The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. enjoys recognizing, honoring and celebrating people and businesses throughout the county. You can learn about the many awards we give throughout the year below.
Each year, a business or organization from each of the seven districts in Smyth County receive the Area Beautification Award. The winners of each district are selected by the Area Beautification Committee of The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. and are announced May through October.
Nominations for each district are welcome from the community at large and can be made by through an online nomination form, or contacting us at info@smythchamber.org or 276-783-3161.
After all seven district winners have been announced, voting begins (usually in October) for the Annual Smyth County Overall Beautification Award. The overall winner is announced at our Annual Chamber Dinner Meeting in November.
The seven districts are Rye Valley, Atkins, North Fork, Chilhowie, Saltville, Park, and Royal Oak. Click HERE for a map clarifying the different districts.
Voting for the 2018 Overall Smyth County Area Beautification Award is now OPEN!!! Please click HERE for more information.
Each year, at our Annual Town & Country Dinner in September, the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. recognizes a successful business person in our county. In July, we open nominations from the community at large. Before the event, our Commercial & Industrial Committee vote on the winner based on these nominations. If you would like to nominate someone, check this page in July or join our email list to find out more information.
Congratulations to the 2018 Business Person of the Year Recipient: Jerry Sheets, Utility Trailer
Each year, at our Annual Town & Country Dinner in September, the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. recognizes an individual who has made a positive impact on the students of Smyth County’s schools. In July, we open nominations from the community at large. Before the event, our Education Committee votes on the winner based on these nominations. This individual may be a teacher, administrator, school nurse, guidance counselor, media specialist, administrative assistant, custodian, bus driver, cafeteria employee, maintenance employee, volunteer, or any other person who has made a noteworthy contribution to the education and well-being of Smyth County Students.
If you would like to nominate someone, check this page in July or join our email list to find out more information.
2018 Children First Recipient: Keith Todd, Mountain CAP Volunteer
Since 1970, a Smyth County Farm Family has been recognized as the Farm Family of the Year. This award is announced at our Annual Town & Country Dinner held in September. The Agriculture Committee of the Chamber of Commerce selects the winner each year. If you have a suggestion, please contact us at info@smythchamber.org or 276-783-3161.
2018 Farm Family of the Year: The Lamies
| Year | Recipient |
| 1970 | Harry Richardson |
| 1971 | Neal Umbarger |
| 1972 | Abe Slemp |
| 1973 | Billy Meek |
| 1974 | Raymond Buchanan |
| 1975 | Charles Lamie |
| 1976 | J.W. and Ronald Cumbow |
| 1977 | Bill Price |
| 1978 | H.P. Richardson and Family |
| 1979 | Archie Atwell |
| 1980 | Champ Clark |
| 1981 | Roy Scott Stevenson |
| 1982 | Jim and Randy Snavely |
| 1983 | Fred Conner, Jr. |
| 1984 | Johnny Waddle |
| 1985 | Rudolph and David Ernest |
| 1986 | Lewis and Bobby Combs |
| 1987 | Graham Gardner |
| 1988 | Hix and Barbara Pugh |
| 1989 | Charles Clark Family |
| 1990 | Leon W. Cole Family |
| 1991 | Eddie and Terri Stokes |
| 1992 | Danny and Kim Slemp |
| 1993 | The John DeBusk Family |
| 1994 | The Everette Umbarger Family |
| 1995 | Toby, Terry, Jared, and Jason Haynes |
| 1996 | Danny, Sue, and Adam Tilson |
| 1997 | Preston and Jay Richardson Families |
| 1998 | Tom, Sandy, and Bo Buchanan |
| 1999 | Glenn, Amy, Harrison, and Mrs. G.H. Wheeler |
| 2000 | Lucy, David, Todd, Sharon, Katie, and Abbie Dishner |
| 2001 | Hal, Lynn, Will, John, and Patrick Campbell |
| 2002 | Joe and Karen Copenhaver |
| 2003 | Scott and Shelley Waddle |
| 2004 | Justin, Bill, and Carolyn McClellan |
| 2005 | William St. john |
| 2006 | Brian Stokes |
| 2007 | Seth, Everette, and Brenda Umbarger |
| 2008 | Jacob, Kristy, and Owen Waller |
| 2009 | Walter Robinson |
| 2010 | C.W. Pratt Family |
| 2011 | Joey, and Raylinda Blankenship |
| 2012 | Jim and Laura, Etta Wilkerson |
| 2013 | Roger Meek |
| 2014 | Billy and Randy Lawson |
| 2015 | Donny Tilson |
| 2016 | J.S. Staley & Family |
| 2017 | Farrell and Julia Jones |
Upon his resignation as Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. in 1997, Mr. Tom Burkett established the Tom Burkett Educational Scholarship. The Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to match Mr. Burkett’s $500.00 contribution again this year with two additional $500.00 scholarships. Consequently, one eligible student from each of the three Smyth County high schools will receive an award. We are very grateful for Mr. Burkett’s generosity. Each scholarship winner will be invited to the Smyth County Chamber’s Annual Dinner Meeting in November.
The Chamber works directly with the guidance counselor from each of the three Smyth County high schools. If a student is interested in applying for this scholarship, they need to request an application from the guidance counselor. The applications are made available at the beginning of the school year. The deadline for turning in the application is usually mid-October.
The 2018 Chamber Annual Dinner Meeting has been set for November 6, 2018 at 6:00 pm at Riverfront Restaurant in Chilhowie, Virginia.
The Winners for the 2018-2019 School Year will be posted here after the dinner.
The winners of the FBLA Student of the Year Award, the FFA Student of the Year Award, and the 4-H Student of the Year award are all announced at our Annual Town & Country Dinner in September.
We work directly with the advisers and directors at the Smyth County Schools for the student programs mentioned above to determine the winners.
Each year, the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. encourages citizens to celebrate the holiday season in style by decorating their homes for the Annual Christmas Decorating Contest. The contest is open to any citizen whose home isin Smyth County. Judging is conducted by the Chamber's Special Events, Tourism, and Community Action Committee. The criteria for judging in previous years was creativity, holiday spirit, and overall beauty.
Look for registration to open late November or early December.
Congratulations to the 2017 Winners!
First Place - Blair and Margaret Linford, Scratch Gravel Road in Marion
Second Place - Peggy and Allan Cornett, Virginia Highlander Road in Sugar Grove
Third Place - Bob and Melony McCarty, Wasona Drive in Marion.