The Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce announced the finalists for the 37th annual Sterling Awards.

As one of the Valley’s highly regarded and competitive business awards, this year’s 12 finalists represent more than just innovation and excellence, they reflect an ongoing commitment to civic service in Scottsdale and the Valley, a press release stated.

“The Sterling Awards is a remarkable event that showcases companies that are making significant impacts in business and the community,” Michelle Pabis, Scottsdale Chamber Board Chair, said in the release. “Being a part of this process offers a unique opportunity to engage with these companies’ people, tour their facilities and learn more about their exceptional work firsthand. I’m excited to see what the future holds for these outstanding companies as they continue to lead the way in their respective categories.”

The 2023 Sterling honorees will be revealed at the celebration on Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Purchase a corporate sponsorship for $1,500 that includes 10 tickets, or individual member tickets for $95 or $115 for non-members. For sponsorship or registration information contact Stephanie Miller at 480-355-2704 or smiller@scottsdalechamber.com.

“When it comes to recognizing excellence in business, the Sterling Awards have earned a reputation as the benchmark of achievement,” Mark Stanton, Scottsdale Chamber president and CEO, said in the release. “As we celebrate our 37th year of honoring outstanding businesses, we are reminded of the innovation and generosity demonstrated by our honorees. It’s a privilege to recognize these companies for their dedication to their business, their employees and their community.”

Twenty-eight chamber member volunteers participated as judges in this competition. Divided among the four Sterling categories— micro business, small Business, big business, and nonprofit — the judges work individually to score each applicant within their assigned category then visit each finalist company and interview key personnel.

A professional video featuring each finalist will be produced and revealed at the celebration prior to announcing the honorees.

Stephanie Miller, the chamber’s events and programs manager, stated, “Through the recognition and appreciation of our finalists and sponsors, the chamber emphasizes its commitment to the business community, highlighting and celebrating the achievements of those who drive progress and excellence.”

This year's Sterling Awards sponsors are Prestige Cleaners, Arizona Public Service, Desert Financial Credit Union, Salt River Project, NewGen Business Solutions, Inc. and Scottsdale Unified School District.

Micro business (1-10 employees) — sponsorship available

Recognizes an emerging business exhibiting success through innovation, creativity and collaboration.

• Anticus Fine Art Gallery
  3922 N. Scottsdale Road
  Anticus believes that the most important function of a home is to create a unique and intentional sanctuary filled with art and books — one that calls to you when you’re away and welcomes you when you return. Their goal is to help you add something special to your life. They want you to always feel inspired to discover new things, be it a new book to read, a historical piece of art or a classic piece of jewelry.
• SpeedPro Scottsdale
  15855 N. Greenway Hayden Loop, Suite 180, Scottsdale
  SpeedPro Scottsdale helps bring ideas to solutions. They are a small business, locally owned and locally operated, but they have a big punch with over 100 partners across the United States. They have over 50 years combined experience doing what they do best: Great, Big, Color. They do anything that involves Great, Big, Color. Have an idea? They help bring it to life.
• Suzi Glover, State Farm Insurance
  16050 N. 76th Street, Suite 205, Scottsdale
  Suzi Glover and her team take pride in working hands-on with customers to find the right policies for them. You work hard to earn it; they work hard to protect it. A family business (her husband manages the office), they love supporting small businesses in Scottsdale. Glover serves on the board for NAWBO to mentor other women in business and was awarded the 2021 Spirit of NAWBO award.

Small business (11-75 employees) — sponsored by Arizona Public Service

Recognizes a small company demonstrating innovation, quality, professionalism, and commitment to community.

• E Squared Marketing
  15475 N. Greenway Hayden Loop, Suite 16, Scottsdale
  E Squared Marketing is a boutique digital marketing agency always willing to go the extra mile for their clients. Starting with a strategy tailor-made to fit a business’ unique needs, they’ll bring your customers an unforgettable online experience to grow your following, keep your business top of mind and distinguish you from your competitors.
• Elontec
  405 N. 75th Avenue, Suite 168, Phoenix
  Elontec serves clients across the country from hubs in Arizona, Texas and Louisiana. Their business model arises from the values embedded in their name. Elontec stands for longevity, alliances, allegiances, technology, E-commerce, longing to serve and the holistic nature of the services they provide. From office furniture installation and space design to commercial relocation and cabling services, Elontec designs solutions to keep your business running smoothly with minimal down time.
• MegaplanIT Holdings LLC
  18700 N. Hayden Road, #340, Scottsdale
  MegaplanIT is a Security Testing, Compliance Assessment & Managed Security firm specializing in over 48 technically advanced services designed to protect cardholder and other sensitive data, secure in-scope networks, systems and web/mobile applications to ensure that organizations are both secure and compliant, fully certified across multiple disciplines with decades of experience helping businesses stay protected against an ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.

Big business (76+ employees) — sponsorship available

Recognizes a large company making a significant impact on the lives of its employees and the economic fabric of the community.

• Riot Hospitality Group
  7525 E. Camelback Road, #100, Scottsdale
  Riot Hospitality Group is a national, premier hospitality management company known for managing and co-creating unique concept brands. It currently oversees 12 locations in Arizona, Tennessee, Illinois and Colorado. The company believes in leading by example, and their passion is fueled by a dedication to customer engagement, philanthropic ties in the community and a strong commitment to true hospitality.
• Scottsdale Unified School District #48
  8500 E. Jackrabbit Road, Scottsdale
  With 22,000 students across 29 physical campuses and one online high school, the SUSD has been a premier choice for Pre-K through 12th grade public education for more than 123 years. SUSD’s schools consist of 15 elementary, 3 K–8, six middle and five high schools including an online high school, offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs.
• Windom Security Strategies Today
  8525 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 135, Scottsdale
  Windom Security Strategies Today was founded in 2016 and is veteran-operated. They provide unarmed security services to apartment communities, HOAs, high-rise residential buildings, corporate offices and pedestrian complexes in the Phoenix metropolitan. Their guards are made up of a diverse team of U.S. Military veterans, active reserve and National Guard members, retired law enforcement, criminal justice students and security professionals passionate about protecting their clients’ communities.

Nonprofit — sponsored by Prestige Cleaners

Recognizes a charitable organization contributing to the social, cultural, educational well-being of its constituents.

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale
  10533 E. Lakeview Drive, Scottsdale
  The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale serves thousands of youths at nine locations within Scottsdale, north Phoenix, Fountain Hills, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Hualapai Nation. Inside their doors, youth development professionals and mentors provide guidance, support and encouragement in a safe environment. Their outcome-based programming assures success is within reach for all kids and teens, regardless of circumstances.
• Mindfulness First
  P.O. Box 26045, Scottsdale
  Mindfulness First is a 501(c)(3) committed to mental health well-being. They teach children and adults practical skills for lifelong mental health well-being. You will find them in schools, communities and businesses across Arizona and the U.S. They are funded by the Department of Education to help provide mental health education in schools. They have supported the mental health of employees at places such as General Motors and the Bureau of Land Management. When they work with businesses, any profits they make support their work in local schools.
• Scottsdale Arts
  7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale
  Scottsdale Arts is one of the leading arts organizations in the Southwest, designed to develop and deliver high-quality arts experiences to community members, artists and visitors. Scottsdale enjoys an international reputation as a luxury destination and desirable community, and the arts are essential to that image. Established in 1975, the organization has evolved into an umbrella organization with six operating branches: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale Public Art, and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, Canal Convergence and CivicCenterLive!, each with a distinct focus and mission.