Blue Chip awards honor five small businesses

Love Five small business owners who have overcome adversity to achieve success will be honored at a luncheon Thursday, Nov. 6. One nominee will win the 2008 Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award.

The program, coordinated and sponsored by Oswald Trippe and Company Inc., recognizes successful small businesses and shares their stories as models for other entrepreneurs.

The awards luncheon, set for 11:30 a.m. Nov. 6, will take place at Harborside Event Center, 1375 Monroe St., Fort Myers. For information, contact Stacey Mercado at 433-7189, or strippe@otc1.com.

This year's distinguished nominees are: . Kim and Gerard Campanella, The Bicycle Center of Port Charlotte.

. Kristine and Bill Wishard, The Gateway Group in Punta Gorda.

. Raimond Aulen, The Indigo Room in Fort Myers.

. David Oellerich and Peter Taylor, Mathews/Taylor Construction LLC in Punta Gorda.

. Steve Weichelt, Naples Custom Cabinets & Millwork LLC of Naples.

Three-time NBA All-Star Bob Love will appear as the keynote speaker for the 2008 Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award and will help honor this year's winner.