By Candy Feliciano
For Variety
ON Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce will announce the winners of its annual awards at Kensington Hall. The gala, which doubles as the Chamber’s main scholarship fundraiser, kicks off with cocktails at 5:30 pm. followed by the official program at 6 p.m.
The Chamber Member of the Year category features three very different nominees. Century Insurance Company is being recognized for its high AM Best rating and its work on insurance reforms. 500 Sails is on the list for its decade-long effort to bring back traditional sailing and navigation—work that recently got them featured on CBS Morning News. Finally, the CNMI SBDC Network is nominated for helping launch 45 new businesses and supporting over 1,100 jobs since 2022.
In the Small Business of the Year category, the nominees include:
● Julie’s Catering, a local favorite since 2020.
● Paradise Lyric House, which produces music and custom audio for local brands.
● Kumoi Farms, a family-run piggery focused on sustainable farming.
● Challenge Testing, Inc., which provides technical testing for major CUC and USGS infrastructure.
● Marianas Integration, a woman-owned firm helping Saipan businesses navigate military contracts.
The Non-Profit of the Year nominees are groups focused on direct community impact. FitBeat, Inc. has spent six years offering free community fitness classes, while Fåha’ Digital Media uses film to keep indigenous stories alive in the digital age. Project Buddy Check 670 is nominated for its veteran advocacy, and the Center for Living Independently is recognized for supporting residents with disabilities across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
There is also a new category this year: Public Agency of the Year. The finalists are Northern Marianas College, which just finished its $30 million Student Center; PSS Career Technical Education, for its student-to-workforce programs; the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation; the CNMI Department of Commerce for its new “One-Stop” business permitting; and the Mayor of Saipan’s Office for its focus on island-wide safety and cleaning.
Individual tickets are $100 and VIP tables of eight are $1,000. All proceeds go toward the Chamber’s scholarship funds for local students.
