Small Business Award Nominations Due Monday

April 15, 2022 – Sarasota

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce (GSCC) encourages local businesses to apply for the 2022 Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small Business Awards, presented by the Herald-Tribune. Organizations have less than a week to apply. The deadline is on Monday, April 18, by 4:00 pm.

The Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small Business Awards aims to support local businesses and individuals that are building Sarasota’s legacy. The signature program gives an opportunity for members to share the behind-the-scenes story about staff and their organization’s outstanding work. The event also provides tremendous visibility to award finalists through Chamber publications, digital promotion and earned media coverage.

“The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime was beyond honored to receive the 2021 Small Business Award for Community Impact.  Almost a year later, we still have people coming to visit the store because they learned of us from the event.  This event and the award are great opportunities for small businesses without a big marketing budget to receive brand awareness and gain new customers.  We are grateful for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity and encourage others to enter. Good luck!” says Kim Livengood, The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime, 2021 Small Business Community Impact Award Recipient. 

Applications are scored by a panel of volunteer judges and three finalists are selected for interviews in each category. The winner in each category will be announced live and honored at the awards luncheon on Friday, June 17, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota at 11:30 a.m.

The nine award categories are:

●       Small Business (1-25 employees): Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

●       Medium Business (25-150 employees): Grapevine Communications

●       Large Business (150+ employees): Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP

●       Non-Profit: Hyatt Regency Sarasota

●       Rising Star of the Year: HH Staffing Services

●       Community Impact:  Kerkering, Barberio & Co.

●       Woman-Owned Business:  Herald-Tribune

●       Minority Business Award:  Bank of America

●       Workforce Innovation Award:  Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

Interested applicants should fill out application forms that can be downloaded at  SarasotaChamber.com/2022SBA.