BOISE, Idaho – The Boise Metro Chamber is proud to announce the 2025 Small Business of the Year and Chamber Excellence Awards Finalists. This year’s event will take place on June 16, 2025, from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Boise Centre WEST. The event kicks off with a trade show at 11 a.m. and the awards luncheon starting at 12 p.m.

“This year’s finalists truly encompass the industry they represent, showcasing their innovation, resilience, and impact. With the addition of two new Small Business of the Year categories and the Community Engagement Excellence Award, we celebrate a broader range of achievements that reflect the dynamic spirit of our business community,” said Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, President and CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber.

Finalists for each category include:

• (New Size) Small Business of the Year: 11 – 50 Employees: Blue Gander Window Cleaning, Graeber and Company, Adler Industrial
• (New Size) Small Business of the Year: 10 Employees or less: The Farm, Atlas Strategic Communications, Red Sky
• (New Category) Community Engagement Excellence Award: First Interstate Bank, Albertsons, Idaho Housing and Finance Association
• Financial Services Industry Excellence Award: Idaho Housing and Finance Association, CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, ICCU
• Food & Agriculture Industry Excellence Award: Telaya Wine Co., Thomas Cuisine, Lee’s Candies
• Healthcare Services Industry Excellence Award: Intermountain Hospital, Your Health Idaho, BPA Health
• Nonprofit Excellence Award: NeighborWorks Boise, Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce
• Jim Moore Lifetime Legacy Award for Excellence in Travel and Hospitality: Enterprise Mobility, Velma V. Morrison Center for Performing Arts, Boise Centre

The awards ceremony also features the induction of a “Chamber Hall of Fame” recipient and the recognition of the “Government Advocate of the Year.”

Previous Boise Metro Chamber Hall of Fame Inductees include:

• 2024 Odette Bolano, President and CEO of Trinity Health West Region
• 2023 Kent Oram, President and CEO of ICCU
• 2022 Charlene Maher, President and CEO of Blue Cross of Idaho
• 2021 Bert Glandon, President of College of Western Idaho
• 2020 Ray Stark, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Community Development, Boise Metro Chamber
• 2019 Candi Allphin, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager, Wells Fargo
• 2018 Dave Terrell, Regional President, Washington Trust Bank, Chairman of the Boise Metro Chamber, BVEP, and Visit Boise
• 2017 Dr. Bob Kustra, President of Boise State University
• 2016 Dennis Johnson, President and CEO of United Heritage Insurance
• 2015 Skip Oppenheimer, Chairman and CEO of Oppenheimer Companies, Inc.
• 2014 Nancy Vannorsdel, President and CEO of Boise Metro Chamber
• 2013 Doug Armstrong, President of Armstrong Consulting

Previous Government Advocate of the Year winners include:

• 2024 Gerald Hunter, President of the Idaho Housing and Finance Association
• 2023 Wayne Hammon, CEO of Idaho Associated General Contractors
• 2022 Kelley Packer, Executive Director of the Association of Idaho Cities
• 2021 Bruce Newcomb, Former Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives

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Event Details

• What – Boise Metro Chamber Small Business of the Year and Chamber Excellence Awards
• When – June 16, 2025, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
  • Tradeshow – 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Award Show and Luncheon – 12 – 1:30 p.m.
• Where – Boise Centre WEST, 850 W. Front St., Boise, ID

 
The event is presented by Meta and Bank of America and sponsored by, Idaho Business Review, Delta Air Lines, Inc. St. Luke’s Health Plan, Boise Centre, and Mountain West Bank. Tickets to this event are available on the Boise Metro Chamber’s website at boisechamber.org.

Congratulations to the following Winners of this years 2024 Small Business of the Year and Chamber Excellence Awards! 

• Government Advocate of the Year: Gerald Hunter, President, Idaho Housing  and Finance Association
• Hall of Fame Award: Odette Bolano
• Food & Agriculture Industry Winner: Idaho Candy Company
• Financial Services Industry Winner: D.L. Evans Bank
• Small Business of the Year (Medium-sized 26-100) Winner: PortaPros
• Healthcare Industry Winner: Regence BlueShield of Idaho
• Small Business of the Year (Small <25) Winner: TalentSpark
• Non-profit Excellence: Jannus, Inc 
• The Jim Moore Lifetime Legacy Award for Excellence in Travel & Hospitality: Block 22, LLC

You can learn about all of the finalists and winners by reading their bios on the Small Business and Chamber Excellence Awards event page.

Thank you to our presenting sponsors Meta and Hillcrest and event sponsors Bank of Idaho, Boise Centre, Delta Air Lines, Idaho Business Review, and St Luke's Health Plan.

Boise, ID – The Boise Metro Chamber, the only five-star accredited Chamber in Idaho, proudly announces the induction of Odette Bolano, President & CEO of Trinity Health West Region, into the Boise Metro Chamber Hall of Fame. In addition, Gerald Hunter, President of the Idaho Housing and Finance Association, will be honored with the distinguished Government Advocate of the Year award.​

The honorees will be celebrated at the Small Business of the Year & Chamber Excellence Awards Luncheon at the Boise Centre West on Monday, June 17th. The event will open at 11 a.m. with a reception and trade show, followed by lunch and award presentations at 12 p.m. MDT. Finalists for the awards have been announced and tickets for the event are available for purchase on the Boise Metro Chamber’s website at boisechamber.org. We are pleased to acknowledge Meta and Hillcrest Bank as this year’s presenting sponsor.

Odette Bolano has been chosen as the 12th recipient of the Hall of Fame award in recognition of her commitment and contributions to the Boise Metro Chamber. Throughout her tenure, Bolano has demonstrated exceptional leadership, particularly evident during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her service extends beyond her professional endeavors, as she actively participates in various civic boards and has earned accolades for her outstanding leadership.

Gerald Hunter, recognized for his longstanding dedication to the Boise Metro Chamber, will receive the Government Advocate of the Year award. Mr. Hunter serves on the Chamber’s Board of Directors and on the Executive Committee as an “at large” member. Additionally, Mr. Hunter serves as Chair of the Chamber’s Financial Services Board.
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The Boise Metro Chamber takes great pride in honoring these individuals, whose dedication and leadership have significantly enriched our community.

Past Hall of Fame award recipients include: