The Awards
Each year the Chamber awards 10 individuals or companies in a variety of categories, including MADE Business of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, and the Excellence in Education award. Awardees are nominated by and voted on by Mason Deerfield Chamber members. Individuals and organizations who have been nominated for or won an award in the past two years are uneligible for this year's awards. Voting for the 2024 awards is currently closed.
Ambassador of the Year
Mark Andrea, Mason + Deerfield Lifestyle
2023 Winner
This award is designed to recognize a person who has committed themself to promoting the mission and values of the chamber. This is a person who unselfishly volunteers their time to promote the chamber and mentor new chamber members through the Ambassador Committee program. Persons nominated for this award must hold current membership in the Mason Deerfield Chamber. Nominations for this award are submitted and voted on by current members of the chamber's Ambassador Committee.
Rising Star Award
Kacey Richards, UC Health West Chester Hospital
2023 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.
Non-Profit of the Year
Mason Schools Foundation
2023 Winner
This award is designed to recognize a non-profit 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 nominated for this award must hold current membership in the Mason Deerfield Chamber.
Excellence in Education Award
Eric Messer, Mason City Schools
2023 Winner
This award is designed to recognize the contributions our schools make to our community. This honor goes to an individual 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.
Happiest Hour Award
Sonder Brewing
2023 Winner
Created in 2023, 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. Voting is not open to general membership.
*Every business who hosts a Happy Hour in 2024 will be included as a nominee for the award. Only those who attend a 2024 Happy Hour event will be eligible to vote.
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Garnet Award
New for 2024!
This award is designed to recognize a man 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.
Pink Diamond Award
Tracey Carson, Mason City Schools
2023 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.
MADE Business of the Year
Creative Contracting, Inc.
2023 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
Eric Messer, Mason City Schools
2023 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
Mason Mile Business Owners
2023 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.