Twenty-one Austin-area businesses were recognized for outstanding business accomplishments during the Seventh Annual Greater Austin Business Awards held August 29 at the Hilton hotel. This year’s theme, “Our Austin, Our World”, incorporates the massive, far-reaching efforts that are taking place everyday right here in our community.

“What an evening!,” said Roger Mitchell, 2007 Chamber Chairman and President of Texas Gas Service. “All of the businesses nominated are outstanding. Our region would not be one of the best places in the nation to live and work without the wonderful accomplishments of our business community. It's so heartening to learn about the many businesses that are making a difference.”

Created in 2001, the Greater Austin Business Awards has grown to over 1,000 attendees each year and has sold out the past three years. Award categories include Innovation, Customer Service, Community Service, Education and Environment. Each of these categories recognized winners in small, medium, large, and non-profit businesses. In addition, Freescale Semiconductor, one of the title sponsors, honored the most outstanding nonprofit organization with the $5,000 Freescale Not-For-Profit Award.

The Chamber congratulates all 203 companies that were nominated. The 2007 winners are:

Community Relations, ‘The Community Advocate Award’
Small: RunTex; Medium: KTBC Fox 7; Large: Temple-Inland; Non-Profit: Impact Austin

Customer Service, ‘The Austin Insight Award’
Small: HotLink, Inc.; Medium: Truluck's Seafood, Steak and Crab House; Large: Lombardi Software; Non-Profit: Meals on Wheels and More

Education, ‘The Star of Texas Award’
Small: Communicard LLC; Medium: ITT Technical Institute; Large: AMD; Non-Profit: College Forward

Environment, ‘The Greenbelt Award’
Small: Habitat Suites Hotel; Medium: Green Mountain Energy Company; Large: AMD; Non-Profit: Housing Authority of the City of Austin

Innovation, ‘The Architect of Ideas Award’
Small: Decision Critical Inc.; Medium: ID Theft Solutions of America; Large: Higginbotham & Associates, Inc.; Non-Profit: Capital Idea

Freescale Award: Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo

A special thanks to Media Sponsor, The Austin American-Statesman; Title Sponsors: AT&T, Freescale Semiconductor, Hilton-Austin, PSAV Presentation Services and Wells Fargo. Category Sponsors: KEYE, KVUE, KXAN, News 8 and Univision. Sustaining Sponsors: Austin Energy, H-E-B, Lowe’s, Qualcomm, Texas Gas Service and Wachovia Bank. Contributing Sponsors: Colliers Oxford Commercial, Mombo Creative, and Omega Broadcast Group, and Partner Sponsors: Ben White Florist, Marquee Rents, Speed Pro Imaging, Temple Inland, and Time Warner Business Class.