The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce (CDCC) is pleased to announce that the voting has begun for the annual Excellence in Business Awards! “Excellence” has been defined in various ways: greatness… the quality of being outstanding or extremely good, of being truly the best at something… distinction … superiority. Among Chamber members, excellence is measured by positive interactions with the public, a demonstration of growth, a prevailing response to adversity, and a passion for service to the community. Excellence achieved by an active pool of high achievers is truly excellent.

Each year, nominations are gathered from members of the CDCC for three prestigious awards: Large Employer of the Year (for companies of more than 50), Small Business of the Year (for companies of up to 50), and Young Professional of the Year (for individuals between 21 and 35 years of age). The nominations are reviewed by a committee made up of previous award winners who select three nominees in each category. This is followed by a vote of the Chamber’s member businesses that determines the winner. Finally, the awards are presented in June at the Awards for Excellence Dinner that concludes the Chamber’s year of events.

The 2021 nominees have now been selected! For Large Employers of the Year, the nominees are Bayhealth Medical Center, Century Engineering, and Polytech. Our Small Business of the Year nominees are Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, DE Turf Sports Complex, and The House of Coffi. For Young Professional of the Year, the nominees are Ryne Johnson of Advantech, Jesse Sapp of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, and Cassie Porter of Faw Casson. It is such an honor to be nominated for these awards from a group of business colleagues and peers! Congratulations to ALL our nominees.

Voting has now begun. Each member business is allowed one vote. To vote, simply complete the ballot that was in the Chamber Connections (May Issue) and send it in OR vote online at www.cdcc.net. It is so important for every business to cast their vote and be involved in this process, so please vote! All votes must be in no later than May 26!

Winners will be announced at the Awards for Excellence Dinner on Thursday, June 24, at Pizzadili Winery. Please join us as we celebrate all our nominees! We will also hear our chairman’s State of the Chamber address, recognize our many volunteers, and graduate this year’s Leadership Central Delaware Class.

For more information about the dinner or to register, call the CDCC Office at 302-734-7513. We look forward to a celebration of excellence with all of you!

Upcoming events

•Tuesday, May 11: Young Professionals’ Social at Jonathan’s Landing, noon – 1 p.m.;

•Wednesday, May 12: Coffee Coaching Come Back Series in the CDCC Board Room or on Zoom, 8 to 9 a.m.;

•Thursday, May 13: Member Orientation in the CDCC Board Room and on Zoom, 8:30 – 10 a.m.