Join us at the Annual Celebrate Salem Awards for the 101st Annual Dinner!

April 23, 2025 at PEM

The Salem Chamber of Commerce's 101st Annual Celebrate Salem Awards Dinner will take place in the beautiful Atrium of the Peabody Essex Museum on the evening of Wednesday, April 23, 2025. 

The program of the evening will include the presentation of the Celebrate Salem Awards in 7 categories.  The process for the nominations and selection of winners is a two phase process. In the first period businesses and people were nominated, after which the Awards Committee selected 6 nominees per category. In the second phase the voting, open to both businesses and residents, will take place to select the winners. 

The theme for this year's dinner is based on the PEM exhibition "Saints, Sinners, Lovers, and Fools", on view through May 4, 2025.

Tickets for the event are $150 per person and include a welcoming drink during the networking reception and a delicious sit-down dinner. We are looking for sponsors for the event and sponsorship options can be found on the reservation and sponsorship form.

The 101st Annual Celebrate Salem Awards

Awards will be handed out in the following categories:

• 2024 Businessperson of the Year - Small Business (less than 10 FTE employees)
• 2024 Businessperson of the Year - Large Business (more than 10 FTE employees)
• (NEW) 2024 Excellence in Hospitality Award
• 2024 New Business of the Year
• 2024 Long Term Achievement Award
• 2024 Community Service Award
• 2024 Excellence in Retailing Award

Winners per category are decided by general vote by the Salem Chamber membership and the community at large starting March 3rd - through March 23rd. 

Winners in Previous Years:

2023 (awards handed out in 2024): ​

• ​2023 Excellence in Retail Award - Caramel French Patisserie
• 2023 Community Service Award - The Daily Table
• 2023 Best New Business Award - Annie's Asian mart
• 2023 Long-Term Achievement Award - Harborsweets
• 2023 Resiliency & Sustainability Award - Salem Wildlife Rescue
• 2023 Businessperson of the Year Award (Large) - Beth Crowley, Witch City Walking Tours
• 2023 Businessperson of the Year Award (Small) - Denise Kent, Wicked Good Books & Silly Bunny Toys

 

2022 (awards handed out in 2023): ​

• ​2022 Excellence in Retail Award - Pamplemousse
• 2022 Community Service Award - Root North Shore
• Best New Business Award - Roseadela's
• Long-Term Achievement Award - Modern Millie
• Resiliency & Sustainability Award - Salem State University
• Businessperson of the Year Award (Large) - The Turner Family of Turner's Seafood
• Businessperson of the Year Award (Small) - Antonia Steriti of Periwinkles Food Shoppe

 

2021 (awards handed out in 2022)

• ​2021 Excellence in Retail Award - Coffee Time Bake Shop
• 2021 Community Service Award - Salem Main Streets
• Best New Business Award - Lulu’s Bakery & Pantry
• Long-Term Achievement Award - The Hawthorne Hotel
• Resiliency & Sustainability Award - Odd Meter Coffee
• Businessperson of the Year Award  - Ashley Tina, Good Witch of Salem

 

2020 (awards handed out in 2021)

• Businessperson of the Year - John Andrews, Creative Collective
• Young Entrepreneur - Kate & Jess Moody, Moody Home & Gifts
• New Business of the Year - Artful Life Counceling Center & Studio
• Climate Resiliency Award - Barbara Warren, Salem Sound Coastwatch
• Community Service Award - Robyn Burns, Salem Pantry
• Excellence in Retail Award - Matt O'Neill & Dan Gursha, Ledger Restaurant

 

2019 (awards handed out in 2020)

• Businessman of the Year - Tim Maguire
• Businesswoman of the Year - Becky DeVries
• New Business of the Year - Kakawa Chocolate House
• Long-Term Achievement Award -  Gulu Gulu Cafe
• Community Service Award - Steve Harrington/NAGLY
• Excellence in Retail Award -  Hauswitch Home & Healing
   

2018 (awards handed out in 2019)

• Businessman of the Year - Matt O'Neill, Ledger
• Businesswoman of the Year - Laura Lanes, Laura Lanes Skin Care
• New Business of the Year - The Hotel Salem
• Long-Term Achievement Award - Pamplemousse
• Community Service Award - Kerry Murphy, The Salem Pantry
• Excellence in Retail Award - Harbor Sweets

2017 (awards handed out in 2018)

• Businessman of the Year - Jason Consalvo – Salem Five Bank
• Businesswoman of the Year - Kate Fox – Destination Salem
• New Business of the Year - Goodnight Fatty
• Long-Term Achievement Award - A & J King Artisan Bakers, LLC
• Community Service Award - The House of the Seven Gables
• Excellence in Retail Award - Turtle Alley Chocolates II

 

2016 (awards handed out in 2017)

• Businessman of the Year - Al Snape – Far From the Tree
• Businesswoman of the Year - Amy Job – Jolie Tea Company
• New Business of the Year - Notch Brewing
• Long-Term Achievement Award - Hawthorne Hotel
• Community Service Award - Salem No Place for Hate Committee
• Excellence in Retail Award - Lifebridge Thrift Store

 

2015 (awards handed out in 2016)

• Businessman of the Year - Rob Liani – Coffee Time Bake Shop
• Businesswoman of the Year - Joanne Scott – Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem
• New Business of the Year - Sea Level Oyster Bar
• Long-Term Achievement Award - Salem Maritime National Historic Site / NPS
• Community Service Award - The Plummer Home
• Excellence in Retail Award - The Cheese Shop of Salem

 

2014 (awards handed out in 2015)

• Businessman of the Year - Paul Van Ness (CinemaSalem, The Cabot, Van Ness Creative, Salem Film Fest)
• Businesswoman of the Year - Brandi Dion (B&S Fitness Companies & CrossFit IronSpider)
• New Business of the Year - The Ugly Mug Diner
• Long-Term Achievement Award - Jim & Nancy Hurrell (Salem Trolley, Pirate Museum, Witch History Museum, Witch Dungeon)
• Community Service Award - Creative Salem
• Excellence in Retail Award - Milk & Honey Green Grocer

 

2013 (awards handed out in 2014)

• Businessman of the Year- Patrick Schultz (Howling Wolf)
• Businesswoman of the Year- Sandy Heaphy (Kensington Stobart Gallery)
• New Business of the Year- Turner's Seafood at Lyceum Hall
• Long-Term Achievement Award- DeIulis Brothers Construction
• Community Service Award- North Shore Community Development Coalition
• Excellence in Retail Award- Treasures Over Time

 

2012 (awards handed out in 2013)

• Businessman of the Year- Michael Wheeler (Beverly Cooperative Bank)
• Businesswoman of the Year- Helen Medler & the late Anne Turcotte (Hawthorne Tours)
• New Business of the Year- Jean Louis Pasta Shop
• Long-Term Achievement Award- Finz Seafood & Grill
• Community Service Award- John Hall of Salem Five
• Excellence in Retail Award- Peabody Essex Museum Gift Shop