Outgoing Chair Dane DeSantis gave much of the credit for that to Lehner, saying “her leadership and guidance are second only to her passion and drive.” Then he presented the chamber’s first-ever “Key to the Chamber” Award to Richard Smyser, for his “unwavering support and dedication” to the organization. Following lunch, it was Business of the Year awards time, continuing a program VACC started in 1986, Lehner said. Only that year it was the Business of the Award — singular — because just one business was recognized. The program was expanded in 1991, she said, and her business was the first to be honored as Small Business of the Year. This year, 137 nominations were submitted and 39 businesses were selected as finalists, she said. Prion Photography is this year’s Small Business of the Year. The announcement of the winner provided some levity, as Harald and Petra Prion were photographing the event for the chamber and had to put down their camera to accept the honor. NextHome Suncoast, a real estate brokerage, was named the Medium Busi ness of the Year. Decked out in orange, owners Nick and Beth Flerlage were easy to spot on the way to accept their award. Willis A. Smith Construction Inc. took the award for Business of the Year. Accepting the award, President/CEO John LaCivita noted the company had built the new fire station by City Hall and will soon start construction on a replacement for Fire Station 2. It’s also building the museum that will house Old Betsy, the city’s original fire engine. Handyman941, which offers a variety of home ser vices, was recognized as New Business of the Year. Owner Karl Downing said his business would be nothing without the chamber. Agape Flights Inc., which flies relief missions in the Caribbean, was honored as Non-Profit of the Year. CEO Allen Speer joked that “the third time’s the charm” before saying the organization had recently changed its motto from “We listen. We respond. We deliver” to “We listen. We respond. God delivers.”