Stafford's Hospitality Receives Best Small Business Recognition

Stafford’s Hospitality has been recognized as one of the 2023 awardees for the Best Small Business Award, presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. Stafford’s Hospitality was acknowledged on stage at the in-person awards ceremony during the 19th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Gala on May 2, 2023 in East Lansing. (Pictured L to R) Brian Ewbank (President), Reginald Smith (Chairman) and Butch Paulsen (Vice President).

Success is best when shared, and the event brought over 800 guests to the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan to celebrate the achievements of this year’s award recipients.

“The vision my parents had over 60 years ago was to grow their business along-side an emerging travel destination, which was Petoskey,” Chairman Reginald Smith said. “Our team is committed to provide outstanding customer service along with delightful accommodations that would encourage loyal guests to return year after year,” Smith exclaimed.

For over 60 years, Stafford’s Hospitality has provided premier waterfront dining and historic lodging throughout northern Michigan. Guests enjoy attentive service, fine dining and elegant accommodations overlooking Lake Michigan, Little Traverse Bay and the Crooked River. These properties include: Bay View Inn, Perry Hotel, Crooked River Lodge, Pier Restaurant, Weathervane Restaurant and the Noggin Room Pub.

The past three years have been a challenging landscape for business owners, but small businesses have learned to become nimble and innovative in order to accomplish their goals. The 2023 awards gala put Michigan’s small businesses in the spotlight and gave them a chance to share their success stories with the supporters who helped them get to where they are today.

“MCSB has always prided itself on its spirit of collaboration and celebration,” said Jennifer Deamud, MCSB Board Chair. “We love seeing our awardees celebrating one another's success and sharing in this amazing moment is each awardee’s journey. It’s true— success is best when it is shared.”

Companies nominated for the Best Small Business Award must be Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), or SmartZone headquartered in Michigan.

Awardees in this category are selected based on the following:

Demonstrated growth as a small business
Embodiment of the American entrepreneurial spirit
Strength of the relationship with the SBDC, PTAC or SmartZone
Additional information and ticket information can be found at MichiganCelebrates.org.

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Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB) is a collaboration of trusted statewide founding organizations who offer resources for small businesses. Since 2005, Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards gala has placed a spotlight on how small businesses positively impact our communities and state. The MCSB organization is focused on supporting, promoting and celebrating small businesses in Michigan.

Kinexus Group is the Managing Partner of the awards gala.

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