The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce celebrates all that sparkles about business with the 2016 Diamond Awards. Our annual signature awards program, the Diamond Awards honor excellence in business at the 2016 Diamond Awards luncheon on Thursday, December 1st at the Coral Gables Country Club.
Each year, the Chamber’s Diamond Awards shine the spotlight of recognition upon outstanding Coral Gables businesses. It is the Chamber’s most prestigious awards program, honoring excellence in business achievement, corporate citizenship, customer service and workplace environment.
The prestigious Diamond Awards will recognize local businesses in twelve different categories this year:
2016 Business Leader of the Year Award
Donna Abood • Avison Young
Outstanding Large Business – Sponsored by BankUnited
Apollo Bank • Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP • Preemo
Outstanding Small Business – Sponsored by Hancock Askew & Co.
Bottle & Bottega • LOI Marketing, Inc. • Sanderson Test Prep
Diamond-in-the-Rough Business – Sponsored by City of Coral Gables
Benjamin Douglas Consulting • Silverberg | Brito, PLLC • Triumph Steps
Outstanding Large Non-Profit
Family Resource Center • Miami Dade County Youth Fair & Exposition, Inc. • Ronald McDonald House
Outstanding Small Non-Profit – Sponsored by BankUnited
GIG / Gifts in Golf • Nail Scholarship Foundation • ReServe South Florida
Outstanding Woman-Owned Business
Avatar Real Estate Services • Coral Gables Bridals • Creative Staffing
Outstanding Minority-Owned Business – Sponsored by LOI Marketing, Inc.
Credomatic Merchant Services • OpusCare of South Florida • Sora Global Insurance & Consulting, Inc.
Outstanding Real Estate Firm
EWM Realty International • The Keyes Company Realtors • Lynx Property Services
Outstanding Retailer
Frameworks • Montica Jewelry • Rex Fabrics
Outstanding Hospitality Entity
Four Points by Sheraton Coral Gables • Miami Airport Marriott • Morton’s the Steakhouse
Outstanding Family-Owned Business – Sponsored by The Keyes Company Realtors
Cao Chocolates • Home Instead Senior Care • Macanoco & Co.
Tech Business – Sponsored by Intermedia Touch, Inc.
Grove Networks, Inc. • OptFirst Inc. • United Data Technologies
“The Diamond Awards was created nearly 20 years ago to recognize the businesses and individuals in the Coral Gables community that shone brightly from the rest in its quality of work and service. To be a recipient of this is an incredible honor for many reasons. First, Coral Gables is both my home and the place I choose to run my business. It is really special to be recognized in a City that I believe is one of the most beautiful and finest run cities in the State of Florida. Second, I truly love my work and to be recognized as an individual that shines apart from other professionals is the greatest honor I could ever hope to achieve”, said Donna Abood, recipient of the 2016 Business Leader of the Year Award, Past Chair of the Chamber (1995-96) and creator of the Diamond Awards.
The 2016 Diamond Awards are presented by BankUnited and supported by the City of Coral Gables, Hancock Askew & Co., LLP, Intermedia Touch, The Keyes Company Realtors, LOI Marketing, Inc and UHealth. In-kind support was provided by Photo Offset, Inc., Frames USA + Art Gallery and the Coral Gables Country Club.
“At BankUnited we believe that the foundation of any world-class community is its thriving businesses. Regardless of their size, these businesses create the buzz on the streets that we all call home. As the largest financial institution headquartered in Florida, BankUnited is committed to the perpetuation of business and that’s why we are excited and honored to present the Chamber’s 2016 Diamond Awards once again this year.” said Gladys Reed, Executive Vice President of BankUnited.
About the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce represents more than 1,600 members and is the second largest business association in Miami-Dade County. For 90 years, our mission has been to foster and enhance the economic interests of the Coral Gables community, while advancing the quality of life of our members, partners, neighbors and visitors. For more information on our Chamber, please visit www.coralgableschamber.org or follow-us on Facebook at www.facebook/coralgableschamber.
