Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce Hosts Annual Awards Dinner Honoring Local Business and Community Leaders
Rye, NH – January 29, 2026 — The Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce gathered business leaders, community partners, and local stakeholders on Wednesday evening at the Atlantic Grill in Rye for its Annual Awards Dinner, a celebratory night recognizing outstanding contributions to the Hampton Area business community.
Presented by Newburyport Bank, the evening highlighted the strength, generosity, and resilience of Chamber members and local organizations whose work continues to shape and support the region.
Four awards were presented during the program:
· Business of the Year, sponsored and presented by NextEra Energy, was awarded to A.S. Russell Associates. Nominees for the award also included The Brook Casino. Accepting the award on behalf of A.S. Russell Associates, Anne Russell reflected on the importance of trust—trust in her clients, trust from her clients, and trust in the next generation of leadership as her daughters prepare to take over the company.
· Faith in the Future, sponsored and presented by St. Mary’s Bank, was awarded to The Lupoli Companies, recognizing their forward-thinking investment and long-term commitment to the region. Fellow nominee Catapult Seacoast was also recognized for its impactful work in the community by supporting connection between young professionals in the Seacoast.
· Volunteer of the Year, sponsored and presented by Tobey & Merrill Insurance, was awarded to Brittany Ward for her exceptional dedication and service. In recognition of her contributions, Governor Kelly Ayotte recorded a special video message and issued an official accommodation, which was presented by Chamber President John Nyhan.
· The President’s Award, sponsored and presented by Unitil, was awarded to the HER Community, recognizing the organization’s ongoing commitment to uplifting and supporting women throughout the Seacoast area.
The evening’s keynote address was delivered by Katherine Underwood of WMUR, who centered her remarks on the theme of trust—a message that resonated throughout the night as award recipients consistently credited their teams, partners, and communities for the trust that fuels their success.
A special highlight of the evening included a presentation by Tim Wade, Region President of New Hampshire for M&T Bank, who announced a $30,000 donation to the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival, where M&T Bank will serve as the festival’s presenting sponsor once again.
The Annual Awards Dinner served as a powerful reminder of what makes the Hampton Area business community so special. The Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce is proud of its members and the broader community for their continued hard work and generous contributions—whether financial, physical, emotional, or otherwise—to the place so many are proud to call home.
The Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce extends its sincere congratulations to all nominees and award recipients and thanks its sponsors, members, and partners for making the evening a meaningful celebration of community and collaboration.
