Our Annual Awards Banquet is held typically on the 2nd Thursday in January each year and is our time to recognize all those who help our community grow.

At this banquet we recognize chamber members for their outstanding work throughout the year within our business community. We give awards for Citizen of the Year (Sponsored by the Bowling Green Times), Outstanding Chamber Member of the Year, Outstanding Board Member of the Year, Friend of the Chamber Award and 10 Best of Bowling Green Awards. At this banquet is when we also swear in our new Executive & General Board Members, pull our chamber raffle prize winner and much more while we enjoy a warm dinner, small silent auction, beverages of all degrees and live entertainment.

This banquet is open to the public although Chamber Members receive official invitations via direct mail and receive first choice of seating. RSVP is required for this all inclusive, business casual banquet event.

Join us for our 51st Annual Awards Banquet!

The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce invites you to our 51st Annual Awards Banquet!

Thursday, January 12th, 2023 at the Pike County Fairgrounds starting at 5:00 p.m.

This year will boast a silent auction, awards, dinner and live entertainment! Tickets are $40 per person for tables of 8!

RSVP by December 31st, 2022 using one of the following options:

• Download the Invitation and RSVP Form >>>
• RSVP Online Here >>>
• RSVP using the form below and choose to pay at the event.

*Please Note* There will be no refunds and/or payment will still be owed if reservations are cancelled within 2 weeks of the event. 

Make your votes count for the Chamber Awards!

The following are the Awards given at the Annual Awards Banquet. These awards are completely open to the public so be sure to get in on the action and make your votes count!

Citizen of the Year Award

This award is annually presented and sponsored by the Bowling Green Times. Votes take place online through Bowling Green Times and a staff member presents it to the winner who typically is completely unaware of what they are about to receive. Voting link will be added here when open.

Outstanding Chamber Member of the Year Award

This award is presented to an individual who is a member of the chamber who shows the most community support through their activeness in helping the chamber succeed. This voting takes place through an online survey through the chamber. Voting link will be added here when open.

Friend of the Chamber Award

Anyone or any business within the community (chamber member or not) that has gone above and beyond to help the chamber and our community throughout the year.  Voting link will be added here when open.

Outstanding Board Member of the Year Award

Presented to a present board member that has gone above their call of duty to help the board in its endeavors. This voting takes place through an online survey and is only voted on by current board members.

Business Beautification Grant Award

Each year Chamber Members are invited to apply for our Business Beautification Grant. The Chamber's Scholarship & Grant committee reviews all the applicants and chooses a winner that is announced and presented a big $500 check at our Annual Awards Banquet!

The Best of Bowling Green Awards

These awards began in 2019 to help recognize individuals and businesses who deserve recognition for the amazing work they do to help our community succeed. These votes take place through an online survey that is open to the public. The top 5 finalists are invited to our Annual Awards Banquet to see how they placed in the finalist round. 1st-3rd places win a Chamber Mug Trophy & Certificate and 4th-5th win a certificate of acknowledgment. The following are the 10 categories to be voted on:

• Best place to work: As either a current or previous employee, vote the best place you have worked!
• Best Boss: As either a current or previous boss, tell us who you think was the best boss to work for!
• Best Customer Service: What business in Bowling Green do you think has top notch customer service?
• Best Retail Shop: Shop till you drop! Where at in Bowling Green do you think offers the best retail therapy?!
• Best Place to Eat: What establishment in Bowling Green do you think has the best food?!
• Koolest Place to Be: Tell us where you love to hang out in Bowling Green!
• Best New Business in Town: What business is new within the past 5 years that you think is one of Bowling Green’s best additions?
• Biggest Community Supporter: An individual or organization, vote for who you think supports the Bowling Green community the best!
• Best Not-For-Profit Business: Non-Profits do so much for our town and often go un-noticed, who do you think does the best non-profit work in Bowling Green?
• Best Teacher: Teachers are what help grow our future business leaders, employees and educators; vote for your favorite full time or retired Bowling Green teacher!

HOW TO VOTE:

• Voting is the first Tuesday-Friday in December.
• 1 vote per person/per device
• Open ended survey *see rules below*
• Voting is currently CLOSED

Rules & Regulations for The Best of Bowling Green Awards

There will be 5 finalist at the end of all voting. All winners will be announced at our annual banquet and all finalists are encouraged to attend. 1st - 3rd place winners will receive a Chamber Mug Trophy and Certificate. 4th-5th place winners will receive a certificate acknowledging their accomplishment. Votes will be done solely online, judges will be made up of the Members of the Chamber Board. Only businesses/individuals that are located in or service Bowling Green are able to compete. Voters will be able to cast one vote per person/per device. It is important to be as ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE when typing out votes, if the judges are unable to comprehend the place or individual written, or if a nominee does not fit the required criteria it will not be counted. Descriptions of why voters are choosing their nominations are appreciated but not required. The chamber reserves the right to discount votes when voting outside of these rules is apparent and adjust them as necessary each year.

Citizen of the Year

• 2021: Tracy Brookshier
• 2020: Rhonda Stumbaugh
• 2019: Ryan Bibb
• 2018: Frank Berlin
• 2017: Shelley Wiler

Outstanding Chamber Member of the Year

• 2021: Bo Stinnett, Alliance Water Resources
• 2020: Brittany Henke, Community State Bank
• 2019: Tracy Brookshier, Pike Co. Health Dept. Home Health & Hospice
• 2018: Deanna Feldmann, HNB Bank
• 2017: Tracy Brookshier, Pike Co. Health Dept. Home Health & Hospice

Friend of The Chamber

• 2021: Community State Bank
• 2020: Bleigh Ready Mix
• 2019: Liberty Utilities
• 2018: Barb Allison
• 2017:  Pike Mutual Insurance
• 2016: Trailerman Trailer
• 2015:  Bowling Green Chevy /Buick
• 2014:  Bowling Green Rotary
• 2013:  Wal-Mart
• 2012:  Bowling Green FFA
• 2011:  Clancy Boyer
• 2010:  Meyer Implement
• 2009:  Bowling Green R-1 School District
• 2008:  Peoples Bank & Trust
• 2007:  Super 8 Hotel
• 2006:  Hickman IGA
• 2005:  Community State Bank

Outstanding Board Member of the Year

• 2021: Tracy Brooksheir, President 2021
• 2020: Karen Arico, 2nd Vice President 2020

The Best of Bowling Green Awards

Best place to work: 

• 2021: 1st: Bowling Green R-1 School 2nd: Pawsitively Pampered Pets 3rd: Two Scoops 4th: Ann Layne Boutique 5th: Woods Smoked Meats
• 2020: 1^st: Bowling Green Schools, 2^nd: Bowling Green Medical Group, 3^rd: Forever Primitives & Luncheonette, 4^th: Twin Pike Family YMCA, 5^th: RE/MAX Realty Shop
• 2019: 1^st: Bowling Green Medical Group, 2^nd: Bowling Green Schools , 3^rd: Pike Co. Health Dept. Home Health & Hospice, 4^th: Ann Layne Boutique, 5^th: RE/MAX Realty Shop

Best Boss: 

• 2021: 1st: Ginny Elliott, Ink Therapy & Body Piercing 2nd: Kala Luebrecht, Pawsitively Pampered Pets 3rd: Brittney Ruether, Gypsy Soul Salon & Boutique 4th: Matthew Frederickson, BGR1 5th: Cory Kessler, BGR1
• 2020: 1^st: Denis Foster, Bowling Green Medical Group, 2^nd: Stephanie Klott, Ann Layne Boutique, 3^rd: Elisha Koenig, RE/MAX Realty Shop, 4^th: Craig & Mandy Burnett, Forever Primitives & Luncheonette, 5^th: Karen Harrower, Parkside Manor
• 2019: 1^st: Denis Foster, Bowling Green Medical Group, 2^nd: Stephanie Klott, Ann Layne Boutique, 3^rd: Shelley Wiler, Crossroads General Stores, 4^th: Elisha Koenig, RE/MAX Realty Shop , 5^th: Laura & David Charlton, Southside Bar & Grill

Best Customer Service: 

• 2021: 1st: Ink Therapy & Body Piercing 2nd: Ann Layne Boutique 3rd: Two Scoops 4th: Woods Smoked Meats 5th: BGR1 School Staff
• 2020: 1^st: Bowling Green Medical Group, 2^nd: Ann Layne Boutique, 3^rd: B & B Automotive, 4^th: Forever Primitives & Luncheonette, 5^th: Ink Therapy and Boy Piercing
• 2019: 1^st: Bowling Green Medical Group, 2^nd: Ann Layne Boutique, 3^rd: Gypsy Soul Salon & Boutique, 4^th: Crossroads General Stores, 5^th: Community State Bank

Best Retail Shop: 

• 2021: 1st: Ann Layne Boutique 2nd: Gypsy Soul Salon & Boutique 3rd: Woods Smoked Meats 4th: Prairies Edge Garden Center 5th: The Henny Penny
• 2020: 1^st: Ann Layne Boutique, 2^nd: Gypsy Soul Salon & Boutique, 3^rd: The Henny Penny, 4^th: Hair Creationz, 5^th: Forever Primitives & Luncheonette
• 2019: 1^st: Ann Layne Boutique, 2^nd: Gypsy Soul Salon & Boutique, 3^rd: Spring Hollow Coffee, 4^th: The Henny Penny, 5^th: Crossroads General Stores

Best Place to Eat: 

• 2021: 1st: Aloha Wood Fired Pizza 2nd: A Taste of Philly Steak & Ale 3rd: Dos Primos Mexican Restaurant 4th: Woods Smoked Meats 5th: Southside Bar & Grill
• 2020: 1^st: Dos Primos Mexican Restaurant, 2^nd: B & B Tavern, 3^rd (tie): A Taste of Philly &  Forever Primitives & Luncheonette, 4^th: Southside Bar & Grill, 5^th: Bowling Green Diner
• 2019: 1^st: Dos Primos Mexican Restaurant, 2^nd: Southside Bar & Grill, 3^rd: B&B Tavern, 4^th: Spring Hollow Coffee, 5^th: Forever Primitives & Luncheonette

Koolest Place to Be: 

• 2021: 1st: Ink Therapy & Body Piercing 2nd: BGR1 Sporting Events & Activities 3rd: Two Scoops 4th: Bowling Green City Parks 5th: Southside Bar & Grill
• 2020: 1^st: Bowling Green Schools Sporting Events, 2^nd: Bowling Green Parks, 3^rd: Southside Bar & Grill, 4^th: Twin Pike Family YMCA, 5^th: Forever Primitives & Luncheonette
• 2019: 1^st: Bowling Green Schools Sporting Events, 2^nd: Spring Hollow Coffee, 3^rd: Southside Bar & Grill, 4^th: Ann Layne Boutique, 5^th: Gypsy Soul Salon & Boutique

Best New Business in Town: 

• 2021: 1st: Ink Therapy & Body Piercing 2nd: Aloha Wood Fired Pizza 3rd: Two Scoops 4th: A Taste of Philly Steak & Ale 5th: They Henny Penny
• 2020: 1^st: Ann Layne Boutique, 2^nd: The Henny Penny, 3^rd: A Taste of Philly, 4^th: Ink Therapy & Body Piercing, 5^th: Forever Primitives & Luncheonette
• 2019: 1^st: Bowling Green Medical Group, 2^nd: Ann Layne Boutique, 3^rd: Spring Hollow Coffee, 4^th: Forever Primitives & Luncheonette, 5^th: The Henny Penny

Biggest Community Supporter: 

• 2021: 1st: Bibb Veach Funeral Homes & Crematory LLC 2nd: Pike County Health Dept. Home Health & Hospice 3rd: Community State Bank 4th: Pike County Sheriff Stephen Korte 5th: Chris Grote, Pike County Conservation
• 2020: 1^st: Pike County Health Dept. Home Health & Hospice, 2^nd: Bibb-Veach Funeral Home, 3^rd: Community State Bank, 4^th: Sheriff Stephen Korte, 5^th: Forever Primitives & Luncheonette
• 2019: 1^st: Pike Co. Sheriff Stephen Korte, 2^nd: Pike County Health Dept. Home Health & Hospice, 3^rd: Crossroads General Stores, 4^th: Community State Bank, 5^th: Ann Layne Boutique

Best Not-For-Profit Business: 

• 2021: 1st: Anne’s Anchor 2nd: PCADD 3rd: Pike County Health Dept. Home Health & Hospice 4th: The Hope Center 5th: NECAC
• 2020: 1^st: Pike County Health Dept Home Health & Hospice, 2^nd: Twin Pike Family YMCA, 3^rd: Pike County Hope Center, 4^th: Options for Women, 5^th: NECAC
• 2019: 1^st: Pike County Health Dept Home Health & Hospice, 2^nd: Options for Women, 3^rd: Pike County Hope Center, 4^th: Ruth Jensen Village, 5^th: PCADD, 6^th: NECAC

Best Teacher: 

• 2021: 1st: Danielle Robinson, BGR1 2nd: Mandy Gregory, BGR1 3rd: Sheri Grote, BGR1 4th: Amy Becker, BGR1 5th: Susan Swarnes, BGR1
• 2020: 1^st: Coach Chance, Bowling Green Schools, 2^nd: Mr. Bill Mallory Retired Bowling Green Schools, 3^rd: Coach McCann, Bowling Green Schools, 4^th: Mrs. Buffington, Bowling Green Schools, 5^th: Mrs. Schaffer, St. Clement School
• 2019: 1^st: Sara Grote, Bowling Green Schools, 2^nd: Craig Smith, Bowling Green Schools, 3^rd: Amy Becker, Bowling Green Schools, 4^th: Coach Chance, Bowling Green Schools, 5^th: Kaylee Schaffer, St. Clement School, 6^th: Debbie Niemeyer, St. Clement School