NILES — The Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce will present five awards at this year’s Chamber Pulse, the chamber’s annual meeting and award ceremony.

Nominations for these awards are now open. Awards will include Volunteer of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Community Leadership, Business of the Year, and Economic Impact. To nominate a business or individual for one of these awards, visit greaternileschamber.com and click “nominate now.”

Descriptions of each award are listed below:

• Volunteer of the Year — This award is presented to an individual who has chosen to put the needs of the community above their own. They have provided extraordinary service to the greater Niles community through volunteer efforts that have made the area shine a little brighter. 

• Young Professional of the Year — This award is presented to a business professional, between the ages of 21 and 39, who is making strides in the greater Niles area. This individual has shown exceptional innovation, professionalism and assiduousness in their career.   

• Community Leadership Award — This award is presented to an individual, business, or organization that has gone above and beyond the call of duty in their service to the greater Niles community. This individual, business or organization has devoted much of their time and energy to the betterment of the community and continues to do so in excellence. 

• Business of the Year — This award is presented to a business that has contributed to the community development and quality of life in the greater Niles area. The recipient of this award exhibits outstanding business practices, professional conduct and represents the greater Niles community in a prestigious and favorable manner.   

• Economic Impact Award — The Economic Impact Award is new in 2020. This award is presented to a business that has paved the way to a brighter future within the greater Niles area. This business showcased a heightened level of development and innovation that has fostered a ripple effect of prosperity throughout the economic region. 

Award recipients will not be eligible for the same award for three years following the reception of said award. Winners will be selected by the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce’s selection committee. One may fill out one nomination form per category.

Last year’s award winners included Sandy Whitmyer as the Volunteer of the Year, Muta Mwenya, of Relevant Church, as the Young Professional of the Year, the YMCA of Southwest Michigan, now the YMCA of Greater Michiana, as the Community Leadership Award recipient, and SLR Pilates as the Business of the Year. 

Chamber Pulse will be hosted from noon to 1:30 p.m.  on Friday, May 8 at The Grand LV in Niles. Tickets are $50 for members and $75 for non-members and will include a catered lunch, a keynote speaker and the presentation of the five awards listed above. 

Tickets to Chamber Pulse are on sale now and can be found on the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce’s website, or the Chamber Pulse event page: bit.ly/39cD1K3. 

Individuals are encouraged to contact the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce if they are experiencing issues in nominating or purchasing a ticket.