Application Deadline Fast Approaching for The 22nd Annual Blue Chip Community Business Award

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Aug. 11, 2016 - PRLog -- The 22^nd Annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award application deadline is fast approaching. Coordinated and sponsored by BB&T- Oswald Trippe and Company and BB&T Bank, the Blue Chip Community Business Award recognizes successful, small businesses in Lee, Collier or Charlotte County that have overcome adversity to achieve success. Applications must be submitted by Sept. 6.

Independent judges will pick the winning entry once all applications have been collected. Businesses can nominate themselves or be nominated by a third party. To qualify, the for-profit business must have been in operation for at least three years under the same ownership with principal office located in Lee, Collier or Charlotte County, employ five to 400 people and have overcome adversity to achieve success. The award ceremony will take place Thursday, Nov. 3 at Harborside Event Center, located at 1375 Monroe Street in Fort Myers.

To submit an application, please contact Stacey Mercado at (239) 433-7189 or SMercado@BBandT.com.

The 2016 Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award is endorsed by the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, Business Observer, Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte County Economic Development Office, Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida, City of Cape Coral Economic Development Office, Englewood-Cape Haze Area Chamber of Commerce, Estero Chamber of Commerce, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida SouthWestern State College, Florida Weekly, Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, Gulfshore Business, Hodges University, Lee County Economic Development Office/Horizon Council, Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Florida Business Today, Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.

About BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company

BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company provides comprehensive insurance and risk-management services to families and businesses throughout Florida. The agency offers the most effective insurance protection, strategies to meet changing business and insurance trends and the highest level of customer service. BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company has offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Miami, Naples and Weston, Fla. To learn more, please call (239) 433-4535.

About BB&T Insurance Services

BB&T Insurance Services, the fifth largest insurance broker in the U.S. and the fifth largest internationally, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Branch Banking & Trust Company (BB&T). Founded in 1922, it operates more than 100 insurance agencies in Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and California. Visit http://www.Insurance.BBT.com to learn more.

Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award Winners Years Previous

2015   Gwendolyn's Café and Catering Company
2014   Lee County Plumbing Supply, Inc.
2013   East West Veterinary Care Center
2012   ServiceMaster- CCS
2011   Parson Masonry, Inc.
2010   JRL Ventures/Marine Concepts
2009   Old Monty's Restaurant & Pizzeria
2008   The Indigo Room


Lee County

2007   LeeSar Healthtrust Partners
2006   Fox Electronics
2005   Congress Jewelers
2004   Invest SW Title Services
2003   Priority Marketing
2002   Christ Centered Book and Music
2001   Gulf Coast Printing Services

Collier County

2007   Media Vista Corporation
2006   Mikkelsen's Pastry Shop
2005   Island Café
2004   Arturo's Ristorante Italiano
2003   Clean Air & Allied Supply
2002   The Thomas Riley Artisans' Guild
2001   Ark Naturals Products for Pets

The following companies were state honorees in the Blue Chip Enterprise Awards program, a national program that ran from 1994-2000:

2000
Cornerstone Financial Advisory, Inc.
Komputer Integration Service Specialist (K.I.S.S.)
Leather Medic, Inc.
Pinchers Crab Shack
Unified Marine, Inc.
Wellington Academy, Inc.

1999
Markham Norton Stroemer & Company, CPAs
The Chiropractic Practice of Dr. Lana Perkins

1998
Easy Picker Golf Products
R.J. Wire and Cable

1997
Computer Rescue Squad(National Winner)
King Landscaping & Sod of Southwest Florida

1995
The MARC of the Professionals

1994
Fireservice, Inc.