parker's
- Memorial Award: Jerry Reeves and Ida Martin
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Emmett and Theodora "Teddy" McCracken
Follow reporter Ashley Fahey at twitter.com/IPBG_Ashley.
Related content:
- 3 more Bluffton Business Award finalists announced, December 30, 2015
- Bluffton Business Award finalists announced in 6 categories, December 22, 2015
This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 9:31 PM with the headline "Bluffton Business Award winners announced at inaugural Bluffton Ball."