Celebrating the cream of the crop: Winning businesses lauded at 7th Best of the Lakes Region party

GILFORD — The weather cooperated to help the best businesses in the Lakes Region celebrate another year of success at Gunstock Mountain Resort on Wednesday night.

Over 400 attended the party, which caps off this year’s Best of the Lakes Region contest, during which readers cast over 306,000 votes for 1,300 businesses and organizations competing for the top two spots in 194 categories.

It was the seventh annual Best of the Lakes Region celebration, and the third straight hosted by Gunstock. 

“Business owners who attend appreciate the opportunity to network with one another,” Rick Hopper, The Laconia Daily Sun's sales director, said.

Robert Drake, general manager of Gunstock, said Wednesday was a special day for him — exactly one year to the day ago was his interview with the Gunstock Area Commission. He was then appointed to succeed Tom Day in leading the mountain.

“And I helped save a tent that was blowing away from the storm blowing in outside toward the end of the day,” Drake said. “It’s been a really special day for me, reflecting upon that, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be here with you again today in the Lakes Region, leading a phenomenal team at Gunstock.”

Drake said people often ask him, "What do you do all summer?"

“This is when we make it happen, all season,” he said. 

The team at Gunstock intends to make major capital investments this summer. Planned are $4.5 million into various projects, including upgrades to all lifts, and maintaining 260 campsites, ziplines, tree-top adventures, the mountain coaster and a bar and grill.

“There is never a dull moment here at Gunstock,” he said. 

Hundreds filled the grand lodge at Gunstock by 4:30 p.m., where area businesses — current winners, “hall of fame” participants and future winners — catered to the masses. There were at least 4,000 portions served at the event, which saw those in attendance eat, mingle and enjoy live music performances by Katie Dobbins and the Dan Fallon Band inside and outside on the deck.

“It was a real team effort,” Hopper said. 

“Best of the Lakes Region showcases and celebrates the businesses, people and places that the Lakes Region loves most, as voted by The Laconia Daily Sun’s 30,000 print, e-edition and online readers,” Tiffany Baert, vice president of sales and marketing for Bank of New Hampshire, said Wednesday night. 

The Sun’s publisher, Adam Hirshan, said the Best of the Lakes Region celebration wouldn’t be possible without Bank of New Hampshire, the contest's founding sponsor, and expressed appreciation to Gunstock, the event’s venue sponsor, and to Comcast Business and Xfinity.

“And a very special thank you to all of you — the best businesses in the Lakes Region  — for participating in this wonderful event and contest, and to the entire community for voting and supporting the Best of the Lakes Region,” Hirshan said. 

Hirshan then introduced the crowd to The Sun’s newest team member, advertising sales representative Taylor Ryan, who joined the team this month.

Brian Lamontagne, branch manager at Franklin Savings Bank, was the lucky winner of $1,000 in advertising in The Sun.

“Comcast Business is thrilled to be able to support another wonderful night here at [Gunstock] Mountain. It’s a night of networking, a night of great food, a night of fun,” Dan Jalbert, senior manager of field sales, advanced services for Comcast Business ,said Wednesday night. “We’re so grateful to be part of this community, and thank you to the readers of The Laconia Daily Sun for the recognition of Comcast as the best internet service provider in the Lakes Region, another year.” 

Jalbert said Comcast continues to expand and invest in their network in the Lakes Region to meet the demands of residents and business owners alike, who need high-speed, reliable connectivity on a daily basis. 

“I was crowned in May,” Miss New Hampshire Xanthi Russell, who volunteered her time at the party, said.

“Since my crowning, I’ve been engaging in various community service events and — even though I’m a Seacoast girl, born and raised — the Lakes Region has a huge part of my heart. My first title in the Miss America organization was Miss Lakes Region’s Outstanding Teen, seven years ago.” 

“Thanks to all of you for supporting The Laconia Daily Sun and local, community-based journalism,” Managing Director Elaine Hirshan said. “Thank you most to all our local businesses who make the Lakes Region great — the best place to live, work and play.”

“Comcast is thrilled to receive this recognition for Xfinity Internet and Comcast Business Internet,” Carolyne Hannan, senior vice president of Comcast’s New England Region, sent in an emailed statement. “We are grateful to our loyal customers throughout the Lakes Region as we continue to expand our network in the area to meet growing demand for our reliable and fast offerings."