Recognition Committee
The purpose of the Recognition Committee is to find ways to celebrate our members for their achievements, accomplishments, anniversaries, and more!
The committee strives to create a culture of appreciation and validation for our members’ hard work. The committee is tasked with soliciting nominations and selecting award recipients at both the Opelika Chamber organization level and state level. We use our award programming to advocate for and raise awareness of our business community and their accomplishments. For example, the chamber awards a multitude of awards at our Annual Meeting in the summer.
NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITES FOR THE CHAMBER'S ANNUAL AWARDS
BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR:
The award is intended to honor an outstanding woman who has made a significant contribution to the Opelika community, inspires, and uplifts those around her. Nominees may be self-nominated and must live or work in Opelika.
LEGENDARY AWARD:
The Legendary Award recognizes a business that has stood the test of time. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 25% of businesses can successfully make it past the 15-year mark. This business has persevered well past that mark, through recessions transitions, and the growth of this community.
EMERGING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR:
This award is intended to honor a business that has been in operation for less than 4 years. Nominated business should be able to give examples of leadership, community support, chamber involvement, business success etc.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (based on number of employees):
This award is intended to honor a business that has shown examples of leadership, community support, chamber involvement, business success etc. Nominees must have been a chamber member for a year in good standing and be within each of the specified number of employees below.
2023 Annual Meeting Award Winners
Ambassador of the Year: Morgan Vickers
Chairman's Award: Raven Harvis
Community Partner Award: Lee County Humane Society
Distinguished Service Award: Eric Canada
Large Business of the Year: Bonnie Plants
Small Business of the Year: Heritage House
Minority-Owned Business of the Year: Dani Cheesecake
Legendary Award: Peterson and Williams Funeral Home
Spirit of Opelika Award: Becky Brown
Visionary Award: Police Chief Shane Healey
Young Professional Award: Nakeda Woods
Shirley Flora Award Presented by Keep Opelika Beautiful: Tipi Miller
Downtown Business of the Year Presented by Opelika Main Street: Crawford Willis Group
Tourism Partner of the Year Presented by Auburn-Opelika Tourism: Botanic
Committee Members
Laura Cooper, Board Chair
Becky Brown
Carlton E. Hunley
Raven Harvis
Tipi Miller
John Sweatman
Nakeda Woods
Kendra Nix
Tabitha White
Ronnie Wilson
Amberly Pressley
Eric McDade
If you would like more information on Opelika Chamber's committees & councils, contact
Mackenzie Poole, Opelika Chamber Vice President at mackenzie@opelikachamber.com.