Ranked one of the best small cities to start a small business, Sarasota is booming and making a big impression. With miles of pristine beaches, low taxes, convenient flights, and an average temperature of 72 degrees year-round, every day feels like vacation. As such a great location for pleasure and conducting business, Sarasota is making a mark locally and across the country as the place to call home for work or play.

Thanks to a thriving business community, the Sarasota local economy continues to grow beyond expectations. Similarly, organizations in the community are going beyond the norm to foster Sarasota’s great national reputation. Sarasota is an outstanding city because of countless contributions by trailblazing entrepreneurs – leaders who demonstrate courage and fortitude, many putting their own capital and net worth on the line to fulfill their dream. These businesses meet our community’s needs for a vast array of goods and services and are one of the largest contributors to private sector job growth regionally and across the country.

Over 1,200 businesses are members of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce employing over 60,000 people. The cumulative impact of these employers in the Chamber and community is immense. And while significant in the number of businesses, 90% have fewer than 50 employees. For these and many other reasons, it is fitting that we honor extraordinary entrepreneurs, and salute businesses fueling this economy.

Once a year, we honor the contributions of companies of all sizes, started by individuals with unique backgrounds who have one thing in common – being the best at what they do; employing best practices; creating an inspiring company culture; and making time for their workforce to give back in the community. These businesses are setting the bar high and making a huge impact in Sarasota. We will recognize and celebrate these businesses at the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's 32nd annual Frank G. Berlin Sr. Small Business Awards presented by the Herald-Tribune.

We look forward to hosting the awards luncheon at the Hyatt Hotel in Sarasota on Friday, June 17. This year we have nine award categories with three finalists in each category. The finalists include:

• Large Business Award (150+ employees) sponsored by Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP: Bank of America, PGT Innovations, Trulieve.

• Medium Business Award (25-150 employees) sponsored by Grapevine Communications: J2 Solutions, Inc.; Ramos Center for Interventional & Functional Pain Medicine; Sirius Day Spa, Salon & Med Spas.

• Small Business Award (1-25 employees) sponsored by Sarasota Bradenton International Airport: IAS Marketing Services; Trade Mark Interiors; Wealth Strategies Partners.

• Community Impact Award sponsored by Kerkering, Barberio & Co.: Catalist Realty; Lightspeed Voice; Michael Saunders & Company.

• Minority Business Award sponsored by Bank of America: Abundant Blessing Consulting Services, LLC; Around the Way Transportation; King HR Services Inc.

• Non-Profit Award sponsored by Hyatt Regency Sarasota: Children First; Senior Friendship Centers; Teen Court of Sarasota, Inc.

• Rising Star Award sponsored by HH Staffing Services: Atlas Fiduciary Financial, LLC; Bone Dry Roofing; Dapper Bowtique, LLC.

• Woman-Owned Business Award sponsored by Herald-Tribune: Grapevine Communications; Luhrsen Goldberg, Law Powered By Women; Operation Warrior Resolution.

• Workforce Development & Innovation Award sponsored by Lakewood Ranch Medical Center: 360 Orthopedics; Goodwill Industries Manasota, Inc.; HBK CPAs & Consultants.

Businesses that applied for the awards submitted a written application and the top scoring nominees in each category were selected as finalists. Each finalist will be invited for an interview with a panel of judges comprised of their peers, including past winners.

Finalists in each of these categories are extraordinary examples of successful businesspeople who exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit of the Frank G. Berlin Sr. Small Business Awards. Mr. Berlin was a successful businessman and community leader who chaired the Chamber more than 65 years ago. This Chamber event bears his name in honor of his many years of commitment and service. We look forward to celebrating these finalists and winners on June 17!

Heather Kasten is the president/CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and has been with the organization since March of 2019. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in business administration and a MBA from Webster University. Contact her at hkasten@sarasotachamber.com.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: HEATHER KASTEN: Outstanding businesses are making Sarasota stand out