The Fallon Chamber of Commerce held the Annual Chamber Awards ceremony on Friday, February 19 at 6 pm in a very different way this year. Broadcast on Facebook Live the event took only about 15 minutes. Lucy Carnahan, the Chamber Executive Director, stated in her email announcement of the Facebook event that, “Aside from all the stress of the year we have seen some amazing things happen in our community. Our small business owners and community leaders should be recognized for their efforts amidst the ever-changing business atmosphere the past year has brought.”
Carnahan kicked off the event on Facebook Live by welcoming everyone to the 2020 ceremony. Cynthia McGarrah, the Chamber Board President, also welcomed the viewers to the event, and acknowledged the perseverance shown by the Fallon businesses in 2020. Carnahan explained that the event was being live-streamed with the help of the Chamber board members, ambassadors and CEDA/SBDC (Churchill Economic Development Authority/Small Business Development Center). None of the presenters knew who the winners would be until the moment each one was announced, with only Carnahan and the company that made the plaques privy to that information. The presenters would first state the three nominees in each category and then build up to the winning business by saying, “And the winner is...”. The group cheered as each winning business was announced.
McGarrah announced the Adjustment Award, by saying, “This one was very hard because everyone had to adjust this year.” As Carnahan made the final award of the evening, before announcing the winner of that category she said, “The Stuck with It award is actually awarded to all of you.”
A total of 17 awards were presented. Each award was framed in a square shadow-box containing a mini face mask printed with the Chamber logo and an engraved nameplate with the award category and the winner's name. Award categories and winners for 2020 were: Outstanding Customer Service - Food and Beverage: Courtyard Cafe; Outstanding Customer Service - Retail Business: Big R Stores; Outstanding Customer Service - SMALL Retail Business: The Twisted Branch; Outstanding Customer Service - Services and Repairs: Cheek Construction; Outstanding Customer Service - Health and/or Beauty Services: Double Heart Healing and Massage; Outstanding Customer Service - Business and Professional Services: Sierra Nevada Properties; Best Business Start-Up: The Village; Outstanding Small Business: His Inspiration; Best Place to Work: Louie's Ace Home Center; Outstanding Beautification Project: The Village; Outstanding Business Innovations: Huck Salt; Outstanding Local Non-Profit: C.A.P.S (Churchill Animal Protection Society); Business Person of the Year: Jesse Segura; Outstanding Helping Heart: Running Iron Cafe ~ Children's Breakfast Meals; Business Growth Award: Running Iron Cafe; Adjustment Award: 3 C's Catering; "Stuck With It" Award: Fallon Theatre.
At the close of the event, Carnahan said, “We have been following all mandates here at the Chamber, and we are so happy that you could join us at home in your pajamas. It was a fun event held in 15 minutes instead of 3 hours. We also wanted to show you all of our board members and ambassadors and how wonderful they are. And, since you can be home in your pajamas, so can they. Thanks once again and have a beautiful night!”
After the event, Carnahan posted this on the Chamber's website, “This year of course was different for all. We still had a good time. What can we say about having a fifteen-minute awards ceremony compared to a three hour one? I would personally like to thank my amazing Chamber Board of Directors and Chamber Ambassadors for attending our awards ceremony and presenting the awards. And a special thank you to CEDA/SBDC for being this year's sponsor.” Certainly, 2020 was a year that will never be forgotten. Once again, the Chamber made sure that the community didn't forget what local businesses have accomplished by celebrating them.
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