Each year the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce honors local small business owners as the Top Businesses of the Year at the J. Pat Beaird Industry and Top Businesses of the Year awards.
This year, four local small businesses will be honored: Flying Heart Brewing and Pub, Maxim Watermakers, LLC, RSI Building Products, LLC and SOBO Promotional Products, LLC.
“We’re delighted to be able to honor these four, very different and equally noteworthy Shreveport-Bossier small businesses,” affirmed Dr. Timothy Magner, Shreveport Chamber president. “Each one has showed true grit and determination. For instance, Flying Heart has been able to shift within the marketplace and turn their beer business into a full-fledged restaurant and beer garden. Maxim Watermakers secured a national government contract this year to supply the electronics cooling system for the DDG51 Flight III Guided Missile Destroyers. RSI has expanded into Hammond and Harahan, bringing their location total to five. SOBO Promotional Products was able to acquire another company, expand their client offerings and purchase a new facility, all within this year. These businesses are great examples of how small businesses are innovating, adding jobs and growing our economy!”
In addition to honoring these four business, the Chamber will also recognize helicopter pioneer Metro Aviation as the Industry of the Year and play host to speaker and former Naval Commander Kirk Lippold, who commanded the USS Cole during an al Qaeda attack in 2000.
This year’s J. Pat Beaird Industry and Top Businesses of the Year Awards Luncheon will be held at Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino on Sept. 20 at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are for sale online at www.shreveportchamber.org. Prices are $45 for members and $75 for nonmembers until Sept. 4. Table and event sponsorships are also available.
