Greater Grays Harbor, Inc.’s (GGHI) annual Leader’s Banquet & Business Recognition Awards made its much anticipated return on October 28th at the Ocean Shores Convention Center where multiple businesses and organizations were honored for their dedication to the County.
In front of a crowd of over 300 people, the following awards were presented: GGHI Ambassador of the Year: Cindy Taylor with rainier Connect, New Business of the Year: Harborena, Small Business of the Year: Too Cool Sportswear, Large Business: Great NorthWest Federal Credit Union, Non-Profit of the Year: PAWS of Grays Harbor, and Business of the Year: Mount Olympus Brewing Company.
In addition to the award presentations, guests were treated to a surf and turf dinner and desserts, had the opportunity to bid on various live auction packages including overnight getaways around Grays Harbor and the state, participate in the GGHI 10 Year Anniversary Champagne Toast, as well as contribute to the GGHI Education Foundation. The Foundation supports various non-profits including SkillsUSA, Aberdeen Rotary Business Week, and FBLA, and thanks to generous contributions from the audience, raised over $13,000.
Another aspect of the event that draws much excitement is the signature Table Decorating Contest where table hosts put together over the top decor that best represents their business or organization and the theme, ‘By Land & By Sea, Celebrating Grays Harbor Businesses.’ This year guests voted Honda of Grays Harbor’s table as the Best Dressed for the second year running.
“This event took months of planning by the GGHI staff,” explains GGHI CEO, Lynnette Buffington. “We have heard wonderful reviews from attendees and are thrilled to have brought this signature event back to the community. We’d also like to thank our many volunteers, sponsors, and everyone who helped make the Leader’s Banquet a huge success as well as the attendees who helped support the mission of GGHI.”
The sponsors of the 2022 Leader’s Banquet sponsors included: Ag Processing, Inc: Dinner Sponsor, Seabrook: Wine Sponsor, La Spiaggia Ristorante: 10 Year Anniversary Sponsor, Martin Bruni Liquor: Cocktail Sponsor, TwinStar Credit Union: Auction Paddle Sponsor, Rainier Connect: Program Sponsor. GGHI would also like to thank the Ocean Shores Convention Center for being a fantastic host, Pirates Cove Pub & Grill for their no-host bar, emcee, Pat Anderson, auctioneer, Paul Schenfeld, David Quigg, Larry Burgher, Tony Enzler, and Representative Derek Kilmer.
Photos of the award recipients can be found on the GGHI blog as well as on the GGHI Facebook page. Questions regarding this event can be directed to info@graysharbor.org.