The awards ceremony took place at the Saks Fifth Avenue store at The Summit. Awards were presented in six categories -- business services, emerging business, family-owned business, nonprofit, retail and technology.
The BBA's annual observance of national Small Business Week kicked off with a reception for nominees and past winners Monday at The Birmingham News, which was title sponsor of this week's activities. Charter Business was presenting sponsor.
A planned small business summit slated for this week was replaced with a storm recovery expo slated for June 27, exactly two months after the April 27 tornadoes devastated parts of the seven-county metro area. More than 60 companies were nominated for the awards.
Here is list of this year's winners and finalists (winners in bold):
Business Services, honoring service businesses:
</arrow>Southern Diagnostics Labs.
</arrow>Marketing 24/7.
</arrow>Payroll & Benefit Solutions.
Emerging Business, in operation less than three years:
DreamCakes.
BirminghamMommy.com.
EcoThree.
Family-Owned, recognizing business at least 15 years old that has passed from one generation to another:
Changing Spaces Moving.
MCM Custom Vehicles.
Nonprofit (tie):
Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Impact Alabama.
MPower Ministries.
Retail:
O'Henry's Coffee.
IndieCandy.
Technology:
Ticket Biscuit.
Doozer Software.
Proventix.
Business Champion: Alabama Power Co.
Business Advocate: Josh Watkins of The Angel Network.
Centennial Awards: The Peanut Depot and Bon Ton Hatters.
People's Choice Award (online voting by the public): PoppySeed Paper.