Quad Cities Chamber awards Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year

At the Quad Cities Chamber’s Annual Celebration on Thursday, Aug. 15 awards were presented to the Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

Business of the Year recognition went to TBK Bank Sports Complex and High 5 Lanes & Games, a $50 million multi-faceted sports and entertainment venue that opened in May 2018 in Bettendorf. In addition, more than $30 million has been invested in commercial development on the surrounding land in the past year. TBK Bank Sports Complex employs more than 140 people and contributed to more than 10,000 hotel nights and $13 million in tourism dollars for our region last year. The complex hosted over 10,000 tournament games of baseball, softball, soccer, basketball and volleyball combined and already has had 65,000 games of bowling played under its roof. More than 5,000 children have enrolled in the “Kids Bowl Free” program, while the Level II Fitness Center boasts 1,600 members. The facilities also have hosted more than 1,000 public or private events.

Chamber Ambassador Mark Carlson, Business Development Director for Blaze Restoration, was recognized as Volunteer of the Year.  Ambassadors are highly visible advocates for the Quad Cities Chamber and often serve as the first point of contact for members celebrating their business success through ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings. These volunteers are an extension of Chamber staff that serve as a valuable point of contact within the business community and are available to members as a resource and to help them make connections. Carlson assists at the majority of the events hosted by the Chamber including 85% of the 93 ribbon cuttings held last year. Carlson is currently the Chair of the Chamber Ambassador program.