The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce paid tribute to leading Bahamian business leaders at their 38th Annual Awards Ball held on Saturday, June 27 at Sandals Royal Bahamian. The highlight of the classy evening was the presentation of the 2009 Annual Business Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to George Myers, chairman of the Myers Group of Companies.

The Annual Awards Ball brought Chamber Week 2009 to a close in grand style with over 350 business, government and industry leaders in attendance.Top accolades went to Llewellyn ?Gus? Cartwright, owner of Checkers Caf?, who was named Outstanding Businessperson of The Year. Dr. Wendy Stuart received the Developing Entrepreneur of the Year Award for her successful body-care business, Botani Bath.

Two preeminent Bahamian businesses had the distinction of being heralded as Outstanding Business of the Year, which is awarded in two categories, businesses with over fifty employees and those with less. In Category A, businesses with over 50 employees, Furniture Plus was presented with the Outstanding Business Award. The Plait Lady, (Clare Sands) received the designation for Outstanding Business of the Year for Category B (less than 50 employees.)Receiving the Chamber?s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, respected businessman and hotelier, George Myers, expressed gratitude for the recognition and thanked his team and the many talented individuals he has worked with over the course of his exceptional forty-year career. Mrs. Myers along with long-time friends and associates supported Myers at the black-tie affair.

Keynote speaker for the evening, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, gave a colorful account of his journey and friendship with Myers, having worked closely with him over the course of his career in the tourism industry, beginning in 1982 at Resorts International. Acknowledging that he could think of none more deserving than George Myers, he reflected on how much he had learned from him and called him, ?the smartest man in the world.?

Vanderpool-Wallace also encouraged the business community to become active stakeholders in the tourism sector, noting that it will take more than promotions to stimulate the ailing industry; but development of the infrastructure and framework needed to grow and diversify the Bahamian tourism product was essential. He stressed that the accessibility factor was just as crucial an ingredient to success as reducing the cost of the destination to competitiveness.

Philip Simon, the Chamber?s Executive Director acknowledged the achievements of Myers saying, ?Having played an integral role in the success of the Bahamian tourism industry, Myers is undoubtedly deserving of The Chamber?s prestigious 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award for his immeasurable contributions to the growth of tourism and business in The Bahamas. His body of work speaks for itself!? The Chamber of Commerce also bid farewell officially to outgoing president Dionisio D?Aguilar, recognized for his outstanding work and service to the membership of the Chamber and the business community at large over his two-year term. D?Aguilar was presented with a commemorative photo collage of some of his highlights as President.

Newly elected Chamber President, Khaalis Rolle, applauded all of the finalists, ?They are all indeed outstanding finalists and the selection of winners was no easy process.? Rolle expressed congratulations to this year?s Business Award winners, ?They represent the success stories of the Bahamian business community; they are market leaders who have demonstrated their commitment to ethical business practices and are actively contributing to the overall development of the Bahamian economy and community.?

Although they did not go home with the top award, the Chamber recognized the outstanding achievements of the other finalists. In the category of Outstanding Business Person of the Year, finalists Dr. Charles Diggiss, president of the Med-Net Group of Companies and Chief Medical Officer at Doctors Hospital, and Chris Mortimer, president of Galleria Cinemas and Bennigan?s Grill & Tavern were commended.

Kenwood Kerr, president of Providence Advisors, and Farrell Goff and Deran Thompson, principals of Bahamas Woodworking Studio, were finalists for the Developing Entrepreneur Award.

The Mall at Marathon and Bahamas Waste were recognised as finalists in the very competitive Business of the Year ? 50 employees or more category. Caribbean Civil Group and Bahamas Orthodontic Centre were saluted in that category for businesses with less than 50 employees.The evening?s lively master of ceremony was David Wallace, who kept all in attendance well entertained. Members of the business community also heard from Dr. Sophia Rolle, Chairperson of Chamber Week.

PHOTO: GEORGE MYERS ? 2009 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD -- The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce paid tribute to leading Bahamian business leaders at their 38th Annual Awards Ball held on Saturday, June 27 at Sandals Royal Bahamian. The highlight of the classy evening was the presentation of the 2009 Annual Business Awards and Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to George Myers, chairman of the Myers Group of Companies. Pictured (L-R) Khaalis Rolle, Chamber President; George Myers; Dr. Sophia Rolle, chairperson of Chamber week 2009.