It's Time To Vote For The Best Businesses In Manhattan Beach

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA —The Best of Manhattan Awards ceremony returns, in person, to the westdrift hotel on October 21. Now, in its eighth year, this popular local event will be bringing together the shining stars in the community.

In addition, the evening will be extra special as the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce (MBCC) celebrates its 80th year of serving the community, and they promise that the Diamond celebration 'will be grand.' To commemorate this anniversary, the MBCC has created a Hall of Fame Award.

Voting for the top three finalists in each category will begin Tuesday, September 7, and will close on Sunday, September 21.

There are 15 award categories this year:

Woman-Owned Business: This award is presented to an outstanding Manhattan Beach woman-owned business that is independently owned and operated/controlled by women. The enterprise must be at least 51-percent owned by one or more women and its management and daily business operations must be controlled by one or more women.

Small and Mighty: This award recognizes a small Manhattan Beach business for their quality customer/client service, ethical business practices, community involvement, and the special flair they bring to the city.

Home Sweet Home: This award is presented to a Manhattan Beach-based individual or business within the real estate industry who promotes excellence in service and ethics while providing quality assistance to their clients.

Chamber Member of the Year - This award is presented to a business, organization, or individual chamber member who goes above and beyond in their involvement with the chamber. They must serve or have formerly served on the Chamber Board of Directors or on a Chamber committee within the past five years. They give generously of themselves and/or staff in time and resources to the Chamber. They must have been a member of the Chamber for three or more consecutive years.

Dine MB: This award recognizes a favorite culinary establishment or caterer in Manhattan Beach that has a reputation for serving delicious and innovative food and beverage and for creating a memorable culinary experience.

Healthy Living:- This award recognizes an individual, business, or organization in Manhattan Beach that dedicates time and energy towards helping others enjoy a healthy, active, and balanced lifestyle.

Who Called the Doctor: This award recognizes a medical professional, front-line medical worker, or licensed medical establishment in Manhattan Beach that goes above and beyond the call of duty to serve, assist, and make a difference in their customers' lives.

Bob Meistrell Local Legend: This award was created in memory of Body Glove Co-Founder Bob Meistrell. This award recognizes an individual for a lifetime of work to improve the community of Manhattan Beach through their professional, volunteer, philanthropic, and civic roles.

Pay it Forward:-This award recognizes a business with a proven record of exceptional generosity, and that has gone above and beyond through partnerships with, investments in, and pro-bono work with a variety of organizations in Manhattan Beach. Through this dedication to the community, they have left a lasting impact on all facets of Manhattan Beach for many years to come.

Making a Difference: This award acknowledges the tremendous value and benefit brought to the community of Manhattan Beach by a non-profit organization. The organization thrives on the back of its extraordinary dedicated volunteers.

Best of Manhattan: The Best of Manhattan award distinguishes the very best of business in Manhattan Beach. It is presented to a business that has a major presence in the city, has shown remarkable profitability and stability, excels in quality customer/client service, has implemented eco-friendly and sustainability measures, and is a leader in employment creation and retention. The recipient also exemplifies excellent citizenship by giving back to the community and has a business culture that enhances the lives of its employees.

The Best of Manhattan committee is also introducing four new categories this year:

The New Business of the Year award goes to a new business in Manhattan Beach that opened between July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021 and is currently operating. This award recognizes their outstanding achievements and presence in the business community. This business must have a current business license with the City of Manhattan Beach.

First Responders awards will be given to the MBFD Firefighter of the Year and the MBPD Police Officer of the Year as identified by their peers in their respective departments.

The Local Love for MB award was created to recognize an individual, couple, or family who has contributed an extraordinary amount of personal time and resources to the business community and other organizations in Manhattan Beach. Their love for MB is profound and has created a positive impact in the community.

The MBCC Hall of Fame was established in 2021 to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce. Those inducted are recognized as individuals that have demonstrated exemplary leadership and service to the Chamber of Commerce and local business community including a distinguished career of accomplishments, innovation, successes and extraordinary acts of kindness in which the impacts are widespread. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are also considered Honorary Members of the chamber for life.

The nomination period begins Thursday, August 12 and will close August 29th at 11:30 p.m. The following categories will be open for public nomination:

• Woman-Owned Business
• Small & Mighty
• Home Sweet Home
• New Business of the Year
• Dine MB
• Healthy Living
• Who Called the Doctor
• Local Love for MB
• Pay it Forward
• Making a Difference
• Best of Manhattan

You can’t win if you aren’t nominated, so make sure to nominate the businesses you feel are the very best of Manhattan Beach. The public is invited to nominate their favorite Manhattan Beach businesses. Nominees must be located in Manhattan Beach and meet the criteria in that category but need not be a member of the MB Chamber of Commerce.

Winners in each category will be announced at the Best of Manhattan Awards on October 21, 2021.

Go to manhattanbeachchamber.com/BOM/ to submit nominations and view details of the event.

For more information about the Best of Manhattan Awards and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kelly Stroman at kelly@manhattanbeachchamber.com or at (310) 545-5313.