Business & Leadership Awards

Featuring the First Citizen Award

Let's celebrate business! Wanting to recognize those businesses who exemplified the motto of the Greater Vancouver Chamber, Moving Business Forward, the Business & Leadership Awards were first introduced in 2012. For 10 years, the southwest Washington business community has nominated outstanding GVC Member companies and individuals for recognition.

First Citizen

Awards Finalists

Categories of Recognition & Criteria

Alumni Winners

First Citizen Award

Help us recognize exemplary leaders who positively impact our community!

Since 1939, the annual First Citizen Award is presented to a Clark County resident who models the attributes of good citizenship through leadership, action, civic pride, and cultivates inclusive civic engagement practices.

These are individuals who, through their business, volunteering, and philanthropic efforts, improve the lives of those in the community by serving first. 

First Citizens Through the Years

Clark County’s 2024 First Citizen Award Honoree

Vancouver City Manager Eric Holmes

Learn more about Holmes’s Impactful Journey

Business & Leadership Awards' Categories of Recognition & Criteria

Our premiere awards ceremony, the annual Business & Leadership Awards celebrates both GVC Member businesses and community leaders for their accomplishments in the previous year across five categories.

First Citizen Award

This prestigious award celebrates a distinguished individual who has earned regional recognition through their extraordinary contributions to their profession, their dynamic involvement in community activities, and their commendable citizenship. By reviewing past 1st Citizen awardees, it becomes evident that the recipients span a diverse range of individuals. These honorees range from self-made entrepreneurs who not only expanded their businesses locally but also consistently devoted their time and resources to community upliftment, to those whose professions led them to Vancouver and inspired them to enhance the community through their visionary ideals, fervent passion, and generous philanthropy.

Large Business Award

The Large Business of the Year Award is given to an organization with more than 25 employees. This business will likely be growing in market share and total sales year over year. The business will be creating more jobs for our community due to their growth. Additionally, the business will be acknowledged for being a great place to work and for delivering products or services which provide great value to their customers. Many of our previous honorees in this category are also well know for their willingness to give back in a way that helps our community thrive.

Small Business Award

The Small Business of the Year Award is given to an organization with 25 or fewer employees. This business will likely be growing in market share and total sales year over year. The business will be creating more jobs for our community due to their growth. Additionally, the business will be acknowledged for being a great place to work and for delivering products or services which provide great value to their customers. Many of our previous honorees in this category are also well know for their willingness to give back in a way that helps our community thrive.

Start Up to Watch Award

This award honors businesses started by enterprising, enthusiastic, and passionate business people. This award considers those who have been in business up to five years and recognizes one that is emblematic of tenacity, vision, and strong business practices. The business will have demonstrated success consistent with their initial business plan and will employ at least one additional person other than the founder.

Statesperson of the Year Award

This award honors elected individuals who represent the interest of business along with their overall community priorities and responsibilities. Nominees must currently be in an elected position, in any of the Clark County municipalities or jurisdictions. The nominator should be able to articulate the manner the elected official represented the interests of business within their jurisdiction or in the business community as a whole. The Statesperson Award honors the memory of Bill Fromhold, former Greater Vancouver Chamber President/CEO as well as State Representative, by recognizing an elected official who represents the interest of business along with their overall community priorities.

Past GVC Awards

Community Champion

2021- Horenstein Law Group
2020- WellHaven Pet Health
2019- Corwin Beverage Company
2018- Dellan Redjou (Share)
2017- Mark Matthias & Ali Novinger (Beaches / Warehouse ‘23)
2016- Ben Bagherpour (SEH America)
2015- Scott Campbell (Waste Connections)
2014- Tom Hagley Jr. (Vancouver Public Schools)
2013- Billy Henry (Northwest Association for Blind Athletes)
2012- Ben Hoskins (1-800 GOT JUNK / You Move Me)