Salem Chamber of Commerce Honors Local Business Excellence at 101st Celebrate Salem Awards Dinner

Salem, MA – Last night, the Salem Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrated the strength and success of the city’s business community at the 101st Annual Celebrate Salem Awards Dinner, hosted at the iconic Peabody Essex Museum.

The evening began with inspiring opening remarks from City Council President Conrad Prosniewski, State Senator Joan Lovely, State Representative Manny Cruz, and Linda Roscoe Hartigan, Director and CEO of the Peabody Essex Museum. Their words set the stage for a night dedicated to honoring the achievements and contributions of Salem's diverse and dynamic businesses.

This year’s award nominees were selected by fellow members of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, with winners chosen through a public voting process that saw record participation—over 2,000 votes cast by members of the broader Salem community.

The 2024 award recipients include:

• Community Service Award: Northeast Animal Shelter
• Best New Business Award: The Babe
• Excellence in Retail Award: Timeless Life Treasures
• Long-Term Achievement Award: Northeast Arc
• Excellence in Hospitality Award: Karen Nascembeni, North Shore Music Theatre
• Business Person of the Year – Large Business: Diane Wolf, The Lobster Shanty, Front Street Coffeehouse & Wolf Next Door
• Business Person of the Year – Small Business: Jenni Stuart, Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry

In a special moment of recognition, the Salem Chamber President’s Award was presented to outgoing Executive Director Rinus Oosthoek, who will retire at the end of May. The audience responded with a heartfelt and extended standing ovation in honor of his years of leadership and service. The Chamber also announced his successor: Assistant Director Jeff Swartz, who will step into the Executive Director role following Oosthoek’s retirement.

Salem Chamber President and Salem Pantry Executive Director Robyn Burns served as emcee for the evening, congratulating all nominees and winners. In her remarks, Burns also reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and advocacy. She highlighted the Chamber’s recent legislative statement opposing discriminatory executive orders issued by the Trump administration, emphasizing support for immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ youth, and transgender individuals. “Valuing diversity and inclusivity is central to who we are in Salem,” said Burns. “We must continue to stand by those whose dignity, safety, and rights are under threat.”

The evening’s beautifully crafted awards were created by Susan J. Schrader, a local ceramic artist and member of the Salem Art Association, adding a distinctive artistic touch to the celebration.

The 101st Celebrate Salem Awards Dinner was not only a recognition of business excellence—it was a testament to the resilience, unity, and spirit of Salem.