Chamber Names Nine Business Finalists

The Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce has narrowed the field for its 2026 Annual Awards Dinner, selecting nine local businesses and three nonprofits as finalists. The organization, which serves the Whatcom County business community, will present the awards at an event hosted by Silver Reef Casino Resort on November 19.

A committee of representatives from local businesses and Chamber programs made the selections following a public nomination period. Chamber members can now vote to determine the winner in each of the four main categories.

The Large Business of the Year category features Ecotech Solar, Peoples Bank, and Village Books & Paper Dreams. For Small Business of the Year, the finalists are Garden Spot Nursery, Lummi Seafood Market, and Talbot Group. The Solo and Small Team Business of the Year nominees include Diventa Solutions, Joey Winkler Videography, and Limitless Law.

Three nonprofits compete for the Nonprofit of the Year award: the Community Boating Center, the Deming Logging Show, and YWCA Bellingham. In addition to the competitive categories, the Chamber will recognize two specific individuals and one business. Hotel Bellwether will receive the Tourism Business of the Year award, while Francine St Laurent will be honored as the Young Professional of the Year.

The ceremony will also present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Harlan Kredit and Ron Polinder. The Chamber cited their sustained leadership, service, and commitment as educators and community members, noting their lasting impact on the region. Since 2005, the organization has recognized over 200 businesses and nonprofits at these annual dinners.

Guy Occhiogrosso, President and CEO of the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, stated that celebrating local business is among the most important functions of the Chamber. He described the event as an opportunity to honor the hard work, innovation, and community spirit of local business leaders.

The dinner is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Silver Reef Casino Resort. Tickets are available on the Chamber website. The Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce has operated for over 110 years as an advocate for businesses in Northwest Washington.