SACO — Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s sometimes defined by the ability to remain consistent and by always working hard to ensure a great outcome.

More than 90 years after its inception, The Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce+Industry is still going strong as a trade association and is a well-defined example of what a succesful and consistent organization looks like.

Earlier this month, a fun-filled event celebrated the chamber’s 90th anniversary at Thornton Academy in Saco and showed that the group is still as relevant to the community as it was on its first day in 1927.

“The chamber is so proud to support its members and its sponsor communities,” said Craig A. Pendleton, Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry Executive Director.

Pendleton said a total of 177 participants attended the anniversary celebration and enjoyed learning about the chamber’s 90 years of history and how it is uniquely remains connected to today’s activities.

“Guest speaker Geoffrey Howe of Howe and Howe Technologies of Waterboro delighted the crowd with his 12 points to keep in mind as you run your business,” Pendleton said. “He also brought great emotion to the crowd as he spoke of giving back to the community. Howe and Howe created a not-for-profit that uses their technology to aid individuals with disabilities and helping them to get outdoors, on hiking trails or even on boats so they can enjoy themselves.”

Besides listening to the guest speaker, Pendleton said the evening festivities were an opportunity for participants to enhance business connections, receive a historical presentation about the chamber, particpate in a silent auction, and to enjoy a great meal.

He said that this event replaces the chamber’s annual auction and sponsors for the evening included Event Sponsor, Camden National Bank, and Corporate Sponsors,  Saco & Biddeford Savings, P&C Insurance, Northeast Delta Dental, Southern Maine Health Care, TruChoice, and Biddeford Savings.

According to Pendleton, the chamber presented awards in the following categories: Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Family Owned Business of the Year, Entrepreneur Excellence and Business Excellence.

Winners and runnerups for each award included:

• Large Business of the Year is Deering Lumber and the Runnerup is Funtown Splashtown USA 

• Small Business of the Year is River Drive Cooperage and Millwork and the Runnerup is New Moon Restaurant

• Family Owned Business of the Year is Reilly’s Bakery and the Runnerup is Agren Appliance

• Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award recipient is Jim Albert and the Runnerup is Byron Baltazar

• Business Excellence Award recipient is City Theater and the Runnerup is Biddeford Savings Bank

Pendleton said that the chamber surprised Maureen St. John of Camden National Bank with its Volunteer of the Year award.

He said the chamber is grateful for an awesome volunteer crew who helped to decorate, work the event, take photographs and video, and stayed late to clean up after the event was over. Those volunteers include Deb and John Cote; Deb Fleming; Mary Ann Mills; Alexis; Deb McPhee; Eslie Parquette; Maureen and Jay St. John; Christine Karales Paul; Donna Roberts; Paul Barrette; Jen Hayes; Linda Verville; Cathy Stackpole; and Susan Pendleton. He also thanked Thornton Academy and Gevin Boland for providing the venue for the event.

The celebration wrapped up with a funny homemade video that spoofed an Adele song with chamber employee PJ Lassek changing the words and making fun of all the times she contacts chamber members.

“Everyone left feeling really proud and laughing hysterically,” Pendleton said.

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com.