Tucson Metro Chamber Celebrates Small Businesses, Copper Cactus Awards Winners Announced

Tucson, AZ (September 12, 2016) – The Tucson Metro Chamber announced the 16 award winners of the prestigious Copper Cactus Awards at its major annual event at Casino Del Sol Resort on Friday, September 9.  The Tucson Metro Chamber Copper Cactus Awards event presented by Wells Fargo celebrates the accomplishments and innovation of Southern Arizona’s locally owned small businesses.

“The Tucson Metro Chamber is proud to host the Copper Cactus Awards and to celebrate the accomplishments of our locally owned small businesses.  Small businesses make up 60 percent of the Chamber’s investors.  One of the Chamber’s top priorities is to champion their prosperity.” stated Michael Varney, Tucson Metro Chamber president and CEO.

“It is always a pleasure to be in a room with so much energy and so much success! Sometimes it’s tough to turn the dream into a profitable business enterprise.  Not all make the cut.  But those who do…those who survive those critical first two years…know the exhilaration of self-made success and accomplishment.  Tonight we celebrate the best of the best.” said Larry Lucero, Tucson Metro Chamber vice chairman of the board.

The award recipients were selected by a panel of judges from 54 finalists and hundreds of nominees.  The 2016 Copper Cactus Awards winners are:

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA BEST PLACE TO WORK

3-30 employees: Pinnacle Plan Design

31-75 employees: Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR

76-250 employees: The Hotel Congress

 

CENPATICO INTEGRATED CARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

3-30 employees: The Solar Store

31-75 employees: DK Advocates

 

COX BUSINESS GROWTH

3-30 employees: Undisputed Fitness & Training Center

31-75 employees: Port of Tucson

76-250 employees: Total Care Connections   

 

TUCSON ELECTRIC POWER CHARITABLE NON-PROFIT BUSINESS

$50,000 – $500,000 total revenue: Southern Arizona Network for Down Syndrome

$500,001 – $2,000,000 total revenue: Make Way for Books

$2,000,001 – $5,000,000 total revenue: Tohono Chul

$5,000,001 – $10,000,000 total revenue: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

 

NEXTRIO INNOVATION

3-30 employees: InduraPower / Elitise

31-75 employees: Sinfonia Rx

76-250 employees: The Hacienda at the River by Watermark

 

COPPERPOINT SMALL BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

Darren & Eliza Bayliss, Maximum Impact Physical Therapy Services

 

More than seven hundred gathered at Casino Del Sol Resort to honor the 54 finalists.  The evening’s festivities were hosted by MIXfm’s Bobby Rich and KGUN9’s April Madison.  In addition to Wells Fargo, the Tucson Metro Chamber Copper Cactus Awards were supported by co-sponsors Casino Del Sol Resort, Cenpatico and Intuit.