ROTHSCHILD — Four local businesses were recognized as Business EXPO Best of Show recipients at the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce’s EXPO Business PM held at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center in Rothschild on Thursday, April 20. The EXPO Business PM was held immediately following the 2017 Business EXPO and both were part of the Chamber’s 2017 Small Business Week. The Best of Show awards were sponsored by Cornerstone Information Technology and  Office Enterprises Inc.

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Department was recognized as Best of Show – Attention Strategy at Business EXPO 2017 for displaying their K9 unit, vehicle, officer and dog, in their booth space.

A committee made up of Chamber members, including past recipients, voted for the exhibitors that best met the criteria in four categories:

Best of Show – Overall: Dream Systems LLC of Weston for their interactive digital display.

Best of Show – Best Theme: Jim Kryshak Jewelers of Rib Mountain was recognized for their flower power-themed booth.

Best of Show – Attention Strategy: The Marathon County Sheriff’s Department was recognized for displaying their K9 unit, vehicle, officer and dog, in their booth space.

Best of Show – Eats or Treats: Bob’s Catering of Hatley was recognized for the variety of entrees the business made available for EXPO attendees.

The awards were presented by Scott Stefan of Office Enterprises Inc and Pete Valiska of the Chamber’s Small Business Week committee.

Office Enterprises Inc also presented scholarships for student artists through a contest held in their space at the EXPO. Chyna LaPorte of Wausau West High School received a $1,500 scholarship for her piece, ‘The Witness.’ Julia Knoll of DC Everest Senior High received $1,000 and Caroline Hehir, also of DC Everest Senior High, received $500.

The 2017 Small Business Week was presented by Ruder Ware LLSC and sponsored at the platinum level by Riiser Energy? and Sam’s Club, at the gold level by Church Mutual Insurance Company, The Dirks Group? and River Valley Bank, at the silver level by Peoples State Bank, Schenck SC, Wipfli LLP and Wisconsin Public Service, at the bronze level by EmbroidMe, Mallery & Zimmerman SC, Yach’s Body & Custom. The Business News was the print media sponsor for the week, Midwest Communications? the radio sponsor and WAOW Newsline 9? was the television sponsor.

For more information about the 2017 Small Business of the Year Awards, visit the Chamber’s recently redesigned site.