Steamboat Springs — The accomplishments of local businesspeople are once again being recognized through the annual Navigator Awards.

A ceremony to recognize the winners is scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at the Strings Music Pavilion.

The Chief Theater is 2016’s Business of the Year. The historic building was reopened as a performing arts center in summer 2013 and has since grown into a community culture and entertainment hub. This year, theater leaders successfully conducted a fundraising campaign to fund the removal of a visually distracting support beam in the theater.

Chief Theater Executive Director Scott Parker said Sunday he was in shock after learning the business would be recognized with a Navigator Award.

“I was just blown away. I know we’re doing a really good job, and the community has just wrapped their arms around us,” Parker said. “It’s an honor to get this award.”

Parker said while the removal of the post in April was a highlight of the year, he thinks the community’s support and attendance at Chief Theater events are what make the theater deserving of the award.

“This is a community cultural center,” Parker said, “And it’s the community’s award.”

Business Person of the Year for 2016 is Scott Marr, owner of Steamboat’s Holiday Inn and former president of the Rotary Club of Steamboat Springs.

The Holiday Inn in 2013 won a Renovation Award from the InterContinental Hotels Group for its completion of a hotel modernization and renovation project.

Marr is also chairman of a volunteer committee working to allocate lodging tax money for new trails in Steamboat Springs.

Young Professional of the Year is Nick Sharp, chief operating officer of Rex’s Family of Restaurants. Sharp was the longtime manager of Rex’s American Grill & Bar before becoming COO in 2015.

Navigator Award winners are nominated each fall by community members and selected by the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association and Steamboat Pilot & Today.

Steamboat Pilot & Today Publisher Suzanne Schlicht said this year’s Navigators are an inspiring group.

“In big and small ways, both publicly and behind the scenes, these honorees have had great impacts across the local business community,” Schlicht said.

Tickets for this year’s event are now on sale, and the evening will include music from local southern rock band Yer State Birds.

“The Navigator Awards event is the one evening of the year that we celebrate the vibrant business community in Steamboat Springs and its contributions to the wonderful quality of life here,” Schlicht said. “It is a fun and intimate evening every local businessperson should attend.”

For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, visit steamboatchamber.com.

To reach Teresa Ristow, call 970-871-4206, email tristow@SteamboatToday.com or follow her on Twitter @TeresaRistow