State chamber seeks Gilman Superstar nominations

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is once again conducting its Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business Awards program, now in its 17th year. As the Chamber’s most important tribute to small business, the Superstars in Business program is seeking outstanding small businesses to fete.

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce launched the Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business Awards program in 1998 to recognize extraordinary small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the state. The winning Superstars in Business companies have been heralded as models of small business excellence, commended for their first-rate performance in such areas as strategic marketing, customer service, quality control and financial performance. They also excel as good stewards of the community, giving back and paying forward through leadership and employee involvement.

The application form is now available and can be completed online at ssb.dscc.com. Printed copies are also available by emailing Kelly Wetzel at kwetzel@dscc.com or calling 302-576-6564.

Winners will be judged in four different categories: companies with 1-24 employees, 25-59 employees, 60-150 employees and nonprofit organizations. Awards of excellence will also be given to deserving companies.

To be eligible, companies must be members of the state chamber. They must have been in business for at least three continuous years, and they must have 150 or fewer employees. Previous winners may reapply after five years. The deadline for entry is August 20.

This year’s awards will be celebrated at luncheon ceremony on November 10 at the Hotel du Pont’s Gold Ballroom. The keynote speaker will be Hal Real, the entrepreneur who formed Real Entertainment Group, Inc. to change the landscape for music audiences and artists. Real opened World Cafe Live, a nationally-acclaimed live music venue, restaurant and events complex in Philadelphia and World Cafe Live at the Queen Theater in Wilmington.