THE Saipan Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year Gala, an annual business awards and fundraising event conducted to support the organization’s programs and to celebrate its membership, was held at the Kensington Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 27.
Perry Inos Jr., a partner and managing director of AP Group LLC, took home the Business Person of the Year Award.
Through AP Group, Inos and business partner Michael Sheu own Tapped Out tap room in Garapan, Napu Brewing craft brewery, Dreamplay educational space, and other subsidiaries.
In his remarks, Inos said he is grateful for the support he receives from his wife and children; his parents; business partner Michael Sheu; past mentors like Bob Jones and Alex Sablan; Northern Marianas College; and other supporters.
He likewise dedicated the award to his “roots.”
“I’m a relatively young kid born in Guam, raised in Rota, and Saipan. This award is for my Rota roots as much as it is for me,” he said.
Inos said the business community “is all in the same ship” when it comes to the challenges it faces with the economy.
“We’re weathering these stormy times. I’ve learned that with faith, perseverance, patience, hard work, and loads of dumb luck everything will be OK,” he said. “No matter the hard times you’re going through right now, everything is going to be OK.”
Inos said the annual chamber awards signified a “responsibility to lead, to innovate, [and] to contribute to the CNMI.”
“I challenge us, all of us business leaders, to continue to be driven not by the pursuit of success but by the impact we make on the lives of others, for those who have little,” he added.
Saipan Chamber of Commerce President Joe Guerrero said the funds raised at the gala will support the Chamber Education Award and the Pellegrino Vocational Education Award — the scholarship programs for students at NMC, the Northern Marianas Trades Institute, and other vocational schools.
The annual fundraiser also helps the chamber subsidize training opportunities for its members.
Guerrero said aside from Inos, other young entrepreneurs are also venturing into business, and he commends them.
“We’re at a point in our history in the CNMI … where there’s a lot of young entrepreneurs, many opening restaurants and other small services. There’s a lot out there. Perry is just one of them. I consider myself one of them. There are many others taking big risks, taking out loans oftentimes and really trying to push forward with their passion. So shout-outs to them and anyone that takes that risk, especially as a small business owner,” Guerrero said.
The other awardees are the Autism Society of the CNMI, Nonprofit of the Year; Angry Penne, Small Business of the Year; Caravan of Food, Sustainable Business of the Year; and Northern Marianas College, Chamber Member of the Year.
Perry Inos Jr. poses with some of the past winners of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year Award.
Perry Inos Jr. delivers his address before fellow members of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.
Angry Penne won the Small Business of the Year Award.
The Autism Society of the CNMI is the Nonprofit of the Year awardee.
Caravan of Food restaurant took home the Sustainable Business of the Year Award.
Gala hosts Romolo Orsini, left, and Monique Sablan perform a comedic musical number at the start of the evening.
Northern Marianas College was named Chamber Member of the Year.
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce gala was held at Kensington Hotel.
The 2024 Saipan Chamber of Commerce gala was held at the Kensington Hotel.
