Saipan Chamber of Commerce honors its best in Annual Awards Gala

For 28 years now, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce has held its annual gala honoring the entrepreneurial spirit, excellence in business, and notable contributions of individuals and companies considered pillars of the CNMI business sector.

That honorable tradition continues this year, with the Chamber holding its Annual Business Person of the Year Gala tomorrow, Jan. 27, 2024, at the Kensington Hall of the Kensington Hotel Saipan, with the traditional CNMI greeting, Hafa Adai yan Tirow, as its theme. The Chamber’s newly elected and returning board of directors will also be inducted into office that same evening.

From acknowledging just one individual, the annual event has evolved through the years into what it is now—the premier recognition ceremony for diverse individuals and groups in the CNMI that are luminaries in the many fields that encompass the breadth of CNMI’s business community.

Among the many honors that will be handed out tomorrow night are the awards for the following and their respective nominees:

• Member of the Year: Northern Marianas College, Micronesia Resort Incorporated, 500 Sails, and Century Insurance Co. Ltd.;

• Non-Profit of the Year: Pickleball Federation of the NMI, American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, Autism Society of the CNMI, Marianas Alliance of Non-Governmental Organization, and Northern Marianas Technical Institute;

• Small Business of the Year: Sweet Lane Saipan, Guam Marianas Training Center, Angry Penne Restaurant, Eucon Medical Health Services, and Tyler’s Gelatte Stone;

• Sustainable Business of the Year: Caravan of Food and Artman Trash Corp. The Chamber has partnered with environmental advocate the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance to create this award, which replaces the honor given to a startup business.

The much-awaited part of the gathering will be the announcement of the winner of the 2023 Business Person of the Year, who represents the best of the best in the CNMI business community.

Currently, 28 business leaders in the CNMI have earned the honor of being called the Business Person of the Year for their substantial contribution to the local business sector and the community.

In 1996, engineer Efrain F. Camacho, project engineer and owner of EFC Engineers & Architects, was the first recipient of the award. Following him were Edward Camacho (1997); Joe C. Ayuyu (1998); Marian Aldan-Pierce (1999); Wendi S. Herring (2000); Jay B. Jones (2001); Alex A. Sablan (2002); Jerry Tan (2003); Mark Erwin (2004); David M. Sablan Sr. (2005); Juan T. Guerrero (2006); Kwang Joong Kim (2007); Kathryn H. Barry (2008); Vicente “Ben” Babauta (2009); Robert “Bob” Jones (2010); James Arenovski (2011); Anthony Pellegrino (2012); Marcia E. Ayuyu (2012); Marcie Tomokane (2013); Vicky Benavente (2014); Alex Youn (2015); Mike Sablan (2016); Ivan Quichocho (2017); Velma Palacios (2018); Gloria Cavanagh (2019); Esther Muña (2020); Brian Shin (2021); and John Jay Santos (2022).

Chamber executive director Kimberly A. Camacho says the awards in the different categories serve to validate the significant contributions and impact of the awardees on both the business sector and the community in general.

“For winning companies in the different categories, the recognition distinguishes them among their peers by affirming their efforts, expertise, and contributions within their respective fields,” said Camacho.

As for the Business Person of the Year award, Camacho said it is more than an acknowledgment of one’s business acumen. Even more, it is a nod to visionary leadership and innovation, alongside a commitment to contribute to the good of one’s community.

“The Business Person of the Year becomes an inspiring figure for those aiming for professional success and stands as a role model within the business community,” she said.

In her message to this year’s nominees, Camacho said: “Thank you to all nominees for each category but most of all, congratulations to all the winners! Your hard work, dedication, and outstanding achievements have not gone unnoticed by the Chamber and the community. This is a well-deserved honor, and your success is an inspiration to us all.”

The Chamber’s membership picks the individual and corporate nominees for each of the awards and the nominees may derive from the Chamber membership or the local business community outside of the membership.

To be eligible for the awards, Chamber membership is a requirement, except for nominees in the non-profit, small business, and sustainable business categories. Also for consideration are the impacts the nominees’ businesses have on the business sector and its community involvement and contribution.

All nominees receive a certificate of nomination from the Chamber while the winners bring home a plaque specially made for the occasion.

‘The Business Person of the Year becomes an inspiring figure for those aiming for professional success and stands as a role model within the business community.’

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