2009 BOB Award Winners

Monday, March 23, 2009

The Winners

We at New Hampshire Business Review are delighted to welcome you to see the results of our the second annual BOB Awards, honoring the Best of Business in New Hampshire for 2009.

Over 1,500 ballots were cast online by our readers, who selected the best companies in the state with which to do business. They voted in some 80 categories.


The mission of the BOB Awards is to find the Granite State's exceptional businesses: the ones that offer the best service and pay attention to details, that have the most helpful and eager employees. In other words, BOB-winning businesses offer nothing less than outstanding products and services.

Since the BOB voters were other businesspeople, being named a business a BOB business really says something about the high caliber of the company.

But the BOB Awards truly celebrate all businesses in New Hampshire ? a place that nurtures the Best of Business every day.

The Best of Business Awards are presented by New Hampshire Business Review and are sponsored by FairPoint Communications, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Surplus Office Equipment, Southwest Airlines, Griffin York & Krause, Comcast Business Class, Walden University, New Hampshire Business Resource Center, KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting, Alexander Technology Group, Charter Trust, Goodwin's Office Supplies and RAM Printing.

Best Accounting Firm: Nathan Wechsler & Co.
70 Commercial St., Suite 401, Concord
603-224-5357
www.nathanwechsler.com

With a mission to provide timely comprehensive accounting, tax and business advisory services through knowledgeable, well trained professionals, Nathan Wechsler is committed to providing personal attention and adding value to your business. Services include tax planning, financial statement preparation, benefit plan design and general business consulting.


Best Advertising Agency: wedü
20 Market St., Manchester
603-647-WEDU
www.wedu.com

wedü, a nationally recognized and award-winning full-service advertising and marketing agency in Manchester, has been providing clients with excellent advertising and marketing, interactive Web design and development, public relations and experiential marketing since its founding in 1998. Whether a client is looking for online or offline marketing initiatives, wedü can supply creative and effective solutions. Clients include Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Radio Disney, Kellogg's and Ocean National Bank.


Best Architectural Firm: Lavallee/Brensinger Architects
155 Dow St., Suite 400, Manchester
603-622-5450
www.lbpa.com

The architectural firm Lavallee/Brensinger has 30 years of innovative design experience. With a philosophy that states, ?Your mission inspires us. Our creativity and knowledge empower you. Together we achieve excellence,? the firm is dedicated to quality and client service. Among its award-winning projects are the Holderness School Library and the Manchester Airport New Terminal Building.


Best Art Gallery for Corporate Art: Art 3
44 W. Brook St., Manchester
603-668-6650
www.art3gallery.com
Art 3 Gallery is a premier New England retail fine art gallery offering corporate and residential art consulting services as well as custom framing. Located in a restored townhouse in the historic Millyard district of Manchester, the gallery includes one of the largest collections of art by New Hampshire, New England, national and international artists in a wide range of mediums such as sculpture, glass, oil, watercolor, pastel and collage.


Best Cell Phone Provider: Verizon Wireless
Locations throughout New Hampshire
140 West St., New York, N.Y.
800-899-4249
www.verizonwireless.com

Verizon Wireless has the nation's largest and most reliable wireless network: as well as coverage in more than 200 countries. With a variety of plans tailored to businesses, Verizon Wireless can keep your company connected to customers down the street or across the country.


Best Clothier for Men/Local: George's Apparel
675 Elm St., Manchester
603-622-5441
www.georgesapparel.com

This full-service men's clothing store in Manchester has it all, from suits to ties, accessories and outerwear. All the suits and sport coats come with free alterations for the entire life of the garment. If emergencies or unforeseen events crop up, alterations can be done while you wait. No appointments are necessary for the full tailor shop. A knowledgeable staff, professional fittings, a huge inventory and in-house alterations make shopping for a high-quality new suit easy and painless.
Best Clothier for Men/National: Men's Wearhouse
Locations throughout New Hampshire
6380 Rogerdale Road, Houston, Texas
800-776-SUIT(7848)
www.menswearhouse.com


Best Clothier for Women/Local: Alapage
25 S. River Road, Suite 301, Bedford
603-622-0550
www.alapageboutique.com

Alapage, derived from an Old French slang expression meaning ?front page news? or ?in fashion,? opened its first store in Brentwood in 1989. Now located at Bedford Square, the boutique offers the latest clothing designs as well as accessories, gifts and shoes. It's Jean Bar offers a wide range of styles, fit and lengths to fit almost any woman from designers such as 7 for All Mankind, True Religion, Christopher Blue and Not Your Daughter's Jeans.

Best Clothier for Women/National: Talbots
Locations throughout New Hampshire
One Talbots Drive, Hingham, MA
800-992-9010
www.talbots.com


Best Commercial Photographer: Larry Dunn Photography
55 S. Commercial St., Manchester
603-641-6575
www.larrydunnphotography.com

Photographer Larry Dunn says his job is ?to take the stuff that doesn't jump out at you, and make it jump out at you. The widget-forming machine. The taco salad. The bashful board chairman who doesn't like having her picture taken.? Dunn uses his skills of lighting, composition and color matching to offer his clients such services as creating images for advertising, publications, food styling and architecture. From his 3,500-square-foot studio or on location, Dunn creates striking and memorable images that not only get his clients noticed but brings them results.


Best General Contractor: Cobb Hill Construction
206 N. State St., Concord
603-224-8373
www.cobbhill.com

Providing general contracting, design-build, and construction management services for commercial and residential clients throughout New Hampshire and beyond, caring for every detail has standard for Cobb Hill Construction since 1986.
Cobb Hill has won many awards for its innovating designs including three Gold Cornerstone Awards in 2008.
Whether new construction, additions, renovation, or restoration, their team brings you experience, expertise and a personal commitment to deliver a quality project.


Best Mechanical Contractor: MSI Mechanical Systems Inc.
10-12 Delaware Drive, Salem
603-890-6900
www.msimechanical.com

MSI Mechanical begins your project with a complete review of existing plans and developing recommendations in areas such as building material options, material feasibility and more to offer you competitively priced estimates. Backed by years of experience, MSI ensures proper deliveries of materials, equipment and supplies, including pre-ordering of long-lead items. And to make sure your project progresses smoothly, MSI Mechanical holds status meetings with you as well as the architect, engineer and subcontractors.



Best Commercial Electrical Contractor: Longchamps Electric Inc.
700 Harvey Road, Manchester
603-625-5954
www.longchampselectric.com

Longchamps Electric Inc., now one of the largest electrical contractors in southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts, was created over 30 years ago by Robert O. Longchamps, founder, president and master electrician. The Longchamps staff consists of 15 inside employees, 100 electrical technicians, 15 mobile electrical service technicians and 20 low-voltage communication technicians. The company's projects range from grocery stores to hospitals and schools.


Best Corporate Moving Company: College Bound Movers
6 Caldwell Drive, Amherst
603-882-6683
www.collegeboundmovers.com

College Bound Movers was founded 15 years ago, when college-bound 19-year-old Edward Smith started a company founded on the ideals of professionalism and customer service. College Bound, which was started with one rental truck, is now based in Amherst and has a fleet of 15 trucks and employs nearly 100 people, a group of highly trained college students and graduates helping to make all moves, small and large, as stress-free as possible.

Best Courier Service: Alpha Courier
Locations in Manchester, Concord and Nashua
800-646-6414
www.alphacourier.com

Alpha Courier provides New Hampshire businesses with same-day delivery services. Assisting the legal community with deliveries of court documents, sensitive shipments for the defense industry or same-day services bringing test results between medical offices are just some of the services Alpha Courier provides. With competitive rates, Alpha Courier can meet your delivery needs whether its just a document envelope with a destination across town or products weighing hundreds of pounds that must reach clients across the state.


Best Overnight Delivery Service: United Parcel Service
Locations throughout New Hampshire
55 NE Glenlake Parkway, Atlanta, GA
800-PICK-UPS (742-5877)

Founded in 1907 as a messenger company, UPS has grown into a $49.7 billion corporation and has become the world's largest package delivery company and a leading global provider of specialized transportation and logistics services. Every day, UPS manages the flow of goods, funds, and information in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.


Best Dry Cleaners: E&R Cleaners
565 Gold St., Manchester
603-627-7661
www.eandrcleaners.com

A sharp image, a clean appearance and no delay in getting what you want: E&R strives to make sure that your orders are on time, meet the highest quality standards, and that our service is second to none. E&R also provides top quality repairs and alterations, wedding gown cleaning and heirlooming, leather and suede cleaning, shoe repair, and area rug cleaning. With store locations in Manchester and Bedford, item pick-up and delivery services as well as uniform rental and sales, and campus services, E&R prides itself on offering the ultimate service and convenience to its customers.


Best MBA Program: Southern New Hampshire University
2500 N. River Road, Manchester
800-668-1249
www.snhu.edu

Southern New Hampshire University's nationally accredited Global MBA, the only one of its kind in northern New England, incorporates a global focus to enhance the broad business management knowledge inherent in an MBA program. The faculty teaching in SNHU's offer a wealth of international corporate and teaching experience to add a unique perspective to course material. Students come from all over the world, adding an additional global component to the classroom experience.


Best Online Degree Program: Southern New Hampshire University
2500 N. River Road, Manchester
800-668-1249
www.snhu.edu

Southern New Hampshire University offers more than 50 online programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. SNHU's educational philosophy challenges students' intellectual potential and prepares them for professional lives in an ever-changing and increasingly interconnected world. It provides a supportive and close-knit learning community where students can develop the knowledge to understand a complex world, the skills to act effectively within that world and the wisdom to make good choices.

Best Engineering Firm: Hoyle, Tanner & Associates
150 Dow St., Manchester
603-669-5555
www.hoyletanner.com

Founded in 1973, Hoyle, Tanner has completed over 12,500 projects across the country providing municipal, state and federal clients with quality civil, structural, environmental, transportation and aviation, planning and engineering. The company has received many awards and distinctions including a 2006 PlanNH Merit Award presented by PlanNH for the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport Runway 17-35 Rehabilitation Project. Emphasizing the development of creative, cost-effective, results-oriented solutions to planning and design projects, Hoyle, Tanner strives to provide clients with quality services delivered on time, and on budget resulting in successful projects.


Best Environmentally Friendly Business: Stonyfield Farm Yogurt
10 Burton Drive, Londonderry
1-800-PRO-COWS (776-2697)
www.stonyfield.com

Founded in 1983 with just seven cows, Stonyfield Farm Inc. was one of the first organic yogurt makers in the country. Today, Stonyfield earns $321 million annual sales and has several organic product lines ranging from smoothes to Greek-style yogurt. Stonyfield has also taken its sustainable message to the world, running an environmentally friendly facility that serves as a model for other businesses and hosting the annual Stonyfield Farm Entrepreneurship Institute, a ?boot camp? for business startup owners.

Best Commercial Equipment Rental: Taylor Rental
Locations throughout New Hampshire
www.taylorental.com

Whether you need tables and chairs for extra seating, projectors and screens for presentations or power tools and large construction equipment for a building site, Taylor Rental can provide the correct supplies for the job. Taylor Rental and the related Grand Rental Station are a franchise division of True Value Company, a $2 billion, member-owned cooperative, one of the largest hardware co-ops in the country.


Best Executive Office Suites: CEO Inc.
Locations in Bedford and Nashua
888-386-5009
www.ceonh.com


CEO Inc., established in 1989, provides shared office suites and executive conference room facilities in southern New Hampshire, the heart of northern New England's financial and business center. CEO leases executive space to Fortune 500 corporations, local professionals and entrepreneurs. CEO also offers virtual office programs and rents facilities by the day, week or month.


Best Executive Search Firm: KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting
17 Commerce Drive, Suite 7, Bedford
603-792-2345
www.kbwfinancial.com

Specializing in permanent, temporary, and temporary-to-hire services for the financial and accounting industries, KBW has over 30 years of experience in the staffing industry. KBW works hard to create a process to help you easily select the ideal candidate for your company. The company sees the value in face to face time with both candidates and our clients as the relationship develops. Truly understanding your office culture is an important facet of our process. When time is a factor, KBW is prepared to deliver our services in a timely and efficient manner.

Best Bank for Small Business/Local: Centrix Bank
1 Atwood Lane, Bedford
603-647-4446
www.centrixbank.com

Centrix Bank has been serving small businesses in New Hampshire since 1998. Today, it has assets of over $470 million. A state-chartered, FDIC-insured bank, Centrix is comprised of professionals who represent the diversity and experience necessary to serve its niche in business banking - each sharing a common vision and a passion for serving its customers through uncompromised focus on customer satisfaction. Centrix is headquartered in Bedford, and has four additional branch locations in Manchester, Portsmouth, Concord and Milford with a loan production office in Dover.


Best Bank for Small Business/Regional: Citizens Bank
Branches throughout New Hampshire
1550 North Elm St., Manchester
603-634-5400
w ww.citizensbank.com

Founded in 1828 as a small community bank called the High Street Bank in Providence, R.I., Citizens Financial Group has $159 billion in assets, making it one of the 10 largest commercial bank holding companies in the United States. With a credo of ?The Three C's,? (customers, colleagues and community), Citizens is able to maintain the feel of a small bank while providing customers with the resources of a large financial group.


Best Commercial Lender: Citizens Bank
Branches throughout New Hampshire
1550 North Elm St., Manchester
603-634-5400
www.citizensbank.com

Founded in 1828 in Providence, R.I., Citizens Financial Group has $159 billion in assets, making it one of the 10 largest commercial bank holding companies in the United States. Its full range of commercial banking products and services are tailored to meet your financial goals, from loan and deposit products, to cash management, international services and more.


Best Credit Union: St. Mary's Bank
200 McGregor St., Manchester
603-669-4600
www.stmarysbank.com

St. Mary's Bank, founded in 1908 as the nations first credit union, has been offering an alternative to traditional banks ever since. As a credit union, St. Mary's members own the credit union, meaning decisions are made based on the best interests of the members. From its humble beginnings, the credit union is a full-service financial institution providing a large and diverse population with checking accounts, personal loans, real estate loans, commercial loans, financial planning and more.


Best Investment Firm: Fidelity Investments
Locations throughout New Hampshire
1 Spartan Way, Merrimack
603-791-5000
www.fidelity.com

Once known primarily as a mutual fund company, Fidelity has adapted and evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of its customers. Today, that evolution is reflected in our menu of products and services. In addition to more than 300 Fidelity mutual funds and over $1 trillion in covered assets, it also offers discount brokerage services, retirement services, estate planning, wealth management, securities execution and clearance, life insurance and more.


Best Florist: Jacques Flower Shop
111 Front St., Manchester
800-622-5155
www.jacquesflowers.com

Whether an anniversary, a new baby or just to say ?I'm sorry? or ?I love you,? Jacques Flower Shop can create beautiful flower arrangements to suit any occasion. Jacques provides delivery services to some New Hampshire towns and utilizes FTD for all other areas. Based in Manchester, Jacques also has a retail store and garden center at 712 Mast Rd., Goffstown.



Best After Work Bar/Local: Strange Brew Tavern
88 Market St., Manchester
603-666-4292
www.strangebrewtavern.net

Ice-cold beer and sizzling hot music come together at Strange Brew Tavern. Offering one of the state's most extensive draught beer selections, Strange Brew also treats guests to an eclectic brew-inspired menu such as Blue Moon Beer-Battered Scallops. Live bands encompassing the full spectrum blues play every night except Mondays.


Best After Work Bar/Regional: Tio Juan's Margaritas Mexican Restaurant and Watering Hole
Eight locations in New Hampshire
200 Griffin Rd, Suite 1, Portsmouth
603-431-5828
www.margs.com

When you need a little relaxation after a hard day at work, Tio Juan's Margaritas Mexican Restaurant and Watering Hole is the perfect place to grab a drink and have a little fun. With eight New Hampshire locations (Concord, Manchester, Exeter, Nashua, Keene, Portsmouth, Lebanon and Salem) as well as restaurants in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts, there's likely to be a Margaritas near your office, it's a great place to escape for a while, whether you're in the mood for Mexican food or one of many specialty margaritas.


Best Bar to Entertain Clients: C.R. Sparks
18 Kilton Road, Bedford
603-647-7275
www.crsparks.com

C.R. Sparks features a two-tiered mezzanine dining room appointed in warm woods, Italian slate and brick. An exhibition kitchen with a wood-fired oven serves up traditional favorites with a creative twist such as steak, fish, chicken as well as rotisserie-cooked meats, flame-grilled specialties and brick-oven pizzas. A winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, the wine list at C.R. Sparks features American vintages as well as those from around the world.


Best Business Breakfast: Red Arrow Diner
61 Lowell St., Manchester
603-626-1118
www.redarrowdiner.com

Red vinyl booths, chrome trim and a smiling coffee cup are just a few of the classic touches at Red Arrow Diner. The enormous menu is filled with comfort food classics all made from scratch such as meatloaf and mac and cheese. Hearty breakfasts like killer omelets are served all day. Real blue plate specials are served on: you guessed it: blue plates! And like any good diner, the Red Arrow is open 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas.



Best Business Dinner: C.R. Sparks
18 Kilton Road, Bedford
603-647-7275
www.crsparks.com

C.R. Sparks features a two-tired mezzanine dining room appointed in warm woods, Italian slate and brick. An exhibition kitchen with a wood-fired oven serves up traditional favorites with a creative twist such as steak, fish, chicken as well as rotisserie-cooked meats, flame-grilled specialties and brick-oven pizzas. A winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, the wine list at C.R. Sparks features American vintages as well as those from around the world.


Best Business Lunch: Cotton
75 Arms St., Manchester
603-622-5488
www.cottonfood.com

Cotton features the cooking of chef and owner Jeffrey Paige, whose seasonal menus offer primarily American comfort food. Robust plates are created with distinctive flavors and presented in a straightforward manner, allowing the quality of the ingredients to speak for themselves. Cotton has an extensive and always expanding list of carefully selected domestic and imported wines, with over 40 by the glass, and an award-winning seasonal martini list.



Best Corporate Event Caterer: Tidewater Catering Group
250 Commercial St., Suite 2021, Manchester
800-827-1387
www.tidewatercatering.com

Tidewater Catering Group is a full service off-premise catering and event planning company located in the historic Millyard of Manchester. Tidewater gets to know its clients, producing events that are an extension of their personality. Tidewater can cater large corporate events or the most intimate affair, paying close attention to every detail of your event. Its team of experienced professionals will work with you to plan your menu, plan the logistics and ensure that every detail of the function is perfectly executed. Accommodating and adapting to every request in food and service is just one of the reasons why Tidewater ?looks at catering a little differently.?


Best Lunch Delivery: Café 324
324 Commercial St., Manchester
603-666-5432
www.cafe324.com

Café 324, located in the heart of Manchester's Millyard, offers a wide variety of continental and hot breakfast selections, delicious lunch entrees, home-style soups, extraordinary salads, gourmet wraps, and its famous gigantic chocolate chip cookies and extra-fudgy brownies: all at a price that won't break your budget. Enjoy a chipotle ranch chicken wrap or Baja steak salad at the café or delivered to your office. Café 324 also can cater your event at its function room or at your location.


Best Lunch to Go/Local: Café 324
324 Commercial St., Manchester
603-666-5432
www.cafe324.com

Eating at your desk? Go to the Café - Café 324 that is. One call to Café 324 will have soup on your spreadsheet in no time with its prompt delivery service. Located in the heart of Manchester's Millyard, Café 324 provides quick delivery offers a wide variety of continental and hot breakfast selections, delicious lunch entrees, home-style soups, extraordinary salads, gourmet wraps, and its famous gigantic chocolate chip cookies and extra-fudgy brownies: all at a price that won't break your budget. Café 324 also can cater your event at its function room or at your location.

Best Lunch to Go/National: Panera Bread
Locations throughout New Hampshire
314-633-7100
www.panera.com


Best Place for a Quick Lunch: T-Bones
Locations in Bedford, Derry, Hudson and Salem
311 S. Broadway, Salem
603-893-3444
www.t-bones.com

T-Bones Great American Eatery opened in Salem in 1984, offering classic selections with imaginative twists, proving you don't have to be a great big corporate chain to serve great food. Today, locations in Bedford, Derry and Hudson as well as the flagship Salem eatery offer diners homemade soups, salads and sandwiches as well as mouth-watering burgers: and get you back to the office in no time. Healthy choices and vegetarian selections are also available such as honey wasabi salmon salad and vegetarian fajita salad. T-Bones and sister restaurant Cactus Jack's also support the local community with events and fund-raisers.


Best Place to Pick Up Coffee/Local: Breaking New Grounds Coffee & Tea
14 Market Square, Portsmouth
603-436-9555

Roasted on premises, this is as fresh a cup of joe as you're going to get anywhere. Breaking New Grounds Not a coffee drinker? Breaking New Grounds has a wide selection of teas for a more soothing start to your day.

Best Place to Pick Up Coffee/National: Dunkin' Donuts
Locations throughout New Hampshire
130 Royall St., Canton, Mass.
781-737-3000
www.dunkindonuts.com


Best Private Golf Course: Manchester Country Club
180 S. River Road, Bedford
603-624-4096
www.manchestercountryclub.com

Originally designed by Donald Ross and built in 1923, the 18-hole course at Manchester Country Club plays an average of 6,348 yards with wide, tree-lined fairways and small, undulating greens. Water hazards come into play on seven holes. MCC's course hosted the 2002 New England Amateur Championship, 2004 New Hampshire Women's Golf Association Amateur Championship, and 2005 New Hampshire Women's Golf Association Amateur Championship.
It has also been rated by Golf Digest as one of the best courses in the state.


Best Public Golf Course: Derryfield Country Club
625 Mammoth Road, Manchester
603-669-0235
www.derryfieldgolf.com

Derryfield Country Club is an 18-hole regulation public golf course located in the heart of Manchester. Established in 1932, Derryfield is one of only three municipally-owned golf courses in the state of New Hampshire. At Derryfield Country Club, you will find the Derryfield Golf Shop, a fully stocked golf shop, as well as the Derryfield Restaurant & Lounge, a full service restaurant and bar. The restaurant's Deck, a popular night spot during the summer, features live music on Friday and Saturday nights.


Best Health Club/Local ? Executive Health & Sports Center
1 Highlander Way, Manchester
603-668-4753
www.executivehealthclub.com

The Executive Health and Sports Center has been a fitness leader for over 30 years, with inspire, motivate and educate people to be healthy, active and well for life. With a staff of 200 professionals and over 100,000 square feet on two floors, the facility offers a fitness room with wide variety of new cardiovascular equipment including treadmills, treadclimbers, ellipticals, and Nautilus equipment and free weights. The lower fitness room features fully equipped training areas for athletic and functional conditioning. Classes run the full spectrum from aerobics to racquetball to yoga.

Best Health Club/National: Planet Fitness
Locations throughout New Hampshire
898 Central Avenue, Dover
603-743-4653
www.planetfitness.com


Best Health Care Facility: Catholic Medical Center
100 McGregor St., Manchester
603-668-3545
www.catholicmedicalcenter.com

The mission of Catholic Medical Center, a 330-bed full service health-care facility located on the Manchester's West Side, is to provide health, healing and hope to all. CMC offers innovative, quality health care based on a dedication for compassionate care combining state-of-the art technology with the medical expertise of staff and their professional support. CMC's New England Heart Institute, a comprehensive cardiac care center, gives patients access to the region's most highly trained, board certified cardiologists and cardiac surgeons.


Best Health Insurance Provider: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire
3000 Goffs Fall Road, Manchester
603-695-7000
www.anthem.com

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, New Hampshire's largest health benefits company, is an operating subsidiary of WellPoint Inc., whose mission it is to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities. The company delivers a number of leading health benefit solutions through a broad portfolio of integrated health care plans and related services, along with a wide range of specialty products, including pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision and flexible spending accounts.



Best Hotel for Business Travel: Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown
101 South Commercial St., Manchester
603-669-2222
www.hiltongardeninn.com

The Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown hotel, located in the historic Millyard district of Manchester, overlooks the baseball stadium of the minor league, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and is within walking distance of the Verizon Wireless Arena and minutes from Manchester Airport. The hotel offers amenity-filled guest rooms with a microwave oven, refrigerator and coffeemaker as well a 26-inch LCD flat panel HDTV with 85 channels from which to choose, complimentary high-speed Internet access with secure, remote printing and the Garden Sleep System. Guests can enjoy breakfasts and dinners or a cocktail. During seasonal weather, take a seat on The Patio restaurant, overlooking the ballpark. Other amenities include an automated self check-in kiosk and an executive boardroom, featuring innovative technology, and two hospitality suites for corporate and social events, a fitness center and pool.

Best Commercial Insurance Broker: Ferdinando Insurance Associates
637 Chestnut St., Manchester
603-669-3218
www.ferdinandoinsurance.com

Ferdinando Insurance Associates Inc. has provided trusted and knowledgeable insurance advice since 1963. Serving a large, diver se client base and actively supporting many local community services, the Ferdinando Family and staff of dedicated employees provides a wide variety of services include Life, Accident, and Health as well as well as risk management and estate planning.


Best Employee Benefits Broker: Sadler Insurance Agency
24 Railroad Square, Nashua
603-883-0511
www.sadlerinsurance.com

The Sadler Insurance Agency, established in 1924, is a full service independent agency offering insurance, risk management and financial services to families, business and industry. Its three service divisions specialize in commercial insurance, personal insurance and employee benefits, including life and estate planning. In addition to representing regional and national insurance carriers, Sadler also acts as an agent and broker for many international insurance companies serving markets in more than 130 countries around the globe.


Best Law Firm/Bankruptcy Law: Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green
1000 Elm St., 17th Floor, Manchester
603-668-0300
www.sheehan.com

Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green was founded in 1937, and has undertaken some of New Hampshire's most complex and well-known business matters, including those in the areas of labor, taxation and zoning as well as affordable housing and immigration.
Sheehan Phinney has strategically added top legal talent from across the United States to serve clients throughout New England from its four regional offices in Manchester, Concord, Lebanon and Boston, Mass., across New England.


Best Law Firm/Corporate Law: Devine Millimet & Branch, Manchester
111 Amherst St., Manchester
603-669-1000
www.devinemillimet.com

Established in 1974, Devine Millimet became the first New Hampshire firm to establish a regional presence outside of the state when its Andover, Mass., office merged with the firm in 1996. The attorneys at Devine Millimet understand just how important it is to choose a lawyer you with which you can work closely and one who is an expert in law in your particular area of concern. With practice groups spanning from attorney conduct and liability to workers compensation, Devine Millimet has locations in Concord, Manchester, North Hampton and Andover, Mass., to serve clients throughout Northern New England.


Best Law Firm/Employment Law: Devine Millimet & Branch, Manchester
111 Amherst St., Manchester
603-669-1000
www.devinemillimet.com

Established in 1974, Devine Millimet became the first New Hampshire firm to establish a regional presence outside of the state when its Andover, Mass., office merged with the firm in 1996. The attorneys at Devine Millimet understand just how important it is to choose a lawyer you with which you can work closely and one who is an expert in law in your particular area of concern. With practice groups spanning from attorney conduct and liability to workers compensation, Devine Millimet has locations in Concord, Manchester, North Hampton and Andover, Mass., to serve clients throughout Northern New England.



Best Law Firm/Intellectual Property Law - Devine Millimet & Branch, Manchester
111 Amherst St., Manchester
603-669-1000
www.devinemillimet.com

Established in 1974, Devine Millimet became the first New Hampshire firm to establish a regional presence outside of the state when its Andover, Mass., office merged with the firm in 1996. The attorneys at Devine Millimet understand just how important it is to choose a lawyer you with which you can work closely and one who is an expert in law in your particular area of concern. With practice groups spanning from attorney conduct and liability to workers compensation, Devine Millimet has locations in Concord, Manchester, North Hampton and Andover, Mass., to serve clients throughout Northern New England.



Best Law Firm/Real Estate Law: Beliveau, Fradette, Doyle & Gallant
91 Bay St., Manchester
603-623-1234
www.beliveau-fradette.com

Founded in 1965, Beliveau, Fradette, Doyle & Gallant P.A. provide comprehensive general legal services throughout the state to individuals, businesses, financial institutions, and municipalities. Its real estate department offers full range of commercial and residential real estate services, representing buyers, sellers, lenders, borrowers, developers and contractors. The firm has extensive experience in the negotiating, drafting and reviewing of commercial agreements and loan facility documentation, in the formation of condominiums and in the application process for subdivision, working hand in hand with its developers in getting a project under agreement and in bringing it through the due diligence and approval phases to finalization.


Best Law Firm/Tax Law: Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green
1000 Elm St., 17th Floor, Manchester
603-668-0300
www.sheehan.com

Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green was founded in 1937, and has undertaken some of New Hampshire's most complex and well-known business matters, including those in the areas of labor, taxation and zoning as well as affordable housing and immigration.
Sheehan Phinney has strategically added top legal talent from across the United States to serve clients throughout New England from its four regional offices in Manchester, Concord, Lebanon and Boston, Mass., across New England.


Best Networking Event: Manchester Young Professionals Network
P.O. Box 884, Manchester
603-942-2485
www.mypn.org

The Manchester Young Professionals Network creates business opportunities, supports community involvement and fosters an overall investment in the future of Manchester. MYPN members gain access to community leaders, equally motivated peers, and develop future skills. The organization helps to improve its members' professional skills, expand their contact base, and provide the opportunity to promote themselves and their business in a relaxing setting.


Best Office Cleaning Service: Maids To Order
Locations in Hillsborough, Merrimack and Rockingham Counties
7100 East Pleasant Valley Road, Suite 300, Independence, Ohio
877-392-6278
www.mtoclean.com

Maids to Order gives you its ?personal touch? promise to treat your home or office as if it were our own. While some companies send large teams of cleaners and others force you on a ?rotation plan,? the company's philosophy is simple: MTO will meet with you personally to discuss your cleaning needs and develop a custom service plan to fit your lifestyle, schedule or hours of operation. MTO believes cleaning services should simplify your life, give you more free time and deliver peace of mind. MTO, a division of Merrymeeting Inc., supports more than 1,700 franchise locations through its six franchise companies.


Best Office Interior Design: 3W Design
7 Henniker St., Concord
603-226-3399
www.3wdesigninc.com

3W Design Inc. is a full service interior design firm that strives to create unique environments that fulfill your needs. Its reputation is built upon quality products, the skill of its team of interior designers and installers, partnered with the relationships it creates with clients. 3W's services encompass everything you need to make your office a comfortable and efficient place to work: including electrical and plumbing, cabinetry, flooring and window treatments.


Best Office Supply Retailer/Local: Goodwin's Office Furniture & Supplies
62 Littleworth Road, Dover
800-451-7676
www.goodwinsoffice.com

With its beginnings in 1960, Goodwin's Office Products LLC offers office supplies and office furniture. Customers can find a wide selection of office products and services including custom imprinting, money management supplies and full office furniture suites. Specials services include a machine matching tool that helps you identify the products for your office equipment such as printer cartridges and paper tape for cash registers. Goodwin's also offers secure online ordering and special savings for customers.

Best Office Supply Retailer/National: Staples
Locations throughout New Hampshire
800-378-2753
www.staples.com



Best Place to Buy Office Furniture/Local: Surplus Office Equipment
100 Factory St., Nashua (Second location in Manchester)
603-881-8281
www.surplusofficeequipment.com

Since 1984, Surplus Office Equipment has provided its customers the best possible office furniture, whether new or pre-owned, at the best possible price. Surplus Office Equipment has over 100,000 square feet of warehouse and showroom space at its facilities, offering New Hampshire's largest selection of pre-owned office furniture at 50 percent to 80 percent of regular retail prices. The company also sells new furniture through its Office Furniture Solutions showrooms. Surplus Office Equipment provides design services making sure clients have an office or workstation that is uniquely tailored to their needs, even matching new or used pieces with existing furniture.

Best Place to Buy Office Furniture/National: Staples
Locations throughout New Hampshire
800-378-2753
www.staples.com

Best Payroll Service/Local: Trivantus
582 Chestnut St., Manchester
603-624-7788

Best Payroll Service/National: ADP
One ADP Blvd., Roseland, N.J.
800-225-5237
www.adp.com


Best Barbershop for Men: Lucky's Barbershop & Shave Parlor
50 S. State St., Concord
603-715-5470


No ?stylists,? no ?salon,? this is a real traditional barbershop, just like the one your daddy went to: only better. Reconditioned antique barber chairs housed in a renovated tin-ceilinged shop, you can get a hair cut and shave for a bit more: but not much: than two bits, $16 for hair cuts, $25 for a shave. And yes, they have the blue-and-red striped barber's pole outside.


Best Styling Salon for Women: Not So Plain Jane's
155 Dow St., Suite 102, Manchester
800-829-6775
www.notsoplainjanes.com

Not So Plain Jane's is located a beautifully renovated historical mill and offers state-of-the-art services for hair, skin, nails and body. All haircuts begin with a personal consultation, and a cleansing massage and completed with a blow dry style. All barber cuts include a shampoo, neck shave with razor, and style.
Other treatments include customized massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Special packages are also available.


Best Copy Center/Regional: Allegra Printing & Imaging
Four locations in New Hampshire
21680 Haggerty Road, Northville, Mich.
800-726-9050


Best Copy Center/National: FedEx Office/Kinko's
Locations throughout New Hampshire
Three Galleria Tower, 13155 Noel Road, Suite 1600, Dallas, Texas
800-463-3339
www.fedex.com


Best Commercial Printer/Long Run: RAM Printing Inc.

RAM Printing, a family-owned and -operated, full-service offset printing company, has been in business for over 30 years. Located in Hampstead, RAM Printing is a part of RAM Companies, which also includes RAM Mailing Service, Hampstead Print and Copy and Guestmark International, which provides specialized print services and products for the hospitality industry.



Best Commercial Printer/Short Run: Printers Square
105 Faltin Drive, Manchester
603-623-0802
www.psquare.com

Printers Square has been providing commercial print and design services for 19 years. Since its inception, Printers Square has been dedicated to providing excellent service and print quality. Printers Square offers high-speed digital printing. Extensive pre-press analysis ensures your print job meets your specifications. Online job tracking helps to inform you about your job every step of the way.


Best Promotional Products Supplier: Off The Wall Ideas
49 Technology Drive, Unit 64, Bedford
603-703-7718
www.offthewallideas.com


Off The Wall Ideas provides a vast array of promotional products, from simple tschotchkes to exquisite corporate gifts, helping to ensure the success of your company's next event. More than just offering giveaways, Off The Wall specifically tailors products to the client, the event, and most importantly, the audience. The right promotional item can drive contacts to your business as well as increase sales. Off The Wall has clients throughout New Hampshire and beyond, including NBC's ?Today? show.

Best Public Relations Agency: Griffin York & Krause
121 River Front Drive, Manchester
603-625-5713
www.griffinyorkkrause.com

Never before has it been so difficult to get your message through the innumerable other vying for your customers' attention. Public relations agency Griffin York & Krause cuts through the chatter to make sure your voice is heard. For 30 years, GYK has seen to it that every creative execution starts with a well-defined, well-researched, comprehensive strategy. Only then does GYK craft attention-getting creative work that builds your brand and grabs market share.


Best Commercial Real Estate Broker: Grubb & Ellis|Coldstream Real Estate Advisors
170 S. River Road, Bedford, 603-623-0100
500 Market St., Suite 9, Portsmouth, 603-433-7100
www.coldstreamre.com

Grubb & Ellis|Coldstream is a real estate business advisory firm that assists its clients in identifying, evaluating and implementing real estate strategies to enhance the value of owned or leased real estate assets. Its team leverages its diverse experience and expertise in corporate services, brokerage, tenant representation, development capabilities and valuation and tax abatement services to assist you in finding the right commercial property for your business or investment.



Best Commercial Real Estate Developer: Anagnost Companies
33 S. Commercial St., Manchester
603-669-6194


The Anagnost Companies has been chosen by Elliot Health Systems for the eagerly awaited $100 million Elliot at River's Edge mixed-use development in Manchester, one of the largest construction projects in the state. The firm has worked on a wide range of projects, from residential to commercial to retail and has made a name for itself in redeveloping buildings throughout downtown Manchester.


Best Commercial Signage Company: Jutras Signs
711 Mast Road, Manchester
603-622-2344
www.jutrassigns.com

Jutras knows there's more to building a sign than just assembling components. Just as every customer is an individual, Jutras wants to assure that each sign we build is an extension of that individuality. Founded in 1940, Jutras specializes in illuminated signs, including neon, as well as non-illuminated signs, banners, awnings, flags and other signage. In addition to design services, Ju tras also offers a complete repair shop with the ability to maintain and service virtually any sign.


Best Sporting Event to Take Clients To: New Hampshire Fisher Cats Game
1 Line Drive, Manchester
603-641-2005
www.nhfishercats.com

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats were founded in October 2003 as the AA Eastern League Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. In the first season, the Fisher Cats played at historic Gill Stadium, located on Manchester's east side, and won the 2004 Eastern League Championship. The team moved to its current home in 2005 at Merchantsauto.com Stadium in downtown Manchester on the banks of the Merrimack River. The ballpark seats 6,500 people, and regularly sets attendance record.



Best Staffing Service: Alexander Technology Group
17 Commerce Dr., Suite 7, Bedford
(second location in Woburn, Mass.)
603-637-1466
www.alexandertg.com

Alexander Technology Group provides a powerful variety of custom IT staffing and recruiting solutions. With an extensive base of loyal clients, unparalleled industry experience, and a compelling local network of highly qualified I.T. professionals, ATG is the ideal partner for job seekers and corporate decision makers. ATG differentiates itself by investing the necessary time to understand each clients' hiring, project staffing, and/or career requirements, and its team includes some of the industry's most respected recruiting leaders and technical professionals allowing ATG to offer unique levels of quality and expertise.



Best Airline for Business Travel: Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines began more than 36 years ago as a small Texas airline. Today, Southwest flies nearly 100 million passengers a year to 63 cities across the country. Senior fares, same-day air freight delivery service, ticketless travel and the introduction of ?DING!,? a direct link to desktops that provides live updates on current airfare deals, all exemplify the airline's commitment to innovations designed to make air travel simpler and more accessible for its customers.



Best Charter Jet Services: Wiggins Airways
1 Garside Way Manchester
603-629-9191
www.wiggins-air.com

Wiggins Airways Inc., an employee-owned company, was founded in 1929. Today, Wiggins handles all unscheduled passenger charter activity at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. Equipped with a four-position check-in counter and ground security coordinators on staff, Wiggins offers its customers airline terminal and hotel courtesy shuttle service, courtesy cars and Hertz rental cars on site, in-flight catering and hotel reservation service.

Best Auto Dealership: Grappone Automotive Group
Route 3A, Bow
800-528-8993
www.grappone.com

Grappone Automotive Group of Bow is a new and used car dealership featuring Toyota, Mazda, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Scion and commercial and fleet vehicles. The history of Grappone begins in 1924 when the Grappone family purchased a Gulf service station in Concord and began selling Pontiacs. Now, after over 80 years in the business of selling cars, this locally and family-owned business offers a huge wealth of experience and excellent customer service.


Best Auto Fleet Dealership: Grappone Automotive Group
Route 3A, Bow
800-528-8993
www.grappone.com

Specializing in commercial vehicle and fleet sales for almost four decades, Grappone Automotive Group's Ford commercial trucks and fleet vehicle departments make sure that your vehicle or truck can handle the job. It has satisfied customers by putting all of those years of experience to work for them.


Best Luxury Auto Dealership: Ira Lexus of Manchester
33 Auto Center Rd., Manchester
877-207-1294
www.lexusofmanchesternh.com


Buying a luxury vehicle should be about more than just a car purchase. The professional staff of Ira Lexus of Manchester take the time to get to know your and to find you just the right vehicle to complement your lifestyle. Stop by to check out the new 2009 RX350 SUV, the ES350 sedan or Ira's line of Lexus hybrids.



Best Auto Rental Company: Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Locations throughout New Hampshire
600 Corporate Park Drive, St. Louis, Mo.
800-264-6350
www.enterprise.com

In 1957, Enterprise Rent-A-Car has began in the basement founder Jack Taylor's Missouri car dealership. With over 700,000 available vehicles today, Enterprise provides rental car services in neighborhoods all across America. Whether you need a car while your vehicle is in the repair shop, while you're visiting from out of town or to test drive the latest models, Enterprise can find the right car at the right price for you. Enterprise also offers fleet management services, pre-owned car sales and commercial truck rental.


Best Limousine Service: Grace Limousine
PO Box 3510, Manchester
603-666-0203
www.gracelimo.com

Family-owned and -operated out of Manchester since 1990, Grace Limousine has grown from just two cars into a leading limousine company serving New Hampshire, the Merrimack Valley and Boston North. Grace is committed to providing the best in personal, special event, and corporate transportation. More than just transportation, Grace's fleet includes Lincoln sedans, a stretch Navigator and a 1956 Rolls Bentley as well as ?green? vehicles such as the Lexus SUV hybrid. Whether you want to arrive at your wedding in style or just want to take the hassles out of getting to the airport, Grace can tailor its services to suit your needs.

Best Travel Agency for Business: AAA Northern New England
Locations throughout New Hampshire
560 South Willow St., Manchester
603-669-0101
www.aaanne.com

Founded in 1902, AAA today has more than 50 million members, and its AAA Travel Services subsidiary provides complete travel solutions not only for members of the organization but the general traveling public as well. The AAA network of over 1,000 offices ? including six in New Hampshire: and aaa.com offer a full range of travel services, including sale of worldwide air, cruise and rail tickets, escorted tours and independent package tour arrangements, hotel and car rental reservations and travel insurance programs.



Best Venue for Events: Verizon Wireless Arena
555 Elm St., Manchester
603-644-5000
www.verizonwirelessarena.com

The Verizon Wireless Arena celebrated its grand opening in November 2001 in Manchester as the premier entertainment venue in not only the Queen City but in the state. As the home of the Manchester Monarchs, of the American Hockey League, and the Manchester Wolves arena football team, the arena has also played host to many headliners include Elton John, John Mayer, Rod Stewart, Martina McBride and the Boston Pops Orchestra: not to mention the site of New Hampshire Magazine's ?Best of NH? party. Seating over 11,000 in the arena, the venue also has 34 suites, five party suites, and 542 club seats for your company outing.


Best Video Production Company: Heartwood Media
83 Hanover Street, Suite 42, Manchester
603-665-9191
www.heartwoodmedia.com

Heartwood Media is an award-winning video and interactive production company creating TV commercials, videos, DVDs, CDs and interactive Flash programs on budget and on target. Heartwood works with you to focus your messag e and target your audience to make sure your message is compelling: and gets results. More than just a video production company, Heartwood is invested in the community, where giving back is an important part of how it does business.



Best Waste Removal Company: Pinard Waste Systems
32 W. River Rd., Hooksett
603-623-6937

Manchester-based Pinard Waste Systems is the largest privately-owned waste-handling company in the state. Headquartered in Hooksett, it is known for its customer service and pro-active approach in fostering environmentally sound practices.

Best Web Site Developer: wedü
20 Market St., Manchester
603-647-WEDU
www.wedu.com

wedü, a nationally recognized and award-winning full-service advertising and marketing agency in Manchester, has been providing clients with excellent advertising and marketing, interactive Web design and development, public relations and experiential marketing since its founding in 1998. Whether a client is looking for online or offline marketing initiatives, wedü can supply creative and effective solutions.




EDITORS' PICKS

Best Hair-Raising Event: International Fantasy Hair Competition at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester raises some $100,000 for local nonprofits with a gala that can best be described as a follicular phantasmagoria.


Best Silver Screen For Just a Little Green: The Red River Theatres in Concord plays host to films you'll never find at the movie megaplex but also to small gatherings for an affordable price.


Best Speaker to Make You Forget the Rubber Chicken: Bert Jacobs of Life is Good, the phenomenally entertaining speaker at the Business and Industry Association's annual dinner (not that they had rubber chicken per se) on Oct. 28, 2008.


Best Designers of Affairs to Remember: Karyn Wornick of THAT! Event Co. for creating environments for NHBR's BOB Awards and the Business Excellence Awards that are elegant, fun and completely unpretentious: sort of like New Hampshire businesses themselves.


Best Hope for New Hampshire's Business Future: The state's network of business incubators are as much a laboratory as a nest to the Granite State's newest businesses.
- Amoskeag Business Incubator, Manchester
- Mount Washington Valley Tech Park, Conway
- Dartmouth Entrepreneurial Network, Hanover
- Hannah Grimes Center, Keene


Best Workers with Cold Fingers and Warm Hearts: BOB gives a special shout out to the utility crews who froze their various body parts off to restore power to Granite Staters after the December ice storm.


Best company in maintaining business after a devastating fire in September are examples of how New Hampshire's public/private partnerships can help businesses overcome adversity.

Best Supporters of a Priceless Education: Seventeen banks and credit unions last year banded together to lend some $90 million to the New Hampshire Higher Education Loan Corp., allowing thousands of the state's college students to remain in school after last year's credit crash hit the state's student loan provider hard.
- Centrix Bank, Bedford
- Community Guaranty Savings Bank, Plymouth
- Federal Savings Bank, Dover
- First Colebrook Bank
- Franklin Savings Bank
- Laconia Savings Bank
- Lake Sunapee Bank, Newport
- Mascoma Savings Bank, Lebanon
- Monadnock Community Bank, Peterborough
- Northeast Credit Union, Portsmouth
- Optima Bank & Trust, Portsmouth
- Passumpsic Savings Bank, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
- Profile Bank, Rochester
- Service Credit Union, Portsmouth
- Sugar River Savings Bank, Newport
- TD Banknorth, Portland, Maine
- Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank