ROCKLAND — Mark your calendar and reserve the evening of Wednesday, February 10, 2016 for the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber's Annual Year in Review Gala at the Samoset Resort.

This annual event is the Chamber's year-in-review gala celebration. Awards and recognition for businesses and individuals honoring, Economic Enhancement, Small Business Development, Innovation in Business, and Beacon awards will be presented. In addition, our most prestigious award : Community Person of the Year for 2016!!

Don't miss this wonderful evening of good food, friends, and feel-good fun. At the end of the evening you'll be amazed and proud of our community's successes and achievements in the past year. Fill a table with your family, friends, and business associates and join your fellow Chamber members on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber's Year in Review Gala.

Invitations and reservation information will be arriving in your mailbox in early January. Listed below are the categories for nominating people for these prestigious awards. Please email your nominations to Alicia Bagnall, Director of Events at alicia@penbaychamber.com please include why you think your nominations best exemplify the award category.

Awards Criteria

COMMUNITY PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD

* Awarded annually to an individual, who, through his or her professional and civic deeds, has greatly enhanced the quality of life in our community.

* Does not need to be a chamber of commerce member

* Must be a non-board member

* Must be resident of our local communities

* Must have demonstrated community leadership

* Must have been involved with the betterment of the community for at least five (5) years

* Must be credited with more than one area of community service

ECONOMIC ENHANCEMENT AWARD

* This award will recognize a business or organization that has made a major economic investment or enhancement which has resulted in a significant improvement to the region's economy in the preceding year.

INNOVATION IN BUSINESS AWARD

* This award will recognize a business or organization that produced advancements in a product or business method that has resulted in renewed economic vitality of its business or the local community in the previous year. This business shall have demonstrated a proactive and innovative approach toward finding solutions to business challenges and embraced change as an opportunity for growth.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

* honors a business of fewer than 50 people

* makes a positive contribution to the community

* is recognized by peers as a leader in what they do

* has a commitment to excellence

* must have been in business for a minimum of 5 consecutive years

BEACON AWARD

* This award will recognize a person, business or organization that has attracted significant positive regional or national attention to the Penobscot Bay region that results in a rise in economic activity for the local business community.

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

* Exemplify the spirit of community service.

* Make an outstanding contribution to the community through volunteer service.

* Demonstrate exceptional commitment, service, creativity, cooperation, or leadership.

* Serve as a role model for others in their community.

* Inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

* Must not be paid for their activities.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

* Non-Chamber director

* Demonstrates outstanding service in 1 area;

* Service may be job related