Chamber Celebrates The Best of Business

Nov. 9, the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce gathered to celebrate a year of business growth and innovation with some of the area’s top businesses.

More than 250 business leaders and professionals gathered at the University of Florida Hilton Conference Center to honor the best of Gainesville’s business community in eight categories, from recognizing commitment to the environment to celebrating local business expansion.

Thomas McIntosh, 2011 Chamber chairman, and Brent Christensen, Chamber president and CEO, shared the accomplishments of nine outstanding local businesses. All of the winners showed dedication to buying locally to support Gainesville’s economy and a strong commitment to the five elements of Innovation Gainesville: Live, Learn, Speak, Invest and Celebrate.

 “We believe that better businesses mean a better community,” said Thomas McIntosh, Prudential Trend Realty president and Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce chairman. “The successes of our local businesses impact the quality of life and economic well-being of the entire community. We are proud to celebrate the success of some amazing local businesses.”


This was the first year the Chamber allowed award nominees to submit video or photo applications. Click here to check out videos from award winners.

Christensen also announced a Chamber video contest for the 2012 Toast to Business. The Chamber is encouraging businesses and individuals to create a 5-minute video showing how they fit into Gainesville’s diverse community. Full contest rules can be found here.

Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to all of our nominees for being an important part of our community!

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  • Community Cultivator (Nonprofit) – Children’s Home Society of Florida, for its support of local families- and children-in-need.
  • Commitment to the Environment – Parisleaf Printing and Design, which plants 10 trees for every order placed with the company.
  • Leading Women’s Enterprise – Women-owned businesses IndepenDance Studio and Student Maid, Inc., for their excellent management and commitment to the community.
  • Best Minority Owned Business – Carpet Systems Plus of North Florida, Inc., for leading the way among businesses representing minority groups in the community.
  • Growing Our Own – Banyan Biomarkers, Inc., in recognition of its expanding business and the high-wage jobs it has brought to Gainesville.
  • Gainesville to the World (International Business) – SumTotal Systems, Inc., for its tremendous international growth, centered in Gainesville.
  • Overall Small Business – University of Florida Performing Arts, for its work in promoting global awareness of North Central Florida and enhancing our community through entertainment, art and culture.
  • Overall Large Business – Crime Prevention Security Systems, for its dedication to offering high quality entertainment and security options to our community, and for its dedication to supporting the local economy by buying locally.