The Huntsman World Senior Games was honored with the Inaugural St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Paragon award at the Chamber Gala and awards ceremony on Saturday, January 20, 2024. The black-tie affair took place at the Dixie Convention center and recognized multiple businesses in the community in a variety of categories.
The Paragon award was designed to honor a long-standing business that has become a pillar of the community. Only businesses that have been open for 15 years or more were eligible.
“What a pleasant surprise and an honor, to say the least,” commented Kyle M Case, Games CEO to start off his acceptance speech.
The Games was selected from numerous nominees, making it into the top three. The winner was announced, as a surprise, the night of the Gala.
Referring to the success and the growth of the Games, Case said, “I firmly believe that it couldn’t have happened anywhere, it couldn’t’ have happened the way that it did, anywhere, except for here in this community.”
Case added that the Games were founded in 1987 by John Morgan, a hotelier, looking for a way to be an economic driver in the community as well as to try to do some good in the world. Over the years, the event has grown into the largest annual multi-sport event for athletes over the age of 50, in the entire world.
“We are proud to call them a local legend and a paragon of what makes our business community thrive. Here's to many more years of continued success,” commented the Chamber of Commerce.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, our amazing volunteers, over 3,000 volunteers that help us put on this event, our full-time staff, our part-time staff and the thousands of athletes from all around the world that come and compete in the Huntsman World Senior Games, I say, thank you,” said Case.
Other winners on the night were: Thrive Award: Tagg-N-Go Car Wash; Hometown Hero: RAM Aviation, Space & Defense; Trailblazer Award: Tech Ridge; Rising Star Award: Farmstead Bakery.
The Huntsman World Senior Games take place each October in St. George, Utah, and offer more than 30 different sports to more than 11,400 athletes every year.