LEWISTON — A crowd of 550 packed the Ramada Conference Center’s event facility Thursday night for the 129th annual meeting of the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

Many anticipated a new president and chief executive officer would be named, but it didn’t happen.

At the beginning of the program, Robin Robbins, incoming chairwoman of the chamber board of directors, told the audience there would be no announcement at this time.

“The board is still doing their due diligence on the appointment, so stay tuned,” she said.

Robbins presided over the awards in numerous categories recognizing community service, business excellence and contributions to the region through examples of leadership.

The honors highlighted enterprises from hot dogs to almanacs, as well as revitalization of a historic and world-famous resort.

Receiving the Icon Award was Simones’ Hot Dog Stand, which has been known for well over a century as a popular local gathering place. This small establishment at Chestnut and Park streets has become a must-visit destination for political candidates, including U.S. senators, congressmen and governors, and local candidates.

In a video presentation of acceptance, owners Jimmy and Linda Simones recalled the start of the business in 1908 by his father who landed in the U.S. at Ellis Island.

“We have our heart and soul here” in Lewiston, Simones said.

Robbins said the business will be immortalized with an actual icon to be used in the chamber’s branding.

The chamber’s most prestigious honor, The Ray Geiger Award, was presented to Peter Chalke, recently retired CEO of Central Maine Healthcare. The award is given for “a significant contribution in support of the chamber’s mission.”

In the video announcing the award, Steve Wallace, executive director of the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA, said, “Peter Chalke has set a benchmark that not many people could reach.”

Cyndi Robbins, a successful entrepreneur in Poland, received the Theresa Samson Women’s Business Leadership Award, for her outstanding work in revitalizing the Poland Spring Inn and Resort, and developing two restaurants, a golf course and other enterprises at the historic venue.

Michael Dostie, the third-generation owner of J. Dostie Jewelers at Main and Lisbon streets in Lewiston, was the winner of the Ken Additon Award for his commitment to small-business advocacy that includes efforts for the benefit of his business neighborhood. He was honored for his work in development of a downtown snow-removal policy.

The Business Leadership Award went to Geiger, promotional products developer and distributor and publishers of the famous Farmers’ Almanac.

Gene Geiger said, “We’re here for the future.” He said his company wants to “give back to the place from which we draw our strengths.”

The President’s Award was given to the Lewiston High School 2016 State Championship soccer team. Many members of the team and coaching staff were on had to accept the award.

The video of the team’s achievement said the players “set an amazing example” that had a major ripple effect of “a common language” in a diverse community.

The Life Center at John F. Murphy Homes received the Outstanding Chamber Member Award and Kora Shrine Center won the Community Service Award.

Award winners in Saturday’s Sun Journal

Because of the lateness of the annual meeting, pictures of all the winners of the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce annual awards will appear in Saturday’s edition.