The first-ever Utah 2003 Best of State Awards was an evening of tuxedos and gowns, double-entree dinners, camera cranes and cued music and clapping. Necklaces were made of pearls and precious stones.
"It's pretty glamorous for an event in Salt Lake City," said Susan Campbell, whose husband owns Dogmode, a non-traditional pet boarding house in Salt Lake City.
Around 700 people attended the $50-a-plate dinner awards gala. Eleven individuals or companies were honored with the BOSS or Best of State Statue — a 22-pound solid bronze sculpture, plated with 24 karat gold, standing on a black granite pedestal inscribed with the slogan "Excelling and Surpassing All Else."
Subcommittee categories included everything from best "fabricated metal products" to best "funeral home." A complete list of subcommittee winners is available online at www.bestofstate.org.
A lighted stairway led to the stage decorated with blue drapes and gold lighting. A 10-foot replica of the golden BOSS stood front and center on stage between two Jumbotrons showing up close the on-stage action.
Anyone willing to put up $100 could nominate an individual or company for the award. Educators, amateur athletes and coaches, public workers and administrators and charitable organizations paid a reduced $35 nomination fee.
Nominees passed through a multi-step judging process. A preliminary judging committee of industry professionals selected finalists, who were then judged by another committee. More than 280 subcategory winners were selected, of which 11 received BOSS awards Saturday evening. Subcategory winners each received a minted bronze Best of State medal before the recorded portion of the gala began.
Campbell's husband, Jon, received the subcategory medal for best "pet and animal care."
"This is a great idea. Businesses want to point out the good things they are doing, and this gives them a chance to be honored for it," he said.
This year's BOSS recipients were:Agriculture, Kenneth White, Utah State University professor
Arts & Entertainment, Utah Shakespearean Festival
Community Development, Patrick Byrne, owner and CEO of Overstock.com
Dining Establishments, Log Haven Restaurant Group, LC
Education, Richard Clark, Mountain View High School principal
Hospitality, the Blue Boar Inn
Manufacturing, EK Ekcessories
Merchandising, Ken Garff Automotive Group
Science and Technology, Mario Capecchi, University of Utah Institute of Genetics co-director
Services, University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics
Sports and Recreation, Larry Gelwix, Highland High School rugby coach
Former Miss America and ESPN reporter Sharlene Wells Hawkes emceed the event. Guest presenters included Hot Rod Hundley, John Huntsman Jr. and Derek Parra. American Idol contestant Carmen Rasmussen teamed up with musician/composer Kurt Bestor to perform Bestor's "Prayer of the Children."
Country music threesome SheDaisy, originally from Utah, unable to attend the event, made a recorded video appearance.
Best of State activities included Gov. Mike Leavitt signing of a proclamation making June 16-21 the official "Best of State Week."
Best of State is the invention of Mark and Dana Layton of Layton Productions. They hope the event will grow each year, attracting more and more nominees while at the same time increasing state pride and in-state business opportunities. Event sponsors including ABC 4, Newspaper Agency Corp., Salt Lake Magazine, Reagan Billboard and the Daily Herald help fund the gala held at the South Towne Expo. Perhaps the biggest winner Saturday night was Henries Dry Cleaning. Not only did the company receive the award for best "dry-cleaning," but it will likely see an increase in business as there are 700 suits, tuxedos, dresses and gowns that need cleaning after Saturdays event.
E-MAIL: jparkinson@desnews.com