Chamber's Golden Coconut Awards announced

The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce held the 46th Golden Coconut Awards on Thursday night at a cocktail reception at The Kampong.  The Grove's Who's Who turned out to enjoy a beautiful evening and a fun awards ceremony at a beautiful Coconut Grove location - our version of the Golden Globes. Above are Kathy Kesler, chair of the event and Lilliana Dones, Chamber president.

Michael Smith of CBS-4 emceed the elegant reception which is a celebration recognizing businesses and individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the community. “There are so many wonderful businesses and individuals among our community who deserve to be recognized for the positive impact they’ve had locally and in their industry,” said Kathy Kesler, Committee Chair of the Golden Coconut Awards. Above, Cris Sweeny and Claire Lardner owners of FrameWorks won “Small Business of Year." FrameWorks is going renovation right now and is scheduled to reopen on February 1.

“We are honored to shine the spotlight on these deserving businesses and individuals, and we look forward to continuing to help them succeed thanks to the many resources the Chamber provides that support local businesses.”

Two familiar faces - Manny Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District (BID) won “Outstanding Service By An Individual” and Lilianna Dones, President of the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce.


Here is a full list of the Golden Coconut Award Winners:
- Joyce Nelson, Grove Resident, Owner, Cosmopolitan Jewels - GOLDEN COCONUT AWARD
- FrameWorks, Cris Sweeny and Claire Lardner - Small Business of the Year
- Sonesta Coconut Grove Miami, Curtis Crider, General Manager -Business of the Year
- David Martin, President and Co-Founder, Terra - Business Leader of the Year
- The Thelma Gibson Health Initiative, Inc. - Non-profit of the Year
- Karl Fong Yee, Assistant VP, Regions Bank, Coconut Grove - Up & Comer of the year
- Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove, Marlene Erven, President - Community Service
- Manny Gonzalez, Executive Director, Coconut Grove Business Improvement District (BID)    Outstanding Service by Individual

Left: David Martin, President and Co-Founder of Terra won “Business Leader of the Year" and at right: Curtis Crider, General Manager of the Sonesta Coconut Grove Miami won “Business of the Year."

And for you Big Brother fans, look who was working the event - one of the twins from last season Liz or Julia? Not sure which one it is!

For more info about the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce and its upcoming events and community opportunities, please visit CoconutGroveChamber.com or email info@CoconutGroveChamber.com. 

Photos by Jackie Sayet