The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance honored the Berks business community at its 113th Annual Dinner.
More than 700 people gathered May 13 for the event at the Santander Arena in Reading.
The evening began with a space-themed showcase featuring companies that have worked with NASA.
VIP sponsors were treated to a roaming robot named KettyBot, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and a photo opportunity with keynote speaker and former NASA Astronaut, Mike Massimino.
Massimino recounted being rejected by NASA three times before finally being accepted into the 1996 astronaut class.
In a lighthearted speech, Massimo also reflected on his role in a complex repair of the Hubble Space Telescope, encouraging the audience to trust their tools, training and team when facing high-pressure challenges.
Massimino said it’s important not to crush the ideas of new team members.
“You never know when innovation is going to come,” Massimo said.
Other highlights included a dancing robot, headsets from CatapalloVR’s headsets to simulate landing a crashing spaceship, an emulated rocket launch complete with billowing smoke, and a speakeasy lounge courtesy of Reading Truck.
The evening continued with recognition of the 50 companies that made up the BusinessExcellence Awards’ large business category, which recognizes the top growing companies with a revenue of at least $1 million over the past three years.
Vision Mechanical Inc., Irish Creek Construction and Mail Shark took the top 3 spots.
Winners Eric Unger, Vision Mechanical vice president (middle left) and Barry Unger, president, (middle right) celebrate their company with GRCA COO Sally Stewart and Jeff Rush, Chairman of the Board at the 2026 GRCA Business Excellence Awards. (Courtesy of Wayne Becker, Zerbe Studio of Photography)
Twenty small businesses were recognized in the small business category featuring top growing companies with revenues of at least $250,000 in the last three years.
Blades of Steel Landscaping, Bime Beauty and Disc Centers of America made up the top 3 small businesses.
The 2026 GRCA Business Excellence Award’s small business winners Doug and Rachel Brown (middle left and middle right, respectively) of Blades of Steel Landscaping celebrate with GRCA COO Sally Stewart and Jeff Rush, Chairman of the Board. (Courtesy of Wayne Becker, Zerbe Studio of Photography)
“The Annual Dinner was a strong reflection of the innovation and forward momentum acrossthe Greater Reading business community,” said Jeff Rush, chairman of the GRCA board. “With a nod to exploration and discovery, the evening highlighted businesses that are leading the way andsetting a high standard for growth in Berks County.”