Business of the Year Awards Dinner

On October 14, 2010 the Amherst Chamber of Commerce will recognize eight businesses for their contributions to the Western New York business community at the 2010 Business of the Year Awards Dinner.  Please join us at the Buffalo-Niagara Marriott as we come together to honor our 2010 Business of the Year, Wegmans, sponsored by M&T Bank.

Wegmans has been in the Buffalo area for 33 years and they now operate ten stores, four of which are in the Town of Amherst.  Their company philosophy, "Good people, working toward a common goal, can accomplish anything they set out to do," was proven again this year when Wegmans ranked number three on Fortune Magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For.  They take great pleasure in the number of Western New Yorkers who point with pride to Wegmans as either the place of their very first job, or the company with whom they have chosen to make their career.

The Amherst Chamber of Commerce will also be awarding the First Annual Lifetime Inspiration Award, sponsored by National Fuel, to Frank Ciminelli, Chairman of the Board at Ciminelli Development Company.  Frank has spent a lifetime building a business which has become one of the most widely respected in the Western New York area.  He is an active member of the community, involved in the Saint Luke's Mission of Mercy, University at Buffalo Council Commission on University Facilities & Land, and the Buffalo Bills Monday Quarterback Club, to name just some of the organizations he is involved with.

Sharon Lochocki will be honored with the Woman of Distinction Award, sponsored by Phillips Lytle LLP, at this year's event.  Sharon is the Senior Vice President and District Retail Leader for Key Bank N.A.  She is responsible for the Retail Banking Team in 44 branches throughout Western New York.  Sharon is an active member of the community serving on multiple advisory boards, including the Women Presidents' Organization Advisory Board and the NYBDC Loan Committee.

Ryan Miller and The Steadfast Foundation will receive the Community Service Award, sponsored by Davis-Ulmer Sprinkler Co., Inc., for their work to ease the effects of childhood cancer. 

The Amherst Chamber of Commerce will also present awards to the following companies and organizations:

• New York State Center for Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences

Stewardship Award sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield

• Upstate New York Transplant Services

Health & Health Services Award sponsored by Kaleida Health

• Phillips Lytle LLP

Commitment to Excellence sponsored by HSBC Bank USA

• Verizon

Technology Award sponsored by Bank of America

Registration for the awards will begin at 5:30 pm with a cocktail hour sponsored by National Grid.  The dinner program will begin promptly at 6:30 pm.  Tickets are $65 for members and $75 for non-members.  Corporate tables are available for $750 or $850 for members and non-members, respectively.  To reserve your seat at the dinner or for more information, click here or call 716.632.6905.