The Hancock Chamber of Commerce is calling for the community to submit nominations for outstanding citizens and businesses to be recognized during the 41st Annual Hancock Business & Industry Awards Gala. Known as the local version of the Academy Awards, the Gala will be held on Thursday, August 23 at Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast. The festive event starts with a 5:30pm networking reception, followed by a formal dinner with entertaining video presentations featuring the award winners. The Industrial Award of Excellence will also be presented by the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission.
The deadline to submit nominations for outstanding citizens and businesses is Friday, May 18, 2018, 5pm, CT. To learn more, go to hancockchamber.org and submit your nominations.
To nominate someone as an outstanding citizen or business owner, he or she must have a record of making a positive impact on the community. Anyone may nominate one or more individuals and business owners to be considered for these awards and those being considered must be current members of the Hancock Chamber of Commerce in good standing. All nominees will be considered if they have not yet been recognized before. Those who are not yet members of the Chamber will be invited to join. Individuals may join for only $85 per year and annual business investment memberships start at $225. To find a list of previous honorees go to hancockchamber.org. (Elected officials are ineligible for nomination as Outstanding Citizens.)
The top ten qualified nominees for Outstanding Citizens will be presented to the Hancock Chamber of Commerce membership who will vote on the Citizen of the Year. The individual who is elected as Citizen of the Year will be kept confidential until it is announced the night of the Gala.
To nominate a business, the owner must demonstrate excellence in their industry, innovative practices, civic involvement and leadership. Qualified businesses will be submitted to the Chamber membership for consideration. By popular vote of the Hancock Chamber membership, one winner will be selected from each area (Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Diamondhead, Kiln/Hancock County) and recognized during the Gala.
Tickets for the gala are traditionally sold out with over 500 people attending. To reserve seats to the event or sponsor a table, go to hancockchamber.org.
This event is presented by the Hancock Chamber of Commerce and the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission and is sponsored by Coast Electric Power Association, Hancock Bank, Hollywood Casino – Gulf Coast, Mississippi Power Company, and Silver Slipper Casino Hotel.