6th Best Of the Lakes Region party celebrates all things local

GILFORD — Nearly 300 guests, representing the most dynamic businesses and organizations in the area, gathered Thursday evening at a party at Gunstock Mountain Resort for 269 winners in 205 categories during the 2024 Best Of the Lakes Region celebration.

Amid a significant heatwave, attendees found refuge in the Historic Lodge at Gunstock, sampling offerings from local eateries and dancing to music performed by local and regional musicians.

This year marked the sixth iteration of the event, which highlights and celebrates stories of success among the many businesses of the Lakes Region. It’s been held at Gunstock previously, at the Lakeport Opera House and at the NASWA resort in the Weirs during its inaugural year.

The contest, sponsored by Bank of New Hampshire, showcases businesses well-beloved by the community and garnered over 300,000 votes — 21,000 more than last year. The winners were finalists out of a total of 1,3000 businesses that received nominations. 

Singer and songwriter Katie Dobbins of Gilford, who was awarded gold for Best Solo Performance this year, entertained guests throughout most of the night.

Jim Glover, Bank of New Hampshire regional manager for retail, said he and his coworkers were delighted by the results of the contest this year.

“It’s great, we won three awards. We’re super happy,” Glover said. “It’s the best place to work. We’ve been here 193 years, the bank does so much for the community — we have 350 employees.”

A magazine listing the winners in each category was released at the event. The 2024 Best Of the Lakes Region magazine is available at The Laconia Daily Sun’s Union Avenue office among other locations throughout the Lakes Region, and on laconiadailysun.com.

Gunstock, which hosted the event and also received a gold award, is coming into an exciting time, said Bonnie MacPherson, director of marketing, on Thursday evening. 

“We’re thrilled and we’re in good company with the silver medalist,” MacPherson said, noting that Tenney Mountain Resort in Plymouth also earned an award in the ski mountain category. “We’re the Lakes Region’s home mountain, this just goes to underline that sentiment.”

Gunstock is working to improve the facilities this summer, including extensions to the trail system and a $1.2 million investment in snowmaking equipment. 

“All in all I think we’re spending about $7 million on improvements here this summer that people will see next winter.”

In an address to attendees, Adam Hirshan, publisher of the The Laconia Daily Sun, said this year’s event is the greatest in its history.

“This is the sixth year of our partnership, and our sixth celebration which is the best yet thanks to our celebration's sponsors, Comcast Business Xfinity and Gunstock Mountain Resort,” Hirshan said. “And a very special thanks to all of you, the best businesses in the Lakes Region, for participating, and to the entire community for voting and supporting Best Of.”

Dan Jalbert, senior manager for Comcast Business, said he was delighted to take part in the celebration and thanked the technicians, support staff, contractors and salespeople who work to improve their services.

“I’m very, very grateful and honored to be here tonight,” Jalbert said. “Over the past several years, we’ve put an incredible effort to build our network the right way. There’s been a ton of innovation, a ton of thought to do it the right way the first time and make sure that, when you’re looking for high-speed reliable internet, we’re there when it matters.”

Throughout the night, partygoers had the opportunity to bid in a silent auction to benefit the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, which awarded $609,700 to local charities in 2023 and about $8.6 million since its founding in 1982. 

Jennifer Kelley, auction executive director, said area businesses stepped up to support the silent auction at the Best Of the Lakes Region event this year.

“We live in a very giving community,” Kelley said. “We’re here to raise greater awareness about the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction’s mission.”

The silent auction proceeds benefit local charities and local businesses through the auction.

“It’s kind of like a win-win,” she said. 

Gunstock General Manager Tom Day thanked community members for their support.

“We’re glad you’re here, we’re excited we get to host this again and hopefully you'll all be back next year,” Day said. “We’ve got a lot going on over the summer and we’re going to expect a great winter this year.”

In a raffle drawing, Laconia Eye and Laser Center was awarded $1,000 in advertising in The Sun.

“And finally, thanks to you all,” Daily Sun Managing Director Elaine Hirshan said during her remarks. “We really appreciate the business support. We all know the Lakes Region is the best place to live, work and play.”

Bank of New Hampshire Executive Vice President Michael Seymour said of the celebration, “It further validates the ongoing success of this recognition program for the Lakes Region.

“As you know, the Best Of the Lakes Region showcases and celebrates the businesses, people and places the Lakes Region loves most as voted by The Laconia Daily Sun’s 30,000 daily print and e-edition readers.”