SALEM — The Salem Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrated the strength and success of the city’s business community at the 101st annual “Celebrate Salem” awards dinner at the Peabody Essex Museum on Wednesday night.
The Salem Chamber of Commerce’s Celebrate Salem Awards recognizes local business leaders for excellence in retail, hospitality, community service, new business, long-term achievement and businesspeople of the year. The nominees were selected by fellow members of the Chamber, with winners chosen through a public voting process that saw a record participation of over 2,000 votes cast.
The night also honored outgoing Salem Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rinus Oosthoek with the Salem Chamber President’s Award.
Oosthoek, who will be retiring at the end of May, was given an extended standing ovation in honor of his years of leadership and service. The Chamber also announced that assistant director Jeff Swartz will step into the role of executive director following Oosthoek’s retirement.
This year’s 2024 award recipients included: Northeast Animal Shelter awarded the Community Service Award, The Babe awarded the Best New Business Award, Timeless Life Treasures awarded the Excellence in Retail Award, Northeast Arc awarded the Long-Term Achievement Award, Karen Nascembeni of the North Shore Music Theatre awarded the Excellence in Hospitality Award.
It also included Diane Wolf of The Lobster Shanty, Front Street Coffeehouse, and Wolf Next Door awarded Businesses Person of the Year for large businesses, and Jenni Stuart of Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry awarded Business Person of the Year for small businesses.
The evening’s awards were created by Susan J. Schrader, a local ceramic artist and member of the Salem Art Association, adding a distinctive artistic touch to the celebration. Salem Chamber President and Salem Pantry Executive Director Robyn Burns served as emcee for the evening, congratulating all nominees and winners.
In her remarks, Burns also reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and advocacy. She highlighted the Chamber’s recent legislative statement opposing discriminatory executive orders issued by the Trump administration, emphasizing support for immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ youth, and transgender individuals.
“Valuing diversity and inclusivity is central to who we are in Salem,” Burns said. “We must continue to stand by those whose dignity, safety, and rights are under threat.”