Tupelo Honey owner Steve Frabitore hornored as Small Business Leader of the Year, 16 or more employees

At the 116th Annual Meeting in June, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce honored outstanding companies and individuals. 

Every year, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce honors two individuals as Small Business Leader of the Year, sponsored by HomeTrust Bank. One award is given to an individual from a company with under 16 employees, and the other is given to an individual at a company with 16 or more employees. 

Selected from community nominations, winners clearly reflect quality and dedication in the operation of business in the Asheville area and exhibit leadership accomplishments including innovation, initiative and civic responsiveness.

Steve Frabitore of Tupelo Honey Cafe was chosen as 2013 Small Business Leader of the year in the category of 16 or more employees.

Steve purchased Tupelo Honey Cafe about six years ago and has since transformed the popular restaurant into an empire. Sales at the original downtown store have grown by over 200%, a second Asheville store was opened and by the end of 2013 there will be six Tupelo Honey Cafes throughout the Southeast. His success has garnered him recognition as the 2012 North Carolina Restaurateur of the Year by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association.  

"His passion for offering our guests flavorful food that is well thought out, tested and implemented allows us the good fortune of remaining a leader in southern cuisine after 12 years in business," said Alan Wolf, Vice President of Operations at Tupelo Honey Cafe. "Steve's passion for perfection is amazing and his ability to drive every decision by a guest-first focus makes him an excellent leader."

While growing the business, Steve has also kept an eye out for supporting the community. Tupelo Honey Cafe sponsors Go Kitchens, a job rehabilitation outfit for restaurant workers in Asheville, has provided food for families in need from local elementary schools and donated funds for building the Estes learning garden. Tupelo Honey Cafe teaches children's food nutrition to 2-4th graders in Buncombe County, NC, Knox County, TN and Greenville County, SC.

"Steve, as many Asheville leaders, embodies the spirit of our city, our region and of our best leaders," Wolf said. "His selflessness is genuine, his gratitude of guests and employees is inspirational and his drive and vision to create opportunity for those around him is truly unique."

Ed Sullivan honored as Small Business Leader of the Year

At the 116th Annual Meeting in June, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce honored outstanding companies and individuals. 

Every year, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce honors two individuals as Small Business Leader of the Year, sponsored by HomeTrust Bank. One award is given to an individual from a company with under 16 employees, and the other is given to an individual at a company with 16 or more employees. 

Selected from community nominations, winners clearly reflect quality and dedication in the operation of business in the Asheville area and exhibit leadership accomplishments including innovation, initiative and civic responsiveness.

Ed Sullivan with wife Arlene and daughter

Ed Sullivan of Sign-a-rama of Asheville was selected in the category of under 16 employees. Ed and his wife Arlene started Sign-a-rama of Asheville in 2011. In just two short years, Ed has become an active member of the community. He contributes time, effort and resources to many community activities. He is a member of the Council of Independent Business Owners and Asheville Rotary as well as a Chamber ambassador. An avid musician, Ed has also volunteered and supported numerous music festivals in the region.

"Ed responds to the challenges of running a successful business with innovative approaches and solutions," said Sign-a-rama sales representative Dari Mullins. "When given an unusual project, Ed throws all his creativity and managerial skills toward the task to ensure it is accomplished."



Congratulations, Ed!

2013 Women Entrepreneurs, Best in Business

At the 116th Annual Meeting in June, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce honored outstanding companies and individuals.  

This year the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce set out to launch a new award honoring women in our business community. The Women Entrepreneurs, Best in Business Award, sponsored by Webb Investment Services and Verve Magazine, recognizes a woman who demonstrates the transformation of her dream into reality and who exhibits the traits of an entrepreneur such as: willingness to take risk, personal drive, focus, innovation and business acumen.

Candidates are nominated by members of the community and the winner is chosen by a selection committee comprised of Chamber staff and local business women.

This year's award goes to Julie Stehling of Early Girl Eatery. Julie's down-to-earth, friendly manner has earned her a great reputation and respect in the community. Julie and her husband have created a thriving business founded on great food and friendly service. The couple opened the restaurant in 2001 with a strong commitment to locally sourced food. Verve Magazine's July 2013 issue included a profile of Julie.

2013 William A.V. Cecil Tourism Leadership Award goes to Becky Anderson

Earlier in the year I had the opportunity to spend a morning with Becky Anderson, our 2013 William A.V. Cecil Tourism Leadership Award. 

We met up at the North Carolina Arboretum to film for the award video and spent the morning talking about downtown revitalization, small town development and the resilience of WNC residents.

One of my favorite things about working on the Chamber's annual awards is getting to know fabulous people in our community like Becky and hearing their stories.  

Becky was the ideal choice for this year's William A.V. Cecil Leadership Award which recognizes senior management for leadership in the local hospitality industry. The recipient has displayed foresight, exceptional leadership skills and has impacted the Western North Carolina hospitality industry and the community as a whole. Throughout her career, Becky has striven to encourage economic develop of the region in authentic and respectful ways. 

Becky was the founding director of HandMade in America, which works to implement environmentally sustainable economic solutions that emphasize the craft industry, enhance opportunities in the marketplace and develop entrepreneurial strategies for the region’s artisans. 

Prior to HandMade she served as Director of Economic Development for The Asheville Chamber of Commerce, Director of Community Development for Land of Sky Regional Council and Director of Economic Development for The City of Asheville. 

I was most struck by her stories of working within communities. What stands out as she talks is her care for the people of Western North Carolina. Her approach to economic development was as an inspirational leader skilled at bringing people together to solve common problems for a greater good.

The revitalization of downtown Asheville and small towns throughout the region has been key to our community's growth as a tourism destination. Through her work on the Craft Heritage Trails of Western North Carolina and other projects that build on our region's strengths, Becky has played a key role in that growth. 

We could have spent all day wondering through the Arboretum's gardens talking about what use to be and how people came together to create thriving communities. Watch the video for a glimpse of those conversations.


-Erin Leonard, Director of Communications

Award Spotlight: 2013 Excellence in Public Service Award

At the 116th Annual Meeting in June, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce honored outstanding companies and individuals.

The Asheville Chamber was pleased to present the 2013 Excellence in Public Service Award to Janice Brumit.

The Excellence in Public Service Award, sponsored by Asheville Savings Bank, recognizes an individual for his/her outstanding contribution to the community through involvement, service or motivation to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Buncombe County.

Janice, a native of Western North Carolina, is a most deserving recipient of the award.


Janice and her husband Joe own and operate 44 Arby's Roast Beef Restaurants in Western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. She has been actively involved in improving our community and has served on numerous boards throughout the region. Janice was also the Asheville Chamber's first female chair.




Board Affiliations:

• Blue Ridge Heritage Area- Past Board Member & Chairman
• Asheville Humane Society- Past Capital Campaign Co-Chair
• UNCA Board of Trustees- Past Board Member & Chairman
• UNCA Foundation Board – Past Board Member
• Asheville Area Chamber- Past Chairman (past Treasurer, Vice Chair Community Development)
• Buncombe County Economic Development Coalition- Past Vice Chairman
• Mission Hospitals and Clinics System Board of Directors- Immidiare Past Chairman
• Mission Healthcare Foundation- Past Chairman
• North Caolina Rural Center - Board Member
• Asheville Buncombe Partnership for Children (Smart Start)- Past Chairman
• Western Carolina Community Foundation- Past Board of Directors
• Better Business Bureau- Past Chairman
• Quality Forward-Past Board of Directors
• Asheville City Schools Foundation-Past President
• Leadership Asheville XV 
• Asheville Area Arts Council- Past Annual Fund Drive Chairman
• Habitat for Humanity- Past Capital Campaign Drive
• United Way- Alexis de Tocqueville Society
• Grove Arcade- Board of Directors
• North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry- Past Board of Directors
• Woman For Women Philanthropic Organization- Past Secretary/Treasurer
• Asheville Merchants Association - Past Board Member
• Asheville Buncombe Community and Economic Development Alliance -Executive Co Chairman

 
Congratulations to Janice Brumit!

YWCA of Asheville receives 2013 Good Health Good Business Award

At the 116th Annual Meeting in June, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce honored outstanding companies and individuals. Over the next few weeks we will highlight the eight award winners.

The Asheville Chamber's Good Health Good Business Award, sponsored by Mission Health, recognizes a business that demonstrates service and exceptional leadership which have resulted in improving the health of the Asheville community. YWCA of Asheville received the 2013 Good Health Good Business Award for their exceptional work with the Diabetes Wellness & Prevention Program.  

The program aims to empower individuals with diabetes to develop the habit of exercise, reduce the incidence of diabetes, through weight loss and exercise and promote healthy lifestyle changes for the entire family.
 
"By working out together and supporting each other, participants create an environment of acceptance and friendship," said Beth Maczka, Executive Director of the YWCA of Asheville.

On the day in May when the Asheville Chamber stopped by with Amplified Media to film for the award video, a group of women were working out with a trainer in the gym. It was clear to see the positive impact of that support network and the rapport these participants had with their trainer and each other.  



The program is available on a sliding scale and is open to anyone who has two of the four main risk factors for diabetes: low glucose tolerance, family history of diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, or obesity. Learn more

Epsilon, Inc. receives 2012 Impact Award

At the 115th Annual Meeting, the Chamber honored nine community members with our annual leadership awards. This is the final installment in our series profiling the award winners.

Eric Oelschlaeger of Epsilon, Inc. (center) receives the Impact Award from the Advocates for Business

Epsilon, Inc. received the Impact Award, which recognizes a company that has achieved significant growth over the last year. In just three years, Epsilon has grown to from just one person to over 50 employees with a commitment to creating jobs in the Asheville area that pay professional level salaries. 

The company offers a full suite of IT and business technology services to local, national and federal clients.

CEO Eric Oelschlaeger stresses the company's consulting approach to IT.

"We serve our small business clients with the same attention and level of service that we give our larger clients."

The 2012 Impact Award was sponsored by the Chamber's Advocates for Business for 2011-2012 which included Avista Business Development Corporation; Clear Channel Asheville; Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP; FASTSIGNS; First Restoration; integritive; Mail Management Services, LLC; OneWhoServes Inc.; Plasticard-Locktech International; Plumdog Financial; Strategic Workplace Solutions Inc; TSA Choice and Zaxby’s.

BorgWarner receives Good Health Good Business Award

At the 115th Annual Meeting, the Chamber honored nine community members with our annual leadership awards. This is the eighth installment in our series profiling the award winners.

 

Bruce Thorsen of Mission Foundation with
BorgWarner plant manager Mike Dougherty

The Good Health-Good Business Award, presented by Mission Foundation, recognizes someone outside of the medical community who has contributed significantly to making Western North Carolina a healthier place to live and work. Past recipients were recognized for healthcare advocacy and support of local food. This year we recognized BorgWarner Turbo Systems for their commitment to workplace wellness and safety.

BorgWarner makes safety a top priority for the company, empowering employees to take safety seriously. Here in Asheville, BorgWarner boasts over 6.5 million hours without a lost time accident.

For BorgWarner, employee wellness is tied closely to safety. BorgWarner provides free biometrics health screenings for employees and an onsite wellness center. The wellness coordinator who leads exercise challenges and coaches individuals on developing individualized fitness plans. Health and wellness topics are presented weekly during lunch and balanced food choices are served in the cafeteria.

Mike Adams of Moog Music recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year

At the 115th Annual Meeting, the Chamber honored nine community members with our annual leadership awards. This is the seventh installment in our series profiling the award winners.

  

 Graham Fields of Park Ridge Health and Mike Adams 

Mike Adams was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year for his work as President and CEO of Moog Music, Inc.

Throughout the last year, the Chamber has worked hard to establish and market an entrepreneurial scene in Asheville.  Entrepreneur of the Year Award, presented by Park Ridge Health, honors an individual who embodies that entrepreneurial spirit. 

Mike Adams was chosen for the recognition because he is an innovative and savvy entrepreneur who is not only thinking about managing and growing one of the biggest brands in music but is also deeply rooted in the Asheville community.

Moog Music designs, engineers and manufacturers high-tech electronic musical instruments including the Minimoog Voyager and the patented, award-winning Moog Guitar. 

Adams took over Moog Music as president in 2002, and since then, the company has averaged 20 percent growth per year while carrying on the legacy of founder and innovator Bob Moog. As a result of this growth, Moog Music was named to CED’s "2011 North Carolina Companies to Watch" list and named an INC. Magazine 500/5000 fastest growing privately held company. 

To accommodate this growth, Moog proved its dedication to innovation in the WNC business community with its investment of $2.8 million in a new headquarters and manufacturing facility in downtown Asheville. Moog took over four abandoned buildings from the 1920s on the edge of downtown and transformed them into its headquarters, and Adams moved his entire company into the building in May 2011.

 

 

Steve Hill receives Tourism Leadership Award

At the 115th Annual Meeting, the Chamber honored nine community members with our annual leadership awards. This is the sixth installment in our series profiling the award winners.

Chuck Pickering & Dini Cecil Pickering present
the award to Steve Hill

Steve Hill received the 2012 William A.V. Cecil Tourism Leadership Award for his work of nearly 35 years at Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site. 

This award is named for William A. V. Cecil, whose dedication to travel and tourism exemplify the spirit of this award. 

Hill fell into managing the Thomas Wolfe Site after serving as a building guide for a short time. "The house and I grew up together," Hill said.

During his time, Hill secured funding and oversaw construction of visitor center as well as seeing the house through reconstruction after the devastating 1998 fire. As site manager, Hill displayed unmatched personal dedication to preservation of the site and provided strong, compassionate leadership for his staff.

Hill says he was most inspired by the people who came from across the globe in pilgrimage to the famed author or to learn more about the history of Asheville and literary works of Thomas Wolfe. Guiding people to discovering the history of the house and bringing Thomas Wolfe's writings to life were highlights of his career.

Hill retired last December. 

Joyce Harrison receives Excellence in Public Service Award

At the 115th Annual Meeting, the Chamber honored nine community members with our annual leadership awards. This is the fifth installment in our series profiling the award winners.

Joyce Harrison received the 2012 Excellence in Public Service Award, sponsored by Asheville Savings Bank, which acknowledges one outstanding senior management-level individual in the Asheville Community. Award winners demonstrate lifelong service and exceptional leadership skills which have positively impacted the Asheville area.

Now retired, Harrison had a long career at Self-Help Credit Union where she served as WNC Regional Director. Harrison helped many individuals receive loans for homes with particular support of African-Americans. During her tenure, Self-Help also played a crucial role in the revitalization of downtown Asheville with loans for numerous small businesses.

Harrison always put people first, assisting people in navigating financial systems with a bright attitude and warm smile.

Becky Cannon receives Aya Award

At the 115th Annual Meeting, the Chamber honored nine community members with our annual leadership awards. This is the fourth installment in our series profiling the award winners.

Becky Cannon of i play., Inc. received the 2012 Aya Award. Cannon started i play., Inc.  in 1982 as a mail-order catalog for Japanese woolen diaper covers. Celebrating their 30 year anniversary in 2012, i play., Inc. has grown to over 50 employees and designs, manufactures, markets and distributes a range of healthy and safe products to help parents provide the best care for their babies.

Sponsored by Webb Investments and Verve Magazine, the Aya Award honors an independent, successful and resourceful woman in business who:

• demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession,
• provides valuable service by contributing time and energy to improving the quality of life for others in the community and
• has been a mentor for other women, assisting them in reaching their leadership potential.

The name Aya, pronounced “Eye-a,” refers to the aya fern which is a symbol of endurance and resourcefulness.

Cannon was chosen from a wonderful slate of candidates for her dedication and persistence over 30 years as a business owner and leader. Cannon is noted as a strong leader who has actively served as a mentor to other women. "Becky has worked tirelessly to create products that support a healthy, active and fun lifestyle. She has been instrumental in fostering the careers of all of the women on our team."

She was nominated by her daughter Emi Kubota who now serves as Vice President at i play., Inc. Kubota said, "She raised me to be curious, thoughtful, independent and persistent - and this was before she knew I'd be working for her!

"Becky's passion, drive and determination are infectious. She brings out the best ideas and solutions in everyone in our company.," Kubota said.

Cannon was profiled in the July issue of Verve Magazine

Dr. Larry Golson of Envision Eyecare recognized as Small Business Leader of the Year

At the 115th Annual Meeting, the Chamber honored nine community members with our annual leadership awards. This is the third installment in our series profiling the award winners.

Dr. Larry Golson of Envision Eyecare received the Small Business Leader of the Year in the category of 15 or less employees. The Small Business Leader of the Year Awards (sponsored by HomeTrust Bank) are presented each year to two individuals who reflect quality and dedication in their business operations and who have exhibited leadership accomplishments in the areas of innovation, initiative and civic responsiveness.  

In the four years since Dr. Golson started Envision Eyecare, the practice has experienced growth each year and received recognition including growth awards from Cleinman Performance Partners (a national network of optometrists), a 2011 Optometric Business Innocator by Vision Monday magazine and Best of WNC in category of eyecare from Mountain Xpress.

Tony VunCannon of HomeTrust Bank
presents award to Dr. Larry Golson

Dr. Golson is active in the community, donating time, money and services to various community causes.  Envision Eyecare participated in MAHEC's Minority Mentoring program, donated exams for low-income patients through Prevent Blindness America and the Lion's Club. Golson is also a former board member of the Asheville Area Arts Council and a current member of the Executive Associates of Greater Asheville board.

Dr. Golson is noted as a thoughtful and innovative leader who has created an inviting and engaging medical office with a dedication to top-level service.

"It is obvious that it is his goal to provide patients with the best quality service, products and eye health care available," said office manager Jessica Thompson. "He strives to provide an extremely positive work environment and office culture. He inspires his team with weekly meetings to maintain active communication and by providing frequent training sessions on topics within the industry."

"My main objective as a leader is to be a servant leader by developing and coaching each team member to reach his/her fullest potential both professionally and personally," said Golson. 

John Miles recognized as Small Business Leader of the Year, 16+ employees

At the 115th Annual Meeting, the Chamber honored nine community members with our annual leadership awards. This is the second installment in our series profiling the award winners.

John Miles of integritive, Inc. received the Small Business Leader of the Year in the category of 16 or more employees. The Small Business Leader of the Year Awards (sponsored by HomeTrust Bank) are presented each year to two individuals who reflect quality and dedication in their business operations and who have exhibited leadership accomplishments in the areas of innovation, initiative and civic responsiveness. 

"John is a true renaissance man and has become a leader in the community, setting the bar for others to follow," said Andrew Nagle.

John launched integritive in 2001 as an Asheville firm specializing in integrated online strategies,which includes web design and development, strategic planning, social media and e-marketing. 

As CEO and "Chief of What's Next" at integritive, John routinely practices innovation and creativity and is driven by values in all he does.

John mindfully cultivates democracy in the workplace, encouraging collaboration. For the second year in a row, integritive has been recognized on the WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces alongside Zappos.com, New Belgium Brewing and WD-40. 

"I'm always interested in how sharing professionally and personally with those around me can be of benefit to us all," John said.

Being involved in the community is important to John. He serves on the Board of the Asheville Chamber and the Executive Association of Greater Asheville as well as being involved in TEDx and other leadership and charitable programs. In addition, integritive donates 10 percent of net profits to community non-profits.

John said, "As a small business owner, I believe collaborating with other leaders in the community and supporting each other is critical for success." 


John and integritive, Inc. previously appeared on our blog as Entrepreneur of the Month in April.



 

Ben Hamrick recognized as Volunteer of the Year

At the 115th Annual Meeting, the Chamber honored nine community members with our annual leadership awards. We will be highlighting one award winner each week.

Ben Hamrick of Johnson Price Sprinkle PA was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award. The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes a Chamber member who has given of his or her time and talents beyond the call of duty in volunteer efforts with the Chamber.

Ben has served on the Chamber Board of Directors since 2010. Over the past year, he has been instrumental in helping the Chamber improve its financial footing, providing solid financial guidance and working diligently with Chamber staff.

While interviewing for the annual meeting award videos, Hamrick joked that he didn't know when he was asked to head up the Chamber's finance committee that he was really being set up for volunteer of the year and that Chamber staff probably saw him more over the past year than they wanted to.

Hamrick is chief executive officer at Johnson Price Sprinkle PA, a leading accounting firm in Western North Carolina, providing innovative financial solutions created specifically for small to mid-sized businesses. He is active in numerous community organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Rotary and ABYSA.

Ben will be Second Vice Chair of the Chamber's Board of Directors for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.





Chamber Award - Ben Hamrick from Amplified Media on Vimeo.

Chamber Honors Volunteers, Community and Business Leaders

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated 113 years of serving the business community at its Annual Meeting presented by Carolina First Bank on Monday, June 21, at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. Awards presented included two HomeTrust Bank Small Business Leader of the Year Awards (one for 15 or less employees and one for 16 or more employees), the Webb Investment Services ATHENA Award, Asheville Savings Bank Excellence in Public Service Award, Mission Hospitals Good Health – Good Business Award, the William A.V. Cecil Leadership Award, and the Four Season’s Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award.

Small Business Leader of the Year Awards are presented each year to two individuals who reflect quality and dedication in their business operations and who are accomplished leaders in innovation, initiative, and civic responsiveness. Bob Kendrick, owner of Kendrick & Associates, received the award for Small Business Leader of the Year in the category, “15 or Fewer Employees.” Michael Shore, partner of FLS Energy, was recognized as the Small Business Leader of the Year in the category, “16 or More Employees.” HomeTrust Bank sponsored the Small Business Leader of the Year Awards and Dana Stonestreet, President, made the presentations.

The ATHENA Award is presented annually to a woman or man who has attained the highest level of professional excellence in business, and who has served as an advocate for women in business. Celeste Collins, Executive Director of OnTrack Financial Services, was the recipient of this year’s honor. Webb Investment Services sponsored the ATHENA Award and President Laura Webb made the presentation.
The William A.V. Cecil Leadership Award recognizes a leader of the tourism industry in the Asheville area. Mark Rosenstein was recognized this year. Rosenstein is the former owner of the Marketplace Restaurant and served on the Tourism Development Authority board for eight years. The award was presented by Michel Baudouin, owner of Bouchon French Bistro and the Chamber’s Vice-Chair for the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Asheville Savings Bank Excellence in Public Service Award was presented to Pat Smith, retired Executive Director of The Community Foundation. The Excellence in Public Service award recognizes an individual that demonstrates lifelong service and exceptional leadership skills which have positively impacted the Asheville area. Suzanne DeFerie, President and CEO of Asheville Savings Bank, presented the award.
The Mission Hospitals Good Health-Good Business Award recognizes an outstanding senior management level individual in the Asheville business community that demonstrates service and exceptional leadership resulting in improved health of the Asheville community. The award was presented to Wilma Sherrill, former state representative, for her efforts in Raleigh to raise the money for the North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness at UNC – Asheville. Janice Brumit, Vice Chair of the Mission Hospital board, presented the award.

The final award of the evening was the Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year Award presented by Four Seasons to Pat Fugate Hock, of Progress Energy. Hock served as a co-chair of the Chamber’s Total Resource Campaign this year which successfully raised over $425,000 to support Chamber programs. Hock has been a member of the Total Resource Campaign cabinet for eight years and has been one of the top fund raisers every year. The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented by the President & CEO of Four Seasons, Chris Comeaux.

Also during the evening’s program the Chamber recognized the contributions and leadership of Chamber President & CEO, Richard Lutovsky. Earlier this year Lutovsky announced his retirement plans for September of 2010 when he will complete ten years as the Chamber President. Lutovsky’s decade of service was recognized by many community leaders including City of Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy and Buncombe County Commission Chair David Gantt. Lutovsky was joined at the dinner by his wife, Janna; mother in law, Mrs. Janet McCoy; daughter, Mrs. Kelly McCracken, and granddaughter, Maya.

Each award recipient was showcased by video, click here to watch the videos now.  The videos were produced by Time Capsule Video.

Cancer Centers of North Carolina-Asheville Wins Big for Inspirational Campaign

“No Mountain Too High” campaign, created by US Oncology, edges out stiff competition in the country’s largest medical marketing award contest

Cancer Centers of North Carolina-Asheville (CCNC-A), an affiliate of US Oncology, Inc. the nation’s leading integrated oncology company, took home numerous honors at the 27th Annual Healthcare Marketing Report Awards Competition. Out of 4,000 entries, CCNC-A’s “No Mountain Too High” campaign won 3rd overall (Bronze) in the total advertising campaign without television category. The motivational and artistic campaign also won Bronze in Radio and a Merit in the Outdoor/Transit category.

“We’re truly proud of this campaign because it showcases a positive and uplifting message of hope for all cancer patients no matter their age or stage in life,” said Gary Bien, practice administrator with CCNC-A. “It shows patients that there are oncology practices that care and want to motivate them throughout their treatment. Even if a cancer diagnosis seems impossible to overcome, we want to let patients know there is no mountain too high that we, together, can’t conquer.”

CCNC-A’s “No Mountain Too High” campaign was created by the Practice Growth Resource Center (PGRC) of US Oncology and consisted of radio, print and billboards, as well as Cancer Awareness Calendars, direct mail and collateral materials. The advertisements denote the recently launched US Oncology branding campaign, “United in Healing with US Oncology.” US Oncology unites the nation’s largest cancer treatment and research network to bring high-quality, evidence-based treatment to cancer patients in communities where they live and work.

The “No Mountain Too High” campaign focuses on cancer survivors who found life beyond cancer. One example of a poster in the campaign is an image of a man jogging and a tagline stating “John was diagnosed with cancer 829 miles ago.”

“The message is clear: With the right kind of cancer care, patients can move on with their lives,” said Bien. “Cancer survivors know every day and every moment is precious. We understand the physical and emotional challenges of this disease. With the assets and resources we receive from US Oncology, we can provide the treatment and personal support to help patients have more of those precious moments. We are committed to patients and their families, and together there is No Mountain Too High.”