Business Excellence Awards 10th Annual Gala 2026
Celebrating a Decade of Journeys
The 2026 Mammoth Lakes Chamber Business Excellence Awards marks a decade of celebrating the people, businesses and organizations that help our community thrive. This year's theme, Rising Above – The Peaks of Excellence, recognizes that every success has its own journey—and every journey its own peak.
We are thrilled to announce that our Title Sponsor for this year's Business Excellence Awards is Limelight Mammoth.
Want your business in the spotlight too? Gala sponsorships are filling up, but there’s still time to grab one or donate a raffle prize for the big night. If your business wants to be part of this 10th annual milestone celebration, then please reach out to us for the sponsorship opportunities or raffle donations: info@mammothlakeschamber.org
You really did rise to the occasion! Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for our 10th Annual Business Excellence Awards. We received a record number submissions—fitting for this year’s Rising Above – The Peaks of Excellence theme!
Chamber member voting closed on Monday, October 12. A big thank you to all our Chamber members who took the time to cast their votes and help determine this year's Business Excellence Awards winners!
Winners of all eight categories will be announced at the Gala on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at Canyon Lodge.
The Awards Gala will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Canyon Lodge and is always a sell-out event. Grab your tickets early and be part of the Rising Peaks of Excellence.
Tickets:
$140 for individual (Chamber members)
$200 for individual (non members)
$1,600 for a table of ten (We have sold out of our limited tables of ten)
- Priority Seating for you and your guests, putting you close to the action.
- Company Logo displayed on your table, gaining visibility with community and business leaders.
- Direct Support of Chamber Programs, helping us continue to provide resources, advocacy, and growth opportunities for local businesses.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: Please notify us at info@mlchamber.org
This year's Award Categories and the 2026 Finalists in alpha order by first name:
Business of the Year- Appliances of Mammoth
- High Country Lumber
- Looney Bean, Mammoth
Business Person of the Year
- Gregorio Bribiesca (Pita Pit)
- Sarah Nuttall (Mammoth Reservations)
- Steve Shatkin (Mammoth Coffee Roasting Co. / Ursa Kitchen)
Customer Service Person of the Year
- Esteban Apodaca (Eastern Sierra Community Bank / Nik N Willies)
- Kelly Segura (The EATery at Mammoth Brewing Co)
- Zuleyka Farnes (Mammoth Hospital Financial Aid)
New Business of the Year
- Bird and the Biscuit
- Limelight Mammoth
- Mammoth Mercantile
Non-Profit of the Year
- Chamber Music Unbound
- Crowley Fish Foundation
- Sierra STEM
Young Professional of the Year
- Joseph Bogorad (Destination Real Estate)
- Joshua Pighetti (Faculty of Cerro Coso Community College)
- Mike Hammers (Mammoth High School Music Program / Mammoth Unified)
Tourism Champion
- Julie Rolfe (Mammoth Resorts)
- Pat Foster (Hot Creek Aviation)
- Tim Tollefson (Trailfest / The mammmoth 200 / Eastern Sierra Running)
Trailblazer of the Year
(New for 2026 – recognizing businesses and organizations that have introduced a fresh idea, a new approach or an innovative way of doing things.)
- Cerro Coso Community College
- TrekSierra
- Ursa Kitchen
>>> Click here for more details on the 2026 Nomination Process and Criteria
Date and Time
Thursday Nov 5, 2026
5:30 PM - 10:30 PM PST
TITLE Sponsor
PREMIER Sponsor
Location
Canyon Lodge
Fees/Admission
$140 Chamber Members This year's GALA SPONSORS:
$200 Non-Chamber Members
$1,600 for Table of Ten
(SOLD OUT)
