Melbourne Chamber To Honor Impact Award Recipients

By  //  January 30, 2013

Event Feb. 1 In Melbourne

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Port Canaveral and the Runaway Country music festival will receive the Melbourne Regional Chamber’s top business award at its upcoming installation banquet.

Thanks to a record-breaking year, Port Canaveral is now the fastest growing port in all of Florida in terms of traffic and generated revenue. The port will receive the Impact Award on Feb. 1 from the Melbourne Regional Chamber for its major economic impact upon Brevard County. (Image courtesy of Canaveral Port Authority)

The two are among seven businesses being recognized at the event, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1 at the Florida Tech Aviation hangar in Melbourne.

The Impact Award is given to a Brevard County business that has had a profound impact on the local economy in the past year.

“Port Canaveral is the fastest-growing cruise port in Florida. The largest fleet of year-round ships currently sails from Port Canaveral,” said Chamber President & CEO Christine Michaels.  “They just opened the brand new Cruise Terminal 6, and welcomed the new Disney Fantasy,” Michaels said. “The cruise component, coupled with the cargo business, shows the Port’s significant economic impact on Brevard.”

Runaway Country, the country music festival held at Wickham Park, also will receive the Impact Award.

The Runaway Country Music Festival will receive the Impact Award on Feb. 1 from the Melbourne Regional Chamber for its major economic impact upon Brevard County. (Image courtesy of Runaway Country)

“Runaway Country has expanded in its third year to a three-day festival that not only offers unbelievable entertainment to our local residents, it also attracts guests from outside the area who spend their money here,” Michaels said.

The Chamber has worked with the festival since its inception, and helps promote the event, along with the county tourism office.

The banquet, traditionally sponsored by Gray-Robinson, a full-service corporate law firm with more than 270 attorneys throughout 10 offices across Florida, will be highlighted with a WWII aviation theme.

On display that evening will be the Tico Belle WWII C-47 cargo/transport plane which is being flown to the hangar area by the Valiant Air Command/War Bird Museum in Titusville. The Melbourne Regional Airport is sponsoring the plane’s appearance.

The theme is in keeping with the passion for aviation expressed by the chamber’s incoming chairman Jack Ryals of National Realty, who earned his pilot’s license from FIT Aviation, and is the Chamber’s representative to the Airport Authority board.  He and the other board members and officers of the Chamber will be installed that night.

The evening includes other business recognitions. The Viera Company is being presented the Legacy Award, given to a Diamond Member who has made significant contributions to the economic vitality and quality of life of Brevard County over time.

Also being honored at the Feb. 1 event are:

Sorensen – Allied Moving & Storage and its new Office Solutions division, being presented the Grow Local Award – Given to a company who has entered the growth phase of its business and is contributing to the economy by growing locally.

Taste of Thai and Land and Sea Thai Fusion, with the Small Business Award – Given to a small business which exemplifies growth, stability and community involvement.

Creative Events – Jenny McClure, with the CVB Member of the Year – Given to a CVB member who has shown dedication to the promotion of tourism in Brevard County.

Glenn’s Tire & Service Company with the Better Business of the Year – Chosen by the Better Business Council from among the year’s Better Business of the Month winners.

Alice Davenport of AAR, with the Volunteer of the Year –  given to a Chamber volunteer for exemplary service.

Tickets to this unique event are $65 and reservations can be made on the chamber’s website at www.MelbourneRegionalChamber.com under the events tab. Cocktail attire and bomber jackets welcome.

The Melbourne Regional Chamber, founded in 1925, represents 1,200 businesses and organizations in the East Central Florida area, concentrating in South Brevard County. its offices in Melbourne and Viera serve the community through tourism promotion, business development, networking, advocacy, programs for small business and a Better Business Council.