Branson/Tri-Lakes News: Chamber adds charities to small-business awards

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce will recognize charities this year during its annual small-business awards event.

The Small Business and Charity of the Year Dinner is slated for June 19 at Buckingham's in the Clarion Hotel at the Palace. Now in its 11th year, the event recognizes "business owners who provide a significant and consistently positive contribution to the community," according to a chamber news release.

During this year's event - themed "Small Businesses are the Heartbeat of Branson" - an award also will be given in the not-for-profit category, Director of Membership Services Ladona Johnson said in the release.

"Not-for-profit agencies face many of the same challenges as for-profit businesses in taking care of their customers," she said.

In 2008, Myer Hotels' Comfort Inn & Suites received the Small Business of the Year Award. Past recipients, which are nominated by chamber members but do not have to be members, include River Run Outfitters, Roy Rogers/Dale Evans Museum & Happy Trails Theatre, The Track, Thunder Road, Akers & Arney Insurance, Ride the Ducks, Compton Ridge Campground, L&J Plumbing and Computech Mailing Services.

Nominations can be made through Bethany Thomas at the chamber via e-mail at bthomas@bransoncvb.com. Reservations for the $35 event tickets are due by June 15.[[In-content Ad]]