The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Chamber to honor Perk Valley community ‘stars’
Former Eagles kicker to present keynote
COLLEGEVILLE » The Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce will recognize members of the community during its annual PV Stars Awards Gala Thursday, Feb. 15, the RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve in Upper Providence, starting at 5:30 p.m.
This is the fourth year for the event, which Reneé Blomstrom, executive director for the chamber, said honors outstanding businesses and community stewards for their commitment to enhance the Perkiomen Valley Region.
“We started the program because we wanted to recognize those that have a positive impact in our community, and we wanted to go outside of the chamber,” Blomstrom said in an interview. “The nominations are not limited to chamber members — any business or individual can be nominated, or selfnominate.”
She added that there are other events that put the focus on members; and this event was a way to reach beyond the chamber’s membership.
Blomstrom said the PV Stars Gala started small and has steadily grown. Last year about 140 attended the event.
The awards ceremony includes seven categories this year.
“At the event, the top three finalists of each category are recognized and then the is announced. It’s a surprise to everyone,” Blomstrom said.
The categories and finalists for this year are:
Large Business of the Year:
Dow; Pfizer; Phoenixville Hospital — Tower Health Local Business of the Year: Marco Motors; Signarama Limerick; Speck’s Emerging Business of
the Year: Lower Providence Business Association; RAZRBAR; Upper Providence Living Magazine Business Star of the Year: Joe Bergquist (Harleysville Bank); Steve & Patrizia Carcarey (Collegeville Italian Bakery); David Maris (Marco Motors)
Citizen of the Year: Catherine Gear; Joseph Giunta; Connie Peck PV Chamber Member of
the Year: David Akers (LMS Solutions Inc); Bob Clark (Interface Financial); Phil White (Signarama Limerick) Non-Profit Organization of
the Year: Daily Bread Community Food Pantry; Health Care Access; Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy
The nomination process for the event begins in the fall, according to Blomstrom.
“It’s a pretty simple form — we’re looking for a couple of paragraphs about the business or the individual and their positive impact,” she said, adding that the nominees are then reviewed by the executive committee and narrowed to the top three. “Then the top three are reviewed by the board and selected in a blind vote.”
Keynote speaker for the event is David Akers, who spent 12 seasons as a kicker with the Philadelphia Eagles. Akers was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame on Oct. 23, 2017. He will speak about “Perseverance, Attitude & Teamwork.” Akers launched the “Kicks For Kids Foundation,” to benefit children in the Greater Philadelphia area who are facing serious mental or physical challenges.
“This event is a celebration of our community. It recognizes the accomplishments and positive impact our finalists give to our region, through their commitment to serve,” Blomstrom added.
To purchase tickets or for more information contact Reneé Blomstrom, at 610489-6660 or email renee@ pvchamber.net. Online registration and event details are also available at: www. PVchamber.net