The Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce is once again giving its members a chance to honor one of their own during the chamber’s dinner award ceremony next month.

Business owners, professionals and employees registered with the local commerce chamber are asked to submit nominations for the organization’s Member of the Year award, which will be given out during the chamber’s upcoming dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Chamber members can submit the name of any other member and his or her business for nomination by filling out a short form and a list of reasons why that member should receive the award.

Criteria for selection include the member’s contribution and service the chamber and city, as well as their positive outlook on life, business and the community. Respondents are asked to keep their submissions to four to five paragraphs.

Completed forms should be either emailed to Chamber Program Director Vickie Phillipson, at vphillipson@dowagiac.org, or delivered to the chamber office inside the downtown train depot by Monday, Sept. 26.

“We need your input on who should win the award,” said Chamber President Kim MacGregor. “Who you think should win the award may not be who another member thinks would win, so we need your suggestions.”

The recipient of the award will be given a trophy during the chamber dinner.

Last year’s winner was Deb Cuthbert, with The Manor Mini Mart.

Other awards will be given during the chamber dinner as well, including the Partner Award, Rising Star Award and President’s Award, as well as other categories that will be announced during the event, MacGregor said.

The chamber will also honor another pillar of the community with its Lifetime Achievement Award — given last year to founding Southwestern Michigan College Board Chairman Fred Mathews. The recipient of this year’s award will be announced in the coming weeks, the president said.

The chamber resurrected its dinner awards ceremony after a hiatus last year, with around 145 chamber members and other guests attending, MacGregor said.

“Overall, we thought it was an outstanding event,” she said. “The members really enjoyed it. It was a great opportunity to give back to them for their service.”

MacGregor said she hopes to top last year’s number of attendees during the event next month, looking to serve 160 people or more.

The event begins with a social hour at 5 p.m., with dinner taking place at 6 p.m. and awards and presentations following. The price is $30 per seat, or $159 for a table of six.

People are asked to register by Oct. 3, by emailing Phillipson at vphillipson@dowagiac.org.