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'I really couldn't ask for a better place to live and work': Award ceremony for small businesses LehighValleyNews.com | By Samara Ahmed | Published June 14, 2023 BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Small Business Council of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce recognized local businesses with Excellence in Business Awards on Wednesday at Northampton Country Club. The night celebrated business and community leaders from throughout the Valley. It included networking, live music, a cocktail hour, hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast and, of course, the awards presentation. Recipients of the 2023 Excellence in Business awards were: Excellent Micro Business — Carnegie Agency. Carnegie Agency is a Lehigh Valley digital marketing agency serving small businesses. According to its website, it offers websites and social media packages. Excellent Small Business — TCB Promotions. TCB Promotions helps clients grow their business through ad specialty-driven campaigns. Excellent Large Business — Alvin H. Butz Inc. Alvin H. Butz Inc. is a sixth-generation family construction company that dates to the mid-1800s. Excellent Emerging Business — Delta Hotels by Marriott Lehigh Valley. The hotel, in Breinigsville, is near Interstate 78 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It's also close to Lehigh Valley International Airport. Excellent Non-Profit — Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley, or PCFLV. The nonprofit offers services such as one-time housecleaning, gas and grocery gift cards and hospital cafeteria cards to families with children who have been diagnosed with cancer. Lifetime Achievement Award — Kathy Craine. She is a weathercaster at television station WFMZ Channel 69. "From a community perspective, the Lehigh Valley has figured it out," said William R. Benz, chief digital officer at the Carnegie Agency. "There are people who just look out for you." Michelle Zenie is the executive director of the PCFLV. Her son was diagnosed with leukemia in 2001, when he was 3. Now, he's 25, and his cancer in remission. Of the four-person organization, two are what Zenie calls "cancer moms." "I know the journey very personally," she said. "It just becomes way more than a job. "We want to be there for the families while they're going through it, and be able to make their lives even just a little bit better. "The Lehigh Valley is just an awesome, awesome place. We all feel like we live in a community that is just incredibly generous. We're thankful for the fiscal generosity of our community, but also just generosity of time and talent and compassion and love. "I really couldn't ask for a better place to live and work." The organization will hold Ready Set Gold, a 5K walk and 8K run, on Sept. 9 on the Ironton Rail-Trail in Coplay. Registration is open, and the organization is looking for participants, sponsors and volunteers. According to a news release, the Excellence in Business Awards are awarded based on "outstanding business practice as demonstrated by their mission, Chamber and community involvement, customer satisfaction, and demonstrated commitment to quality, leadership, marketing, training, and development."