The Awards
Each year the Chamber awards 12 individuals or companies in a variety of categories, including MADE Business of the Year, Community Partner of the Year, and the Excellence in Education award. Awardees are nominated by and voted on by Mason Deerfield Chamber members.
Ambassador of the Year
David Charpentier, Conscious Dynamics
2022 Winner
This award is designed to recognize a person who has committed themselves to promote the mission and values of the chamber. We would like to recognize this person for their dedication to the chamber and its members. This is a person who unselfishly volunteers their time to promote the chamber and mentor new chamber members. Persons nominated for this award must hold current membership in the Mason Deerfield Chamber.
Rising Star Award
Deanna Hogenkamp, Mason City Schools
2022 Winner
This award is designed to recognize an individual for their unselfish involvement, dedication and support for the betterment of the Mason Deerfield Chamber. This is someone who has demonstrated service to the area residents and/or business community and exhibited significant involvement resulting in growth and prosperity for the community. This is also someone who is young in their career but their potential for success is exhibited in their daily interaction with chamber members. Persons nominated for this award must hold current membership in the Mason Deerfield Chamber.
Hospitality Hero Award
Great Wolf Lodge
2022 Winner
This award is designed to recognize an individual or business in the hospitality & tourism industry who exhibits outstanding customer service based on first impressions, attitude, helpfulness, and excelling above and beyond service expectations. Those who best exemplify our community's ongoing commitment to great service are leaders in keeping our region as one of the best places to visit in the state of Ohio. Businesses and/or individuals nominated for this award must hold current membership in the Mason Deerfield Chamber.
Community Partner of the Year
Kiwanis Club of Mason
2022 Winner
This award is designed to recognize a non-profit or individual that demonstrates excellence in collaboration to improve the economic vitality of the community through leadership, volunteerism, and partnering with other organizations and/or businesses. Non-profits or individuals nominated for this award must hold current membership in the Mason Deerfield Chamber.
Excellence in Education Award
Greg Sears, Kings Local Schools
2022 Winner
This award is designed to recognize the contributions our schools make to our community. This honor goes to an individual or to an educational institution who demonstrates outstanding contributions to education and the community. Individuals nominated for this award must be employed by an affiliate partner that holds current membership in The Mason Deerfield Chamber. Educational institutions nominated for this award must hold current membership in the Mason Deerfield Chamber.
Happiest Hour Award
New for 2023!
Nominations are not open for this category
This award is designed to recognize a business or restaurant who hosted a Connections MADE Happy Hour event and went above and beyond to make the experience fun, friendly, and engaging for all attendees. Businesses nominated for this award must hold current membership in the Mason Deerfield Chamber and have hosted a Happy Hour during the calendar year.
*Every business who hosts a Happy Hour in 2023 will be included as a nominee for this new award.
Innovative Business of the Year
BoxFull
2022 Winner
Today, more than ever, innovation is recognized as the key to long-term success. Innovative companies identify opportunities, and execute creative thinking and calculated risk-taking to bring innovation to the marketplace. This award acknowledges organizations that take risks around their marketing and promotional practices that have ultimately improved revenue, communication, customer relationships, market share, or visibility. Businesses nominated for this award must hold current membership in the Mason Deerfield Chamber.
Pink Diamond Award
Meredith Raffel, The Arts Alliance
2022 Winner
This award is designed to recognize a woman who exemplifies outstanding leadership, professional accomplishment, and/or service to the community through demonstrated commitment to the growth and development of aspiring leaders in our region. Leadership, accomplishments, and service should be regarded as a model for all people in the community. Persons nominated for this award must hold current membership in the Mason Deerfield Chamber.
Regional Business of the Year
Mental Health Recovery Board
2022 Winner
This award is designed to recognize a company that had demonstrated outstanding service and involvement resulting in growth and prosperity for the community and the region as a whole. Businesses nominated for this award must hold current membership in the Mason Deerfield Chamber and can be physically located in a surrounding community of Mason or Deerfield Township.
MADE Business of the Year
The Common Beer Co.
2022 Winner
This award is designed to recognize a company that has demonstrated outstanding performance, growing and/or increasing jobs; increasing sales; overcoming adversity; and community contributions. This award will go to a business that's performance has ultimately led to economic growth and prosperity for Mason and Deerfield Township. Businesses nominated for this award must hold current membership in the Mason Deerfield Chamber, and must be physically located in Mason or Deerfield Township.
Peoples' Choice Award
ICM Learning Academy
2022 Winner
Created in 2018, this award was designed to give a voice to the MADE community, customers, friends and patrons of the nominated businesses. The winner of each category's public vote is given a 10% increase to their overall member vote total. Additionally, the business or individual with the overall highest vote total is award the People's Choice Award on the night of the event.
Esprit de Corps Award
Dick & Jane Yost, Yost Pharmacy
2022 Winner
Esprit de Corps is “a French expression meaning literally "Spirit of Corps" or "Spirit of Body" in the English language. It denotes a strong shared team spirit, mutual solidarity and fellowship, sense of duty, and devotion to a cause among the members of a group. Esprit de Corps is tied very closely with the French Foreign Legion and other military units worldwide. In the United States Marine Corps, it is a phrase that sits alongside the core values Honor, Courage, and Commitment as a living, breathing, entity that is not only the fighting spirit but the pride for the unit, service branch and country, and the devotion and loyalty to the other members of the unit that the men and women fight and serve with. The Board Chair selects an individual that has exhibited these traits on behalf of the Chamber in the current year.