2^nd annual Toni Award for Business of the Year to be Awarded at the 2010 Christmas in July Gala

The Spring-Klein Chamber of Commerce (SKCC) proudly announces that the 2010 Toni Award for Business of the Year will be awarded during this year’s Christmas in July Gala to be celebrated on July 31, 2010.

The SKCC presents the Toni Award for Business of the Year in recognition of the business that has made measurable service contributions to the chamber and its member businesses. Runaas Resources LLC, a public relations company, was the first business to receive the Toni Award in 2009.   

“What an unexpected honor it was,” recalls Candace Runaas, principal at the PR agency, “It means such a great deal to business owners to be recognized for their efforts in establishing a positive brand image for Spring.  And I look forward to watching the surprised face of the recipient of this year’s award during the Gala.”

Another significant development occurring during the event is the presentation of the first Spring-Klein Chamber business directory.  The SKCC is actively encouraging businesses to establish or renew their membership status as soon as possible to ensure that they are included in this critical community resource.  “Our chamber receives calls daily from consumers requesting information on businesses that provide particular products or services,” says Toni Richard, SKCC president, “therefore we are concentrating our efforts to process and update all membership information to produce a business resource directory to additionally support SKCC businesses.”

The Chamber invites all area businesses and the public to attend the third annual banquet and awards ceremony.  The Christmas in July Gala will begin at 6:30 p.m., Friday, July 31, 2010 at the Augusta Pines Banquet Hall, 18 Augusta Pines in Spring, Texas.   The evening will feature a live auction, holiday buffet style dining, dancing, seasonal music and décor and Congressman Ted Poe as the Chamber’s special guest speaker.

Congressman Ted Poe is serving his third term as the Second Congressional District of Texas in the United States House of Representatives, which includes the Spring and Klein communities.   Congressman Poe is widely known for his humorous stories involving his years as a judge sentencing criminals with penalties that fit the crime.

Tickets for the event are available online for $55 per person ($50 for SKCC members) and there will be no increase in ticket prices as the event nears.  Marchel Peterson, Event Chairperson, remarks that ‘in light of the current economy and its effect on some businesses in the area, the SKCC board unanimously decided to maintain the current pricing to enable all businesses to join us at this year’s event.’

Funds raised from ticket sales, directory advertising, and the auction are used to further increase awareness about the Chamber and its member businesses, boost membership and contribute to the overall economic health of the community.

The SKCC is still accepting underwriters and advertisers for the event program which is being designed to also serve as directory for the community.  To learn about sponsorship of the event, purchase tickets, or contribute to the auction, please visit us online at www.springkleinchamber.org or contact Marchel Peterson, Event Chair, via email info@springkleinchamber.org or phone at (281) 351-0888.

The list of auction items collected includes a one year family of four YMCA membership donated by YMCA North Houston, field box tickets to the Houston Astros, Chick-fil-A for a year, paintings from local artists and other donations from SKCC members, Louetta Foot and Ankle, Runaas Resources PR and realtors Terry McDougle and Robert Harris.  This year’s Christmas in July media sponsors include KSEV Radio AM 700 and the Tomball-Spring Times.