The Butler County Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner to celebrate business will be held Sept. 1 at the Slippery Rock Golf Club and Event Center following a hiatus in 2020 due to COVID-19 and honor both 2021 and 2020 honorees.

The event, which was previously held at Slippery Rock University, is the largest that the chamber hosts each year, with more than 300 business professionals typically attending.

“When we were discussing what to do about 2020 award winners who were chosen, but never properly recognized due to the COVID pandemic restrictions, the entire board agreed we must recognize the achievements of the business community,” said Jordan Grady, the chamber's executive director.

The 2020 Chamber Business Champion — which recognizes a chamber member and industry leader that goes beyond the call of duty to support the community — is Springhill Suites by Marriott Butler Centre City. “You will often find their ownership and staff members volunteering around the community,” the chamber said in a news release. “Whether it's clean-up days in the city or collecting food for local food banks, the staff at the hotel has always been committed to serving the community.”Grady added that general manager Audrianna Bly used creative means to keep the hotel afloat during the pandemic.For 2021, the Business Champion is NexTier Bank.“NexTier is committed to supporting the communities they serve — not only to financially contribute to various nonprofits, their employees are encouraged to volunteer and get involved,” according to the chamber. “Their move to the city of Butler in 2019 solidified the city's local economy and their hundreds of employees helped make the city a more attractive option for businesses to locate and thrive.”

The 2020 William A. Morgan Award — which is named after the late Butler County entrepreneur and honors a person who has started and built a business, rather than inherited or bought it — will go to Patty and Bill Kennihan of Kennihan Plumbing & Heating Inc. for celebrating more than 50 years in business. “They are committed to safety, respect, education and pride in their work,” the chamber said. “They are extremely active in the community and have won several awards for their excellent service and commitment to community.”For 2021, the William A. Morgan Award goes to Kenny Bonus of Bonus Accounting.“Kenny wanted to return to his Butler roots after several years of working in a big three accounting firm,” the commerce said. “Thus, Bonus Accounting was started in 2016 with a vision in mind to provide affordable quality accounting services as well as a commitment to support the communities they serve.” Grady noted that Bonus Accounting acquired Tom Green's CPA accounting firm in 2018, and in 2021 acquired Diehl Accounting & Financial, which he said has enabled the firm to grow exponentially.

During the business dinner, the Leadership Butler County Class will be recognized for completing the county's only leadership development training, which concludes with a community-wide project.This year's class raised more than $50,000 and will install a handicap-accessible kayak launch at Moraine State Park in July during the regatta.“As much as we would all like to pretend 2020 didn't happen, we simply can't do that. Not only can we not do that, but we must make any and all efforts to recognize the challenges that shaped us all during the past year,” said Gail Paserba, chamber board member and CEO of International Quality Consults.“The resiliency, creativeness and out-right grit the Butler County business community showed during this is something that should be recognized and celebrated.”Tickets for the dinner will go on sale June 21 at the chamber's website.