Business Community Celebrated at CHQ Chamber's Awards Banquet

CHQ Chamber rolled out its blue carpet Thursday evening in celebration of numerous businesses and organizations across Chautauqua County. Those organizations were recognized during the Chamber's annual Awards Banquet at SUNY Fredonia. Among the awardees was DFT Communications in Fredonia, which received the Chamber's Business of the Year Award. DFT co-President Mark Maytum says he couldn't be more proud to receive that award...

Mark Maytum: worked hard for success

Wells Enterprises in Dunkirk was named the Chamber's Producer of the Year. The local ice cream plant recently completed Phase 2 of its expansion project and gained recognition from a national dairy publication. Wells representative Brian Ardillo says that awards represents what his team does every day...

Brian Ardillo: about our team

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation received the Not-for-Profit of the Year Award. Executive Director Diane Hannum says NCCF is "humbled," but she also credited the community...

Diane Hannum: about the community

The other award recipients were Chautauqua Lake Dental (Business Champion Award), Westfield Makerspace (Emerging Business of the Year), Sanfilippo Solutions, Inc. (Service Business of the Year), and 3 Lakes Cafe (Hospitality Business of the Year).

Thursday's ceremony also recognized businesses and organizations for milestone years of service, ranging from five to 200 years. They included SUNY Fredonia, which is celebrating its bicentennial. President Stephen Kolison says the university is pleased and "very blessed" to be celebrating two centuries of impact. He adds that it's looking to the future with optimism...

Stephen Kolison: looking toward a new century

Top left: DFT Communications co-Presidents Mark Maytum and Kurt Maytum. Top right: Brian Ardillo of Wells Enterprises. Bottom left: Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation Executive Director Diane Hannum. Bottom right: SUNY Fredonia President Stephen Kolison. Photos by Greg Larson