Better Business Bureau | Greater Maryland has narrowed the field from almost 50 nominations and selected nine businesses that show exemplary integrity and ethics as finalists in their annual awards competition. The winners will be announced on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at the American Visionary Art Museum in an event benefitting BBB's Educational Foundation.
The nine finalists for BBB | Greater Maryland's 2010 Torch Awards for Marketplace Excellence are:
- Brothers Services Company of Hampstead
- Chapin Davis Investments of Baltimore
- Empire Today of Odenton
- Hague Quality Water of Maryland, Inc. of Annapolis and Ocean City
- Herl's Fiberglass Repair, Inc. of Salisbury
- Kolb Electric, Inc. of Elkridge
- Larry and Sons of Hagerstown
- Luna of Rosedale
- Mr. Basement, LLC of White Marsh
A panel of independent judges including past winners with expertise in business ethics evaluated nominees in each group for common criteria. The businesses must demonstrate exceedingly high standards of behavior toward customers, employees, shareholders and their communities; adhere to truthful and honorable advertising and sales practices; and, have a reputation for noteworthy contributions to their industries and the communities in which they do business.
"As BBB shares the dedicated and humbling stories of this year's finalists, we hope the Torch Awards will encourage all businesses to follow a code of ethics and understand the importance of marketplace trust," said Angie Barnett, president and CEO, BBB | Greater Maryland.
Proceeds from the Torch Awards will support BBB Educational Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization. The Educational Foundation's mission is to provide consumers with education and information on issues of business ethics and customer satisfaction. Reservations are $75 per person by September 3 and $90 per person after September 3 and can be made online at www.greatermd.bbb.org or by calling 410-332-0739.
Sponsors for the Torch Awards include AES Builder and Home Improvements, Atlantic Financial Federal Credit Union, AT&T Mobility, Brothers Services Company, Carchex, IWIF Workers' Compensation Insurance, McCormick & Co., Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing, Mr. Basement, SmartCEO Magazine, Travel Advantage Network and Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, LLP.
